CELESTINA

Chapter 11: THE ONE

When I arrived home that evening, Gloriana was waiting in the sitting area. Her tablet was perched on her lap. I was ready to bypass her and head up the stairs to my room, but she had other plans “Celestina, I am afraid we need to discuss a few things for this Gala. You sharing the spotlight with someone else is going to be so hard for you”.

'Why does she think that it will be hard for me?' “Actually, I was thinking that it will be nice to share the night with Vivian. She is my best friend” I countered her worries.

“I know, but the Gala night should be all about you. Just as mine was,” she almost whined.

I sat down in the chair beside hers “Gloriana, I have no doubt that you will find a way to somehow make the day special for me” I tried to comfort her a little and to let her know that I do not mind sharing the day with my best friend.

She folded her hands over her chest and a look of distaste crossed her face “Aren’t you supposed to be calling me Mother by now?” she reminded me.

“Chiron only told me that I should make sure to address you as Mother when we are in public. I assume Gloriana will still do fine for you when we are at home,” I stated. I did not like the prospect any more than she did since the first time she asked me to call her Gloriana and not Mother.

Her face brightened just how kids do when they get their favorite toy “That is true. Good. Then it is settled, now, back to the Gala. I really want to go with a floral theme. So, I will have Blue Gerbera Daisy and Pink Roses brought in to decorate the space. I have spoken with Chase and she said that she likes White Tulips. That makes our color palate blue, pink, and white. I am not completely in love with that idea. So, I have decided to throw in some shades of lavender as well” She finished and looked at me for support.

I shrugged my shoulders not being one to bother about the flower arrangements “I think I can live with that,” I stated, not sure which direction I was supposed to take with her.

“Well, that is settled then. We must find a way to agree. Jackson and my father assured me that it is for the best” She turned her tablet on and opened a gallery that contained dozens of pictures of evening gowns.

“Here, these are just a few of the gowns that I think would make you stand out and would flatter, um, well, you. The dressmaker will be here in about an hour or so and she is bringing some sample dresses for you to try. It would be best if you took a quick shower and put on some clothes that will allow her to easily observe your natural form. Something that fits snug to your body will do just fine.”

“Why was I not made aware of this? I wish you had told me before… I am actually a bit tired. But of course, I will go get ready,” I sighed.

“I thought it would be best to get this over with sooner, one thing to strike off from the list of things to do. Quickly, please. I do not want to keep her waiting,” Gloriana replied, not looking at me.

As she continued to flip through the photos on her tablet, I ran upstairs to shower and get ready. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and hurried through a rinse off. After I dried myself, I pulled on a simple tank top and some tight-fitting fitness shorts, hoping that they would do.

I was working with a limited supply of clothes as I am yet to meet with a dressmaker or tailor, and Gloriana had only given me a few basic pieces when I had first arrived home. Those are the only pieces that make up my entire wardrobe right now, along with the fitness wear and sleepwear I had departed Grooming Tech with. After so many years with a strict dress code, I was eager to explore my fashion options.

Gloriana never seems to be having the time to take me shopping. I wonder if Vivian’s mother would go with me, she seems much more fun to hang out with. A laugh escaped my lips at the thought. Gloriana would not be happy with that scenario and I knew it. It was silly to have even let the thought cross my mind.

I hurried down the stairs to find Gloriana waiting in the sitting room with a very tall and an incredibly beautiful woman at her side. A metal rack had been wheeled into the room. Several dresses hung there, each of them a shade of Tina or lavender, or somewhere in the middle. I decided immediately to try on each and every one of them.

“Celestina, this is Rain. She is an absolute wizard when it comes to perfectly fitting a dress to one’s body. I am sure you will appreciate her skills as much as I do,” Gloriana said, introducing the woman.

Rain looked from me to Gloriana, tapping her cheek as if in thought. “Gloriana, your daughter is gorgeous. She has your perfect nose and your lovely smile. But she is a lot more on the curvier side though,” she frowned.

“Yes. She must have inherited that from Jackson’s gene pool. I hope it will not be a problem. I know how you have always commented on how easy my straight lines were for you to fit.”

Rain looked at me for a long time, seemingly lost in thought “No... It won’t be a problem. A rounder hip and a fuller bust will just require a different approach. Have no fear. I will make it work.”

I stared down at my body and wondered what the hell they could be talking about. I was at the precise weight that Dr. Zena had recommended for me. While at Grooming Tech, no one had ever suggested that finding a uniform to fit me would be a problem. I was not as thin and flat as Gloriana but that was always obvious. But was I too curvy? Did I need to eat less? Gloriana hardly ate at all. Dinner seemed to be her only solid meal.

I pushed the thought out of my mind. I enjoy eating, and I really did not want to walk around hungry. My size is just fine. I knew it was. Dr. Zena would have altered my diet at School if she thought that it is not acceptable.

Rain pulled a dress off the rack and motioned for me to come closer “Celestina, I want you to try this one first. Be very careful as you step into it. The fabric is quite delicate”.

I took the dress from her with hesitation. It was, in all honesty, the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. The pale Blue material was so light and shimmery. As Rain pulled the gown up it seemed to billow and puff around me, catching the light in the most amazing way. I turned to look in the mirror as she pinned the fabric in the back.

I twirled around “It is so pretty,” I whispered looking at my reflection in the mirror.

“This fabric is of the finest quality that you can ever find. Hours of craftsmanship went into the pleats and the draping,” Rain explained.

Gloriana clicked her tongue, a look of approval shimmering in her eyes “Rain is the best in her field. I would not accept anything less… not for me and not for any member of my family.”

I turned my attention to Rain “Do I have to try on any of the others? I really like this one,” I smiled, taking back my original thought of trying all the dresses. I just could not imagine anything that could possibly surpass the first dress.

“Of course, you need to. You will try all of them. I would not have brought a gown for your consideration if it were not stunning,” Rain balked before continuing “I need to be absolutely sure that this is the right one. There could be something much better on that rack. It is my reputation on the line, everyone will know that the dress came from me! There will be one that will take our breath away. There is always one,” she smiled and walked to the rack of dresses “We must go through them all to see which one it will end up being THE ONE.”

Gloriana gave her opinion on dress number two right after I got into it. She said it made my posture look horrible. I did not like dress number three. It was entirely too clingy and tight. Rain rejected dress number four, she said the shade of blue was too greyish and made me look like an animated corpse (I found that thought was a bit too harsh). So we moved on to dress number five.

The gown was a midnight bluish one-shouldered, tight to the waist, and then flowing freely and beautifully to the floor. It moved gracefully with my every step, twirling about my legs, as I twisted my body back and forth. I liked it. But did I like it as much as the first one?

I looked at my reflection in the mirror running my hands down the dress “This one is beautiful too. But I am not very sure,” I bit down on my lower lip “I still like the first gown. Well, actually I like them both.”

Gloriana got to her feet and stood behind me looking over my shoulder at my reflection in the mirror “They are both very lovely. However, I think the first one might have an edge over this one,” she noted.

I thought about it for a moment and then decided that I agreed with her “Yes. I think you’re right. The shimmer in that fabric is eye catching.”

Rain walked back to the rack of dresses “There is still one more,” she stated, holding up the last dress from the rack.

I stepped into the last gown and I immediately noticed that the fabric was quite similar to the first one. It shimmered and billowed in just the right way. I twirled my body back and forth and was delighted to find that it twirled along with me. The strapless bodice had a sweetheart neckline and a unique texture to it that made one think of a flower. A satin ribbon was just under the bust line, where the fabric changed to the shimmering one and draped gracefully to the floor. I adored it “This is the one,” I sighed dreamily.

“Yes... This is the one indeed” Rain smiled dreamily at me “I always save my favorite for last. Now I just need to fit it perfectly to your body. Hold still so I do not prick you with a pin.”

“She will need some accessories, bracelets to be precise, in order to keep that Brand covered. I do not want everybody staring at that thing all night long. I am sure Celestina would not either,” Gloriana said, addressing no one in particular.

She was just thinking aloud “Pearls, might be a good idea coz Gemstones would be way too distracting. Then the other girl should wear an accent color too. Maybe... some flowers for their hair. Yes. That would look quite nice. Does it need a necklace? I should contact our jeweler. Where did I leave my tablet?” Gloriana walked out of the room, leaving Rain and me alone.

Rain looked up from below where she was pinning the dress to mark the proper length “Are you excited about the Gala?” she asked.

“I think, I am more... curious than excited, because Gloriana, I mean Mother, has planned so much and I suppose she must want the whole experience to be a surprise for me. And I am slightly overwhelmed by everything,” I admitted.

She gave me a small smile “If you are worried about people staring at your Brand then I suggest you keep your wrist covered as your mother does. She has been doing it for so long that it has become a desired look. I believe she had a row of pearls on her wrist when we first met, as I was fitting her for her own Gala Gown. If the Citizens can’t see it, then eventually they will stop focusing on the fact that you are different. It is a beautiful thing, by the way,” Rain brushed her hand across my wrist before standing up again.

I looked at my brand “I do not think The Chapter will allow me to wear jewelry or longer sleeves all the time. They have more... public plans for me,” I sighed “It is to be announced soon”.

She gave me a knowing smile “I know all about it, I am to take a full set of measurements before I go, so, I can begin work on a full wardrobe designed specifically for you. I was told to make sure you looked young, fresh, and stylish. I am sure accessorizing will be permitted” I was not as sure as she was.

I collapsed onto my bed and picked up my tablet to start a video chat with Vivian as soon as I was back in my room,.

I was quick to jump the g*n “Vivian, has your mother told you anything about this Grand Gala?”

She chuckled “Of course. What do you want to know?”

I sighed falling back on my bed “Everything.”

she placed the tablet somewhere and I could see her combing her hair “Okay, I was told that it will be held at The Citizens Ballroom. It is in about four weeks. It is themed pink for me, and blue for you. Invitations go out tomorrow. Want to see one?”

Gloriana has not told me anything about the invitations “Yes,” I complained “I can’t believe Gloriana has shared almost none of this with me. She just keeps muttering about the details and then leaving the room to arrange something.”

“Here,” Vivian said, holding up the invitation for my inspection.

The invitation looks beautiful “What else?”

She seemed to be going through all things in her mind as she kept tapping her finger to her temples “Um, the soundtrack for the Gala is set up by some popular music playlist expert. The food will be prepared by Gloriana’s favorite chef. Did you pick out a gown?”

I nodded at the camera in response and informed her “The dressmaker, Rain, just left.”

“Oh... Mine too!” Vivian exclaimed “My dress is brilliant. I love it.”

I then remembered what Gloriana said about adding jewelry “Gloriana said something about pearls for our jewelry and flowers for our hair,” I offered up the little information I did have.

She knit her brows together “I haven’t heard about that yet. I bet she will message my mother later. You should see some of her messages. Mother showed me a few. They are overflowing with plans and details. You should try to ask her questions about it. Maybe she will tell you more about the Gala if she sees that you are really interested.”

I rolled onto my back and held the tablet in the air above my head as I said, “Maybe. But she is always running from one room to another like a cat whose tail is on fire. That woman can’t and won't stay still.”

She gave a hearty laugh “Then follow her you i***t! You can’t blame her for leaving you out of the plans if you have not demanded to be informed of them. My mother likes to share things with me, Tina. Yours does not. So, you have to make her”.

I scoffed and pointed out “It is easy for you to say. Chase actually listens when you speak".

A deep sigh left her lips “Tina, I love you to the moon and back, but you are so accepting… you need to stand up for yourself a little. You can still be a good Citizen and ask questions and expect them to be answered”.

I picked at invisible lint from my quilt “All good Citizens know that Committee always does what is best, chooses what is right, and acts with honorable intentions,” I quoted.

Viv rolled her eyes at me “Gloriana is not The Committee,” as she continued to argue “Ask your questions and get your answers!”

I pout my lips “I will try to do that,” and gave a half-hearted promise “I wonder who else is having a Gala. I know Rose’s is next Sunday.”

She went into her headspace again before ranting off “The Pets are the Sunday after that, and we are the Saturday after. I overheard Rose at the CEC today, she said Plum isn’t having one.”

I remembered what Gloriana said about Plum “Even if she did, I doubt we would be invited. And if we were, I doubt Gloriana would allow me to attend,” I said “Gloriana has declared that since Plum was assigned unfavorable occupational choices, marked with an I, and will be unable to extend the Platina family line any longer, she is not considered a desirable associate. I was told to keep my distance. Which is fine with me. Plum was never a friend of mine anyway.”

A glint of sadness made its way to Viv's face “I am marked with an I,” she reminded me “Will she order you to keep your distance from me as well?”

I felt guilty for having hurt her unintentionally “Oh Vivian, I am so... so... so sorry. I should not have told you that. Gloriana could not keep me away from you even if she tried. You are my best friend, Viv. I do not care what that mark on your wrist says. If you must know, your father’s influence has saved you in her eyes. In my eyes, you have never ever needed saving!”

A smile graces her lips “Thank you for telling me the truth, Tina. My mother keeps telling me that nobody will care. But some people do care. Don't they?”

'Gloriana is one among the said people!' “Yes... Some insensitive people, who we had never want to be friends with anyway, care. But I do not, Alonzo does not, Steven does not… lots of people do not, Viv. I promise,” I smiled at her. “At least you do not have to offer up your arm for anyone and everyone so they can ogle it and touch it.”

“True. I do not want unpleasant people touching me” She stuck out her unusually pink tongue at me. It was way too pink.

I leaned closer to the tablet “What have you been eating? Your tongue is so damn pink!”

She rummaged around in her bed and showed a bag “Raspberries,” she laughed “Is it red or pink?” she put her tongue out for me to check.

I laughed at her childishness “It is Pink.”

She popped another raspberry in her mouth “Then it has faded. You should’ve seen it before. Guess what?” Vivian’s eyes sparkled.

'Guess something is going good in her life and she seems so happy' “What?”

“Alanzo is going to be my escort to our Gala” she said dreamily.

'No one told me that we need to have an escort!' “Oh... is he? Are we supposed to have escorts to our own Gala?” I asked.

With a silly grin, she added “I do not care if we are or not. I asked my father and mother and they have given their permission.”

I rolled onto my stomach once more and propped the tablet against my pillows “Have you had any chance to see him since the end of Coalesce?”

With a shy smile “We message or chat every single day,” she admitted.

'Well, that is got my attention!' “I can’t believe you are just telling me this now!”

Her eyes glazed over with a dreamy look on her face “He is so kind to me, Tina. It is nice to have someone, a boy, be sweet to you.”

I remember how sweet Alonzo is “He is a great guy, Viv. I have known that since the very first day when we were forced to bump into him. Steven and Alonzo, they are the best.”

her smile reached her eyes as she added “And Tina, you are right. He does not care about the 'I' brand. He does not care at all.”

'I wish I could hug her right now' “I would expect nothing less from him. I am glad, Vivian. I am genuinely happy for you.”

A glint of mischief flashed in her eyes “You should see if Steven can be your escort,” Vivian suggested.

Gloriana would be against the idea and I knew that at once. An escort would suggest a possible union. My father and Gloriana have remarkably high hopes for my future Marriage Contract.

I sighed in defeat at the idea “I will ask but I highly doubt the possibility. They are scheming about Marriage Contracts already. Gloriana said she wants to find the best possible candidate. I am not ready for all of this,” I groaned.

“Sorry to hear that, Tina” Vivian gave me a frown “Ahh! Well, I have to sign off. That was Mother calling. Did you hear that? She has a freaking booming voice.”

I chuckled at the way Viv jumped on her bed “Yes I heard it. See you tomorrow Viv”.

Popping a raspberry in her mouth she waved to me “See you.”

Ending the video chat, I opened up the Library on my tablet, scrolling through the titles. I was hoping for a full access Library after leaving Grooming Tech but I found that my downloads are still restricted. There was a little countdown clock in the corner of the Library screen that kept me informed of how many days remained until I could access the Ages Eighteen and above Selections. And I was pretty sure that females had a completely different selection of books than males did.

'The Girl on the Beach' seemed like an interesting title. There was a girl on the cover image wearing a shimmering blue dress. It seemed like the perfect choice. I clicked on the book and started to read.