Chapter 6

As the hours passed, I didn't realize that it was time to get ready until I heard a knock at the door. I see Mrs. Davis as she walks in. Alright dear, it's time to start getting ready for the ball. I have selected some dresses for you to choose from.

As I look through the dresses, they are beautiful. I have never seen clothing that was so pretty. I try to picture my body in those dresses without showing the scars from my past. The punishments that my grandparents pursued on me have left scars that I've hidden from everyone. My body is full of imperfections and I don't want the world to see it.

“Mrs. Davis, do you have anything that covers more? I would like to show as little as possible.”

Mrs. Davis glances at me oddly. “Why Stella? You have a beautiful body, you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

I become nervous, I have never undressed in front of someone. I have always hidden all that has been done to me. As Mrs. Davis comes over with a dress, she glances at me, “come Stella, take off your pajamas, so you can try this dress on.”

I slowly start to remove my pj's. I watch as Mrs. Davis's smiling face fades as she turns around and sees my body. My grandparents really enjoyed hurting me over the years. So, I have many scars. They made sure when they would punish me it would leave a scar, so I would have a reminder why I must obey them. 

As she handed me the first dress, I go to put it on, but I can tell that it's not going to hide all my scars. It is spaghetti strapped, and it reveals the scar on my shoulder. I didn't iron my grandfather's shirt good enough, so he made sure I wouldn't make the same mistake twice. I was only 8 at that time.

As she zips the purple dress, I look at myself and I hate it. I was never one to dress up. Mrs. Davis then sees how revealing the mark on my shoulder is. She smiles and says," there is another dress that could be a possibility.”

I watch as she walks out the door. I wait for her to come back. When she walks back into the bedroom, she then hands me the red dress. I see it has long sleeves. I step into the dress and pull it up over my body and put the arms through the sleeves. As I look into the mirror, I actually like this dress, maybe because it covers everything. All my scars are covered. I don't have to worry or explain anything to anybody.

“Mrs. Davis, I think this is the dress I would like to wear. It's not as revealing as the other dresses. It's more elegant.”

She looks at me and smiles. “Well, since that is all finished, I will go get the makeup artist, so she will be able to do your makeup and your hair. Hopefully she will be able to fix your neck and your cheek as well.”

I'm so stupid. I was so busy looking at the dress that I didn't even look at my face. As I look at my cheek, it is black and blue and swollen, my lip has a trace of blood and puffy. I hate how I still see his hand prints around my throat. Not understanding why I need to go to this ball when everything is already decided for me.

I watch as the hairdresser comes in. She's so beautiful. She looks as if she would have a wonderful life. She is so perky. She hasn't stopped talking since she entered my room. I don't talk back to her. What is the point, she will not be my friend. Everyone that I have ever met has always looked down on me. I'm just a half-breed.

As she turns my chair around she says, "All right I'm all done now. What do you think, do you like it.”

“Yes, thank you, it's beautiful.”

It's so much easier to just tell people what they want to hear, than the actual truth.  Sometimes the truth can make them angry and do things to you that will hurt. Compared to just agreeing with them even if you don't. I wish I were stronger, I wish that I would be able to make my own choices. What it would feel like to stand up for something I actually believe in.

Mrs Davis walks over to me and says, “The car will be here at 7 to pick you up. You should probably go downstairs and wait. Since it is already 650, you want to avoid making them wait. They will get angry and make you pay.”

I slip on the heels that they provided me, not even really sure how I'm supposed to walk in them without falling. But I will have to try to manage not like falling would hurt me anyhow. As I make it to the door, I open it. I go outside and sit on the step. I look up at the sky and there are so many stars. I wish that I could feel as peaceful as I do right now, loving just being alone.

As I see headlights coming down the driveway, I'm nervous and unsure of what it's about to happen. I go to Stand and walk down the steps to wait. As the car pulls up, I go to open the door and the driver gets out. “Here, ma'am, let me get that door for you. A pretty girl like you shouldn't have to open the door herself.”

Thank you very much, I smile.

I get into the car and sit down. I try to become comfortable, but it's hard, especially being in a dress. I have never actually dressed up for anything. I could never go to parties or to any of those types of events that required.

To dress up. Not like I would even go if I was invited.

As I look out the window, I really can't see anything, it's so dark out. I never really got along with anybody. They all hated me, and they didn't even know me. I guess I should say that they will all get what they deserve tonight, but I don't believe that any of us deserve this.

I'm not sure why I even have to go. Unless it has to be publicly known that I was selected among the few. Being selected is like a death sentence. I hear that most that are chosen are either for a servant or someone to breed children or a toy.

The car suddenly comes to a stop. I hear the driver get out of the car as he goes to open my door . I becam nervous. I take a deep breath and I tell myself I can do this. As he reaches for my hand, I take his and get out of the car. I then walk the steps to the big Red Door.  Scared of what is behind it.

As the door opens, I see a young woman in uniform. It looks to be a maid. She is definitely human. She must have been chosen years before. She smiles at me, “right this way dear, I'll take you to all the other girls to enjoy the party.”

I stand quietly, knowing it's probably better off I don't want to upset anyone right off the bat. I find a corner to stand in alone as I watch everyone else. I really have no idea who is a wolf and who is not. The only thing I can tell is those that are of age to be given to the werewolves as they are shaking.

I guess if I were them, I would be scared too, just that they never had to really endure pain. They probably don't even know what it is. Lucky for them, at least they have had love in their lifetime, even if they are chosen. Compared to someone like me that has never had anyone that actually cared.

I then hear someone speaking through a microphone. I look around to see where they are, but I can't tell. They say, “all right ladies, it is time to get this show on the road. All of those that are of age, please come and stand in front of the stage, so we can observe you.

I begin to walk through the crowd, struggling to find the stage. I am not very tall, probably only 5"1. I am shorter than most of the girls in my class. As I squeeze my way through the crowd, relieved, I make it to where I need to be. I stand there with my head held high, trying not to embarrass myself. I put my arms down to my side and bring my hands together in front of myself.

The lady holding the microphone then says, “alright boys, come and have your pick while the Pickens are good.”