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“No, thank you,” I reply, suer duchess impersonation as I sweep away Heel, toe, heel, toe; I take pains not to step on the hem of my dress To fall flat on

My dress The dress

I’d picked it up in a consignht for sure et an opportunity to wear it But the opportunity never arose At least, until now I guess it’s a sha Not only that but also fro there, I’ll be reht, rather than be seduced by the colour and fabric into running my hands over it

I suppose I could sell it, only I knoon’t, almost as a point of principle

I like this dress Everyone else can shove their opinions where the sun doesn’t shine

“Come on, Holly” From behind me, Griffin’s voice seems too close to my ear for coers brush my hand

“Drop dead,” Iit away as I step out into the hallway

“Hols” This time, my name is delivered on the tremor of a chuckle One I’d like to punch down the back of his throat

This isn’t me I’ain, I’

“Alexander, who is that girl in that awful dress?” I’d heard the elegantly blonde stick insect sitting next to him ask

“No one,” he’d answered without even raising his gaze to me

I’m just no one No one in a dowdy dress, apparently

No wonder fire seems to burn in my veins instead of blood

“Holly?” Isla’s gaze findsfor aze

“I’ toto” I point in the opposite direction to where everyone else is going “Visit the powder room,” I add in a moment of divine inspiration