Chapter 11 #2
I’m surprised that the class went by so fast, when it was just him talking. Everyone walks out silently, I suppose not willing to risk detention or a trip to see Commander Mallor.
When we’re in the hallway, Celine squees. “Tonight! Are you coming?”
I frown. “Coming where?”
“The ball! To celebrate your friend.”
Alayel? I feel silly not knowing what they’re talking about. “I… was busy, and haven’t heard anything. What ball? When?”
Celine clicks her tongue. “Tonight.”
Alayel never said anything. “When was it announced?”
“Yesterday afternoon. They always announce it at the last minute, to ensure there were no recent attacks, maybe for security. Anyway, it’s tonight!”
“Oh.” Why am I feeling foolish? Alayel likely assumed I knew about it. That’s the obvious answer.
Nelly points at me. “I know why you’re upset.”
“I’m… not upset.” And yet I most definitely sound bitter.
“Yes, you are.” She chuckles. “You don’t have a dress and you’re thinking you won’t get to come, and won’t see your friend.”
I hadn’t even considered my lack of proper attire, and I’m not sure what’s funny about it. “True, I have no dress,” I say with a half shrug.
Celine widens her eyes. “Oh. Right! She doesn’t know.”
“I most definitely don’t,” I mutter.
“We’ll get you a dress, silly. We can go there right now.” Celine gives me a broad smile. “No need to feel left out.”
I almost argue that I wasn’t feeling left out, but then decide against it. I don’t want to sound foolish a second time in such a short period.
They lead me to the stairs. As we climb down, I ask Celine, “Are you taking all our classes again?”
She shakes her head. “Not the introduction to flying or self-defense, but the culture of the Kingdom of the Riders is significant, and it’s a chance for me to learn more.”
Nelly sighs. “Is that instructor always harsh like that?”
“No. He’s…” Celine purses her lips. “He likes silence when he’s giving a lecture, but he’s fair. Almost nobody fails.”
“What happens if you fail?” I ask.
Celine’s shoulders shrink, her expression suddenly gloomy. “Prison, expulsion. It depends. But his questions are not hard. He’ll give us oral exams now and then. And the class is interesting.”
“Do you think…” I stop myself and look around.
Other recruits are descending the stairs too, and I don’t want to suggest one of our professors is lying.
I try to ask my question differently. “Do you know how we learned about the riders? Because it’s a dangerous place, so it’s not like we went there to look at their society. ”
“It’s in the books,” Celine says. “We could go to the library if you want to learn more.”
The idea is exciting. “I would love that.”
“Tomorrow,” she says. “Or after, because today I have classes… I’ll get an authorization and we can go there and study. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”
Nelly snorts. “Fun and library. Now these are two words I didn’t think I’d see together.”
“I can read out loud for you,” Celine offers. “And there are stories too. I swear it’s fun.”
Nelly shrugs. “If you say so…”
We emerge from the stairwell into a large hallway one floor above the refectory.
“You haven’t been here, right?” Celine asks.
“No.”
“Our dorms are on this floor. We could all get ready for the ball together!” She sounds so excited. I’ll be excited too if it’s true that I can get a dress.
Why hasn’t Alayel mentioned this ball? A subtle bitter taste covers my mouth, but I think I’m being silly. He brought me to dinner last night and must have assumed I was aware of the ball.
We enter a large room with a counter in front of rows and rows of hangers and clothes.
“This is where we get our uniforms,” Celine says. “And outfits for special occasions too.”
A plump woman talks to a male recruit and gives him a suit, I suppose for the ball.
“What color is your dress?” Celine asks Nelly.
“Pink. Yours?”
“It’s purple and lovely.” Celine’s grin is so large, her face so dreamy...
“Are you in love with the dress?” I tease.
She places a hand over her heart. “Most definitely. It touches my body in special ways, makes me feel beautiful...”
Nelly and I chuckle.
Celine mock-frowns. “Don’t laugh at my betrothed.”
“I think it’s brilliant,” I say. “Inanimate objects can prickle but they can’t hurt you.”
She waves a finger in the air. “This lover does not prickle.”
“Girls, girls,” the plump woman approaches us. “The dress must be returned clean. You know that, right?” Her tone is light, but I’m not sure if she’s serious or teasing.
“It will be pristine!” Celine waves her hands in the air. “No, we’re here to get a dress for her.” She points at me.
The woman glances at me up and down. It’s not a judgemental or demeaning look in any way, and yet I feel small and on the spot. The truth is that my uniform is quite different from Celine’s and Nelly’s, and I’m not sure if I should even be here.
“So you were in correction?” the woman asks.
I don’t know what to say. “Uh… Yes. Assigned to the cleaning crew.”
“But she’s taking classes,” Celine adds. “So she’s a recruit.”
“Right.” The woman takes a large book from the corner. “What’s your name?”
A sinking feeling takes my stomach.
“Mayara.” My voice sounds weak, perhaps because it’s how I’m feeling. “Of the Earth.”
The woman looks carefully at the book, her finger sliding slowly across the pages, my hope sinking deeper with each second. Finally, she looks at me. “Do you go by another name? A nickname, maybe?”
That’s settled then. No dress for me. “No,” I mutter.
“She’s new,” Celine says. “But she’s a recruit like us, or almost like us. Her name should be here.”
My friend wants to help me, and yet all she’s doing is making me want to disappear.