All the Little Pieces

4. CIRCUS TRICKS

As soon as I had finished lunch with my mother, I called Naya. I asked her about the party, told her that it would be the perfect opportunity for her to meet everyone and to make new friends. I told her that it would help her chances with the Inner Council. I told her a lot of things. And the whole time I felt like a complete asshole.

I was lying to her, and she didn’t even realise because she trusted me. I could convince her to do almost anything I wanted to, and she had no idea.

I managed to convince Naya to come to the party on Friday, by telling her that I would escort her and support her throughout the night. We agreed to go shopping for her dress the next day on Tuesday, though that took as bit persuading on my part.

 For some strange reason, I was actually looking forward to spending the day with her, away from all of the training. Tuesday was going to be pure fun; no exercise or workouts, no meditating, no attempts at shifting. With enough effort, I might even be able to trick myself into believing that we were normal teenagers. Just two kids out for a day of shopping, talking and laughter. I smiled to myself, excited and filled with anticipation.

***

“What do you think about this one?” I asked, holding up a lemon yellow dress. We were standing in the middle of an elegant boutique with various dresses scattered around us. We’d wandered up and down Toorak Road, looking into the endless shops. After almost an hour, we had finally found a store that we both liked.

Sunlight streamed in through the enormous windows, flickering every now and then as passers-by blocked the light. Naya gazed at the dress, her eyes squinted and frowning in concentration. I had a desperate urge to laugh at her expression, but with a superhuman effort, I managed to smother it.

“I’m not sure, lemon isn’t my colour. It doesn’t work on my skin so well. The woes of having a yellow undertone, she sighed dramatically. “It’s my mother’s fault. She’s the one with the north Indian heritage,” she said with a laugh.

I nodded and lay the dress down on the small chair, on top of many other colours and fabrics. The shop assistant decided to take away some of the unwanted dresses that were flooding the surrounding furniture. Naya and I looked away guiltily.

Suddenly Naya gasped and dashed to a corner of the store. When she turned around, she was holding a blood red silk dress, a massive grin stretched across her face. I laughed and told her to go and try it on. She ran into the change rooms, excitement and happiness radiating from her in every direction.

When she reappeared, my breath hitched in my throat. She’s beautiful.

“It’s a beautiful dress, isn’t it?” the shop assistant asked.

I didn’t really respond because I was too caught up in Naya. A little miffed, the assistant turned her attention towards Naya, who began to discuss the style and cut in great depth.

“The strapless cut really suits you; it shows off your shoulders.”

 “You think so? I love the ruched bodice.”

“It’s fantastic isn’t it? This designer has done quite a few numbers with that type of bodice. Also, the empire waist cut is perfect for your figure. See how it just flows down past your knees?”

“I like it,” I said. Naya and the assistant turned to look at me, the former with a smile, and the latter with barely contained disdain.

“Really?” Naya asked me. I could tell that she wanted the dress; a blind man would have been able to see how much she was in love with it.

“Yeah, this colour actually suits your skin.” I grinned at her cheekily.

“It’s a very creamy, golden skin tone, isn’t it?” the shop assistant commented.