“Please try this on,” I assert, presenting the garment to her and directing her into the dressing room.
I perceive her moving about in the dressing room, although she declines to emerge.
“I appear foolish,” she laments. “I do not believe I am capable of accomplishing this.”
I pause briefly before rapping on the door. “Would it be beneficial for me to try on a dress as well? This way, we can both emerge simultaneously.”
She emits a slight sniffle, followed by an extended silence before responding. “Alright…”
I select an unstructured dress that I am aware will not enhance my form, prioritising her appearance, and promptly change in the room next to hers.
“Are you prepared, Nalani?” I enquire.
“No,” she protests, although I hear her open the door to her dressing room.
I exit with her and applaud enthusiastically upon witnessing how exquisitely the dress conforms to her figure, the fabric accentuating every curve elegantly. The hue complements her naturally fair complexion, with her blue eyes contrasting vividly against the pink. She has several scars on her arms that she attempts to conceal by covering them with her hands, which saddens me as it serves as a constant reminder of her history.
“You appear remarkable!” I exclaim, striving to uplift her spirits and enhance her mood. She appears exquisite in the clothing.
I observe that Nalani has attracted William’s attention, causing the guard to blush slightly and avert his gaze to conceal it.
“I believe William appreciates the dress,” I chuckle, as Nalani’s face turns crimson upon meeting William’s gaze.
Her breath catches in her throat, and she glances down at the ground, as if beseeching the dirt to engulf her.
“N-no,” she objects. “William is currently disinterested in forming a friendship with me due to lingering emotional pain from his previous relationship, as she did not meet his expectations.”
“Are you his second chance partner?”
She inclines her head, her fingers pulling at the garment.
“Did he reject you?” I enquire, muttering curses about mate bonds quietly.
“No,” she replied, shaking her head and revealing the mark on her neck. “He marked me to remain close, but he is not prepared to be my mate at this time… He requested that I wait… so I am waiting.”
I observe the guard, William, who appears rigid and disinterested.
Nalani articulates, “He is quite amiable,” perceiving my escalating irritation with her partner. “Somewhat aloof and challenging to converse with, but that is acceptable. I have nearly acclimated to it,” she admits bashfully. “Perhaps, with time, he will come to accept me,” she states, her tone subdued and diminutive. “At the very least, I aspire to be sufficient for him eventually.”
“You are undoubtedly sufficient!” I assert, attempting to instill clarity in her. The tops of his ears flush crimson, indicating he comprehends. “You should not tolerate his behaviour. He possesses no justification for his aloofness, irrespective of his history. He is—”
I halt mid-sentence upon recognising Williams’s behaviour, reflecting on my own aloof and unapproachable demeanour with my partner.
“What is he?” Nalani enquires, bending her head in curiosity.
“Nothing,” I murmur, approaching the dress rack once more. “What about a dress with long sleeves for your comfort?” I enquire, shifting the topic entirely.
Nalani appears inclined to enquire further but ultimately refrains and smiles at me. I present her with a dress that mirrors her current attire, albeit with longer sleeves. We dedicate several minutes to trying on various dresses, and by the time we depart, I successfully persuade her to retain the initial little pink dress.
Throughout the journey home, I contemplate my predicament with Jadi. Despite my attempts to distance myself, Jadi is gradually infiltrating my life. He persists in his pursuit, according to my stipulations, even when those stipulations are occasionally unjust to him.
He is exceedingly kind, I remind myself, before recalling how amiable Aldo had been initially as well.
Upon returning to the pack hospital, the girls pillage the cafeteria for a home-cooked supper provided by the volunteers. I retrieve the sack lunch that Jadi packed for me this morning, which has a handwritten note affixed to my sandwich.
I read it, my heart almost leaping from my chest.
Thank you for the opportunity. I will not disappoint you.
-Z
I contemplate the statements briefly, knowing that I have never genuinely afforded him the opportunity to demonstrate his worth to me.
Throughout the remainder of the day, while assisting some of the girls with their reading, I contemplate Jadi’s note, pondering whether it is genuinely feasible for me to afford him an opportunity. I had previously granted Aldo a chance, but that decision proved to be erroneous.
A disturbance disrupts my contemplation at the primary entrance of the third level, as several girls hasten to welcome the Queen’s arrival. She appears anxious, her fists clenching and unclenching with trepidation.
