Kings and Queens

O R P H I C

(Adj.)
~ "mysterious or entrancing, beyond ordinary understanding." ~

I squealed as I received the invitation Malachi texted me.
We had exchanged numbers at the café last night, and he asked me to be his plus one at his family's event.
Only he failed to inform me it was a ball

A ball.

My inner childhood dreams were coming true.

I rummaged helplessly through my closet, throwing items of clothing left and right in desperate attempt to find a dress.
A yellow dress that had a weird stain on it?

Next

a short black dress?

Yeah, for a funeral

strappy gold bodycon?

For clubbing, not a fricking ball.

I groaned in frustration as I slid my hands down my face. I had no formal dress in my closet appropriate for a ball, and even if I did, how was I supposed to afford one with like $3.50?

I pushed all thoughts aside as I walked to work.

"A ball?!" Ms. Mcfarley exclaimed in surprise

If I was going to tell anyone of my excitement , as well as my struggle it would be Ms. Mcfarley.

"I don't think I can go though" I voiced sadly

"Why not?" She questioned

"I don't have a dress, I can't go to a black tie event in a sports bra and sweatpants"

Or could I?

No, certainly not

Ms. Mcfarley reached into the pocket of her apron.

"As luck would have it dear, this was meant to be handed to you today. You have continued to work harder than any of my employees, and if anyone deserves this raise it is you."

She handed me the envelope as tears formed in my eyes

"Now go get yourself a dress Cinderella, go on"

She smiled as I wrapped my arms around her tightly

"Oh thank you, thank you thank you!!"

"Of course my Livvy" she smiled, "now go!"

Obeying her orders I walked to the nearest dress shop, and opened the envelope. There had to be at least 1,000 dollars in here.

After being handed countless dresses from employees, my eyes finally landed on one.
As luck would have it, it was exactly my size.

It was lace at the top with a neckline that dipped in the middle, and thin white straps attached to it.
The bottom was adorned with flower appliqués that gave the dress the appearance of a dress a Disney princess would wear in the books my mother used to read to me.

"I'll take this one" I replied with a smile as I handed the cashier my money, and she placed it into a long hanging bag.

Holding the dress up so it wouldn't fall to the ground , I walked back to the café to show Ms. Mcfarley.

Oh, try it on for me dearie!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Not one to disappoint, I ran to her bathroom and slipped it on. The top of the dress fit me snugly and cinched my waist perfectly. The bottom of the dress flowed out beautifully from the waist, and only one word could describe how I felt.