章 17: Chapter 17: Claire

It seemed things started to go Alice's way after she allowed Peter into her life. At least, the Evan bomb didn't drop and the rest of her day at school went as smoothly as she could have asked for. She even had Peter to hang out with for afternoon break. And while it was a new experience for her to have someone else to spend time with, he really seemed like a nice person.

So when he hesitantly asked her if he could walk her home, Alice smiled and agreed.

Her happy moment wasn't meant to last. Not while Claire stood at the bottom of the front steps of the school, tapping one high heel and sighing, rolling her eyes when Alice emerged. Her smile for Peter vanished in a heartbeat, tension returning. Peter must have sensed her change in energy because he stepped in front of her, partially blocking Alice's view of her cousin.

"I was wondering where you were." Claire flipped her hair over one shoulder, gaze traveling up and down Peter's lanky frame before she focused on Alice again. "I've been waiting forever." The bell only rang two minutes ago. "Waiting for what?" Alice's mind went right to the necklace, but Claire had other ideas.

"Didn't Betty tell you?" Classy of Claire to use her aunt's first name like that. "You're to come with me. To try on dresses."

Claire sounded about as enthusiastic about it as Alice felt. A roiling ball of nervousness woke in her stomach and turned slowly over.

Peter hesitated, earnest expression making Alice feel a little better. At least he cared about her.

How odd was that?

"I'll see you later?" Peter didn't move, hopeful note in his voice embarrassing, especially in front of Claire. She sighed again as Alice nodded.

Peter finally left, loping in his long-legged stride down the front walk from the school, glancing over his shoulder at Alice twice before crossing the street.

"Well, come on then." Claire turned and left her there. Alice considered running to catch up with Peter anyway. She didn't want to go to the stupid dance in the first place. But she also knew her mother would pressure Alice to attend regardless so it was best to just get the whole mess over with.

Claire lived only a few blocks from school as well, but in a different direction. More modern homes graced the street. She walked along on her heels, texting and ignoring Alice completely.

Suited Alice.

Claire finally stopped at the end of a wide, asphalt driveway, the edges lined with elaborate gardens and giant trees towering over head. "Keep up. I'm not waiting for you."

Alice walked behind Claire, two steps back so she didn't have to pretend Claire even remotely cared if Alice kept pace or fell behind. She ignored her cousin's texting, and continued at her own pace, following Claire up the soft curve of the drive and to the giant, modern mansion waiting at the top.

And she thought her new house was big. This place squatted on a large portion of land, spreading sideways, with massive pillars near the entry and a double set of doors leading inside. Claire swept through just as one of them opened, a small, round woman in a black dress and white apron muttering a welcome home. Alice tried a little smile for thehousekeeper, skin as dark as Rose's, but the woman didn't even meet Alice's eyes, stomping away after Alice entered, the housekeeper muttering to herself in French.

Claire moved on without pause, sweeping up the grand central staircase, a giant crystal chandelier hanging overhead. While the floor was marble, much like Blunt House, this one was fresh and polished, shining in the glowing lights. Alice's steps minced as her sneakers squeaked over the flooring and to the dark wooden steps.

Claire turned to the right when she reached the first landing and Alice obediently followed. Massive statues and paintings lined the walls, the ceiling trayed inward with elaborate crown molding capping the arching space. Alice felt like she'd fallen into some Hollywood mansion, not the house of someone she knew.

Three decorative doors with shining gold knobs passed on either side until Claire finally turned right and into a massive room. Alice felt tiny, insignificant, eyes sweeping over the giant four poster decorated in pinks and lavenders, the sitting area with lush white leather furniture, thick carpeting under her feet cushioning her footsteps at last.

"Don't touch my stuff." Claire didn't pause or look around after she snapped the order at Alice, but kept going to the right until she disappeared around a corner. Alice moved much slower, finally peeking around, catching the sound of voices just as she did.

"Well, finally." Aunt Christine's tone left nothing to guesswork. "Where have you been?"

Claire shrugged, falling into an overstuffed chair as Alice gaped into the large room where her mother and aunt stood. "Don't blame me. You're the one who wouldn't let me take my car to school."

Betty caught Alice's entry and waved her closer while Aunt Christine's lips tightened into an unhappy line.

"Come along then, Alice," her aunt said. "We don't have all day."

Alice almost ran. Wanted to flee the pressure she felt building around her. But, instead, she stepped forward and into the brightly lit dressing room. Full of clothes. More clothes than she'd seen outside a store. And shoes, so many shoes. Who needed all of this stuff? "Now," Aunt Christine grabbed Alice's backpack and jerked it from her arms, dropping it with a thud to the side. "Naturally Claire darling's dresses won't fit you. You're just so much bigger than she is."

Alice felt the blood rush from her face. Her aunt might as well have just slapped her. And her mother? Betty didn't say a word to defend her daughter.

Alice's anger stirred, but she was still too intimidated to let it out.

"So we've had to beg and borrow some items," Christine went on. Pointed to a rack behind her. Alice felt herself choke at the sight of the frothy, ugly dresses on the hangers.

Maybe they would look better on her.

For the next hour, Alice tried on the offerings. One hideous, uncomfortable dress at a time.

The first one was bright teal green, and not the pretty shade. It had an empire waist, but with a giant bow under her breasts that stuck out and hung down with wide ribbon ends making her look twice as big as she really was.

"She looks like a giant Christmas present," Claire sniped from where she observed, fiddling with her phone.

Alice blanched, hands trembling as Aunt Christine jerked on the bodice. "Next one," her aunt said.

Not much better. In fact, worse in many ways. The princess poof dress squeezed her ribcage and the flare hit her at the widest part of her hips. Alice stared in dread at herself in the full-length mirror, the bright yellow clashing with her skin and making the points of pink on her cheeks stand out like bruises.

"Not your color," Aunt Christine said with a haughty tone. "I wonder what is?"

Hurtful. Cruel. Alice's hands trembled violently as she wriggled her way out of the dress and glared with hatred at the next.

And the next.

She was certain she would throw up any moment. Puke her peanut butter and jelly and Peter's chicken sandwich all over the horrible dresses, certain doing so would be an improvement. Even Betty seemed impatient by the time Aunt Christine slung the last dress into Alice's hands. "If this one doesn't work, I'm afraid you're undressable," she said. As though Alice would never be able to survive with such a stigma holding her back.

The dress was iridescent purple with hints of lime green as the fabric twisted. Alice hated it, but dutifully pulled it on. At least it seemed to fit. When she emerged from the changing area, Betty smiled.

"This one works fine!" Relief in her voice.

Aunt Christine shrugged and grabbed Alice's shoulders, turning her to the mirror while Claire snickered. "It will have to do."

Alice stared at the floor-length dress, rouching pulling across her stomach, square neckline and puffy shoulders ending in a three-quarter sleeve capped with lace. Right out of the 80's.

Ugly. Ugly Alice.

And yet, they all agreed as they chattered around her, tugging here and there, adjusting the disgusting thing around her, this was the perfect fit.

Ugly. Just like her.

Alice retreated one last time to the changing room and redressed in her jeans and sweatshirt. The need to sob was so strong she had to bite the side of her hand to stop the urge. By the time she had herself under control, returning to the front of the dressing room, Alice vowed she would not be going to the dance, not in that dress.

Not ever.

"I know she's hard to fit," Betty said, her words reaching Alice just as she approached her mother's turned back. "I've been after her to lose some weight. Thank you for doing this, Chris."

Claire's smirk didn't hurt. Not as much as Alice's mother's criticism.

Betty turned, saw Alice standing there. Didn't look guilty or nervous her daughter caught her talking about her. Just smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Where's the dress?" Betty looked behind Alice toward the change area. "We need to take it with us." And so, humiliated by her own mother, Alice was forced to retrace her steps one last time and retrieve the hateful dress from the floor where she left itÑon purpose and in defianceÑand carry it with her out into the big bedroom beyond.

Aunt Christine and Betty were already leaving, the sound of their voices fading as they walked out into the hall. But Claire stayed behind, one long, graceful leg bouncing over her crossed knee.

"We're even now," she said. "I found you a dress."

Alice's anger rose in a tide, a rush like a waterfall spilling out of her. "Giving me a hideous dress is a far cry from stealing from our grandmother."

Claire's beautiful face compressed, cheeks turning very red. She surged to her feet and into Alice's face, eyes full of fury.

"The dress is hideous," Claire spit, "only because you are."

Alice hated trembling, her vulnerability, how the anger faded as fast as it came in the face of Claire's abuse.

"Take your disgusting ass out of my room," Claire snarled. "We're done."

The sobs Alice managed to hold back only a few moments ago rose again, the bile of her hurt closing off her throat. She ran, not caring what Claire thought, racing after her mother with the nasty dress flapping around her.

***

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