Belle Femme

Okay, someone please tell me why I got stuck with the one lady who doesn’t know how to do a decent loose spiral curl,” exclaimed Valerie as she proceeded to comb out her hair. “This hairstyle does not look good with tight curls, but no Miss I’ve Been Doing Hair for Years thinks she knows every goddamn thing.”

Valerie, a cute light brown haired girl with huge brown eyes, was my new roommate in the castle along with Haven. I only met her half an hour ago when we arrived to rooms to put a few things away before we went down the dinner. I could already tell she was quite the talker.

Haven appeared behind her in the mirror. “It doesn’t look bad. Now that you’ve combed it some it looks nice.”

She groaned. “I’m not going for nice. I’m going for…breath-taking. Something that would make my husband never want to take his eyes off of me.”
I rolled my eyes as I lounged comfortably on my bed. The room we were staying in was pleasant. All the girls were staying in the West Wing. Three girls stayed in the smaller rooms while the bigger rooms were split up amongst four girls.

The room contained three small black dressers beside each bed which were made up in a purple comforter and white sheets and one large mirror on the wall. I sank right into it with one my favorite books once I put my things away as we waited be called out to dinner. Haven and Valerie continued to fiddle around the room, putting unnecessary touch ups to their make up and hair.

Haven looked at me through the mirror as she re curled her bang that went well with her up do. “You know, Scarlett, your going to ruin your hair lying down like that. They should be calling for us any moment”

I looked at her, past my book and sighed. “I suppose you’re right.” I flipped the corner down on one my current page and tucked it under my pillow.
I made my way to mirror and squeezed in.

My hair was half up, half down pulled back with a silver barrette. My hair was softly curled and my hairstylist left out few pieces in front to frame my face. I was wearing a silver spaghetti strapped dress with black designs swirled on it and a long black poof skirt. The same dress all new Belle Femme’s wear when meeting with the soldiers.

As I looked at Haven’s and Valerie’s reflection in the mirror, a wave of sadness washed over me. I was still having a hard time accepting this. As much as I tried to let it go and accept that this was going to be my life now, I couldn’t help but long for the life that was waiting for me outside of here. I wanted to travel, visit the States, go to college, and experience different things. It made me depressed when I thought of having to spend the rest of my life catering to some man. I couldn’t stand it.

A knock came at the door and Cecelia entered. “We’re ready for you girls.”
Now she was wearing a purple suit with a matching pencil skirt and held a clipboard in her hand. We nodded and exited the room behind her, watching as the rest of the girls filled up the wide hallway, whispering nervously to each other.
As I looked around I noticed Talia standing in front of me waiting calmly while waiting for further instruction. Her make up was done well showing off her high cheekbones and long lashes and her hair seemed perfect as it lay delicately over her shoulders in waves.
She looked at me and smiled just as Cecelia began speaking. “Alright, now that everyone is ready, let’s start moving that way.”

The more we walked to quieter the girls got. My chest began to feel heavy because I knew in just a few moments I would be introduced to my new husband. I couldn’t help but be anxious.
“I feel like a bundle of nerves over here,” Haven sighed as she walked next to me.
Valerie nodded. “I know the feeling. I think I’m going to have a heart attack before I even get down there.”
We made our way down a staircase and stopped when we saw Nadine waiting at the bottom also wearing suit like Cecelia.

“Good evening Ladies. You all look amazing,” she exclaimed giving us a toothy grin.
“Okay now we are going to split you into five groups and your group’s guide will help you find your way to your set dining room where you will meet your soon-to-be husband. After wards, we will all gather in the ballroom for more conversation and where Leader Shrine and his wife will stop by to greet you all. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am,” we responded as we began to be spread apart.

When my group was altogether I noticed Talia and Aileen were also in the group. Aileen smiled when she saw me and came to stand next to me.

“I’m so nervous, I can barely think straight. My roommates and I spent the whole time in our room in front of the mirror. We barely put up anything,” she said giggling nervously.
“Haven and my roommate Valerie did the same thing,” I responded.

Aileen took a deep breath. “I hope I don’t get anything stuck in my teeth while we’re eating. I would just die right there in the middle of floor.” I smiled and our guide entered the small semi circle our group made.
He quickly introduced himself as Cedric and we made our way down a separate hallway away from the other groups.
We walked silently and my heart began to speed up when we go to the end of it and paused in front of the double doors.
Cedric swiftly put is in some type of order in line where I was fourth in line, Talia was right behind me and Aileen was at the very front.
Cedric instructed us to walk in and line up against the wall, the soldiers were already seated inside and already knew who they were suppose to be paired with. They would come up to us (one at a time) and grab our hands and lead us to our seats next to them. That man obviously being the one we were chosen for.

We nodded, understanding, and Cedric made his way to the doors to open them. We walked in, in silence and kept our heads straightforward. It was taught to us in training that when Belle Femme’s first walk in to keep their heads straight and only turn to face forward when we are told. Complete bullshit.

As we walked in I heard the crackling of a fire from a fireplace someplace in the room, the walls were a light brown brick and classical music played as we entered. Once we were all lined in, we stood there for a few moments and we heard Cedric tell us we may face forward. We turned in unison and saw the soldiers standing staring at us as they stood proudly at the table with an empty seat next to them. I looked and noticed a white stone fireplace on the far wall between two doors which I guessed led to the kitchen. Three waiters stood next to the doors wine glasses in hand as they waited for the dinner to begin.

The men that stood before us were dressed in black suits with silver ties, however, I noticed seated at the head of the long dining room table a man stood with our nation’s symbol pinned on his suit, something the other men did not wear. I looked at him and took a sharp breath in when I noticed him gazing at me closely. He was gorgeous. He had a full head of black curly hair and full lips. But what got me were his eyes, they were the clearest gray and had such a strong emotion in them, even from the distance I could tell it. When I met his gaze, he held me in for moment and looked me up and down slowly as if he were taking me in. All of a sudden I felt self-conscience like I should have spent the extra hours in the mirror becoming absolutely perfect. He ran eyes back to mine and turned his head down away from me. I frowned, wondering at the sudden movement. Then he pushed his chair back and began walking forward toward my direction. My heart beat sharply as he stepped closer and closer to me. He met my eyes again shortly and I knew he was going to be mine.

He walked and just when I thought he was going to stop in front of me he took a slight turn and stood in front of Talia. He smiled showing off a perfect row of white teeth and bent down to kiss her hand.
“Hello, Talia. I’m Dex, It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he spoke softly to her as he leaned back up. I looked at him, confused, not understanding why he didn’t stop in front of me. It felt like something wasn’t right.

Cedric coughed and I turned my head and saw his looking at me disapprovingly. I knew why, I should have been keeping my head straight and was obviously ruining a somewhat private moment. I took a breath and turned my gaze, looking at them only from the corner of my eye as he led a smiling Talia to the head table next to him. I felt like I’ve just been slapped.

After he sat down, one by one men continued to get up and go to their chosen Belle Femme. I was getting annoyed and fidgety because it was taking a while. Then I noticed a guy stand up and approach me. He had dark brown shaggy hair and the darkest eyes I had ever seen. He stopped in front of me and gave me a quick once over. But I didn’t like it. It made me feel dirty. He smirked and reached down and kissed my hand.

“Hello, Scarlett. I’m Walker, It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said. He grabbed my hand as I forced a smile to face as he led me to my seat.
It was then I realized I was the last one and everyone else was already seated. I returned my gaze back to the head of the table where Dex was whispering something in Talia’s ear. Blood begin to rush to my face as I took a seat and Walker took his as soon I sat down.
That’s when the waiters immediately started putting out glasses of wine and water in front of us.

“You look beautiful in person, Scarlett. From the pictures I’ve received of you, I was little nervous at first,” Walker said to me as he took a sip of wine.
I looked at him oddly. Was that supposed to be a compliment?

“Thank you. Sorry, I’m not all the photogenic,” I responded, as I looked over his shoulder. I noticed Aileen talking with her man, who was a cute blonde with dark green eyes. She was smiling big, so she looked happy at the card fate had dealt her.

“It’s quite alright. Pictures don’t do anyone justice. Because it surely did not show me how blessed you were.”
I faced my attention back to Walker who was staring openly at my chest. I quickly crossed my arms and glared.
“Excuse me? Would you like to try that statement again?”

Walked met my eyes, amused. “Well, I can tell you’re going to be feisty. You’re chart did say you are prone to have anger and personality issues. But I’m just the guy to handle it.”
“Anger and personality issues?” I repeated somewhat loudly, I suppose because I had caught the attention of few couples including Dex and Talia.

Walker chuckled. “We are going to have a great time. I can already tell, beautiful.”
Cedric, who was leaned up against the wall, gave me a look of warning. I sighed and forced that smile back onto my face.
“So can I, Walker.”