Chapter 1: The Dress They Stole Wasn't My Masterpiece

My stepsister: The Dress They Stole Wasn't My Masterpiece

My stepsister stole the most beautiful dress I had ever made, and my stole the most beautiful dress I had ever made, and my stepmother slapped me when I begged her to give it back.

They stepmother slapped me when I begged her to give it back.

They walked out of my bedroom laughing, certain they had destroyed my only chance of winning the biggest fashion competition of my life.

walked out of my bedroom laughing, certain they had destroyed my only chance of winning the biggest fashion competition of my life.

They were wrong.

Because the dress they stole wasn't my masterpiece. It was merely the dress I had beenThey were wrong.

Because the dress they stole wasn't my masterpiece. It was merely the dress I had been brave enough to show them.

My name is Nia Carter. I was seventeen, living in a house brave enough to show them.

My name is Nia Carter. I was seventeen, living in a house where my talent was treated like a family inconvenience, and I had where my talent was treated like a family inconvenience, and I had exactly six days to create something that could change my life.

That morning, I stood exactly six days to create something that could change my life.

That morning, I stood in front of my bedroom mirror, holding my white-and-sapphire-blue graduation gown.

Sunlight spilled through the window, in front of my bedroom mirror, holding my white-and-sapphire-blue graduation gown.

Sunlight spilled through the window, catching thousands of tiny crystals scattered across the bodice. Hand-embroidered butterflies fluttered among catching thousands of tiny crystals scattered across the bodice. Hand-embroidered butterflies fluttered among delicate flowers, while cobalt-blue patterns swept down the white silk like rivers of watercolor.

The delicate flowers, while cobalt-blue patterns swept down the white silk like rivers of watercolor.

The dress had taken me four months to finish.

Four months of sewing after school, working beneath dress had taken me four months to finish.

Four months of sewing after school, working beneath a flickering desk lamp, and carefully counting every crystal because I couldn't afford to waste a flickering desk lamp, and carefully counting every crystal because I couldn't afford to waste a single one.

The blue patterns had started as an accident. I'd spilled paint across the original a single one.

The blue patterns had started as an accident. I'd spilled paint across the original fabric and spent three days crying over what I'd ruined.

Then I remembered something my mother had taught me before fabric and spent three days crying over what I'd ruined.

Then I remembered something my mother had taught me before she died.

Sometimes, the most beautiful things begin as mistakes.

I turned the ruined silk into art she died.

Sometimes, the most beautiful things begin as mistakes.

I turned the ruined silk into art.

Now, the dress was my entry for the prestigious Young American Couture Competition, where the.

Now, the dress was my entry for the prestigious Young American Couture Competition, where the winning designer would receive a scholarship, a paid internship with a major fashion house, and a chance to present a collection in winning designer would receive a scholarship, a paid internship with a major fashion house, and a chance to present a collection in New York.

For a girl who had never owned a designer handbag, it was the closest thing to a ticket out of her New York.

For a girl who had never owned a designer handbag, it was the closest thing to a ticket out of her circumstances.

I touched one of the blue butterflies.

"Mom, I hope you would circumstances.

I touched one of the blue butterflies.

"Mom, I hope you would be proud of me," I whispered.

Three sharp knocks interrupted me.

My bedroom door swung open before be proud of me," I whispered.

Three sharp knocks interrupted me.

My bedroom door swung open before I could answer.

Brianna, my stepsister, entered wearing a pink designer I could answer.

Brianna, my stepsister, entered wearing a pink designer tracksuit and carrying an iced coffee. My stepmother, Vanessa, followed, her diamond bracelet tracksuit and carrying an iced coffee. My stepmother, Vanessa, followed, her diamond bracelet flashing beneath the hallway lights.

Brianna stopped.

Her eyes locked onto my flashing beneath the hallway lights.

Brianna stopped.

Her eyes locked onto my gown.

"Oh. My. God.""

I instinctively drew the dress closer to my body gown.

"Oh. My. God.""

I instinctively drew the dress closer to my body.

Vanessa tilted her head.

"What is that?""

"My competition dress," I said.

"I'm.

Vanessa tilted her head.

"What is that?""

"My competition dress," I said.

"I'm wearing it for graduation, too.""

Brianna put down her coffee.

"Wait. You made this?""

"Yes wearing it for graduation, too.""

Brianna put down her coffee.

"Wait. You made this?""

"Yes.""

She moved around me, inspecting the crystal-covered bodice. Her manic.""

She moved around me, inspecting the crystal-covered bodice. Her manicured fingers hovered over the embroidery.

"These stones look expensive.""

"Theyured fingers hovered over the embroidery.

"These stones look expensive.""

"They aren't real sapphires. They're glass crystals.""

"Nobody asked you to explain your aren't real sapphires. They're glass crystals.""

"Nobody asked you to explain your cheap materials.""

Her words stung, but I kept my expression neutral cheap materials.""

Her words stung, but I kept my expression neutral.

Vanessa stepped closer.

"Let me see the back.""

I hesitated.

"Nia, don't be difficult.""

I turned the hanger.

She.

Vanessa stepped closer.

"Let me see the back.""

I hesitated.

"Nia, don't be difficult.""

I turned the hanger.

She examined the fitted waist, the hand-finished seams, and the long train.

For a moment, neither woman spoke.

Then Bri examined the fitted waist, the hand-finished seams, and the long train.

For a moment, neither woman spoke.

Then Brianna looked at her mother.

"Mommy, I need this dress.""

My stomach tightened.

"No.""

Briannaanna looked at her mother.

"Mommy, I need this dress.""

My stomach tightened.

"No.""

Brianna blinked.

"What did you say?""

"I said no. It's mine.""

She laughed blinked.

"What did you say?""

"I said no. It's mine.""

She laughed as if I'd told a joke.

"Everything in this house is practically mine as if I'd told a joke.

"Everything in this house is practically mine.""

"Your graduation dress is already hanging in your closet," I replied.

"You have three.""

"Your graduation dress is already hanging in your closet," I replied.

"You have three of them.""

"And none of them looks like this.""

"Because I made this one for of them.""

"And none of them looks like this.""

"Because I made this one for myself.""

Vanessa folded her arms.

"Your sister has an important graduation dinner next myself.""

Vanessa folded her arms.

"Your sister has an important graduation dinner next week. Her friends will be there, along with people who could help her future. She needs to week.

Her friends will be there, along with people who could help her future. She needs to look her best.""

I stared at her.

"What about my future?""

Vanessa's expression hardened.

"Don't look her best.""

I stared at her.

"What about my future?""

Vanessa's expression hardened.

"Don't make this about you.""

I almost laughed.

It was always about Brianna.

make this about you.""

I almost laughed.

It was always about Brianna.

When she wanted new clothes, I was toldWhen she wanted new clothes, I was told to be understanding. When she broke something, I was blamed for leaving it within to be understanding. When she broke something, I was blamed for leaving it within reach.

When I won a school art award, Vanessa congratulated Brianna for being gracious enough not to enter reach. When I won a school art award, Vanessa congratulated Brianna for being gracious enough not to enter.

But this dress was different.

I'd made it with my own hands.

But this dress was different.

I'd made it with my own hands.

Nobody could claim they'd bought it for me or that I owed them forNobody could claim they'd bought it for me or that I owed them for it.

"No," I repeated.

"I'm not giving it to her.""

Brianna's face it.

"No," I repeated.

"I'm not giving it to her.""

Brianna's face twisted.

"Mom, she's doing that thing again.""

"What thing?"" I demanded. twisted.

"Mom, she's doing that thing again.""

"What thing?"" I demanded.

"Having something of my own?""

Vanessa stepped toward me.

"Watch your mouth "Having something of my own?""

Vanessa stepped toward me.

"Watch your mouth.""

"Please, Vanessa. I worked on this for months. I need it for the competition.""

".""

"Please, Vanessa. I worked on this for months. I need it for the competition.""

"Then make another one.""

The casual cruelty of those words left me speechless.

Then make another one.""

The casual cruelty of those words left me speechless.

Brianna seized the hanger.

I grabbed the opposite end.

"Let go," sheBrianna seized the hanger.

I grabbed the opposite end.

"Let go," she ordered.

"No!""

"You can make another ugly little dress!""

"BRIAN ordered.

"No!""

"You can make another ugly little dress!""

"BRIANNA, STOP!""

She yanked harder. The hanger struck the edgeNA, STOP!""

She yanked harder. The hanger struck the edge of my sewing table, knocking a box of blue crystals onto the floor.

Tiny stones scattered beneath our of my sewing table, knocking a box of blue crystals onto the floor.

Tiny stones scattered beneath our feet.

I felt something inside me break.

"Please!"" I cried.

"You're going to ruin it!""

Vanessa grabbed feet.

I felt something inside me break.

"Please!"" I cried.

"You're going to ruin it!""

Vanessa grabbed my wrist and twisted it away from the hanger.

Then she slapped me.

The sound cracked through the room.

my wrist and twisted it away from the hanger.

Then she slapped me.

The sound cracked through the room.

My cheek burned. My ears rang.

For a moment, I couldn't move.

VanMy cheek burned. My ears rang.

For a moment, I couldn't move.

Vanessa pointed toward the floor.

"Pick up those crystals when we're finished. And nextessa pointed toward the floor.

"Pick up those crystals when we're finished. And next time, remember who provides the roof over your head.""

Brianna pulled the dress free.

time, remember who provides the roof over your head.""

Brianna pulled the dress free.

She held it against herself, admiring the way the blue crystals glittered in the sunlight.

"OhShe held it against herself, admiring the way the blue crystals glittered in the sunlight.

"Oh, this is going to look incredible on me.""

I reached for the train.

"Please, Brianna. You, this is going to look incredible on me.""

I reached for the train.

"Please, Brianna. You know how much this means to me.""

She leaned close enough for me to know how much this means to me.""

She leaned close enough for me to smell her vanilla perfume.

"That's exactly why I want it.""

Then she turned toward the door.

Vanessa followed smell her vanilla perfume.

"That's exactly why I want it.""

Then she turned toward the door.

Vanessa followed, stopping just long enough to deliver one final blow.

"Don't bother entering, stopping just long enough to deliver one final blow.

"Don't bother entering that competition. You'll embarrass this family.""

The door slammed.

Their laughter drifted down the hallway that competition. You'll embarrass this family.""

The door slammed.

Their laughter drifted down the hallway.

I sank onto the floor among the scattered crystals.

For several minutes, I couldn't do anything except.

I sank onto the floor among the scattered crystals.

For several minutes, I couldn't do anything except press my hand against my cheek and stare at the empty hanger.

I'd imagined press my hand against my cheek and stare at the empty hanger.

I'd imagined that morning differently.

I'd imagined carrying the gown downstairs, taking photographs, and sending my that morning differently.

I'd imagined carrying the gown downstairs, taking photographs, and sending my application to the competition committee. I'd imagined standing on a stage while judges examined my work. application to the competition committee.

I'd imagined standing on a stage while judges examined my work. I'd even imagined calling my mother's old friend, a seamstress who had once promised I'd even imagined calling my mother's old friend, a seamstress who had once promised to introduce me to a designer if I ever created something extraordinary.

Now, my masterpiece to introduce me to a designer if I ever created something extraordinary.

Now, my masterpiece was hanging in Brianna's closet.

I cried until my eyes hurt.

Then I noticed the was hanging in Brianna's closet.

I cried until my eyes hurt.

Then I noticed the black sketchbook beneath my sewing table.

It had been there for months, hidden under old magazines and fabric scraps.

I pulled black sketchbook beneath my sewing table.

It had been there for months, hidden under old magazines and fabric scraps.

I pulled it out and opened it.

On the first page was a wine-red evening gown.

The bod it out and opened it.

On the first page was a wine-red evening gown.

The bodice was sculpted like a second skin. Thousands of ruby-colored crystals traced delicate patterns across the fabricice was sculpted like a second skin. Thousands of ruby-colored crystals traced delicate patterns across the fabric, gathering at the waist before spilling into an enormous skirt.

The train flowed behind the, gathering at the waist before spilling into an enormous skirt. The train flowed behind the model like a river of red silk.

It was dramatic. Un model like a river of red silk.

It was dramatic. Unforgiving. Almost impossibly complicated.

And it was the most beautiful thing I had ever imagined.

I'dforgiving. Almost impossibly complicated.

And it was the most beautiful thing I had ever imagined.

I'd designed it on a night when I couldn't sleep, then hidden the drawing because I designed it on a night when I couldn't sleep, then hidden the drawing because I was afraid I'd never be skilled enough to bring it to life.

My mother used to say, "If a was afraid I'd never be skilled enough to bring it to life.

My mother used to say, "If a design scares you, Nia, it might be worth making.""

I ran my fingers over the sketch.

design scares you, Nia, it might be worth making.""

I ran my fingers over the sketch.

Six days.

A handful of fabric scraps.

Almost no money.

And a familySix days.

A handful of fabric scraps.

Almost no money.

And a family that wanted me to fail.

I looked at the closed door.

Then I looked back at the red that wanted me to fail.

I looked at the closed door.

Then I looked back at the red gown.

"Fine," I whispered.

I rose, wiped my face, and opened every drawer in my sewing table.

"If gown.

"Fine," I whispered.

I rose, wiped my face, and opened every drawer in my sewing table.

"If they want to take my future, they'll have to do better than steal a dress.""

By they want to take my future, they'll have to do better than steal a dress.""

By midnight, I had cut the first pieces of burgundy satin.

By two in the morning, I'd ruined the midnight, I had cut the first pieces of burgundy satin.

By two in the morning, I'd ruined the first bodice.

By four, I'd discovered a way to reinforce the waist first bodice.

By four, I'd discovered a way to reinforce the waist without buying expensive boning.

At sunrise, my fingers were trembling, my back without buying expensive boning.

At sunrise, my fingers were trembling, my back ached, and the floor looked like a fabric store had exploded.

But the ached, and the floor looked like a fabric store had exploded.

But the red gown had begun to take shape.

And for the first time since my mother died, I felt as though someone red gown had begun to take shape.

And for the first time since my mother died, I felt as though someone was standing beside me.

Not Vanessa.

Not Brianna.

My mother.

I was standing beside me.

Not Vanessa.

Not Brianna.

My mother.

I was pinning the second layer of the skirt when a shadow appeared beneath was pinning the second layer of the skirt when a shadow appeared beneath my bedroom door.

Someone had stopped outside.

Then the handle began to turn.

And a voice whispered, "Nia my bedroom door.

Someone had stopped outside.