The Truth

Matchmakers

As Sophie lay in bed that night, Edaline came up to check on her.

"Hey, Sophie," she said. "You were out there with Fitz for awhile, what happened?"

Sophie smiled. She knew that Edaline would be overjoyed to hear this news.

"I'm going to register for Matchmaking tomorrow wi-" she was cut off by Edaline's overjoyed gasp. "Oh, Sophie! That's wonderful! Who will you be going with?"

"Well, I was about to say, but then you cut me off." she said. "I'll be going with Biana, Fitz, Keefe, and Dex."

Edaline was beside herself with motherly joy. "That's the best news I've had all, year, including that Silveny is pregnant! When? Oh, right, you said tomorrow. Well then, make sure that you get plenty of rest tonight, and I will wake you up bright and early to get ready! Have a good sleep," Edaline kissed Sophie's forehead. "Love you, mom." Edaline paused in the doorway. "I love you too," she said, switching off the light.

Sophie smiled, closed her eyes, and fell into a peaceful sleep.

The next morning, she awoke to a blast of sunlight full in the face

"Rise and shine!" Edaline sang. Sophie groaned and rolled over, shoving a pillow over her head. "Edaline, wha time izit?" she mumbled into her faceful of pillow.

"Five am!" Edaline announced, taking away both Sophie's pillow and her soft, warm duvet. When Sophie still lay there, Edaline left. Sophie heard water running, and she saw Edaline come back with a glass of water. She held it over Sophie's face threateningly.

Sophie gasped. "You wouldn't dare," she said accusingly. Edaline smiled. "Try me," she said, dribbling a bit on Sophie's face. Sophie squealed as the cold water trickled down her neck. "I'm up! I'm up!" she yelled, jumping out of bed.

Edaline smiled. "Good, Now get dressed. And you might want to ask Vertina for some advice on you hair and makeup."

"Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine," Sophie groaned. She walked over to her closet and surveyed her options for dresses. There were quite a few red ones, some pink, and a variety of other colours. But Sophie eventually settled on a pale green one that fell down to her knees, with a low back and a swishy skirt. She walked over to Vertina, and the beautiful spectral mirror surveyed her outfit.

"Hmmmm. Not bad," she said. "You will want to take my advice on your hair and makeup, I assume?" Sophie did, and so Vertina walked her through the steps of a braided bun and a gold, shimmery, smoky eye. When she was finished, Sophie took a good, long look at herself. Vertina did too.

"Ugh!" Vertina said in disgust. "Sophie, you would be perfect, but those vials around you neck totally ruin the look," she said with a toss of her perfect dark hair. 'Couldn't you skip them just this once?"

"Ummm... yes. Why not." Sophie replied, removing them and laying the cords on her dresser.

"And if there's nothing else, Vertina, am I acceptable?" she asked.

Vertina gave her another harsh sweep with her eyes. "Well, yes. You are good to go." Sophie smiled. "Thank you." she said and, left the room.

When she came downstairs, Edaline gasped.

"Oh, Sophie," she said. "You look beautiful! Fitz, Biana and Keefe just arrived, they're waiting at the Leapmaster." Sophie smiled and walked back up the stairs. Actually, to say "walked" is quite a stretch. Vertina had forced her to wear these very, very, very high heels, and so her walk was more of a hobble.

"Sophie! You look great!" Biana called, as she finished her long, hard climb.

"Thanks, it took Vertina all morning to get me like this," Sophie said.