“It’s breathtaking, Myra.” My fingers caress the fabric, and I can see the care clearly put into this dress. “I’m not sure what you’d like me to wear this to. A bit fancy for any of my classes.”
She cocks her head to the side ever so slightly, her smile growing tenfold. “There happens to be an event tonight thatyoushould be at. I can’t think of a better place to wear it.”
“Oh God. No, no,” I stutter. “I can’t do that.” Anxiety starts crawling up my throat. “That’s way too risky.”
She caresses my forearm, resting her hand there and brushing her thumb back and forth. “You belong there, Cirella. Not working the party or hiding in the back with the rest of us, but with the guests.”
“I don’t know about that. I think I’d look obviously out of place,” I stammer nervously, the mere thought of going nearly sending me into a spiral.
When she raises her hand to my cheek, I soften into her caress.
“Hold your head high, dear, and don’t forget who you are, CirellaChamberlain.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “You deserve to be there more thanher.Don’t let her convince you otherwise.”
My eyes well up with tears for a whole new reason.
I nod, my reaction taking me by surprise. “I?—”
“Just think about it, okay? The dress and mask are yours regardless.” She lowers her hand to my arm, squeezing gently.
When she opens her arms for a hug, my heart jumps into my throat. It’s been a long time since I had a good, deep hug from a mom, even if she’s not mine.
The second I move forward, she pulls me in, squeezing me, and the back of my throat starts burning.
Something crinkles beneath my foot, and it dawns on me that it’s the twenty-dollar bill Adrianna threw at me. The bill she gave me instead of one of my parents’ prized possessions. One she was well aware I wanted for myself.
It may not be worth thousands, but it was priceless to me. Now it’s gone.
Gus, a tiny white mouse friend I made a few days ago, suddenly appears at my side. I found scurrying in the hallway and I brought him in my room and offered him food. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
Maybe he’s been there for a minute, offering his support, and I didn’t notice until now.
“Hi, buddy.” I sniffle, bending down to pick him up.
“Is he”—Myra’s wide eyes show her hesitancy, but she smiles—“your friend?”
“This is Gus.” I give him a small kiss on his tiny head. “One of my best friends.”
Jules gasps, not of fear, but of adoration. “Oh my gosh, is he wearing a shirt?”
I adjust the material on his back, as it rode up, fixing the pastel-green hoodie I made him. “He sure is. He can’t be running around naked. That’d be absurd.”
Jules and Myra giggle, and for a moment, I feel light as a feather with mythreebest friends. It’s at this second that I know what my decision will be for tonight.
“I’m going to need a little help,” I beam, watching both of their faces light up.
“Of course, my lady.” Jules playfully curtsies, winking at me. “Anything you need.”
“Why are you already dressed? The party doesn’t start for another hour and a half,” Malik groans, his focus primarily on the IMAX screen, where the guys are playing Mario Kart.
Malik is currently facing off with Finny in a balloon battle, a slew of curses expelling from them every five seconds.
“Unfortunately, I have a meeting with my assistant, Maria, before the party starts.”
“Ahhh, the prince has been summoned. My apologies, Your Highness.” Malik chuckles with a smirk.
“Shut up.” Asher uses his shoulder to side-check him and bumps him hard enough to knock the controller onto the ground.
Finny launches a green shell straight into him, popping his last balloon.
