October 1

12:35 P.M.

Charlize sat quietly in a chair while a gaggle of excited PTA volunteers rushed around her with tape measures and fabric. 

It was October, and unfortunately, that meant it was time for the annual Senior Benefit Fashion Show. Since she was attending the school with an academic scholarship, she was required to participate to help raise funds for future scholarship students. She didn't mind that part so much, but she did mind dressing up like a doll and parading across a runway while thousands of eyes watched her and judged her imperfections.

She gulped.

"Royal purple is definitely your color, sweetheart," said a volunteer with a pencil precariously perched on her ear. "I think we can get you into a Sherri Hill purple ballgown with an A-line neck."

Charlize, who normally had a pretty extensive vocabulary, understood none of the words in that sentence.

Victoria and Ariana sat down in the chairs next to her. Neither were on scholarship (of course); rather, they had volunteered to participate in the show.

Nobody spoke to Charlize.