The Purity Ball

My High Pressure Afternoon

"Mme. McCormic!" Monsieur Louis called as I was about to race out the door with the rest of the seniors itching to leave. I had a special order of cupcakes that needs to baked and delivered by tonight! I paused, frantically jiggling my leg. "Oui, monsieur?" I knew by now that he wouldn't respond if I asked in English. "N'oubliez pas que vous avez un essai le lundi!" I shook my head and ran out the door. I wouldn't forget the super important 20-page essay due next week, how could I? It was only 15% of my grade!

I put the essay out of my mind as I jumped into my old green truck my dad had gotten me over the summer. I had to run home and get baking! I cursed Katie, my best friend, for ordering the 3 dozen cupcakes yesterday afternoon when I was distracted enough to say yes. She's lucky I promised her or I'd just go home and sleep, instead of rushing around like a crazy person, I thought as I got on the highway.

Luckily I only lived 15 minutes from the school so I was home before I knew it. Immediately, I dumped my backpack on the floor and pulled on my apron. I narrowed my eyes. Two and a half hours to make and decorate 3 dozen cupcakes and make myself look presentable to deliver them? Piece of cake. I opened my pantry, grinning; I'd dealt with worse.

But then again, I worried more about disappointing my best friend than some random stranger that had been stupid enough to order at the last minute, I thought, watching the oven timer stubbornly refuse to tick faster. I tapped my foot nervously. The oven time said it would be 10 minutes more, and I was cutting it close as it was. I pulled out my phone and texted Katie that I would be a little late, but not to worry.

I may as well get dressed while I have the time, I thought, running upstairs to my room to find a dress. Katie had mentioned that it was a formal event, but not if there was any specific requirements, so I decided to wing it. I pulled my favorite sapphire-blue calf-length gown off its hanger and started to pull my shirt off so I could slip on the blue dress, but it was at that moment that I heard the obnoxious beeping noise that meant the cupcakes were ready. I pulled my shirt back down, flung the gown on my bedspread and jumped down the stairs, taking them two at a time.

Once the cupcakes were safely cooling on the stove, I went back upstairs and quickly slipped into the gown and brushed on a bit of makeup. I grabbed my matching blue heels and bounced down the stairs, smiling widely. It was so nice to feel pretty again after rushing around so much the last few weeks. I happily frosted the cupcakes with the requested white frosting and stuck the red sugar vines on neatly. I packaged them all up and glanced at my watch. Well, I needed to book it over there, but I wasn't terribly late, so all in all, I'd call this a success. Now all I needed was Katie to like them and I'd be set. Maybe, I thought smiling, she'd let me stick around for a bit. I hadn't been to a party in a while!

When I pulled up the address Katie had texted me, I was shocked, to say the least. It was a huge mansion: white marble, fountains, manicured gardens, everything. I gaped for a moment until I remembered that I had a job to do. Slipping on my heels, I grabbed the cupcakes and headed to the back entrance like Katie had instructed. 

Slipping inside, I was blinded by all the white. Everything was white, from the table cloths to the seating covers to the chandeliers themselves. Everything was white... Except me. I looked down at my dress in horror. I would stand out so much! Late, and wearing the completely wrong thing; I was so humiliated! I was distracted from my panic when the door opened and all my fears were confirmed when the handsome young man standing in the doorway took one look at me and immediately said, "Oh no."

I just stood there, silently dying of shame. Oh, Katie, I am so gonna kill you when this is over! The man took a few steps towards me and whispered, "Who are you? What on earth are you doing here?" "I-I was just supposed to deliver these cupcakes that Katie ordered. She never said to wear white!" I whispered back, feeling panicked at how terrible things were going already. "Katie.." He mused. "Well, my cousin always was a little absent-minded when it came to things she was excited about." My eyebrows scrunched together. Cousin? I wondered, temporarily forgetting my plight as I wondered why Katie had neglected to mention her dashing cousin in the 7 years we've known each other.

I was yanked out of my musings when he suddenly grabbed my arm and led me to a little alcove I hadn't noticed in my earlier panic. "Okay, since you're a friend of Katie's, I'll see if I can help you. Besides," He rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't want you to get shamed because of her thoughtlessness." "S-shamed?" I stammered. I started to feel little dizzy, all I was supposed to do was deliver the cupcakes! He looked at me quizzically, "Are you okay?" I slid to the ground, not really hearing him. I was more focused on staying conscious.

"Hey!" He whisper-yelled, shaking me. "What's wrong?" "Stop.." I mumbled, my hands covering my eyes and shaking my head to clear it. "I'm fine," I said when I could see him again, the gray static covering my vision receding. "It's just something that happens when I'm anxious or get up too fast." I explained. "It's a medical thing." He still looked alarmed; I didn't blame him, it even scared my mother and she saw it happen all the time. "I'm fine," I repeated. "You mentioned helping me, earlier?" I gestured at my shockingly blue dress. 

He doubtfully pulled me up to a standing position. "I would send you home if I could, or even to a doctor, for whatever just happened there." He said, not letting go of my arm. "But since I can't, since the Ball has already begun, I'm just going to have to help you blend in until I can find a way to get you home." He shook his head at my dress, then closed his eyes and concentrated hard on something. I just stared at him, not sure what to think. Was he going to change the color of my dress by simply willing it to look white?

Finally, after a long moment, he sighed and opened his eyes, grinning. "Okay, you'll be fine now." I looked down at my dress, confused. It was still blue as blue could be. Was this guy joking? "Oh," he seemed to realize that I didn't get it, and led me over to a panel that slid back to reveal a full-length mirror. I gazed at my reflection, shocked. 

The girl in the mirror was wearing an elegant, modest white gown that swept the ground in a graceful sweep, and had no jewelry or makeup on. I waved my hand, certain that it wasn't me, Isabell McCormic, reflected in the polished surface. But the girl in the mirror waved right back, a delighted but confused smile curling her lips. I whirled around to face the magician standing behind me.

"How did you do that?" I demanded, awed. He winked and put a finger to his lips. "My little secret." He said, then twirled me around to get the full effect of his work. Suddenly I stopped, startling him. "What's your name?" I asked, my mouth curved quizzically. He bowed, "Zacheria Timothy Guadlitz, at your service, milady." I curtsied, "And I am Isabell Guineveve McCormic. Nice to meet you, Zacheria." 

He raised his eyebrow, "And how is it that I've never seen you around before, Ms. Isabell?" I shrugged, "I'm a senior and I run a baking business. I'm too busy to go a lot of parties." "The only parties I go to are these Purity Balls." He replied readily. "Now, about this baking business. Are you a good baker?" I looked at him, offended. "Only the best in Lakeveiw! You think Katie would hire me if I was going to poison you all?" "Fair point." He conceded, nodding. "I am sorry to offend you, milady."

I giggled, my anxiety fading. "You are quite the gentleman, Zacheria." I complimented him, looking into his open green eyes, cat-like in their playfulness. "Thank you." He said, eyes glowing. I realized the cupcakes were still in my hand, so I started to look around for a place to set them down. "Here, let me help." He offered, whisking the cupcakes to a counter I couldn't see. I shook my head, the white on white was rather disorienting.

"Now, if you don't mind, I think it is time to rejoin the Ball before my absence is noticed." He looked serious, "Just, whatever you do, don't draw attention to yourself. Find me if you need anything." I nodded, feeling anxious again as he walked towards the door. "Just one question, Zacheria." "Yes?" He turned around to face me. "Am I allowed to talk or anything? What am I supposed to do?"

He walked back towards me and put his hands on my shoulders. "Everything will be alright. Just find Katie, she won't be too hard to find." He grinned briefly. "The only problem is that I may have done my work too well; you look too stunning for your own good." He winked and spun towards the door, dragging me with him. He quietly pushed open the door and slipped into the next room, pulling me with him. 

I gasped quietly.