The dress was a light salmon colour, and ended a little above my knee, it hugged my curves perfectly. I looked myself in the mirror, my eyes lingering over the garment, it was of a fine pink silk and felt smooth in between my fingers. It clung, almost shockingly to my figure down to my hips. The sleeves were turned back, showing frills of champagne lace. I couldn’t help but look at myself, I looked older, not largely, but it made all the difference.
“It’s gorgeous.” I said, almost inaudible. I looked beautiful. My rich brown hair was tied back in a chignon at the back of my head with strands escaping, framing my face. The pink was strong against my olive skin, I smiled to myself. I smoothed down my dress. The dress looked pretty on me, my mother had bought the dress from the official dress sellers. I was quite satisfied with my appearance, the only thing I disliked about myself was my height, I hated being taller than most boys, but my mother said tall people were at an advantage, so now I didn’t mind as much as I used to.
“Come. Cecily, come and show your brother and father.” She whispered, putting a strand of her brunette hair behind her eye, her eyes shone with tears. She was close to crying at this point, I could tell. Her hands were shaking and she looked like she was on the brink of crying.
“Dont cry.” I pulled her into a hug. She wiped away her tears and pulled me by the hand, out of my room, thrugh the corridor to the kitchen. Xander and Father were at the table eating porridge. My father was the first to see me, he stared at me and smiled.
“Cecily, you look absolutely beautiful.” He gasped.
“Mother outdid herself.” I said, as I leant to kiss my mother’s cheek. Xander grinned at me, staring in awe. Xander on the other hand, couldn’t wait to be Paired.
“You look awesome, C!” I laughed.
“Well, hurry up you two. We should have left by now!” My mother urged, jumping up and down, clapping her hands. She looked at me brightly.
“To where?” Xander asked.
“We are taking your sister to the Test. God, Xander. I told you this last night.” My mother said. To say the least Xander had the memory of a gold fish.
After my brother and father quickly ate their porridge, whilst Xander kept moaning about how “bloody hot” it was, we left. The streets of Chicago were full of people, taking their daughters and sons to the Test at the Main Hall. The streets were lined with terraced houses, and the street was cobblestoned. We followed everyone. As we did, I tried to catch a glimpse of Isabel, but I knew the chance was small seeing as she is always late for everything and considering the amount of people there were, it would be almost impossible to spot her in the amok of people hurrying to the examination. Girls were dressed in bright beautiful colours, whilst boys opted for a traditional tuxedo. I felt a pang in my chest. Few of these people, would not have a Pair, if their results were bad or if the Crowd were unable to match them up with anyone, they would be alone. Maybe paired with other Solos such as themselves, this in an old tongue meant The Alone. Maybe I would be one of them. But I hope with all my heart I would not be. No, no.I refused to let them label me as a Solo, pairless. That would bring shame to my family, Solos were looked down on. I won’t be that person.
