The Masks of Amelia

Still Cleaning

 Lillian had said one week for everything that happened in the 24 hours after her deal. The girls could do a lot in those 24 hours. In the space of four of them, Olivia had burnt five plants, Ava had shattered three glasses (by trying to make them explode with her voice, only to throw them when she couldn't) and each of them were prepping extravagant ways to break up with their boyfriends. They were going to be messy. I overheard Ava muttering something about "Going out in a blaze of heavenly fire," and Olivia murmuring promises of "A ring of fire. Yeah, a nice ring of fire around us."

They were both pyromaniacs. Pyromaniacs I had to clean up after. There would probably be trauma counseling for the soon-to-be-ex-boyfriends, as well as for any possible witnesses.

I hated when they broke up with someone. Sometimes they sent me to do it for them. Countless times, I was viewed as a rebound, or a way back into their presence. I didn't know how they got boyfriends in the first place, but I didn't have any experience with that kind of stuff.

However, I really, really, wanted to go to that ball, and avoid death at the hand of my stepmother one last time. If Ava really did become princess, I could slip away into anonymous oblivion, never to be seen by Lillian or any of them again.

I held onto that thought as I tidied up the dirt, glass, soot, and tears of ex-boyfriends.

When the time came for Ava and Olivia to go shopping for accessories for the ball, I drove with a stone in my stomach. What would they do? Burn something? Someone? These 24 hours were doing a number on my nerves. So far no irreparable damage had been done, but I was still holding my breath.

I dropped them off at the front of the huge mall, and went to find a parking space. They hated waiting to find a parking space, walking to and from the parking space, basically anything that didn't involve the actual shopping part of the expedition. I cursed them for it, but I also enjoyed the spare time alone. That day, I used it to think of all the disasters they could be making in said mall. I walked faster.

Ava and Olivia had already headed to the top tier, the most expensive and glittering floor of the mall. Everyone was rushing about, snatching up deals and trying to snag the best dress for the ball. I could gladly live the rest of my life without hearing another mention of ball this, Prince Michael that. I planned on becoming a hermit in the middle of nowhere the minute Ava had the attention of the Prince. I'd record which one it was, and fall to my knees in thanks to commemorate that minute annually.

To ensure said attention of Prince, I regretfully made my way up to the highest floor. Sparkling jewels threw light and rainbows everywhere, with flashes of color in the form of handbags, scarves, hats, and shoes. So many shoes. Ironically, the one thing the girls never let go of.

While Ava and Olivia practically vibrated with excitement of all the options surrounding them, I snagged an employee, begging to not let them buy anything that would make them look ridiculous. I may have taken up actual space in the household, but I barely existed to anyone there. Ava and Olivia wouldn't listen to me, not here, not with this many shiny things to hold their attention.

I trailed them around, and at some point became aware of someone trailing me. After a time, I lost them, and caught their elbow as they went past, presumably looking for me. I sighed in relief, it was Scarlett. Scarlett was one of my friends in the Mafia. One of my best friends.

"Scarlett, why were you following me?" I hissed. As nice as it was to see her, usually there was some forewarning before she popped up.

She just shrugged, and popped her bubble gum. "Eh. Saw you were out and about, thought I'd say hi," she smirked. "Boss also said to give you this," she added, her voice now low and serious. She palmed me a small black box, and I slipped it into my bag without looking at it too closely.

I looked at her questioningly. Obviously "Boss" was her grandfather, head of the mafia she was a part of. I had no idea what he wanted with me, though.  I'd seen him once, when he'd sat me down and told me that if I needed anything, he and the Red Jackets were there for me. That did not mean, however, that if anything happened to Scarlett while I was around her, I would not be one of the first people he questioned.

Still, I was fond of the man, if only for his protectiveness.

"What does Boss want with me?" I asked, if only to share in her confusion.

Scarlett shrugged again, popping her gum she was constantly chewing. "Maybe it has something to do with Plan B." Plan B was the other reason I was desperate to get into the ball. The Red Jackets were planning a protest at midnight of the ball. Nothing dangerous, not to the attendees or the royals, but we wanted a few changes as to how the country was run.

Taxes were high, discrimination against the few without powers was great, and common sense was at an all time low.

I wanted to be a part of that, even if no one would know I was there. I wanted to be a part of something bigger. Maybe this little box would give me a way in.

I was tempted to stay here and keep postulating with Scarlett, but Ava and Olivia were slipping from my line of sight, and today of all days, I could not lose track of them. Turning back to Scarlett, I whispered a date and time that should work for a short meeting before the day of the ball. She disappeared into the throngs fighting for their dresses, and I fought to find my step-sisters before they destroyed something.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~

Hullo, it is really bloody hot. Seriously. My jelly beans are starting to stick together. It's not nice. I had a really nice inspiration for a different scene, but now I need to get to that scene, and I'm really sorry nothing particularly interesting happened, but we're getting there, I promise.

Anyhitherwho!

~KK