IRIS
That morning of the memorial felt all wrong.
I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the black dress I had borrowed from Elara’s things. It was a reminder I needed to get my own clothes, but as I smoothed it for the third time, my fingers would not stop trembling. A soft knock came at my door before it creaked open.
“Iris?”
I turned, and Lily peeked her head in, her curls slightly messy, her dress wrinkled from what I assumed had been an unsuccessful attempt to sit still.
“Are you ready?” she asked, stepping in fully.
I forced a smile, softening as I crouched slightly to meet her. “Almost. You look beautiful.”
She grinned, immediately smoothing her dress as if she hadn’t been fidgeting in it moments ago. “Papa said I have to sit still today.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Be a g
