The Eyes of the Dark

Ten.

Training is called off today because of the Ball. Everyone seems to be busy. Kim could barely stay for breakfast because she had to go get her dress fitted. Ava couldn't stop talking about her dress and I couldn't stop stressing about tonight. Everything has to go to plan. No, everything will.

After breakfast I head back to my room to freshen myself up before I have to do my dress fitting. I re-braid my hair in the mirror and stare at myself a little longer than I should. I pick up my engagement ring and slip it on my finger. I take one last look in the mirror and then head out the door.

As I walk down the hallway girls run in different direction, gossiping about what they are wearing. Tonight, doesn't feel like a Ball should. A Ball should be fun and exciting. I feel like I'm starting a war. Once we escape there will be no going back. Queen Joanna will hunt us down. She will know I am the Black. I'm basically a criminal just like my brothers. Everything is wrong with this world. Things need to change, and the Resistance sees that.

When I approach the doors to the room, I am supposed to be doing my fitting. A petite girl tells me to follow her. She leads me into a smaller room with a mirror. She asks me to take my clothes off and for a second I hesitate. I already don't like this.

As I stand naked in front of the mirror the girl slides a white silk robe on me. She doesn't say a word. I start to wonder if she is an Elite or a Dreg. She pulls my hair out of its braid and places my hair neatly around my shoulders. She then leads me back to the set of doors and we walk in. First, I see Max and Cedric standing close by and then the Queen.

"Ah, there she is!" The Queen says from the other side of the room. Max approaches me and kisses me on the cheek. I smile and then his hands go around my neck and unclasp my necklace.

"I'll keep it safe during your fitting," he says tucking my necklace into his pocket. I grin and whisper a thank you. As Max leads me towards his mother, I notice the King sitting near the corner. He looks gravely ill, but he does not acknowledge me.

"Don't mind him. He grumpy that mother made him come," Max says. I give him an understanding smile. I meet Cedric's eye for a second until I'm pulled away. Everything about this fitting is extremely uncomfortable.

"Sybil, I want you to bring in the red dresses," Joanna says to the servant while examining my small body. "Yes, I think red will look nicely on you." Max smiles in agreement. Sybil leaves and Joanna leads me to the large pedestal and mirror before me. I hate being the center of attention. Sybil comes back into the room with a large rack of brightly red colored dresses. Different shades and styles fill the rack. The Queen starts sifting through them and then hands a few to Sybil who carries them with ease. She holds the dresses and makes no eye contact with anyone in the room.

"Okay, we will try these first and then see where they go," she says. I nod and follow Sybil to the changing room. The first dress she helps me get into is a very light red with a plunging neckline and mesh sleeves. I almost gag in disgust when I see myself in it.

When I walk out, I already feel the crimson color coming to my cheeks because of how much of my cleavage is exposed. Max holds in a laugh and so I do. Sybil helps me up on the podium and Joanna examines the dress.

"Hmm, I'm not loving the color. Maybe something a shade darker." Seriously the color? How about the neckline or the ugly mesh sleeves? "Octavia, dear, do you like it? Be honest." Her tone seems passive aggressive. I freeze and watch her in the mirror. Is this a trick or is she being nice?

"I think it's beautiful, but I don't love the... neckline," I grind out. She tilts her head.

"Yes, it is very... plunging," she says with something glittering in her eyes. Joanna waves her fingers at Sybil. "Shorter neckline and darker color." Sybil nods and helps me down and to the changing room again. I shrug out of the dress and she helps me put on a very elaborate sleeveless and strapless dark red gown. It is extremely heavy. I almost fall backwards. She leads me out again and this time Joanna takes one look at me and holds her hand up.