The Assumption (The Hypothesis of Giants Series, Book One)

Chapter 12: The Gala

Aurora twirled around in the most beautiful dress that she had ever seen. It was a deep shade of maroon, and the fabric elegantly draped down her body. Seashells were sewn into the hem of the dress. Eileen had curled her golden brown hair, pinning part of it up with a clip made out of gold. Aurora wouldn't have recognized herself if she passed her reflection in the mirror. Even her own parents wouldn't have recognized her. She doubted the town would call her Fatty Alvarez wearing this. Even Hattie Pearlton would be speechless if she saw her like this. And perhaps Jonathan Stockington would see her as something more.

She froze as she thought of Jonathan. He still was up there in Candlewick, unaware that his mother was alive. She wondered how he would take the news. Probably similar to Boreas. But then again, the two brothers were nothing alike. She thought that Jonathan would forgive his mother, while Boreas seemed not to have a forgiveness bone in his body.

Mrs. Xiomy walked in. She was wearing a stunning fitted purple dress with a sweetheart neckline, revealing a hint of cleavage. Aurora compared herself to the other woman immediately and noticed the lumps in her own stomach that were hidden beneath the cut of the dress but still noticeably there. And her large hips were more emphasized in the dress than when she wore jeans and a t-shirt.

"Eileen, do you think that maybe I should wear something else?"

"You look stunning." Eileen smiled and put her arm around Aurora's shoulders. "No eligible man in Plymouth Tartarus will be able to keep his eyes off you."

"Yeah, because I'm the fattest girl in this country," she thought, putting on the black shoes that were too small for her feet. She knew that she would have huge welts on her feet after a night of dancing. That is, if she were even asked to dance. Memories of the high school spring formal came back to haunt her as she recalled going to the dance alone and wondering if she would dance with Jonathan. She had worn a floral print dress that her mother had picked out for her. The pattern made her look like a giant cabbage patch and was not becoming to her figure, but her mother insisted that since florals looked good on her, they would work for her daughter as well.

As soon as she arrived, several of the students pointed out the large garden that had just popped up into the school gym. She was horrified and wished that she had someone she could sit with or talk to, but everyone was in their cliques, and Mary wouldn't have been caught dead at a spring formal. The girls in her class didn't even bother to speak to her, except to comment negatively on her dress. The other girls looked perfectly polished, so elegantly dressed, with their hair all styled and makeup professionally painted on their faces. She watched them dance with the boys in the center of the decorated gym as she sat in a corner. The band played slow songs and fast songs, and she was envious of all of them. Of course, Hattie looked beautiful in a blue silk dress that was just above her knee, revealing her long, thin legs. Jonathan was as handsome as ever in a white dress shirt, navy blue vest and tie, and his hair was free flowing, not in a ponytail like it normally was. She got up to get some punch and, as if it was synchronized, Jonathan also walked over to the table; their hands simultaneously touched the ladle for the punch, and she quickly removed her hand in a hurry. Jonathan smiled and poured a cup, handing it to Aurora.

"You were here first," he said, his pearly white teeth sparkling in the light. A slow song was playing and Aurora hoped he would ask her to dance. But Hattie was over before he had a chance to do anything but smile. She grabbed the cup out of Aurora's hand, saying, "Oh, I think that's for me."

She took a drink and then grabbed Jonathan's hand. "Come on, Jonathan. This is our song."

"I poured that for Aurora," he said, pulling his hand away from her.