Hope

Chapter Twenty Three

AN: This chapter is dedicated to Simmy. Thanks for being supportive and awesome :)

The day of the ball has finally arrived and I've never seen Melissa more excited. Even Marg manages to smile when the event is mentioned. Nick and I have the opposite response- we both groan when people- mostly Melissa- bring it up and we've have managed to skip seven out of ten rehearsals. We used that time to work on my abilities- I can now summon the different elements without accidentally setting something on fire or flooding the nearest room. The Earth element is a bit complicated to work with- Nick reckons it's because it's the strongest element and I'm still new to this. But last week I made the ground quiver slightly. It was small and hardly recognizable but it was something. The attempt left me with a pounding headache.

Nick also invited Rioleo to help because of some experience with something- I wasn't really listening as he introduced us because I was too busy contemplating whether or not such beauty could be real or not.

I look at Nick for help as Magnolia orders Melissa to work with my hair. He just shrugs and gives me an apologetic look.

“Come on, Kathryn,” Melissa says, slightly frustrated as she drags me to my room. “The ball is only in a couple of hours and Magnolia did not say what she expects me to do with your hair. That means I have to figure it out myself since I know you won't give any input. I mean, it took me almost two weeks to get you to run a comb through it at least once a day when you got here. Now, I don't know what will go with your dress yet but-” I stop listening. I give a nod when I remember to when she asks things like “you know?” and “right?” but I end up tuning in when she starts talking about the guests.

“The royal family of our neighboring country are coming. By neighboring country I mean the nearest magical country. Just imagine if-” she yanks a comb through my hair- “a human was to arrive! But they won't be able to find the country.” She giggles. I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “The Prince is rather handsome and a gentleman. They say he's looking for a wife.” She nudges my shoulder. “And many more are coming. Who knows, maybe the Acutus are-” she stops when she hears my sharp intake of breath. She mumbles an apology and starts humming a Prasinis lullaby. I wish she could've carried on talking because now I have my mind to deal with.

What if they do come? Will I be able to confidently look them in the eyes and talk to them? Forget confidently, will I even be able to not run when I see Anne's smooth and elegant bun?

But Magnolia isn't stupid- she wouldn't have invited them. And plus- they don't get along.

Will he be there? What would I do if he is? I start shaking.

“Are you cold?” Melissa asks me.

I shake my head, not trusting my voice. She gives me a look before continuing with my hair that is now smoother and shinier.

I start singing 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' to distract myself until Melissa tells me that she's done and I need to put on my dress.

Mary had a little lamb.

Somehow, while getting me ready, Melissa managed to ready herself. She had on a floor-length lime dress that swept out her hips. She looked beautiful.

After she had gotten me into my dress, she forced me to the mirror.

I stared open-mouth at the girl in front of me. She stares back at me with the same expression.

“Wow,” I say. I had never looked better in my life and I doubt I'd ever look like this again. The strapless gown is silver with diamonds around my waist and chest. It is elegant and, for once, I don't see myself but my mother.