LILIANA
Everything is a blur around me.
The array of colorful dresses that Rachel spreads on the bed and her robotic response when I'm too numb to do anything but stare blankly at them.
Alice comes to style my hair and when she's done, Rachel picks out a red number. I know that the dress is only going to make me more noticeable in the crowd. But hopelessness keeps me quiet.
“We don't want to be late, the Pakhan is going to be angry.” Rachel says in a quiet voice. When I look at her face, she looks away from me.
These days, she's been terribly distant and avoiding me generally. She barely steps foot in here except with Alice's prodding. I can tell she's burdened but I know she won't say what it is.
Whatever it might be, I hope she deals with it. At least, she's lucky she's not about
