The rest of the Night before my sixteenth birthday passed swiftly and without much excitement. However, no matter what I did, I could not forget the smyrion fruit in the garden, with its beautiful tastes and diverse colors. I was furious when I found out that my mother had ordered servants to watch me at all times in case I tried to sneak out into the orchard. I was convinced that my parents truly were greedy and wanted to keep the fruit all to themselves so they could sell it for a profit. As angry as I was, I decided to be patient and wait for the perfect time to sneak into the watchful silence of the smyrion trees once again.

* * *

The time came when the mansion was silent and everyone was sound asleep. It was as silent as could be, which was both a blessing and a curse; a blessing because that meant no one would be awake to see me slip away, and a curse because I would have remain equally as silent.

As I put on a plain gray cloak from my closet and pulled the hood up over my face, I caught my reflection in the mirror: a sorry looking girl with shadowed eyes and a tiny frame. I felt something welling up in my throat that I didn't understand. Shamefulness? Self-pity? I hated self-pity. It made me sick inside and incredibly afraid. Shaking my head forcefully, I tore my gaze away from the mirror and fled silently out the door.

* * *

Getting out of the mansion proved to be surprisingly simple. No one noticed the sound of my soft footsteps in the hall leading out into the garden, and there were no servants out at this time of Night. For a moment, I paused and allowed myself to appreciate the sights and smells of the orchard. I realized with a slight start that the trees seemed to have grown more fruit since I had been to visit them earlier. Also, the colors seemed more vibrant and beautiful, as if they were putting on a silent parade just for me.

With a wild smile, I dashed forward and lost myself once again in the world of the smyrion fruit. Was it just my imagination, or did they taste even better than last time? I closed my eyes, enjoying every moment I spent eating the fruit. Normally, I would have been embarrassed at myself for being such a pig, but this was different. Nothing could come close to comparing with the tastes I was experiencing, and I didn't notice or care about anything. In fact, I didn't notice as the sky began to darken with clouds. I didn't notice as the soft breeze grew into a more forceful wall of wind. I didn't notice the world itself until rain came pelting down from the skies and thunder violently split the peaceful silence. Suddenly pulled out of the smyrion fruit's perfect little world, I realized I would have to get inside as soon as possible before the storm became even worse.

* * *

When everyone woke, the talk was focused mainly on the storm that had come. Rain was rarely ever seen on our island. In fact, the last storm dated back to when my great-great-grandfather was just a boy, or so my mother said. The rain was seen as an amazing gift from the heavens; perhaps even a sign. I really didn't mind what people thought about the storm, just as long as they forgot that tonight was the night that I, Therida Carrion, would become a woman and perhaps put myself in more risk of embarrassment that ever before. The thought made my stomach turn. Curling up beneath my blankets, I tried to calm my beating heart and ignore the sickening metallic taste that had filled my mouth. Just when I had settled into a comforting trance (thinking about smyrion fruit, of course), my bedroom door burst open, showing light through even beneath my thick covers.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" My blankets were pulled back to reveal my mother, who seemed happy and forgetful of the events concerning the smyrion fruit the Night before. She dumped a large pile of items on my bed, and my feet were nearly crushed with the weight.

"What is all this?" I groaned, slowly sitting upright. As I did so, my stomach growled, as if I had never eaten anything in the orchard at all.

"We need to get you ready for the celebration! You slept in late, so the guests will start arriving any time now. Have you seen the guest list, by the way? There will be many important guests, some even from the Islands of Day. So, I need to make you as presentable and ladylike as possible, so please bear with me," my mother said, pulling at my arm until I was standing upright beside my bed with a dazed look on my face. Then, I was coaxed into the chair that sat in front of my vanity, where my mother began to furiously brush my hair until it hung in silken, feathery black locks around my face; the curls barely visible. Then, she went over to my bed again to retrieve what turned out to be a dress. At that moment, I gasped.

The dress was magnificent. Unlike the regular teenage styles that focused on a plunging neckline and above all, tightly fitting the body, this dress was ballroom-style with flowing skirts and tiny buttons that went all the way up and down the back of the dress. The color of the silk that made up the gown was a pale, shimmering silver that was stunning all in itself. My mother smiled at my reaction.

"You seem pleased with your dress. I picked it and had it made specifically for you. At first, I wanted to use black silk, but the tailor recommended setting off your eyes instead of your hair as usual," she explained. Then, she helped me into the skirts, which proved to be more difficult that I had expected. The end result, however, was wonderful. The color of the dress truly did set off the color of my eyes, making both the gown and my irises seem almost three times brighter. Also, it made me look small, but in a good way, almost like an elegant doll. For the the first time in my life, I might actually have been able to pass as beautiful.

I gazed at my reflection for a while, amazed at the transformation, and then I was whisked back to the chair in front of my vanity, where my mother pulled out all sorts of different bottles and boxes, all filled with makeup and powder for the face. I groaned. Normally, I used a small bit of makeup for dinners, but apparently today I was going to get a mask. My reaction earned a small bit of laughter.

"Don't worry, Therida. It'll only be on your face for a few hours, and it will make you look wonderful," she said. I rolled my eyes, but secretly I was beginning to grow excited to see the end results. I closed my eyes as different types of makeup was applied to my face and my eyes were shadowed to make them even more noticeable. I listened as my mother began to put away the supplies and started to open my eyes, but she stopped me.

"No, not yet! I'm not quite finished with your hair, and I want it to be a surprise." I nodded and closed my eyelids again as I felt the brush once again in my hair. I felt as my mother's fingers, callused from years of work in the house, wove silver pearls into my raven locks. I felt as she set the ornamental silver band on top of my head and added small braids near the front of my hair to add elegance.

"Open your eyes, dear," my mother murmured, and I did. I gasped when I saw myself in the mirror. I looked, well, like a princess. I had never thought it possible, but I suppose the right elements can bring out even the smallest types of beauty. She squeezed my shoulders in a comforting way.

"Are you ready, Therida? The guests will be waiting," my mother said softly. I swallowed and just barely stopped myself from biting my lip and causing a sore, which was one of my nervous habits.

"I guess it's now or never," I answered, and followed her out the door. We stepped quietly down the hallways, which had been decorated with flowers and ribbons during the night. I pulled my shoulders back and held my head up high, remembering my lessons. Maybe they would pay off after all. As we neared the giant doors that opened into the dining hall, I heard music drifting from the other side and the murmur of many voices. I took a deep breath, stood up tall, and pushed open the doors, ready to enter the world beyond...

* * *

I hope you liked the chapter! Sorry it took so long to update;

I was busy with a swim meet (the last one of the summer season) last weekend,

and then all sorts of small trips that my family arranged just inside the state with

my grandparents. Anyways, please review, and I'll try to update as soon as possible!