Chapter 48
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As the line gradually shortens, moving me closer to the ballroom’s entrance, I hear Easton announce names.
Only when June squeezes my hand reassuringly do I notice that I’m shaking. “It’s okay,” my little sister whispers. “You look gorgeous.”
I give her a small smile. How did she become the grown–up of the two of us?
Finally, Savannah, the girl in front of me, moves into the hall. From where we stand, I see her walk towards the Ashfords, who stand at
the entrance.
She gives a low curtsey, and the Ashfords smile politely at her. When she straightens, they move in a way that looks rehearsed, leaving space for Savannah in the middle.
Cameras I can’t see from my vantage point flash as they pose. Then Savannah curtsies one last time before walking further into the ballroom.
“And last but not least,” Easton announces, and my heart skips a beat, “April and June Farrah!”
Taking a deep breath, I walk through the floral arch at the ballroom’s entrance to the sound of soft orchestral music. Instantly, the ambiance overwhelms me. The same room where we’ve been having dance classes for weeks is unrecognizable.
The crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden light over the room. Deep purple velvet curtains elegantly frame the tall windows, and delicate garlands of ivory roses and fairy lights drape the room.
I don’t know if it’s a figment of my imagination or delirium due to lack of sleep and stress, but I swear I hear gasps echo through the
room.
When I dare look into the crowd, the contestants and staff around the room stare at me. Their expressions are a mix of surprise and awe.
They all saw the confetti my dress turned to last night, so their surprise is well–founded.
I painstakingly stitched each scrap back onto the dress, but it was only enough to make something of a cocktail dress that fell halfway down my thighs. Then I used the material for the destroyed wings to create a sheer overlay I studded with the beads that went down to the floor. I stitched up the slashed bodice, so it looks like the rips were intentional. Because I had to take out the wings at the back, I cut the back out and changed the neckline and sleeves so my entire back is bare down to my waist.
It isn’t the magical dress I initially designed, but from the look of everyone around me, I didn’t disappoint.
The reactions that mean the most to me, however, are the Ashford’s–especially Marisol’s. Before now, she’s kind of glanced over me, never really looked at me. But when I raise my head from my curtsey, her eyebrow is raised, and she’s smiling, clearly impressed.
I don’t think Samuel knows how to appreciate a dress since he just gives me the same polite smile he gives everyone else. Lucas looks as uninterested as usual.
Peter, on the other hand, is full–on grinning, looking very proud of himself–as he should be. He’s the reason I’m still here. Plus, he sewed all the beads onto the overlay.
As for Nathan…
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Chapter 48
I don’t look in his direction, unsure if I want to see his expression. I’m Incredibly conflicted about everything that has happened between us over the last couple of days, and tonight at the ball is not the right place to unpack it all.
The Ashfords move like they’ve been doing, and June and I fit into their middle, facing the cameras flashing at us.
While we pose, my spine stiffens when I feel a palm on my bare back. I force my face to hold the same pleasant expression as the hand slides down my back till it rests right on top of my ass–and then gives it a little squeeze.
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