Rise Read Free Page B

Mother hosts the tea parties for Evie— Miss Evelyn , I have to remind myself. She’s only Evie in private. I'm not exactly a fan of the tea parties, but if I want to continue to be one of Miss Evelyn's Suitors, I must continue to go to them and make a show of absolutely loving them.
    Blech!
    Miss Evelyn's voice drifts out through the open sitting room door and I smile; she's talking about how pretty the roses are now that they're in full bloom. Even though her voice is much more formal, and wispier, as if she really does want everyone to think of her as daft, her voice automatically makes my stomach tighten as it had yesterday evening. I have to admit that spending this time with her—even if it is horribly structured and chaperoned and completely unlike the secret, stolen times we have together—is worth any number of hours pretending to like lukewarm tea and chit-chatting about frivolous topics like what flowers are blooming in her gardens, who's Coupling with whom, and—Mother help me—her cross- stitching.
    I make another adjustment to my clothes, swallow the lump in my throat, and step through the door.
    As always, just seeing her makes me smile. She’s beautiful, with her soft honey-blond hair that never stays where she wants it to and her ice-blue eyes that have a way of warming when she's really smiling. Not that fake stuff she does when she's in Daughter of the People mode, but really, truly smiling.
    It gives me a little thrill to think that I might be the only one who ever gets to see it.
    Almost instantly I force the thoughts away, as I remember the Guards and Enforcer standing around the small room. They, of course, have noticed me immediately, and stand at attention. The Enforcer does nothing, but I can feel the distaste pouring from her. Now Miss Evelyn isn't the only reason for the nerves twisting in my stomach.
    It makes me think of how easily Evie turns from the girl she was yesterday into Miss Evelyn, the girl she is now. Maybe Eli is right , after all.
    Just as I think that, Miss Evelyn looks up from staring into her tea and her small fake smile blooms into that full-out grin, transforming her back into Evie. With just that one smile —the one reserved only for me—I know that Eli is wrong, and that if the roles were reversed, she would tell me. And that she’s just as human as we are. She feels like we do. Hurts like we do. Loves like we do. Loves me as I do her.
    How else could just a smile from her light an entire room with its radiance and start a fire in my blood? My mind blanks and the apology sitting on the tip of my tongue swims right out of my head.
    When another of her Suitors clears his throat, Evie blushes, and the pink tint sits prettily on her milky cheeks before she tones the smile down, transforming back into Miss Evelyn. She gestures to the empty seat I normally occupy.
    “So good of you to join us.” No matter how composed and serene her posture and poise has become, the joy in her voice is obvious.
    I bow slightly. “I apologize for my rudeness in being late, Miss Evelyn. I brushed against something on my way here and smeared grease on my pants. I would rather have been late, than to dishonor you by showing up in soiled clothing.”
    Miss Evelyn's smile widens. “A perfectly reasonable excuse.” She gestures again to the empty seat. “Please. Join us.”
    I take my seat, trying to keep my eye on the Enforcer without looking like I'm watching out for her. It is then that I realize, this week, I am one of four Suitors. A new adversary has entered the competition.I can’t help but wonder what danger this represents to my position.
    My eyes do a quick study of this new rival. I am pleased to see that, in looks, at least, I believe I am victorious. I fit Mother's ideal better than this newcomer. He's built like a Guard . Big and bulky. His slightly droopy eyes are a watery blue. And his hair is a shade darker than my own.
    Miss Evelyn must notice my appraisal, because she