"You really need a black or white suit to go with this mask."
"Then I'm stuck because, as you can see, neither of these suits are the right color."
I sit on the bed, feeling a little dejected. What I wear has never been something I think about too much, and because money is tight, I started using some of my dad's old clothes. He was a little bigger than me, but all it means is that I can wear his sweaters comfortably.
Now I have to go to one of those things normal people go to, and not only will I feel out of place, I will also look it.
There's a knock on the door, so I get up to see who it is. There's no one working on the farm today, so maybe it's one of the girls wanting some attention.
When I open the door, I'm surprised to see Victoria on the other side.
"Is everything okay with the girls?" My heart starts racing immediately, and I think the worst.
"Yes, they're both watching a movie. The cupcakes cooled down enough to decorate, so I thought I'd bring you some." She gives me a box with six cupcakes, and I know I'll be taking Xander some tomorrow.
"Thank you, that's really kind."
"Ash, are you sure you don't have any more suits? Maybe in that big—” Nicki says before she stops herself when she sees Victoria.
Nicki was on her best behavior during the Christmas lights because of Xander and Mia, but I wouldn’t put it past her attacking Victoria now that it's just us.
Victoria has been nice to me for a few weeks now, and I'll admit we're starting to feel more like a dysfunctional family rather than two strangers that live next to each other but have to share the driveway. I definitely don't want to mess with the balance of the universe right now.
"Look, we made cupcakes earlier, Victoria brought me some. Do you want to try one?"
"No, thank you," she says, keeping her eyes locked on Victoria.
"Um, did you say you're looking for a suit?" Victoria asks.
"Yeah, I was invited to a party and need a black or white suit to go with the mask I have to wear," I say.
"I'll be right back," Victoria says, and then she's gone.
Nicki and I look at each other and shrug. I have no idea what she means, so I guess we wait.
A minute later Victoria comes back holding a suit inside a cover.
"I kept this one because..."
She pauses, looking at the suit cover and pulling the zipper down carefully.
"I met your father at a masquerade. He was wearing this suit and had some awful black and white paint on his face." She smiles, her expression full of sorrow. "Let's say that day I fell for the charm, and he convinced me to see him again. Even without seeing his face he was the most beautiful man I'd ever met."
A lump forms in my throat. I'm not sure how to deal with this information. How to deal with nice Victoria when she spent so long making an effort to be mean.
"Anyway, enough reminiscing," she says, and takes the suit out.
Nicki gasps. "It's perfect, Ash. Go put it on."
I come back to the lounge a few minutes later, and they both agree I should wear the suit to the party. I'm relieved, but also full of emotion I don't understand.
I might have to eat my half of the cupcakes in one sitting.
20
XANDER
My phone dings.It's not a surprise because it hasn't stopped all day since we routed all of Mia's calls to my phone. I always knew Mia was a superwoman, but knowing it, and stepping into her shoes, are entirely different things.
