Chapter 7: The Night the World## Chapter 7: The Night the World Learned My Name
The Learned My Name
The announcer's voice rolled through announcer's voice rolled through the auditorium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the National Couture Talent Championship!””
Ap the auditorium.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the National Couture Talent Championship!””
Applause thundered against the ceiling.
I stood behind the curtain, one hand pressed against the bodice of the Phoenix Garden. Theplause thundered against the ceiling.
I stood behind the curtain, one hand pressed against the bodice of the Phoenix Garden. The ruby crystals felt cool beneath my fingertips. Every seam had been checked twice. Every hook had been secured.
The long train lay arranged behind me like a river of ruby crystals felt cool beneath my fingertips. Every seam had been checked twice. Every hook had been secured. The long train lay arranged behind me like a river of dark red silk.
I could hear Brianna laughing backstage.
She was surrounded dark red silk.
I could hear Brianna laughing backstage.
She was surrounded by two assistants, a makeup artist, and Vanessa, who had somehow managed to look as though she had personally funded the entire event.
“You by two assistants, a makeup artist, and Vanessa, who had somehow managed to look as though she had personally funded the entire event.
“You look stunning, darling,” Vanessa told her.
Brianna turned toward the mirror.
“I know.””
“Remember to smile at the judges. Don't look at Nia. She's trying look stunning, darling,” Vanessa told her.
Brianna turned toward the mirror.
“I know.””
“Remember to smile at the judges. Don't look at Nia. She's trying to provoke you.””
Brianna applied another layer of lipstick.
“She won't matter after tonight to provoke you.””
Brianna applied another layer of lipstick.
“She won't matter after tonight.””
I looked down at my hands.
Once, those words would have made my stomach twist.
.””
I looked down at my hands.
Once, those words would have made my stomach twist.
Now they sounded like a promise I intended to break.
A stage assistant approached me.
“Miss Carter? You're third in theNow they sounded like a promise I intended to break.
A stage assistant approached me.
“Miss Carter? You're third in the lineup.””
“Thank you.””
She hesitated.
“Are you all right?””
I smiled.
“I'm ready.””
The first lineup.””
“Thank you.””
She hesitated.
“Are you all right?””
I smiled.
“I'm ready.””
The first contestant stepped onto the runway.
Then the second.
The announcer introduced Brianna as the next designer.
“Presenting Winter's Promise, an exploration contestant stepped onto the runway.
Then the second.
The announcer introduced Brianna as the next designer.
“Presenting Winter's Promise, an exploration of delicate beauty, resilience, and the magic of a winter garden, created by Brianna Hayes.””
of delicate beauty, resilience, and the magic of a winter garden, created by Brianna Hayes.””
The audience applauded.
The curtain opened.
Brianna walked into the light wearing my gownThe audience applauded.
The curtain opened.
Brianna walked into the light wearing my gown.
For a moment, the auditorium disappeared.
I saw my bedroom instead. The paint spreading across white silk.
For a moment, the auditorium disappeared.
I saw my bedroom instead. The paint spreading across white silk. Vanessa's hand striking my face. Brianna smiling as she carried away the dress I had made.
Then the image. Vanessa's hand striking my face. Brianna smiling as she carried away the dress I had made.
Then the image passed.
I watched her walk.
She knew how to pose. She knew when to turn her shoulder passed.
I watched her walk.
She knew how to pose. She knew when to turn her shoulder and when to pause beneath the lights. She had spent years in dance lessons, and she moved with the confidence of someone who had never been told that she didn't belong.
The judges and when to pause beneath the lights. She had spent years in dance lessons, and she moved with the confidence of someone who had never been told that she didn't belong.
The judges examined the garment.
One leaned toward another.
Brianna reached the end of the runway, lifted examined the garment.
One leaned toward another.
Brianna reached the end of the runway, lifted the train, and turned.
The butterflies caught the light.
The audience applauded again.
When she returned backstage, Vanessa kissed her cheek.
“ the train, and turned.
The butterflies caught the light.
The audience applauded again.
When she returned backstage, Vanessa kissed her cheek.
“Perfect,” she whispered.
Brianna glanced at me.
“Try not to trip over your own train.””
I said nothing.
A stage assistant called my name.
“Presenting Nia CarterPerfect,” she whispered.
Brianna glanced at me.
“Try not to trip over your own train.””
I said nothing.
A stage assistant called my name.
“Presenting Nia Carter, with her original design, The Phoenix Garden.””
I stepped through the curtain.
The first thing I heard was silence.
Not, with her original design, The Phoenix Garden.””
I stepped through the curtain.
The first thing I heard was silence.
Not the uncomfortable silence that had followed my arguments with Vanessa.
A different silence.
The kind that falls over a room when people see something they weren't the uncomfortable silence that had followed my arguments with Vanessa.
A different silence.
The kind that falls over a room when people see something they weren't expecting.
The red silk caught the spotlights, turning the gown into a field of burning garnets. The embroidered flowers along the skirt seemed expecting.
The red silk caught the spotlights, turning the gown into a field of burning garnets. The embroidered flowers along the skirt seemed to emerge from shadow. Tiny crystals shimmered across the corset, while the long train moved behind me in slow, deliberate waves.
I walked to the end of the runway.
to emerge from shadow. Tiny crystals shimmered across the corset, while the long train moved behind me in slow, deliberate waves.
I walked to the end of the runway.
Then I stopped.
I didn't smile for the cameras.
I didn't search theThen I stopped.
I didn't smile for the cameras.
I didn't search the front row for Vanessa.
I looked directly at the judges.
“My design is called The Phoenix Garden,” I said when the announ front row for Vanessa.
I looked directly at the judges.
“My design is called The Phoenix Garden,” I said when the announcer offered me the microphone.
“It represents the moment a person discovers that surviving something painful doesn't mean they have to remain the personcer offered me the microphone.
“It represents the moment a person discovers that surviving something painful doesn't mean they have to remain the person they were before it happened.””
The auditorium grew quiet.
“I began designing it after another garment I created was damaged and taken from me. I could they were before it happened.””
The auditorium grew quiet.
“I began designing it after another garment I created was damaged and taken from me. I could have tried to recreate what I lost. Instead, I decided to make something new.””
I touched the embroidered flowers at my waist.
“These flowers are inspired by plants that grow in have tried to recreate what I lost. Instead, I decided to make something new.””
I touched the embroidered flowers at my waist.
“These flowers are inspired by plants that grow in difficult conditions. They don't wait for the world to become kind before they bloom.””
A woman in the audience raised her hand to her mouth.
I continued.
“Every stitch in this gown was made difficult conditions. They don't wait for the world to become kind before they bloom.””
A woman in the audience raised her hand to her mouth.
I continued.
“Every stitch in this gown was made by me. I designed it, constructed it, and embroidered it without a professional by me. I designed it, constructed it, and embroidered it without a professional studio.
My father taught me to sew on a machine that barely worked. He taught me that beautiful things take patience.””
My voice caught.
I took studio. My father taught me to sew on a machine that barely worked. He taught me that beautiful things take patience.””
My voice caught.
I took a breath.
“But I've learned something else. Patience is not the same as silence.””
The silver-haired judge leaned forward.
I a breath.
“But I've learned something else. Patience is not the same as silence.””
The silver-haired judge leaned forward.
I turned toward the audience.
“I am proud of this dress. And I am proud that I didn't give up when someone turned toward the audience.
“I am proud of this dress. And I am proud that I didn't give up when someone tried to convince me my work wasn't worth protecting.””
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then the applause began.
It spread tried to convince me my work wasn't worth protecting.””
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then the applause began.
It spread from the back of the auditorium to the front, growing louder until I could barely hear the music.
I stood beneath the lights and let myself breathe from the back of the auditorium to the front, growing louder until I could barely hear the music.
I stood beneath the lights and let myself breathe.
For the first time in my life, people were applauding something I had made without my family being able to tell me what it was worth.
When I returned backstage, Mrs.
For the first time in my life, people were applauding something I had made without my family being able to tell me what it was worth.
When I returned backstage, Mrs. Alvarez was crying.
She pulled me into her arms.
“Your father would have loved that,” she whispered.
I pressed my face against her shoulder.
“I wish he were here.””
“So. Alvarez was crying.
She pulled me into her arms.
“Your father would have loved that,” she whispered.
I pressed my face against her shoulder.
“I wish he were here.””
“So do I, sweetheart.””
Across the room, Brianna was staring at me.
Her do I, sweetheart.””
Across the room, Brianna was staring at me.
Her smile had disappeared.
Vanessa stood beside her, speaking urgently into her phone.
Then Brianna approached.
“You smile had disappeared.
Vanessa stood beside her, speaking urgently into her phone.
Then Brianna approached.
“You made me look like a thief.””
I stepped away from Mrs. Alvarez.
“I didn't make you do anything.””
“You stood up there and told everyone made me look like a thief.””
I stepped away from Mrs. Alvarez.
“I didn't make you do anything.””
“You stood up there and told everyone someone stole your work.””
“Because someone did.””
Brianna's eyes filled with tears.
“You're trying to ruin my life!””
I someone stole your work.””
“Because someone did.””
Brianna's eyes filled with tears.
“You're trying to ruin my life!””
I stared at her.
For years, I had wanted her to understand what she had done to me stared at her.
For years, I had wanted her to understand what she had done to me.
Now that she was finally experiencing a fraction of that fear, I felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
“You ruined your own entry when.
Now that she was finally experiencing a fraction of that fear, I felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
“You ruined your own entry when you decided to take something that wasn't yours,” I said.
She slapped the microphone from my hand.
It struck the floor with a sharp crack.
A nearby assistant gasped.
Bri you decided to take something that wasn't yours,” I said.
She slapped the microphone from my hand.
It struck the floor with a sharp crack.
A nearby assistant gasped.
Brianna looked at the people watching us and immediately began to cry.
“She attacked meanna looked at the people watching us and immediately began to cry.
“She attacked me!”” she shouted.
“She has been threatening me all day!””
I stepped backward.
“I didn't touch you!”” she shouted.
“She has been threatening me all day!””
I stepped backward.
“I didn't touch you.””
Vanessa appeared beside her daughter.
“Security!””
Two staff members approached.
“What's the.””
Vanessa appeared beside her daughter.
“Security!””
Two staff members approached.
“What's the problem?”” one asked.
Vanessa pointed at me.
“This girl has been harassing my daughter. We want her removed from the problem?”” one asked.
Vanessa pointed at me.
“This girl has been harassing my daughter. We want her removed from the backstage area.””
Before the staff could respond, Rebecca Shaw appeared with a championship official.
“We have reviewed the complaint and the preliminary evidence,” Rebecca said.
“Miss Carter has backstage area.””
Before the staff could respond, Rebecca Shaw appeared with a championship official.
“We have reviewed the complaint and the preliminary evidence,” Rebecca said.
“Miss Carter has not violated any competition rules.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“This is a family dispute.””
“No,” Rebecca replied.
“It is a dispute over the ownership of a submitted design.””
The official turned toward Bri not violated any competition rules.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“This is a family dispute.””
“No,” Rebecca replied.
“It is a dispute over the ownership of a submitted design.””
The official turned toward Brianna.
“Miss Hayes, we need to speak with you about the documentation you submitted.””
Brianna went pale.
Vananna.
“Miss Hayes, we need to speak with you about the documentation you submitted.””
Brianna went pale.
Vanessa grabbed her arm.
“You don't have to answer anything.””
The official's expression hardened.
“She is aessa grabbed her arm.
“You don't have to answer anything.””
The official's expression hardened.
“She is a contestant. She agreed to the competition's verification process.””
Brianna looked at me.
For the first time, she seemed to contestant. She agreed to the competition's verification process.””
Brianna looked at me.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that the room was no longer under Vanessa's control.
I picked up the microphone.
“I'm ready to understand that the room was no longer under Vanessa's control.
I picked up the microphone.
“I'm ready to continue whenever you are,” I told the official.
He nodded.
“Please return to the holding area. The judges continue whenever you are,” I told the official.
He nodded.
“Please return to the holding area. The judges will announce their decision shortly.””
I walked away.
Behind me, Vanessa whispered something to Brianna.
I didn't turn will announce their decision shortly.””
I walked away.
Behind me, Vanessa whispered something to Brianna.
I didn't turn around.
I had spent too many years watching them.
It was time to see where around.
I had spent too many years watching them.
It was time to see where I was going.
The finalists were called to the stage forty minutes later.
Five contestants stood beneath the lights, each wearing a I was going.
The finalists were called to the stage forty minutes later.
Five contestants stood beneath the lights, each wearing a different creation. The judges sat behind a long table, their notes arranged in neat stacks.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
The silver different creation. The judges sat behind a long table, their notes arranged in neat stacks.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
The silver-haired judge stood.
“This year's competition has been exceptionally strong. The judges were particularly impressed by the originality-haired judge stood.
“This year's competition has been exceptionally strong. The judges were particularly impressed by the originality of the designs, the quality of the construction, and the contestants' ability to communicate a coherent creative vision.””
She paused of the designs, the quality of the construction, and the contestants' ability to communicate a coherent creative vision.””
She paused.
“Before we announce the winner, we must address a matter concerning the ownership of one submitted design.””
The auditorium fell silent.
Brianna's face.
“Before we announce the winner, we must address a matter concerning the ownership of one submitted design.””
The auditorium fell silent.
Brianna's face went white.
The judge continued.
“Following a review of dated sketches, construction photographs, and supporting went white.
The judge continued.
“Following a review of dated sketches, construction photographs, and supporting documentation, the committee has determined that the gown submitted as Winter's Promise was designed and constructed by Nia Carter.””
A gasp swept documentation, the committee has determined that the gown submitted as Winter's Promise was designed and constructed by Nia Carter.””
A gasp swept through the audience.
Vanessa stood.
“This is outrageous!””
A staff member approached her.
“Please remain through the audience.
Vanessa stood.
“This is outrageous!””
A staff member approached her.
“Please remain seated, ma'am.””
The judge raised her voice.
“The committee has also determined that Miss Hayes did not provide sufficient evidence of original authorship. Her entry seated, ma'am.””
The judge raised her voice.
“The committee has also determined that Miss Hayes did not provide sufficient evidence of original authorship. Her entry has therefore been withdrawn from consideration.””
Brianna stared at the floor.
I couldn't look away from has therefore been withdrawn from consideration.””
Brianna stared at the floor.
I couldn't look away from her.
For six months, she had taken my work and told me I wasn't talented enough to create it her.
For six months, she had taken my work and told me I wasn't talented enough to create it.
Now the truth was being spoken into a microphone.
The judge turned toward me.
“Miss Carter, your original design has been.
Now the truth was being spoken into a microphone.
The judge turned toward me.
“Miss Carter, your original design has been evaluated independently. Your score will reflect the craftsmanship and originality of The Phoenix Garden.””
I gripped evaluated independently. Your score will reflect the craftsmanship and originality of The Phoenix Garden.””
I gripped the sides of my skirt.
The judge opened the final envelope.
“The winner of the National Couture Talent Championship is the sides of my skirt.
The judge opened the final envelope.
“The winner of the National Couture Talent Championship is…”
My breath stopped.
“Nia Carter!””
The auditorium erupted.
Mrs. Alvarez screamed.
Rebecca clapped so…”
My breath stopped.
“Nia Carter!””
The auditorium erupted.
Mrs. Alvarez screamed.
Rebecca clapped so hard that her hands turned red.
I stood motionless for one heartbeat, unable to believe what I had heard.
Then I walked hard that her hands turned red.
I stood motionless for one heartbeat, unable to believe what I had heard.
Then I walked forward.
The judge placed a crystal trophy in my hands. Beneath the lights, it glittered like a piece of captured starlight.
“ forward.
The judge placed a crystal trophy in my hands. Beneath the lights, it glittered like a piece of captured starlight.
“Congratulations,” she said.
“You earned this.””
I looked down at the trophy.
My father's broken award had been destroyed the previous night.
This one was differentCongratulations,” she said.
“You earned this.””
I looked down at the trophy.
My father's broken award had been destroyed the previous night.
This one was different.
It wasn't a memory someone could claim to own.
It was proof of what.
It wasn't a memory someone could claim to own.
It was proof of what I had done.
I raised my head toward the audience.
And somewhere near the back of the auditorium, I saw Adrian Vale standing I had done.
I raised my head toward the audience.
And somewhere near the back of the auditorium, I saw Adrian Vale standing in the shadows.
He wasn't applauding loudly.
He simply watched me, his eyes shining.
For the first time, I understood what his search might in the shadows.
He wasn't applauding loudly.
He simply watched me, his eyes shining.
For the first time, I understood what his search might have meant.
He hadn't been looking for someone to rescue.
He had been looking for someone who had survived long enough to be found.
Then my phone vibrated inside have meant.
He hadn't been looking for someone to rescue.
He had been looking for someone who had survived long enough to be found.
Then my phone vibrated inside my bag.
A message appeared on the screen.
Congratulations, Nia. You have no idea what you've just won.
The sender's number was hidden.
And my bag.
A message appeared on the screen.
Congratulations, Nia. You have no idea what you've just won.
The sender's number was hidden.
And beneath the message was a photograph of the broken trophy from my bedroom.
Someone had taken the picture after I left the house.
beneath the message was a photograph of the broken trophy from my bedroom.
Someone had taken the picture after I left the house.
May you like
Someone had been watching.
Someone knew exactly what was hidden inside it.
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