***
I wasn’t even sure how far I got through Thorn’s file before my eyes started slipping shut. No matter how many times I tried to will them to stay open, they just wouldn’t cooperate. I awoke the next morning fully clothed, with my tablet beside me. Apparently, I’d fallen asleep reading.
There was a knock on my door.
“Yes?”
“I need to talk to you. I’m coming in,” Aspen informed me from the other side of the door.
I nodded my head. Which was a ridiculous thing to do, considering that no one would be aware of the action but me. The knob turned, the door opened, and Aspen came into my room.
She stood by my bed, her arms crossed, fingers tapping away at her arms. “My father is on his way over. He wants to speak with you.”
“So I finally get to meet this grandfather you’ve all been talking about. I honestly have no recollection of him.”
“Bluebell, do not be flippant. I’ve told you many times that he saw you on several occasions when you were very little. He is a very busy man. I hardly see him and he is my father. I hardly know what you expect of us. You are treated very well and live a privileged life. Not everyone has access to the conveniences that you have,” she scolded me.
“I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just that I’ve been home for weeks and I thought he’d have come to visit me by now,” I said.
Aspen looked at my disheveled state and frowned. “You need to get out of that bed and straighten yourself up. Please put extra care into your appearance today. It is important that he sees what a fine young woman you are.” Aspen spun around and walked out of the room. “He’ll be here in thirty minutes,” she called over her shoulder.
“I will do my best,” I called out after her.
“Do my best. It would be better,” she replied.
My shoulders raised in a heavy sigh. Of course her best would always be better than mine. Would I ever perform up to her expectations?
I walked into the bathroom and stared at my reflection. There were bags under my eyes, which were also puffy and red. That wasn’t a good look at any time, let alone when you were seeing your oh so important grandfather for the first time. Well, the first time that you remembered anyway.
I sighed and thought about what Holly would say. “I look zonkered,” I said aloud, in Holly’s absence.
After I showered and dried my hair I went back to my room. Waiting for me on my bed was an outfit Aspen had clearly picked out for me. It was brand new, probably something she was holding on to for just this occasion. It looked like something she would wear, overly styled and on the cutting edge of fashion. I would have preferred something simple, something that was easy to slip into, and something that made me feel comfortable.
That was not what was waiting for me.
I pulled on the slim pencil skirt and was grateful that it fell just below my knees. The white ruffle collared shirt was silky, but it didn’t look comfortable at all. The fabric was easy to crease and wrinkle. I’d have to stand straight and tall, and keep still, if I was to keep from looking like I’d slept in the shirt. The beaded jacket she’d paired with it was overly styled and embellished. There were just too many things going on with it. My eyes danced around it.
There was also a stack of bracelets, to cover my Citizen Brand. Aspen wouldn’t be caught anywhere without her signature bracelets, and she was obviously hoping to force that tradition onto me as well. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to jingle and clink everywhere I went. But I put the bracelets on anyway, to keep her happy.
As I was about to exit the room, I realized that my face was make-up free, and Aspen would expect me to be wearing some. I plopped myself down in front of my little beauty table and hurriedly applied a light coat of everything. When I stood up to inspect myself in the mirror, I didn’t love the reflection. Wearing clothes that I had no choice in the selection of made me feel not quite like me… but it would do.
The door chime sounded. My grandfather had arrived. I slipped my feet into the shoes Aspen had left by the bed and exited my bedroom.
He stood at the bottom of the stairs, steel grey hair, smooth expressionless face, eerie pale blue eyes, looking up at me. He was perfectly perfect, like Beta, but with grey hair.
“Bluebell, how lovely you look. Come. Let your grandfather inspect you.”
“Grandfather,” I nodded my head in greeting as I descended the stairs.
When I reached the last step, and stood toe to toe with him, he grasped my hands, raised my arms, and looked me over from head to toe. He really was inspecting me. I started to wonder if I was going to pass the inspection. Was I good enough, at first glance, for this very important Council member?
He turned his head away from me. “Jackson, Aspen, she is just lovely.” Then he turned back to look at me again. “Bluebell, your proportions are perfect. You eat a healthy balance of food and exercise regularly, don’t you?”
“Yes, Grandfather,” I answered.
“It is apparent. And your grooming is impeccable; you would catch anyone’s eye. First impressions!”
The inspection felt very impersonal, as if I were an object and not a living being. I felt pressure to say the right thing. “First impressions are extremely important. Once made…” I began.
“Once made they are hard to be undone.” He finished my sentence for me. “Excellent. I’m not sure about this choice of outfit though, Aspen. Is it appealing to the youth of Concord? I think I will call in a style consultant for her.”
A look of disappointment, and then irritation, crossed Aspen’s face. “I assure you it is a quality outfit. Raleigh’s work is unmatched,” she huffed.
Grandfather released my hands. I lowered them to my side and lightly shook them out.
“She needs to look the picture of youth… desirable to all. I’m not exactly getting that at first glance,” he countered. “Don’t worry, Bluebell, we will rectify the situation. I understand that there will be three Galas this season. I’m sure a few other small celebrations will take place, but a Gala is special. We made sure that yours will be the last, impossible for it to be outshone by the others.”
“I am looking forward to it,” I assured him.
“This Rosemary girl from your class has inherited a respectable sum of money. But her Gala is a false front to attract a good Marriage Contract. She hasn’t inherited as much as she’s been told. Her family isn’t always the most vocal in their support of The Council. You will need to be absent the night of her Gala. I won’t have you attend. Aspen will send your apologies with a decent and believable excuse for your absence. The next one belongs to twins. I understand that you were quite friendly with the identical twins at Training Tech?” he asked.
“Yes,” I answered. “That is correct. Petunia and Petals are very good friends of mine.”
“Good. Their Gala will be sponsored by Concord. It has been decided that they will be introduced to two sets of brothers and we will create a video series to see which ones will end up with a Marriage Contract. The Citizens will be entertained as they discover how well the couples get along, and then peek into the beginning of their cohabitation once a set of brothers is chosen.
“You are to make your first very brief video appearance the night before their Gala and then you will be properly presented the night of the Gala. Concord’s Lush girl – the envy of all your peers and the role model of all young girls in Training Tech, they should all aspire to be like you. It will be a successful campaign,” my grandfather concluded.
Not only was I an object, it seemed I was also a product.
“I will serve Concord with pride.” The dutiful answer exited my mouth without much thought. I always knew what was expected of me.
“Concord Reigns,” Grandfather smiled.
“Concord Reigns,” I replied.