Clara's POV
I've always wondered what it's like to be in an unknown land, lost and forgotten by any other human being, completely cut off from any communication from family or friends, to just disappear. Would it be a good, or a bad thing? Or both? I don't know. If I could take my books with me, I would go, just to see what it would be like. But I can't part with my books right now. Especially this one.
My heart starts racing as I'm about to turn the page, ready to find out what Theodor will do next...
"Clara dear, come here!" my mothers high pitched voice rings up the stair case, causing me to sigh, and drop my book onto my bed. Quickly tying my hair back into a messy ponytail, I jump off of my bed, and follow my mothers voice down the stairs, and into the living room.
When I walk in, I mentally groan. I am greeted with a bunch of extremely girly dresses; my biggest nightmare. Our family have been invited to an 'elegant wedding party' as my mother calls it, and I HAVE to wear a dress, which I find ridiculous. I'd be much more comfortable in a jumper and leggings.
"Ah, you're here! Now, I've got plenty more dresses for you to try on Clara, and I have a feeling today's the day you'll find one that you like!" my mother insists, though I highly doubt that it's going to happen. I despise dresses, and she knows that. And we both know that trying on these dresses isn't going to be quick either.
"Why can't I just wear leggings and a nice top?" I try to compromise, but she frowns at me, and I instantly regret asking. I know that's there is no way that I am going to be leaving this house in anything other than a dress on that day, and she knows that I know it.
"Absolutely not! Clara these people are rich! Their house is ten times bigger than ours, and they have hired out the best ballroom in the country! You are wearing a dress and that is final!" she exclaims, and I sigh loudly. I don't even know these people, so really I shouldn't be going, but I'm too afraid to point that out to my mother, because she will just tell me that I'm being ridiculous, and probably ground me. Our house isn't that small, and I can guarantee that she is exaggerating when she says that their house is 'ten times bigger than ours' because I'm not even sure that's possible in this town. Most of the houses in this town, including ours, are very dated, and old fashioned, and vintage furniture is very popular here.
"Fine" I give in, and walk towards the big pile of dresses.
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Three hours and forty seven dresses later, me and my mother begin to pack away all the hideous outfits. None of them were even close to my liking. Most of them were pink and frilly, or yellow and frilly, or green and frilly, or...you get the picture. The bright colours and frill are just too much, I'm more of a low key, simple person. Nothing like my mother.
"You're so fussy. All of those dressed were gorgeous" she mumbles, zipping up one of the dress bags. I laugh and copy her, before picking up the next dress. I start to feel slightly guilty as I watch her look around with a sad look on her face, but I really can't wear any of these dresses. They are AWFUL. She looks so tired, and I don't blame her, we have been looking for 'the perfect dress' for two weeks now! I know that she is stressed, I can tell by her expressions and actions. There is no twinkle in her eye. It's just dull. She doesn't put passion into anything anymore. It sounds stupid, getting depressed because your daughter won't wear a dress, but my mother likes everything to go perfectly. But I don't think me not liking dressed is the only reason. Her and my father have been fighting a lot lately, and he hasn't been to the house a lot during the week.
"I'm sorry mother, I really didn't like any of them" I admit, zipping up the last bag. She looks up at me with those weary eyes, taking the last bag from my hands and placing it on the pile. I give her a weak smile, and she tries to return it, failing miserably. I watch as she carefully picks up some of the bags, and starts to take them out to the car, and I instantly regret not faking love for one of them. I feel so selfish. Why couldn't I just make her happy?
As she takes the last little pile, I notice that she left a bag behind, so I quickly grab it and run outside.
"You left one" I tell her, holding the bag up. She frowns.
"No I didn't. That was your great grandmothers, I picked it up from the old house on the way here to show your sister" she explains, and then I realise that this bag is white, whereas the others were black. My mouth creates the shape of an 'o' as we both walk back into the house, sitting in silence on the couches.
"Can I look?" I finally ask, and she gives me a quick nod. I carefully pull down the zip to reveal a simple, blue dress. It has puffy shoulders, and has a tight middle, puffing out at the bottom, with white frill along the bottom and hems of the shoulder pieces. I actually like it.
"She never wore it, just passed it down. No one has ever worn it" she explains further, and I try to imagine what the dress would look like on. Without thinking, I run into the bathroom and strip of my clothes, sliding the blue fabric over my head and smoothing it down my body. It fits beautifully. The colour brings out my green eyes slightly. It's simple, and surprisingly it compliments my boring brown hair. Having a wave of excitement rush over me, I run upstairs to my room, passing my astonished mother, and pull on some white, knee high socks. Smiling to myself, I slip on some blue flats, and wrap a white piece of fabric around my waist, tying a bow at the back.
Stepping in front of my mirror, I'm in complete shock. Everything matches, and actually looks nice. It really compliments my figure, sucking in at the middle, before puffing out slightly and finishing just above my knees. I want to wear it to the wedding.
"Mother!" I call out, taking the steps two at a time, before bounding into the living room, finding her in exactly the same position as when I left. She looks me up and down quickly and tries to hide a smile. She likes it too.
"I want to wear this to the wedding" I say, but she slowly shakes her head. I frown, confused.
"It's short Clara, too short" she states, staring at my knees, but sounds like she's trying to convince herself. She knows I'm going to persist.
"But it's perfect for wedding material! It's old, it's the first time it's been worn so it's new, I've borrowed it, and it's blue!" I exclaim, waving my hands in the air. I sound like an idiot, but I'm adamant on wearing this dress. She closes her eyes for a couple of minutes before standing up, and walking into the kitchen.
"Fine"
"Really?!" I gasp, surprised that she gave in so quickly.
"Yes, you can wear it" she sighs, and I run up to her, engulfing her in a tight hug.
"Thankyou" I whisper into her ear, before pulling away and running back to my bedroom.
After taking the dress off and putting it neatly back in its bag, I decide to tidy my room. With just 2 days until the wedding, I need my room to be spotless, ready for the hair and makeup artists to take over on the morning.
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It's short, I know, but I don't want to give too much away in this chapter. I'm not very good at spacing stories out, and I always get new ideas along the way, then change my mind...again....and again.....and again.
