The Pictures We Paint/ #wattys2019

13

Lights? Camera? And Action!!
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"Now look at this dress Amelia, isn't it gorgeous." I looked up from my dressing table, pausing in mid stroke as I brushed my hair.

I had woken up a few moments ago from my nap by Carrie who had insisted I'd get ready early for the big night.

Daisy carried a dress in her hands, smiling triumphantly as she placed it against my chest to see whether it fitted.

I stood warily, not trusting my cousins wild taste in clothing, this was the fifth dress she had shown me after all.

The dress was beautiful however, radiating with a beautiful dark scarlet hue. I fingered the delicate pieces of lace that decorate the bodice, stroking the soft, velvety sleeve in amazement. It cascaded down in mesmerising ripples, alluring in a enchanting way.

"Oh it's so beautiful, where did you find it daisy?" I asked as she handed it to me, I gently draped it on my bed, unable to look away for its stunning simplicity.

"Mother thought it'll look nice on you so she told me to bring it over, it was her engagement dress, a bit old fashioned don't you think? And that colour, urgh- I tell her you didn't like it if you want." Daisy offered, nose wrinkled in distaste.

"Oh no! I love it, how kind of her. I'll thank Aunty later." I hovered an arm over it protectively, already picturing myself wearing it.

"Well if you like it then-" Daisy shrugged and sat down on the small couch in the corner of my room, moving my books aside, she hugged a cushion against her chest, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought.

The whole street had been an uproar since I woke, music drifting from radios set outside on our neighbours porch to celebrate the special occasion. Our whole Lovell would be making their way to the Grand Hall tonight where the reveal would be taking place. 

I could smell a dozen scents of different perfumes as horse driven carriages cluttered by, imaging the hopeful girls that sat nervously in the back seats, hand clasped, dress constantly smoothened down by their mothers.

Tonight would change the lives of fifty handpicked girls in Vonlea, two of those girls would eventually be chosen as royals, one of them would even become queen.

I glanced at daisy in the corner of my eyes, she was unusually quiet.

"You alright?" I asked her, she glanced up and gave me a quick smile.

"Just a bit nervous that's all, I'm just wondering what would happen tonight." She quickly replied, I nodded in agreement and began plaiting my hair painfully into a one fat braid.

Rose-hued sunlight flooded into my room as the shimmering star set, It coated my face in a exquisite golden glow, igniting a warm feeling of excitement in my soul.

I began packing my ivory coloured purse with a few things including my medication  that doctor truce had told me take. I slipped it into a hidden zip, turning away for daisy to hide what I was doing.

"You should go get ready daisy,  Herbert's coming with the carriage in a hour or so and you take ages to dress up." Daisy laughed a little and got up.

"I know, I better get back, my friends are all helping me get ready, do you want to come along?" I imagined a room full of girls, with loud laughter and a thick smell of perfume.

My mind immediately told me to refuse but I wondered what did I have to lose? Besides it might even be fun.

"Sure, I'll just put the dress on, wait for me downstairs?"
Daisy looked surprised at my answer but didn't object.