Chapter Three: Dress
Kiera awoke the next day and sat down at her loom, listening to soft music on the digital Victrola, and conducted herself in a normal manner until lunch. As she set out her purp salad, she thought of the fifth and sixth boxes sitting in her living room. What could be in them?
Kiera got up abruptly and walked to the living room. It was a nice room, like all the rooms in her house. The wall were plain, green in this one, and in one corner was the antique chaise lounge, that was the color of peacocks, a carved oaken chair in another, a green velvet armchair by the door, and in the center, a rosewood table, the three legs carved like dolphins.
The fifth and sixth boxes sat on that table. They just sat there, shining in the light streaming through the window, looking beautiful. She picked up the fifth box. It was very small, and she carefully pulled off the silver wrapping, saving it to look at later.
Opening the box, she found a pair of shoes. Well, not just shoes, but beautiful shoes, beautiful silver satin slingbacks with crystals studding the straps. They were so lovely, and so elegant, she gasped.
"Oh, he just couldn't have! It's a dream!" she whispered, pinching herself lightly. She carefully placed them back in their padded box and stared at the final box.
Opening it would be a sin. Flowers, chocolate, jewelry, and those wonderful Cinderella shoes were enough. She couldn't open it. No, no, no, never. It wouldn't happen.
Okay, she had less drive and determination than she thought. She quickly tugged off the gold paper and opened the lid off the white box. Again, her breath was caught in her throat.
It was such a lovely dress. Violet shimmered in the light, changing to brown, to gold, and back again. She stood up and unfolded it, letting it fall into the light. An A-line cut, strapless, taffeta, wrapped creation fell before her. The bustline was generously appliquéd, which followed to the fastening of the wrap at the hip, which parted to reveal a full, pleated skirt. Turning it around, she saw an intricately-laced back. Oh, it was so beautiful. And he had picked it out just for her.
She put it down in its box, grabbed a shawl from the rack by her front door, and dashed out of the building. She ran down the streets of the city and careened to the nearest Academy station.
Bursting in the door, she looked to the clerk at the counter and sputtered out, "Where is Jim Hawkins?"
The clerk knitted his eyebrows, but pulled up a scanner and tapped a few things into it.
"Well, he was stationed here to attend the Higher Officer's Ball tomorrow evening, so he must be here somewhere. I haven't seen him lately, I think he went to find some lunch," said the clerk. She dropped a few coins on the desk in thanks and ran to the nearest restaurant, asking for if Jim had been there. He was nowhere to be found.
When it started to get dark, she headed back to her apartment. She found, attacked to her door was an envelope. She took it inside, put away the dress nicely in her bedroom closet with the shoes, and then flopped down on the chaise.
Dear Miss Smythson,
You are cordially invited to the Higher Officers of the Academy Ball tomorrow evening under the request of Lieutenant James Hawkins. Please dress appropriately and arrive at the Third Millennium Building at eight that evening. There will be an escort waiting for you.
Yours sincerely,
The Academy Administrators.
She wanted jump up and down screaming, but she was too shocked.