Chapter 11: Elise

“I’m going to get ready.” She said, wiping her mouth and carrying her dishes to the sink.

“Very well. Wear something nice.” Her father called after her.

“Nice? As in…” Elise started to the stairs, stopping at the first to look at her father. He had told her he loved her last night. It was the first time in 10 years. She wanted to give the same effort that he was obviously giving.

“A dress.” He wiped the corners of his mouth and looked at her.
“I didn’t pack a dress.” Elise raised an eyebrow.

“That is why I arranged for Kensi to go shopping before you arrived. “ Her father turned and continued to eat. “Put one of them on.” He said without looking at her.

She was tempted to say, ‘As you wish mi lord’, but thought better of it.

Elise marched up the stairs and walked into her room. Her sketchbook lay open on her desk. “Wha-“ She picked up the book and looked at the corner. It had the same lipstick mark, the same handwriting; it was the one from the train.

“Balance.” A voice whispered.

“Balance in what?” Elise called out as a book fell to the floor. “Eep!” She squealed at the shock. She walked over to the bookcase and picked up the fallen book. It was the one about Greek mythology.

“Nyx, the goddess of night.” She read the open page casually and closed the book. She looked around and tucked it into her messenger bag to read later. She also packed her camera and an extra lens. “Balance huh?” She called out to the voice, hoping for an answer.

“Balance.” The voice confirmed.

“Who are you?” The called out, convinced she must be crazy.

“More than a friend, Elise.” The voice called out. Elise turned, looking for it’s source. “The black one.” It said finally.

“What black one?” She turned in circles. “Hello?” She called out but the voice refused to answer. She turned to the closet, it’s doors drawn open revealing all of the beautiful dresses.

Elise walked up to them, running her hands over the smooth silk and cotton. She found the black dress, a very cute A-line cut, making her look both older than she was yet still retaining her innocence. She smiled and changed quickly.