Lush Trilogy

by S. L. Baum

  “I don’t feel like being a good Citizen any more.”

  I tilted my head back, and rested it on his shoulder. “Neither do I, but we both will be… for a while longer.”

  Chapter Five

  Change takes Time

  Every single day, for a little over a week, I managed to slip a little yellow pill into something my father consumed, with little result. The day after I arrived home, I put one in the middle of a cookie, while apologizing for the fact that my finger got in the icing as I handed it to him. The second day I was able to drop one in his glass of sweet lemon water after we all sat down to eat dinner. The day after that, I crushed one and sprinkled it onto the bowl of fruit he was eating for breakfast. The fourth day was almost too easy. Aspen handed me a handful of vitamins in the morning and told me to give them to my father. I just slipped an extra pill into the mix. He swallowed the entire lot without even looking at them.

  Getting a yellow pill into my father soon became a game. I would come up with a plan, every night before I went to sleep, and then see if I was able to execute it flawlessly the next day. Some days were easier than others, and some days took a fair amount of improvisation.

  There was little else to do. With the curfew held firmly in place, and the CEC running at minimal capacity, there was entirely too much idle time. My days always began with Aspen avoiding any prolonged contact with me before she closed herself in her home office or left for the day, after which Lily and I would spend a few hours at either one of our homes, and whenever I could I would meet Thorn over at the park. Group gatherings were discouraged, so I wasn’t able to see everyone during my first week back in One. I’d seen Fisher over at Lily’s, Stone and Rosebud at the bakery, and Holly and Willow at the park. I even saw Coral one time when I was walking home after meeting Thorn at the park, though I wasn’t sure she saw me.

  The good news for all of my friends was that a Gala had been scheduled, one that would end the curfew and bring us together again. After several days without an incident, the latest news proclaimed that, with the help of the Peace Keepers, The Council had eliminated any threat to our safety. The Gala would be broadcast live, and smaller gatherings had been approved throughout all of the four Concords. The night would end with the announcement of Petunia and Petal’s soon-to-be partners for life, it was an event that would bring all of Concord together. The Citizens were assured that things would ease back into a normal routine in the weeks following the Gala. The party was an event that we were all looking forward to, whether or not we thought we would agree with the outcome.

  A broadcast party meant the Lush Ambassador would have a job to do. A gown was ordered, and Cimarron came over to deliver the speech she’d been given; I was to practice it until my delivery was flawless. Lily was bubbling over with anticipation, but I found it hard to get excited, especially since my father seemed unchanged. I was hesitant to bring up old memories, so other than my continued yellow pill delivery, I decided that the past would have to come back to him on its own. It felt wrong to try to force him into it. But as the days passed, I found it hard to restrain myself from shaking him, screaming about Hope, and begging him to help me escape from the seemingly manufactured existence we were trapped inside.

  I hadn’t had a moment alone with Gill since the morning after the attack on Three. A Lush Ambassador with nowhere to go did not require the services of an official vehicle with a trusted chauffeur. But Gill had stayed in One, and my father and Aspen had taken advantage of his presence. Gill had become the temporary driver for the 1.15 family, and he would be chauffeuring us to the Gala. If I was able to, I planned to slip outside sometime before or after my speech, and talk to him in private.

  The night of the Gala arrived and with it came the team of people that would transform me from every day Bluebell into Gala-ready, Lush Bluebell. They were definitely two different entities. After flawless full-face make-up, and sleek swept-back hair, I was ready for my gown. Raleigh had arrived with a stunning deep purple gown, so dark that it almost seemed black, with feathers adorning the bodice. It was a strapless, bold, statement dress that demanded attention. Strangely, after being uncomfortable with the excess of attention in the past, when I stepped into the plum colored, feathered gown, I was at peace with it.

  Raleigh clapped her hands in delight as I twirled in front of the mirror. “Gorgeous, as usual!”

  I batted my eyelashes at her and smiled widely. “Thank you. You did it again.”

  Raleigh opened a circular box that had been resting on the floor by her feet. “You won’t believe the piece that I found to go with this gown. It is simply fabulous and will accent the dress in just the right way. You are going to make a statement tonight, and if anyone can pull this thing off, you can.”

  “Pull what off?”

  “This!” she exclaimed as she pulled a headpiece out of the box. It was constructed of netting, feathers, and iridescent flowers, and it matched the dress perfectly. “I think it should sit at the front of your hairline, just barely coming into your eye line,” she explained, as she pinned the feathered piece into my hair. She stepped back and looked at her handiwork. “It gives an air of mystery and sophistication. Don’t you think?”

  “Where did you find it?”

  “In the back of my shop, if you can believe that. I think it was a loaner, years ago. You see, when I was just starting out, I used to make pieces and then beg people to wear them, and I crossed my fingers that someone would ask them where it came from. I remember that this one came back in perfect condition – they don’t always,” she said out of the side of her mouth and glanced up the staircase to where Aspen and my father were getting ready. I had to stifle a laugh. “So I put it in a box and told myself to pull it out again some day. I’d forgotten all about it, really. But when I was going through everything, trying to find the perfect accent piece for this gown, I opened the box and instantly knew. This is the one!”

  “It’s perfect.” I leaned my head to the side as I slipped my feet into my shoes. “Is it going to stay in place?” I asked after I stood back up.

  Raleigh held up a few pins. “It will when I am done with it. Stand still,” she ordered.

  As the last pin was secured in my hair, Aspen came down the stairs with my father following behind. She wore a slim fitting, metallic silver gown, once again with long sleeves – her new fashion statement, to cover her Brand and keep her secret. I was quite sure that only someone as cunning as Aspen could fool everyone into thinking that she was Fertile when she was not. “Someone is looking very bird-like this evening,” she said. Her voice held no emotion; neither did her face.

  “Her image will soar across every screen in Concord this evening,” Raleigh concluded.

  “If that thing on her head doesn’t take off first,” Aspen said with a dismissive laugh.

  My father frowned. “Aspen, really?”

  “It was a simple jest, dear. Bluebell knows I am teasing her.” Aspen placed her hands on my father’s shoulders and smoothed the fabric. “She looks unique, as a member of this family should. We are special.”

  “Yes. She is,” my father concluded. “I love the feathers,” he said, giving me a smile. “They remind me of a masquerade party we once had.”

  Aspen dropped her hands from his coat. “That was a long time ago. I’m surprised you remember that.”

  “Funny how it just seemed to pop into my head when I looked at you, Blue. You were just a little thing, about three years old. You loved the way your mother looked in her feathered mask and so we put one on your little face as well. I can see you dancing around your bedroom with that bright green mask on.” He was far away for a moment, lost in the memory. “Do you remember that, Aspen?”

  Aspen looked at me, and her face softened for a moment. “I do. She was a cute little thing. Begged to come to the party, but a party is no place for a child.”

  “I remember running around a lot at that party, entertaining various Councilmen. We wouldn’t have been
able to keep Blue occupied and out of mischief.”

  “You were doing what you could to impress my father… always dutiful. I barely saw you that evening.” A mask came over her face. She had immediately switched back to the Aspen we all knew so well. “Enough reminiscing. We must be off. Weaver will be here at any moment. Raleigh, thank you for your assistance this evening. I’m sure we will talk soon.” Aspen gestured toward the door, dismissing her.

  “Have a lovely evening.” Raleigh waved as she walked out the door.

  “Weaver is coming over?” I waited until Raleigh was gone before I asked the question.

  Aspen fiddled with the sleeves of her dress, tugging them down past her wrists. “I didn’t tell you?”

  “No, you did not.”

  “Nice young man,” my father mumbled as he checked something on his mini.

  Aspen looked up at me. “Your father and I had lunch with Weaver’s parents yesterday. He stopped by and mentioned that he had a wonderful time showing you around the Medical Center at the CEC when you were in Two. I asked him if he would like to be your escort at the Gala this evening and he graciously agreed.”

  “Nice young man,” my father repeated, as he continued to scroll through his mini.

  My eyes widened at the word escort, and I took a step backward from the shock. “You didn’t think that you should, I don’t know, maybe check with me first?”

  “Why would I?” A look of annoyance crossed her face. “I didn’t invite him over to sign a Marriage Contract. He is escorting you to a Gala. I’m perfectly in my rights as a parent to ask him to do so. You are our daughter, and we are looking out for you… making sure your public image is a desirable one. And Weaver is quite desirable; he’s an honorable young man and the son of a family friend.”

  I sighed in defeat. “Fine. As long as we all understand that he is here in the capacity of a friend of the family, and nothing more!”

  “You can make that perfectly clear when he arrives,” my father assured me.

  “Believe me. I will!”

  “You’d better not be rude about it, Bluebell,” Aspen warned.

  I was contemplating what an appropriate response would be when my father announced that our vehicle had arrived. I was the first one out the door, because I knew that if I said anything to Aspen there would be entirely too much attitude in my response.

  As I walked toward the vehicle, Gilbert was out already and opening the back door. I quickened my pace and opened my arms wide. Gill smiled and gave me an appropriately short and cordial hug. “You are looking quite grand this evening, Miss Bluebell.”

  “Thank you, Gill. My stylist said she wanted me to make a statement.”

  “And what a statement it will be,” said a voice from behind.

  I turned around to find Weaver standing beside the open door. As annoyed as I was to see him, I had to admit that Weaver cut a handsome figure, all dressed up like he was. His black suit was tailored well to his tall, slim build. He pushed his sandy blonde hair out of his eyes and smiled. It was then that I noticed his dark plum colored tie, which had a black gemstone pin attached to it.

  “Gee, Weaver,” I said, but I’d turned around to glare at Aspen as I spoke. “How ever did you come to pick out that exact color tie?”

  Weaver cleared his throat. “Your mother sent it over in a gift box earlier this morning. It is a very generous offer, especially the pin. Quite unexpected.”

  I kept my gaze focused on Aspen. “How thoughtful of her.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Weaver rock back on his heels and shrug his shoulders. “I thought so, at the time.”

  I turned back to face him and he gave me a look that clearly acknowledged the tension that his tie had created. He almost looked sorry for wearing it and his hand nervously played with the tip of the fabric. I tried to clear the annoyance from my face.

  “He looks so handsome in it,” Aspen smoothed. “I think it was a good choice. Don’t you, Jackson?”

  My father took a step forward. “I think it is time we were on our way.”

  I got into the back of the vehicle, waving off the hands that both Gill and Weaver offered in assistance. My heart felt heavy as I thought about Thorn’s reaction to seeing me with Weaver, and even worse, seeing that our outfits matched. I realized that it would look like a planned thing, which I hadn’t informed Thorn of. But there was no way I could have warned him about Weaver’s presence, or outfit, because I’d been kept in the dark.

  I had no desire to be escorted to the Gala by Weaver. I wanted Thorn by my side, but instead I had Weaver sitting next to me in the back of the vehicle. He rubbed his hands on the tops of his knees and glanced my way as Gill began to drive us toward the public hall where the Gala was being held. I pursed my lips together, and tried to avert my eyes from his gaze.

  As my father engaged Aspen in conversation, Weaver leaned toward me. “I’m sorry. I assumed you knew what her plans were for the evening,” he whispered.

  “It’s not your fault,” I whispered back. “She has a way of making decisions for other people. Just so we are clear. This,” I said, pointing from me to him, “is not going to be a thing.”

  Weaver opened his mouth to respond, but then closed it again.

  “What are you two whispering about?” Aspen asked with a smile.

  “Absolutely nothing,” I answered.

  She twirled a curl around her finger. “It doesn’t look like nothing to me.”

  “Well, it is. I assure you.”

  “I was just telling her that I was looking forward to the evening,” Weaver told her.

  I opened my mouth to protest the lie, but decided to counter his lie with one of my own. “And then I said that I can’t wait to introduce him to my friends. I think that Coral would absolutely adore him.”

  “Coral,” Aspen balked. “Coral is a terrible choice for potential mate. She may be from the original twenty, but there is nothing good left in that family. And, she is Infertile!”

  “Fertility isn’t everything,” I reminded her. I kept my eyes away from her hands, even though I wanted to stare straight at her left wrist as I said the words. But I knew better. She couldn’t know that I was aware of her dirty little secret… that she had somehow fooled all of Concord into thinking that she had an O for her Citizen Brand, when in truth there was an X seared into her flesh. Aspen bore the Brand of the Infertile… just like Coral, just like Lily, just like so many other Citizens, and it didn’t mean that they had any less worth as a human being.

  “I suppose you are right, but the girl has no wealth or social standing either,” Aspen said, with a dismissive wave of her hand.

  “Why are we discussing this Coral girl?” my father asked. “I thought the fate of the twins would be the desired topic of discussion this evening. I’m sure you are wondering which set of brothers your friends will end up with.”

  Weaver turned to my father. “A very entertaining idea on The Council’s part. I understand the participation rate was quite high in the end.”

  My father nodded his head. “It was. It’s a pity we had to cut all communication this past week. We left voting open, but there was no way to chat with fellow Citizens about their choice. Video chat and messaging were reinstated about thirty minutes ago, so we expect record high usage this evening. It seems that Concordians like to play Matchmaker.”

  Aspen looked at me after my father said those words. I know she liked playing Matchmaker, but that didn’t mean I enjoyed being the person played with. I would always expect a say in my future mate, and Aspen didn’t play fair. While she may have concentrated on the word Matchmaker, when my father spoke, my brain zeroed in on the fact that communications were reinstated. That meant I could contact Thorn.

  I took my mini out of my clutch and scooted my body a few inches away from Weaver, angling my arms and face to make sure the screen wasn’t visible. We were nearing our destination and I typed out a quick message to Thorn. Aspen surprised me with an escort –
she even sent him a tie to match my dress! I had no idea. It’s that Medical student from Two – Weaver. I am not happy! But I can’t wait to see you. I sent the message and then switched the mini off.

  My father raised his eyebrows and then winked at me. “I tell you chat is enabled, and there you go, immediately using it. Wondering about the Twins?”

  “I have to find out which brothers everyone voted for. I only get to change my vote one time,” I replied. If he had assumed I was chatting about The Pets, then I was going to go along with it.

  “Which did you vote for?” my father asked.

  “I’m not telling. I wouldn’t want to influence the vote,” I said with a wink.

  Aspen looked at me, confused. “Why wouldn’t you? You are a well-known public figure. What good is that power, if you can’t get people to agree with your opinions?”

  “I guess I don’t view being Lush Ambassador as a power to influence others.”

  “You should,” Aspen replied and then looked down at her tablet again. “You’ll never get anywhere, if you don’t,” she added in a quiet voice.

  I wasn’t sure if either my father or Weaver heard her, but neither one of them acknowledged what she said.

  When we arrived at the Gala, my father offered Aspen his arm and the two of them proceeded toward the entrance. Weaver paused directly in front of me and crooked his arm as well. I started to walk around him, but he gently grabbed my arm, stopping me. “I’m not a bad guy, Bluebell. This is just as awkward for me, at this point, as I can see it is for you. I’m here. I’ve arrived with you. Let me at least walk you through the door.”

  I sighed deeply and closed my eyes for a moment. I knew that even if Aspen had orchestrated his presence as my escort, Weaver had intentions toward me. He’d told me outright that he thought we would make a good pairing. I just didn’t want to encourage him.

  “Bluebell,” he pleaded.

  I opened my eyes. “I’m going to be honest with you, Weaver. My very good friend, Thorn, is probably already in there, waiting for me. Actually… he is more to me than just a good friend. I don’t want him, or you, or anyone else in there, to get the wrong idea. I’m not here with you.”