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

I shoved the red fabric beneath my bed just Six Days, One Needle, and a Dangerous Secret

I shoved the red fabric beneath my bed just as the door opened.

My father stood in the doorway, still wearing his work shirt, his tie as the door opened.

My father stood in the doorway, still wearing his work shirt, his tie loosened and his face lined with exhaustion.

For one foolish second, I hoped he'd loosened and his face lined with exhaustion.

For one foolish second, I hoped he'd noticed my swollen cheek.

He looked at the scattered fabric instead.

"What happened to noticed my swollen cheek.

He looked at the scattered fabric instead.

"What happened to your room?""

"Nothing.""

He glanced at the sewing machine.

"Nia, it's almost five in the morning.""

your room?""

"Nothing.""

He glanced at the sewing machine.

"Nia, it's almost five in the morning.""

"I know.""

"Your stepmother says you've been making a mess and refusing"I know.""

"Your stepmother says you've been making a mess and refusing to listen.""

I gripped the edge of the table.

"She told you that to listen.""

I gripped the edge of the table.

"She told you that?""

"She says Brianna needed your blue dress for her graduation dinner, and you became?""

"She says Brianna needed your blue dress for her graduation dinner, and you became unreasonable.""

I stared at him.

"She slapped me, Dad.""

The words hung between unreasonable.""

I stared at him.

"She slapped me, Dad.""

The words hung between us.

He looked up.

"What?""

"Vanessa slapped me because I us.

He looked up.

"What?""

"Vanessa slapped me because I wouldn't give Brianna my dress. Then Brianna took it anyway.""

My father rubbed his forehead.

"Your wouldn't give Brianna my dress. Then Brianna took it anyway.""

My father rubbed his forehead.

"Your stepmother says you two had an argument.""

"She hit me.""

"Nia, please. I stepmother says you two had an argument.""

"She hit me.""

"Nia, please. I have a meeting in three hours.""

I felt the familiar pressure in my chest, the awful realization that my pain have a meeting in three hours.""

I felt the familiar pressure in my chest, the awful realization that my pain had become another task he didn't have time to deal with.

"Of course," I whispered.

He looked at me helpless had become another task he didn't have time to deal with.

"Of course," I whispered.

He looked at me helplessly.

"Your stepmother has been under a lot of stress.""

"So have I.""

"Andly.

"Your stepmother has been under a lot of stress.""

"So have I.""

"And Brianna has important opportunities coming up. You know how sensitive she is about her appearance.""

I Brianna has important opportunities coming up. You know how sensitive she is about her appearance.""

I laughed once, without humor.

"Did you hear yourself?""

"Nia— laughed once, without humor.

"Did you hear yourself?""

"Nia—"

"She stole something I spent four months making, and you're asking me to understand how difficult it is for"

"She stole something I spent four months making, and you're asking me to understand how difficult it is for her to wear somebody else's work.""

His jaw tightened.

"That's enough her to wear somebody else's work.""

His jaw tightened.

"That's enough.""

"No, Dad. It isn't.""

For a moment, I thought he might finally defend me.

Instead, he walked to.""

"No, Dad. It isn't.""

For a moment, I thought he might finally defend me.

Instead, he walked to the door.

"Just don't make things worse before graduation.""

He left.

I the door.

"Just don't make things worse before graduation.""

He left.

I stood motionless, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hallway.

Then I pulled the red fabric from stood motionless, listening to his footsteps disappear down the hallway.

Then I pulled the red fabric from beneath my bed.

"All right," I told the empty room.

"I'll do it beneath my bed.

"All right," I told the empty room.

"I'll do it myself.""

The first obstacle was money.

The competition required the gown to be completed, photographed, and registered before myself.""

The first obstacle was money.

The competition required the gown to be completed, photographed, and registered before the final judging. I had less than a week, and the red the final judging. I had less than a week, and the red crystals I'd sketched were far beyond my budget.

My savings amounted to eighty crystals I'd sketched were far beyond my budget.

My savings amounted to eighty-six dollars and forty cents.

That was supposed to cover transportation, meals, and the application-six dollars and forty cents.

That was supposed to cover transportation, meals, and the application expenses for the next stage of the competition.

Instead, I spread the money across expenses for the next stage of the competition.

Instead, I spread the money across my desk and opened my laptop.

I searched for discounted fabrics, damaged formalwear, leftover materials, and anything I my desk and opened my laptop.

I searched for discounted fabrics, damaged formalwear, leftover materials, and anything I could transform.

At seven that morning, I walked into a secondhand clothing store three could transform.

At seven that morning, I walked into a secondhand clothing store three blocks from school.

A little bell rang above the door.

The owner, Mrs blocks from school.

A little bell rang above the door.

The owner, Mrs. Alvarez, emerged from behind a rack of coats.

"Nia Carter!. Alvarez, emerged from behind a rack of coats.

"Nia Carter! You look like you've fought a tornado.""

"Good morning to you, too.""

She smiled, then noticed my face.

"What happened to your You look like you've fought a tornado.""

"Good morning to you, too.""

She smiled, then noticed my face.

"What happened to your cheek?""

I turned away.

"I bumped into a cabinet.""

Mrs. Alvarez didn't cheek?""

I turned away.

"I bumped into a cabinet.""

Mrs. Alvarez didn't look convinced, but she didn't push.

"What brings you here?""

"I need fabric. Burgundy satin look convinced, but she didn't push.

"What brings you here?""

"I need fabric. Burgundy satin, red silk, velvet, anything in a deep wine color. And if you have damaged evening, red silk, velvet, anything in a deep wine color. And if you have damaged evening gowns with good fabric, I'll take a look.""

She raised an eyebrow.

" gowns with good fabric, I'll take a look.""

She raised an eyebrow.

"Planning something ambitious?""

"Very.""

"Ambition is expensive.""

Planning something ambitious?""

"Very.""

"Ambition is expensive.""

"I've noticed.""

She led me to a storage room behind the shop.

Boxes were"I've noticed.""

She led me to a storage room behind the shop.

Boxes were stacked against the walls. Old gowns hung from a metal rack, their sequins dulled by time.

Mrs stacked against the walls. Old gowns hung from a metal rack, their sequins dulled by time.

Mrs. Alvarez pulled out a dark red evening dress with a torn hem.

"This was donated. Alvarez pulled out a dark red evening dress with a torn hem.

"This was donated last month. The zipper is broken, and the lining is damaged. Nobody wants it.""

I touched the fabric.

The last month. The zipper is broken, and the lining is damaged. Nobody wants it.""

I touched the fabric.

The silk was still beautiful.

"How much?""

"Ten dollars.""

"I only have—"

"Eight," she interrupted. silk was still beautiful.

"How much?""

"Ten dollars.""

"I only have—"

"Eight," she interrupted.

"Because you once repaired my granddaughter's dance costume for free.""

I looked at "Because you once repaired my granddaughter's dance costume for free.""

I looked at her.

"Thank you.""

She handed me the dress.

"Don't thank me until her.

"Thank you.""

She handed me the dress.

"Don't thank me until I see what you make.""

I spent the next hour searching through her scraps. I found a length of burgundy satin I see what you make.""

I spent the next hour searching through her scraps. I found a length of burgundy satin, several yards of red tulle, and a damaged velvet jacket with enough usable, several yards of red tulle, and a damaged velvet jacket with enough usable material for the bodice lining.

When I finally reached the counter, Mrs. Alvarez placed a small box beside material for the bodice lining.

When I finally reached the counter, Mrs. Alvarez placed a small box beside my purchases.

Inside were hundreds of loose glass crystals.

"These came from an old theatrical costume," she explained my purchases.

Inside were hundreds of loose glass crystals.

"These came from an old theatrical costume," she explained.

"They're not rubies, but they catch the light beautifully.""

My throat tightened.

"I can't.

"They're not rubies, but they catch the light beautifully.""

My throat tightened.

"I can't afford those.""

"Then consider them a loan.""

"I'll pay afford those.""

"Then consider them a loan.""

"I'll pay you back.""

"I know.""

She looked at me for a long moment.

"One more thing, Nia. Beautiful fabric doesn't make a designer you back.""

"I know.""

She looked at me for a long moment.

"One more thing, Nia. Beautiful fabric doesn't make a designer. The decisions you make with it do.""

I carried the box home like it contained diamonds.

For. The decisions you make with it do.""

I carried the box home like it contained diamonds.

For the next two days, I barely left my room.

I drafted a new pattern, using the old red the next two days, I barely left my room.

I drafted a new pattern, using the old red dress as a starting point. I built the bodice in layers, reinforcing the seams with narrow dress as a starting point. I built the bodice in layers, reinforcing the seams with narrow strips of salvaged fabric. I tested the fit on a dress form borrowed from Mrs.

Alvarez, strips of salvaged fabric. I tested the fit on a dress form borrowed from Mrs. Alvarez, adjusting the waist until the structure held without visible support.

The skirt was harder.

The design required volume without adjusting the waist until the structure held without visible support.

The skirt was harder.

The design required volume without heaviness, a train that moved dramatically without dragging the entire dress out of shape.

I tried one heaviness, a train that moved dramatically without dragging the entire dress out of shape.

I tried one construction method.

It collapsed.

I tried another.

The seams puckered.

At eleven construction method.

It collapsed.

I tried another.

The seams puckered.

At eleven that night, I sat on the floor, surrounded by failed pieces.

My phone buzzed.

A message that night, I sat on the floor, surrounded by failed pieces.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Brianna appeared.

*Brianna:* Just tried on your little dress. The from Brianna appeared.

*Brianna:* Just tried on your little dress. The back is gorgeous. You should see how good I look in it.

A photograph followed.

She back is gorgeous. You should see how good I look in it.

A photograph followed.

She stood in front of her bedroom mirror wearing my blue-and-white gown. She had pinned the stood in front of her bedroom mirror wearing my blue-and-white gown. She had pinned the waist tighter and shortened the hem, destroying the proportions waist tighter and shortened the hem, destroying the proportions I'd spent weeks perfecting.

Another message arrived.

*Brianna:* Don't worry. I'll tell everyone I I'd spent weeks perfecting.

Another message arrived.

*Brianna:* Don't worry. I'll tell everyone I designed it myself.

I stared at the screen until the words blurred.

Then I took a screenshot.

designed it myself.

I stared at the screen until the words blurred.

Then I took a screenshot.

Not because I wanted revenge.

Because I needed proof.

I saved the photograph, backedNot because I wanted revenge.

Because I needed proof.

I saved the photograph, backed it up, and returned to my work.

The next morning, I visited the school workshop before it up, and returned to my work.

The next morning, I visited the school workshop before classes began. Mr. Bennett, our art teacher, was unlocking the supply cabinet when I entered.

He classes began. Mr. Bennett, our art teacher, was unlocking the supply cabinet when I entered.

He glanced at the red fabric in my arms.

"You're here early.""

"I need your glanced at the red fabric in my arms.

"You're here early.""

"I need your help.""

He set down his keys.

"That sounds serious.""

I explained the competition, the stolen gown help.""

He set down his keys.

"That sounds serious.""

I explained the competition, the stolen gown, and the red design. I didn't mention the slap until he asked why I kept fl, and the red design. I didn't mention the slap until he asked why I kept flinching whenever someone approached me from behind.

His expression changed.

"Nia, did an adult hit you?""

inching whenever someone approached me from behind.

His expression changed.

"Nia, did an adult hit you?""

I looked down.

"Yes.""

"Does your father know?""

"He does.""

"AndI looked down.

"Yes.""

"Does your father know?""

"He does.""

"And he hasn't done anything?""

I shook my head.

Mr. Bennett took a slow breath.

"I'm sorry.""

The he hasn't done anything?""

I shook my head.

Mr. Bennett took a slow breath.

"I'm sorry.""

The simplicity of those words nearly made me cry.

He didn't tell me to be patient. He didn't explain Vanessa's behavior. He simplicity of those words nearly made me cry.

He didn't tell me to be patient. He didn't explain Vanessa's behavior. He didn't ask me to forgive anyone.

He simply pulled a chair toward the worktable.

"Show me what you're didn't ask me to forgive anyone.

He simply pulled a chair toward the worktable.

"Show me what you're making.""

I unfolded the sketch.

He studied it for nearly a minute.

"That's ambitious.""

"I know making.""

I unfolded the sketch.

He studied it for nearly a minute.

"That's ambitious.""

"I know.""

"Your fabric choices are unusual.""

"I don't have enough.""

"Your fabric choices are unusual.""

"I don't have enough money for the materials in the original drawing.""

He traced the shape of the skirt with one money for the materials in the original drawing.""

He traced the shape of the skirt with one finger.

"Then stop trying to make the original drawing. Make the dress your materials want to become finger.

"Then stop trying to make the original drawing. Make the dress your materials want to become.""

I frowned.

"What does that mean?""

"Look at the velvet. Look at the silk. They don't reflect light.""

I frowned.

"What does that mean?""

"Look at the velvet. Look at the silk. They don't reflect light in the same way.

Don't hide that difference. Use it.""

He pointed to the bodice.

"Keep the in the same way. Don't hide that difference. Use it.""

He pointed to the bodice.

"Keep the velvet dark and structured. Let the satin catch the light. Place the crystals where the fabric naturally velvet dark and structured.

Let the satin catch the light. Place the crystals where the fabric naturally folds, so the movement makes them sparkle.""

I looked at the sketch again.

Suddenly, I could folds, so the movement makes them sparkle.""

I looked at the sketch again.

Suddenly, I could see it.

The crystals wouldn't need to cover every inch of the gown. They could form see it.

The crystals wouldn't need to cover every inch of the gown. They could form flowing constellations, dense around the waist and scattered toward the hem.

The train could flowing constellations, dense around the waist and scattered toward the hem.

The train could carry the brightest pattern, turning each step into a wave of red light.

"That's it," I carry the brightest pattern, turning each step into a wave of red light.

"That's it," I whispered.

Mr. Bennett smiled.

"That's what?""

"I've been trying to copy my whispered.

Mr. Bennett smiled.

"That's what?""

"I've been trying to copy my own drawing.""

"And now?""

"Now I'm going to design the dress that's actually possible own drawing.""

"And now?""

"Now I'm going to design the dress that's actually possible.""

I worked through lunch, after school, and late into the evening.

On the third night, I finally.""

I worked through lunch, after school, and late into the evening.

On the third night, I finally completed the bodice.

It fit the dress form like a sculpted shell. The velvet absorbed the light, while completed the bodice.

It fit the dress form like a sculpted shell. The velvet absorbed the light, while the satin panels glowed in deep shades of garnet and wine.

I stood the satin panels glowed in deep shades of garnet and wine.

I stood back.

For the first time, the gown looked less like an impossible sketch and more like something that back.

For the first time, the gown looked less like an impossible sketch and more like something that belonged on a runway.

Then my phone rang.

It was Brianna.

I almost ignored belonged on a runway.

Then my phone rang.

It was Brianna.

I almost ignored it.

Instead, I answered.

"What do you want?""

Her voice was unusually sweet.

"Nia, darling it.

Instead, I answered.

"What do you want?""

Her voice was unusually sweet.

"Nia, darling. We need to talk.""

"About what?""

"The blue dress.""

I gripped the phone.

"What. We need to talk.""

"About what?""

"The blue dress.""

I gripped the phone.

"What about it?""

"I may have made a tiny mistake.""

A cold feeling cre about it?""

"I may have made a tiny mistake.""

A cold feeling crept into my stomach.

"What did you do?""

She hesitated.

Then she saidpt into my stomach.

"What did you do?""

She hesitated.

Then she said, "Mom accidentally sent your competition registration confirmation to my email. And, "Mom accidentally sent your competition registration confirmation to my email. And there's a problem.""

"What problem?""

Brianna lowered her voice.

"Your entry there's a problem.""

"What problem?""

Brianna lowered her voice.

"Your entry has been withdrawn.""

I stopped breathing.

"What?""

"And the competition has been withdrawn.""

I stopped breathing.

"What?""

"And the competition committee has already accepted my application.""