Chapter 3: The Girl They Tried to Erase
I called the competition office six times before someone answered.
The first five calls went to voicemail.
On the sixth, a the competition office six times before someone answered.
The first five calls went to voicemail.
On the sixth, a woman with a crisp, professional voice picked up.
"Young American Couture Competition. This is Melissa speaking woman with a crisp, professional voice picked up.
"Young American Couture Competition. This is Melissa speaking.""
"My name is Nia Carter. I submitted an entry for the senior designer category.""
"My name is Nia Carter. I submitted an entry for the senior designer category, and I've just been told my registration was withdrawn.""
"One moment, please.""
I heard, and I've just been told my registration was withdrawn.""
"One moment, please.""
I heard typing.
Then silence.
"Miss Carter, your entry was withdrawn yesterday afternoon.""
"I didn't withdraw typing.
Then silence.
"Miss Carter, your entry was withdrawn yesterday afternoon.""
"I didn't withdraw it.""
"The request came through your registered email address.""
"I didn't send it.""
"Do it.""
"The request came through your registered email address.""
"I didn't send it.""
"Do you have access to that account?""
"Yes, but—"
"Then I recommend changing your password and submitting you have access to that account?""
"Yes, but—"
"Then I recommend changing your password and submitting a written appeal.""
My hands began to shake.
"Can you tell me who requested the withdrawal?""
"I'm sorry. We cannot a written appeal.""
My hands began to shake.
"Can you tell me who requested the withdrawal?""
"I'm sorry. We cannot disclose account information over the phone.""
"But someone used my name.""
"I understand your concern, disclose account information over the phone.""
"But someone used my name.""
"I understand your concern, Miss Carter. However, the submission deadline has passed.""
I closed my eyes.
"Please. I spent months making that dress.""
Miss Carter. However, the submission deadline has passed.""
I closed my eyes.
"Please. I spent months making that dress.""
"I'm sorry.""
The call ended.
For several seconds, I remained"I'm sorry.""
The call ended.
For several seconds, I remained seated on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone.
Then I opened my email.
seated on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone.
Then I opened my email.
There it was.
A withdrawal confirmation sent at 3:42 p.m. the previous day.
I hadn't even been home at that time.
I had been at school, working on the red gownThere it was.
A withdrawal confirmation sent at 3:42 p.m. the previous day.
I hadn't even been home at that time.
I had been at school, working on the red gown in Mr. Bennett's classroom.
I checked the message headers and in Mr. Bennett's classroom.
I checked the message headers and the account activity. I wasn't a cybersecurity expert, but I understood enough to see that the withdrawal had been submitted the account activity. I wasn't a cybersecurity expert, but I understood enough to see that the withdrawal had been submitted from a device I didn't recognize.
Then I remembered something.
Three weeks earlier, Vanessa had borrowed my laptop from a device I didn't recognize.
Then I remembered something.
Three weeks earlier, Vanessa had borrowed my laptop to print Brianna's graduation invitations. I'd left my email open because I'd been checking to print Brianna's graduation invitations. I'd left my email open because I'd been checking the competition guidelines.
She could have accessed it.
I searched my inbox for the the competition guidelines.
She could have accessed it.
I searched my inbox for the original submission confirmation.
The entry number was still there.
So was the attached photograph of my blue gown original submission confirmation.
The entry number was still there.
So was the attached photograph of my blue gown.
I downloaded every document and saved screenshots of the withdrawal notice.
Then I sent an appeal.
I explained that I.
I downloaded every document and saved screenshots of the withdrawal notice.
Then I sent an appeal.
I explained that I had not withdrawn my entry, attached the account activity, and asked the had not withdrawn my entry, attached the account activity, and asked the committee to preserve the original submission.
I didn't accuse anyone by name.
Not yet.
At committee to preserve the original submission.
I didn't accuse anyone by name.
Not yet.
At school, I found Mr. Bennett in the art room.
He was arranging paintbrushes when I walked school, I found Mr. Bennett in the art room.
He was arranging paintbrushes when I walked in.
"They withdrew my entry.""
He turned.
"Who did?""
"Someone using my email in.
"They withdrew my entry.""
He turned.
"Who did?""
"Someone using my email. The competition says the deadline has passed.""
He put down the brushes.
"Show me.""
I handed. The competition says the deadline has passed.""
He put down the brushes.
"Show me.""
I handed him my phone.
He read the messages carefully.
"Did you contact the committee in writing?""
"Yes him my phone.
He read the messages carefully.
"Did you contact the committee in writing?""
"Yes.""
"Good. Keep every record.""
I swallowed.
"What if they refuse?""
"Then we'll find out.""
"Good. Keep every record.""
I swallowed.
"What if they refuse?""
"Then we'll find out what their appeal process allows. But don't assume the answer is no until they what their appeal process allows. But don't assume the answer is no until they give it to you in writing.""
He studied my face.
"Have you finished the red dress?""
"Almost.""
" give it to you in writing.""
He studied my face.
"Have you finished the red dress?""
"Almost.""
"Then finish it.""
I stared at him.
"Even if I can't compete?""
"Especially if you can't compete.""
Then finish it.""
I stared at him.
"Even if I can't compete?""
"Especially if you can't compete.""
His voice was firm.
"Your talent doesn't disappear because somebody changes a line in a database.""
His voice was firm.
"Your talent doesn't disappear because somebody changes a line in a database.""
I looked toward the worktable, where the wine-red gown layI looked toward the worktable, where the wine-red gown lay beneath a protective sheet.
"I don't know if I can do this.""
"Then do the next stitch.""
I nodded.
And I did.
That evening, I worked beneath a protective sheet.
"I don't know if I can do this.""
"Then do the next stitch.""
I nodded.
And I did.
That evening, I worked on the train.
I attached the layers one by one, adjusting the weight until the skirt flowed on the train.
I attached the layers one by one, adjusting the weight until the skirt flowed without twisting. I used the velvet scraps to reinforce the inner seams and the red without twisting. I used the velvet scraps to reinforce the inner seams and the red tulle to create a dramatic silhouette without making the gown too heavy to move in.
The crystal tulle to create a dramatic silhouette without making the gown too heavy to move in.
The crystal work took the longest.
I placed each stone by hand, following the curves of the bodice and extending the pattern work took the longest.
I placed each stone by hand, following the curves of the bodice and extending the pattern across the skirt. Some stones were across the skirt. Some stones were tiny and clear. Others had a deep ruby tint that caught the light like sparks from a fire.
My fingertips tiny and clear. Others had a deep ruby tint that caught the light like sparks from a fire.
My fingertips grew sore.
I kept going.
At ten thirty, I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Then Brianna's voice.
"Mom, I'm grew sore.
I kept going.
At ten thirty, I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Then Brianna's voice.
"Mom, I'm telling you, she has another dress.""
Vanessa answered, "She's probably sewing telling you, she has another dress.""
Vanessa answered, "She's probably sewing another cheap disaster.""
"What if it's better than mine?""
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"What if the another cheap disaster.""
"What if it's better than mine?""
"Don't be ridiculous.""
"What if the judges find out I took hers?""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"They won't. The competition has your application, and judges find out I took hers?""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"They won't. The competition has your application, and your father has already paid for your photography session. You will walk onto your father has already paid for your photography session. You will walk onto that stage wearing the blue gown, and you will smile.""
Brianna sounded that stage wearing the blue gown, and you will smile.""
Brianna sounded uncertain.
"And if Nia tells them?""
"Who will believe her? You have the uncertain.
"And if Nia tells them?""
"Who will believe her? You have the official registration confirmation. She has nothing.""
Their footsteps moved official registration confirmation. She has nothing.""
Their footsteps moved away.
I sat very still.
The blue gown wasn't just stolen.
They were using it to build away.
I sat very still.
The blue gown wasn't just stolen.
They were using it to build Brianna's entire competition entry.
I looked at the screenshot I'd saved of her wearing Brianna's entire competition entry.
I looked at the screenshot I'd saved of her wearing my dress. Then I opened the competition website and searched for the rules.
There was a section about originality, proof my dress. Then I opened the competition website and searched for the rules.
There was a section about originality, proof of authorship, and disputes involving submitted designs.
A designer who could not demonstrate of authorship, and disputes involving submitted designs.
A designer who could not demonstrate ownership of their work could be disqualified.
I read it twice.
Then I took photographs of the red gown ownership of their work could be disqualified.
I read it twice.
Then I took photographs of the red gown from every angle. I captured the sketchbook pages, the fabric cutting patterns, the dated from every angle. I captured the sketchbook pages, the fabric cutting patterns, the dated photographs of the work in progress, and the messages Brianna had sent me.
I even photographed photographs of the work in progress, and the messages Brianna had sent me.
I even photographed my sewing table, where the blue crystals she'd knocked to the floor still my sewing table, where the blue crystals she'd knocked to the floor still lay in the gaps between the floorboards.
At midnight, I wrote another email to the committee.
This lay in the gaps between the floorboards.
At midnight, I wrote another email to the committee.
This time, I attached everything.
I explained that my original design had been taken without my permission and that someone had withdrawn my registration without time, I attached everything.
I explained that my original design had been taken without my permission and that someone had withdrawn my registration without my consent. I requested an emergency review before the final presentation.
I pressed Send my consent. I requested an emergency review before the final presentation.
I pressed Send.
Then I leaned back in my chair.
For the first time, I wasn't just trying to survive what my family had.
Then I leaned back in my chair.
For the first time, I wasn't just trying to survive what my family had done.
I was building a record of it.
The next morning, I received a response.
The committee had done.
I was building a record of it.
The next morning, I received a response.
The committee had acknowledged my appeal. They could not promise reinstatement, but they had agreed to review the evidence before the final judging.
acknowledged my appeal. They could not promise reinstatement, but they had agreed to review the evidence before the final judging.
I read the email three times.
Then I laughed.
It wasn't a victory.
But it wasn'tI read the email three times.
Then I laughed.
It wasn't a victory.
But it wasn't the end, either.
At school, Mr. Bennett helped me arrange transportation to the competition venue. Mrs the end, either.
At school, Mr. Bennett helped me arrange transportation to the competition venue. Mrs. Alvarez lent me a garment bag and carefully pressed the gown's outer layers.
When. Alvarez lent me a garment bag and carefully pressed the gown's outer layers.
When she saw the finished train, she covered her mouth.
"Nia.""
I stood beside the she saw the finished train, she covered her mouth.
"Nia.""
I stood beside the dress form, suddenly nervous.
"Is it too much?""
She turned toward me.
"Too much?""
She walked dress form, suddenly nervous.
"Is it too much?""
She turned toward me.
"Too much?""
She walked around the gown slowly, studying the dark velvet, the wine-red satin, and the crystals that shimmered across around the gown slowly, studying the dark velvet, the wine-red satin, and the crystals that shimmered across the train.
"Girl, if you walk into a room wearing this, people will forget what they were going to say.""
I the train.
"Girl, if you walk into a room wearing this, people will forget what they were going to say.""
I laughed, and for a moment, the weight in my chest lifted.
Then she took my hands.
" laughed, and for a moment, the weight in my chest lifted.
Then she took my hands.
"Remember something. You didn't make this dress to punish your stepsister.""
Remember something. You didn't make this dress to punish your stepsister.""
"I know.""
"You made it because you had something to say. Make sure you let the dress say it.""
I nodded"I know.""
"You made it because you had something to say. Make sure you let the dress say it.""
I nodded.
That night, I tried the gown on for the first time.
The bodice was tight enough.
That night, I tried the gown on for the first time.
The bodice was tight enough to hold its shape but flexible enough to let me breathe. The skirt fell in heavy to hold its shape but flexible enough to let me breathe. The skirt fell in heavy, beautiful folds, and the train stretched behind me across the bedroom floor.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
I, beautiful folds, and the train stretched behind me across the bedroom floor.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
I barely recognized the girl staring back.
Not because the dress had changed my face.
Because my barely recognized the girl staring back.
Not because the dress had changed my face.
Because my shoulders were straight.
My chin was lifted.
And I wasn't apologizing for taking up space.
I thought shoulders were straight.
My chin was lifted.
And I wasn't apologizing for taking up space.
I thought of my mother.
"I did it," I whispered.
Then I heard a knock.
My father opened of my mother.
"I did it," I whispered.
Then I heard a knock.
My father opened the door without waiting.
He stopped when he saw the dress.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he stepped inside and the door without waiting.
He stopped when he saw the dress.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.
"Nia, we need to talk.""
I turned.
"About what?""
He closed the door behind him.
"Nia, we need to talk.""
I turned.
"About what?""
He looked at the gown, then at the evidence spread across my desk.
"The competition committee called the house today.""
My stomach looked at the gown, then at the evidence spread across my desk.
"The competition committee called the house today.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did they say?""
His face was pale.
"They said Brianna's entry may be disqualified if tightened.
"What did they say?""
His face was pale.
"They said Brianna's entry may be disqualified if she can't prove she designed the dress.""
I stared at him.
"She can't.""
"I know.""
she can't prove she designed the dress.""
I stared at him.
"She can't.""
"I know.""
The words came out so quietly that I almost missed them.
I took a step toward him.
"You know sheThe words came out so quietly that I almost missed them.
I took a step toward him.
"You know she stole it?""
He looked away.
"I saw the dress in her room. I recognized your stole it?""
He looked away.
"I saw the dress in her room. I recognized your work.""
"And you did nothing?""
He closed his eyes.
"I thought I could keep this family together.""
I felt work.""
"And you did nothing?""
He closed his eyes.
"I thought I could keep this family together.""
I felt anger rise through me, hot and sharp.
"By letting her destroy my future?""
"No anger rise through me, hot and sharp.
"By letting her destroy my future?""
"No. Nia, I—"
My phone buzzed on the desk.
An unfamiliar email address appeared on the screen. Nia, I—"
My phone buzzed on the desk.
An unfamiliar email address appeared on the screen.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: YOUR ENTRY HAS BEEN REINSTATED.*
I opened it.
The committee.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: YOUR ENTRY HAS BEEN REINSTATED.*
I opened it.
The committee had reviewed my evidence and restored my place in the competition.
But there was one condition.
Because of the dispute over the had reviewed my evidence and restored my place in the competition.
But there was one condition.
Because of the dispute over the original gown, I would have to appear in person before the judges and present proof original gown, I would have to appear in person before the judges and present proof of authorship before the final runway show.
The email ended with a sentence that of authorship before the final runway show.
The email ended with a sentence that made my heart pound.
*Please arrive early. A member of our private judging panel has specifically requested to examine made my heart pound.
Please arrive early. A member of our private judging panel has specifically requested to examine your red gown.
I looked up at my father.
"Who is on the private judging panel?""
He shook your red gown.*
I looked up at my father.
"Who is on the private judging panel?""
He shook his head.
"I don't know.""
I looked back at the email.
At the bottom was the his head.
"I don't know.""
I looked back at the email.
At the bottom was the name of the person who had requested the examination.
**Adrian Vale — Vale International name of the person who had requested the examination.
*Adrian Vale — Vale International Luxury Group.*
Even I knew that name.
He was one of the most powerful figures in American Luxury Group.**
Even I knew that name.
He was one of the most powerful figures in American luxury fashion, a billionaire investor whose company owned labels luxury fashion, a billionaire investor whose company owned labels worn by celebrities and royalty.
And for some reason, he wanted to see my dress.
I stared worn by celebrities and royalty.
And for some reason, he wanted to see my dress.
I stared at the red crystals glittering beneath my bedroom light.
Something about the way the gown at the red crystals glittering beneath my bedroom light.
Something about the way the gown had come together still felt strange to me. The pattern wasn't simply beautiful had come together still felt strange to me. The pattern wasn't simply beautiful.
It felt familiar, as if I'd seen it somewhere long. It felt familiar, as if I'd seen it somewhere long before I drew it.
I opened my sketchbook again.
On the inside of the back cover, beneath a faded before I drew it.
I opened my sketchbook again.
On the inside of the back cover, beneath a faded photograph of my mother, I noticed a line of handwriting I'd never paid attention to.
It photograph of my mother, I noticed a line of handwriting I'd never paid attention to.
It was written in blue ink, nearly hidden beneath the paper's worn was written in blue ink, nearly hidden beneath the paper's worn edge.
I tilted the page toward the light.
The words were faint, but I could read them.
* edge.
I tilted the page toward the light.
The words were faint, but I could read them.
If you ever finish the red dress, find Adrian Vale.
Below that sentence was my mother's signature.
AndIf you ever finish the red dress, find Adrian Vale.*
Below that sentence was my mother's signature.
And beneath her name was a date from seventeen years earlier.
My hands beneath her name was a date from seventeen years earlier.
My hands went cold.
My mother had known Adrian Vale.
She had written his went cold.
My mother had known Adrian Vale.
She had written his name beside the design I'd been too afraid to make.
And suddenly, the competition name beside the design I'd been too afraid to make.
And suddenly, the competition wasn't just about winning anymore.
It was about discovering why my mother had left me a secret she had never wasn't just about winning anymore.
It was about discovering why my mother had left me a secret she had never explained.
And why a billionaire had been waiting, all these years, to see it explained.
May you like
And why a billionaire had been waiting, all these years, to see it.
.
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