Jessie lightly ran her fingers over the bodice of her red dress; the silk felt like water, seeping between her skin.

But that was all she liked about the blood red dress, the material, everything else seemed too much just for her sixteenth birthday party.

It was strapless, 100 silk chiffon with beadwork design along the bodice, waist, and hem of her dress.

The beadwork was made of silver-crystal tubular beads, forming trailing flowers.

"Jessie honey………..do you have it on yet?" Karen called from the lounge room.

Jessie smoothed the front of the dress out, and sighed as she glanced in the mirror once more.

JESSIE (wearing her formal dress, examining herself in a mirror) what a shame………. I mean I am only ever going to wear this once in my entire life………..

"Yes mum" Jessie called, as she turned and headed out of her bedroom- the dress swishing as she walked.

"Oh wow" Henry smiled at Jessie from his place on the sofa, a warm, encouraging smile.

Karen stood up and walked over to Jessie, who rolled her eyes when she caught sight of the tears in her mother's eyes.

"You look radiant Jess" Karen exclaimed, bringing her daughter close for a hug.

"Mum!" Jessie whined, fidgeting out of her mother's arms- she could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

"Well you do!" Karen smiled, swiping at the tears that ran down her cheeks.

Karen looked down, examining her daughter from head to toe- "oh, but you don't have the heels on" Karen sighed, looking down at Jessie's bare feet.

"I can't walk in those strappy things," Jessie admitted.

"Well, we'll just have to practice" Karen smiled warmly, and moved to Jessie's side, tucking her arm around her daughters waist- she beamed at Henry as she held Jessie close.

"Is my daughter beautiful or what?" Karen glowed.

Henry flashed a broad smile "just like her mother" he replied.

"Oh geez……….." Jessie sighed.

"Mum!"

Both Karen and Jessie turned their attention to Eli, who stood awkwardly in the hallway.

"Come out here sweety……….I can't see you!" Karen ordered.

Eli hesitated for a moment, and then stepped into the lounge room to show off his new suit.

"Oh very slick" Karen admired, stepping over to her son, she adjusted his black tie.

"I didn't need a new suit………I still have that one from dad and Lily's wedding!" Eli moaned, shooing his mother away.

Jessie giggled slightly as she looked at her brother- his slick black suit, white shirt and black tie was a nice change from his usual baggy jeans, combat boots and worn rock t-shirts.

Eli looked up, flashing his sister a small grin; "you clean up ok" he said simply.

Jessie gasped at his comment, "I look beautiful!" she mocked, twirling around once, "don't I mum?" she asked smugly.

"Yes you do dear……….even with that big head"

"Mum!" Jessie gasped with a smile.

Karen shrugged, and examined Jessie one last time; "you should ask Tad to wear a red tie with his suit……….so your matching"

Jessie looked down at her hands, running them over the bodice of the dress again.

JESSIE (bites bottom of her lip)

"It's not a bring your own date kind of party mum………." Jessie said, a little shyly.

JESSIE Ok, so I never said that I WAS going out with Tad………..but then again………..I never said I wasn't.

"Oh I know, but still, it'd be cute- especially for the photo's!" Karen smiled.

Jessie looked away, trying to avoid her mother's eyes, "yeah………..maybe" she said, quietly.

JESSIE it's not that I'm hiding anything………..I'm simply allowing the truth to linger somewhere in-between.

Karen shrugged, "Ok, now go take the outfits off before you get them dirty." Karen shooed her children back into their rooms, and joined Henry back on the couch, snuggling close, she rested her head on his shoulder.

He reached for her hand, and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

Karen studied their entwined fingers- the light and the dark.

"Are you ok that Lily planned all of this?" Henry asked slowly.

Karen thought for a moment, "I'm fine with it………….I mean, she seemed pretty passionate about it all………." She finally answered.

"Oh………well I think it was very sweet of you to allow Lily to do this for her" Henry said softly.

Karen looked up, into his dark eyes; "I know" she smiled, and rested her head back on his shoulder.

"But I have dibs on Jessie's wedding……….." she added, and smiled as Henry's stomach lifted up and down with laughter.


Jessie held the phone close to her ear, and twirled the spiral chord around her index finger as she listened to the ring tone.

She sat, cross-legged, in the middle of her bed- with the red formal gown still on- and her heart pounding as her call was finally answered.

"Singer residents"

"Err………hello Mrs Singer………this is Jessie"

"Well hello dear, how are you this evening?"

"I'm fine thankyou……….I was wondering if I could speak to Katie?"

"Oh, let me just get her for you"

"Thankyou"

Jessie heard the phone click as it was put on the table- and she could hear the faint sound of Mrs. Singer's high heels clicking on the wooden floorboards, and then silence.

She bit her bottom lip and twirled the phone chord some more, as she awaited Katie's soft, husky voice.

Finally, she heard Mrs Singer's heels return to the phone………Jessie only head Mrs. Singer's shoes, no one else's.

"Jessie?……….I'm sorry………Katie is………..busy, she might give you a call later"

Her heart sank, the outburst at school earlier today was clearly worse than Jessie had first thought.

"Oh ok……….thankyou" she said, numbly, and hung up the phone.

Jessie felt hollow inside as she thought back to the words Katie had hissed at her earlier today………..Jessie shuddered as she realized………they were all true.

And suddenly, because Jessie was too afraid, ashamed, nervous……….whatever the reason……….because she couldn't tell her family about who she really was………..it had torn her and Katie apart.

And, for the first time since……….forever……….Jessie contemplated life without Katie………..suddenly, Jessie began to cry, tears falling down her red satin dress, she cried quietly and softly.

JESSIE I don't want anyone to hear me.


AUTHORS NOTE

Sorry for the non-Eli/Grace moment in this chapter.

But don't worry……….I am leading up to something, you will just have to wait and see!

HAPPY EASTER!