Читать книгу The Falling of the Stars - Lina Fischer - Страница 10

The Last Dance

I made my way up to my mother, who stood across the room talking to some of the guests. I greeted some of them on my way over and she put her arm around me.

“Astoria, let me introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Fray,” she said joyfully.

“Darling, let me tell you, you look remarkable in this dress!” Mrs. Fray exclaimed.

“Oh, thank you so much, and thank you for coming!” I told them.

“They lead a very successful academy in the north,” Mom explained.

“Wow, I always wished to attend an academy, but I just never had the opportunity,” I said wistfully.

“Well, from what I’ve heard you would be a great student at our academy, and it would be our pleasure to welcome you,” Mr. Fray said.

I blinked. Did I really just get an opportunity to do what I want most?

“I think we’ll have to talk about that first,” Mom exclaimed with a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes, and I knew that it was a lost cause.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Fray,” I said as I shook their hands.

I took my mother’s hand and lead her onto the dance floor.

“No, Astoria, please, you know I don’t like to dance!” she said, blushing.

“Mom, come on, please, it’s my 18th Birthday!” I exclaimed happily.

She took my hand and we started to dance to an upbeat song. “I remember dancing with you when you were a little girl. You would always step on my shoes and get them dirty, so I would have to take them off,” she said, raising her voice a little over the loud music. She was beaming with happiness. I can’t remember seeing her as happy as she is right now.

“You only let me stand on your shoes because I wasn’t able to walk!” I protested. She chuckled and we danced happily, singing along with our whole hearts like we used to do when I was little.

Eventually she said she had to check on her makeup, and with that she disappeared.

I went to get some of the delicious appetisers, that was the best part about these balls after all.