Synopsis: Jenny, Naomi, and Sharla prepare for and attend the 2000 Valentine Ball Gala in City Bluffs.

 

Sisters of Raven Square

by Misty Dawn and Christy Lake

Part 14: The Sweetheart Ball 2000

 

The most notable thing about January Jenny realized was the resumption of classes and the new semester. When the grades were posted, the notorious blonde was happy. She had achieved a three point nine average. Her Gown for the Sweetheart Ball was under construction and her relationship with Sharla and Naomi was skidding to a halt. Aunt Sheila was spending all her time in Burlington so Jenny stayed in the dorm. She practiced her craft, studied The Book, and made extractions as much as possible. The Ball was rapidly approaching and neither of the other two had their gowns as yet and she was becoming concerned. When Sharla announced she was going to make her gown, the novice became somewhat agitated.

Jenny sighed heavily with utter exasperation. Sharla could be downright bull-headed at times! The cafeteria where the three sat was not too crowded. The three coeds, Jenny, Sharla, and Naomi, were sitting alone at "their" table on the raised dais in the far corner. They could see the entire room and able to hear that most of the conversations held at the tables surrounding them concerned the upcoming Valentine's Day Sweetheart Ball or the girls sitting at the table on the dais.

Two of the 'crew', Jenny and Sharla had definite dates, while Naomi's prospects were still a bit "iffy." A young man had been seeing her, but in a rather casual manner. The dumb butthead had not yet asked Naomi to go to "The Ball" with him and that was another point of Jenny's contention. While the fourteenth fell on Monday, the actual Gala Ball was being held on Saturday, the twelfth. Only a week and a day remained for the three to prepare. There's hardly time for her to get ready if he does get around to asking! Damn him, he probably just assumes she will go with him! It's no more than what's expected from such hicks! Just like Sharla making her own gown!

"Are you sure, Sharla?" asked Jenny, slightly incredulous. She just could not imagine it, let alone understand why anyone would actually "make" their own ball gown. "A ball gown really is special, and it's pretty important they're fitted properly." Though she had, of sheer necessity, learned enough ASL to be conversant, she was still somehow ashamed to use her ability to sign in a place as public as the cafeteria. When she did use it in public, as she was now, she signed rapidly and with as little flash as possible. Both her mother and her aunt, Sheila, continually admonished her, "young women of quality simply do not wave their hands about while speaking."

"Yes, Jenny, I am sure. I am making my own gown for this silly shindig. I've been busy night and day for weeks."

The notorious blonde knew that Sharla had gather nearly twenty yards of very shimmering, translucent material, so light and airy it felt weightless even in the two bolts she had stored. Given to the right seamstress, it could become a gorgeous creation fit for a Royal.

"Silly shindig!" gasped Jenny. Even Naomi looked surprised by Sharla's almost too downgrading term for this affair, or was her surprise directed at me for my reaction? "Sharla! You can't be serious! The Sweetheart Ball is anything but a 'shindig! It is, after all, the signal event opening the spring party season here on campus." Jenny shook her head and continued, "Simply put, anyone who wants to be someone on this campus quite simply has got to attend." She flashed a small smile of acknowledgement at one of several boys sitting at a table on the floor below the dais who had waved at her.

Naomi hiccoughed a short laugh. Sharla grinned, then said in firm tones as she slowly signed, "<Jenny, there are only two things I have got to do in this life; the first stinks, and the second, terminates my existence.>"

There were chuckles heard from some of the closer tables. By this time, most of the students knew Naomi; had accepted the tall, regal looking Native American with few reservations; and most had learned enough ASL to chat with her casually. Those closest to the girls' table had "overheard" Sharla's translation and could not contain their mirth. The boy who had waved was one of her favorite vessels.

The stately blonde reddened and drew a breath to say more, but Naomi cut her off. <Drop it, Jen. Your Preppy Vassar Blonde guise doesn't work here, and you know it .> she signed carefully, keeping her swiftly flowing sign low and unobserved by those at the surrounding tables sitting on the main floor just below the dais. <Besides, it is just a glorified shindig. This is a Great Plains State University, not one of your New England Charm schools.>

"<Oooooh! I don't care! Shindig sounds so . . . so . . .>"

"<So Americana?>" offered Sharla, and then glanced at her watch. "<Oh, fudge. Kevin's gonna be picking me up in a couple of hours. And Jenny, I know Karl is coming over to nail you again. And I hear Charlie is sneaking Naomi out.>" She turned to smile at the dusky girl. "<I think Charlie's getting serious about you, sis.>" Sharla signed as she spoke.

Jenny giggled as Naomi blushed furiously, and then ducked her head. Jenny knew the Native American had it bad for Charlie. Jenny and Sharla just giggled, and then dug into their salads. Karl was taking her to dinner tonight and Jenny had a fitting as well. She had to hurry. And that is when it finally struck her that the redhead had just jabbed her with a stick; the comment about Karl coming to nail her was uncalled for. Damn it, I just wish I could tell her why I am such an easy! I know she would understand!

*****OoooO*****

Later, in their room, Sharla looked up from her reading and asked suddenly, "Jen? When's your fitting?"

Jenny looked across the room to the clock. "Damn! I gotta hurry!" The blonde scrambled to strip off her shorts and halter and then hurriedly began dressing quickly for her appointment with the fitters. First was a pale green satin thirty-six "C" cup bra that went on even before panties. She was not about to allow gravity to harm her 'babies'! Jenny twisted her arms up behind her and fastened the hooks and eyes of the bra. The matching thong panties had a lacey front that added a sexy touch Karl would like. A matching lacey garter belt seemed to confuse her for a bit. Under or over the panties? she wondered silently.

Under would make it easier for those calls to nature, Sharla replied.

"Thanks," the blond replied absently fastening the support about her waist and deftly adjusting the straps to slip under the brief thong. She didn't hesitate, and seemed not to realize Sharla had answered her unspoken question just as silently.

A lacy V-neck pale green satin camisole slipped easily over her head next. For some reason, the blonde was suddenly aware that she truly enjoyed the feel of silks and satins against her smooth skin. They seemed to arouse something sensual in the deep center of pleasure within her. When Jenny glanced to check her nails--the coral polish looked to be in good shape. The blond knew that were no rough spots on those long, shapely nails to snag the nylon stockings she intended putting on, but she examined them closely anyway.

With a delicate shiver, the blonde carefully rolled up the suntan stocking and thrust her toes in. They were seamed stockings! And Jenny well knew that they would make her legs look almost too sexy! Karl would be drooling all evening. Working the hose up her long legs was another pleasing sensation, and this sharing of the pleasure nearly overwhelmed the girl. Sharla and Naomi would never be sensitive enough to know 5the pleasure of such garments. Sometimes they are such country bumpkins I want to laugh!

A lace-hemmed half-slip, a pale green almost see-through, V-neck, silk blouse, and a short, pleated, plaid skirt in shades of green quickly followed. She was almost ready. The girl had given in to Karl's insistent demand and now wore 'flirt-skirts' almost exclusively on campus and when she knew Karl would be wanting to take her.

Last, the shoes; pale green pumps with three-inch heels. Sharla had often asked her how she maintained her sanity with so many choices: Scuffs, Spectators, Pumps, Sandals, Espadrilles, Penny Loafers, courts, a closet full of shoes. Sharla and Naomi both wore Sandals, Pumps, or Sneaks. Deciding what to wear with what was a major decision that the blond seemed to ponder too long and all too often, as far as the two were concerned. It is only that they are products of a backwoods environment, Jenny. They cannot help it or be what they're not.

"I thought you were going to have your dress fitted?"

"I am!"

"Aren't we just a bit over-dressed for a simple dress fitting?"

"Sharla, I have to make an impression or wind up wearing seconds. When I am there, I want those women to know that I am the one in charge and that I can well afford their very best materials, as well as efforts. And it is a GOWN, not a dress that I'm buying. Nor is it by any means SIMPLE!"

"Jenny!" Sharla was looking at her with an expression of wonder and curiosity on her lovely features. The blonde wondered, She just doesn't understand that I'm better than others, that I'm one who deals with, not the one to be dealt with?

The blonde glanced again at the clock and quipped, "WellIgottarun!" Then she air-kissed in the redhead's general direction, grabbed up her purse and was out the door in a flurry of continuous motion. Maybe I should have used just a bit harsher makeup; these simpletons need to know I mean business.

*****OoooO*****

In a frenzy bordering fury, Jenny returned to the dorm late. The fitting had not gone well. It seems those idiots doing her dress could not do anything without a picture drawn! She had time only to redo her makeup before Karl arrived for her... wearing jeans, tee and scruffy joggers no less! The blonde decided she was not having a good day at all.

The boy took her to dinner as promised…at the arches! Had she not been in such need of essence, she would never have allowed him to take her to The Point and while she was leaning over the parapet, ball her from behind and in full view of anyone that might happen by. This sort of thing is happening all too often these days! Karl needs be taught a serious lesson!

Without planning it so, all three couples wound up at a popular just-off-campus bistro know for not being too fussy about ID. As the evening spun to a close following a couple of dances and a single beer apiece, Charlie surprised everyone and without his normal shy stuttering and stammering, boldly asked Naomi to be his date to the Sweetheart Ball on Saturday and did so in ASL. It was a first for him. He had been studying for a week for this moment.

Naomi accepted graciously and shocked the group by planting a huge, wicked kiss on Charlie's surprised kisser. Thirty minutes later the group broke up and by midnight-thirty, all girls were in their own bed alone. The boys took a bit longer to reach their beds, but they were as alone.

*****OoooO*****

The next day, in a fit of shopping frenzy, the three girls descended en masse upon Beacon Basin mall, and after shattering the calm demeanor of nearly every dress boutique in the mall's sprawl, found the "perfect gown" and coordinated lingerie for Naomi. She had to buy new shoes to match, as the ones she had been so pleased with the day before simply would not work with this gown.

This required a second storming of the sedate stores, but this time, shoe stores were the targets of the three shop-till-you-drop crazed coeds. A "simply scrumptious" strappy, stiletto heeled sandal was selected. The trio of talented try-it-on troopers took lunch at Carson's on the Concourse, whose tables and chairs had served to create The Beacon Basin's Halloween Disco. A third search-and-purchase mission netted matching accessories; anklet, bracelet, earrings, necklace; and a "simply divine" dyed-to-match clutch purse. The blonde witch was in seventh heaven as the two other girls seemed willing to defer to her judgment in most cases as to what was fashion and what was not. Now if she could only tell them, show them she was a real witch to boot! The will be so envious of me when they do learn!

Sunday morning, Karl, "I was in the neighborhood and . . ." dropped by to take Jenny out to breakfast. Though they invited her, Sharla begged off, claiming studies. That was just as well as Karl hurried her through lunch, to take her off into the country for a frolic and fornication in the loft of a musty, dirty old barn they discovered. Damn him, I'll itch for days! I just wish he knew what it was to have a vaginal itch!

*****OoooO*****

The next Saturday, the day of the Ball, came all too soon and proved to be the day of frenzy all three girls expected. They spent the entire morning in the salon, lunch on the concourse, and then the whole afternoon preparing and dressing and complimenting one another on their dress and hair and makeup. Though it was a close call, all were ready when their escorts arrived. Calm descended and the evening progressed without a single serious mishap and only one seriously embarrassing occurrence. Karl had to go and drag her off into an unused solarium for a 'quickie' during intermission. That there were several other girls who disappeared briefly did not lessen the embarrassment of her being the first girl to disappear for a short time. How do the boys always manage to linger back just enough to make it appear the girl is leading them away?

Jenny's dressmaker had truly outdone herself and brought together sparkle, color and an exciting combination of material to create an awesome gown of multicolor foil dot, lace, tissue lame and tulle. The strapless bodice, providing Karl an eye-filling display of her spectacular cleavage, was of sparkling foil dot in shades of pink, lilac, kiwi and blue, which lit up a pretty black lace overlay. The billowing skirt was of lilac, blue and kiwi tissue lame beneath layers and layers of delicate tulle and crinkly crinoline.

Under it all was a matched set of panty, garter belt, and top-of-the-knee-length bouffant slip. The beautiful blonde's long, graceful legs were encased in sheer-to-the-top, thigh-high stockings. On her feet were matching black satin pumps with excruciating four-inch heels. A beaded, draped onyx choker emphasized her slender neck. Matching Daisy Dangle earrings graced the lobes of her delicate ears while below-the-elbow satin gloves gripped a satin handle bag.

Where Jenny had chosen to wear black, Naomi wore cherry to display the pure glory of her ebony tresses and dusky skin tone for Charlie's pleasure. Her dazzling ball gown of satin, taffeta and tulle held his attention throughout the evening. To force attention away from any hint of thickness about her waist, the bodice had an alluring sweetheart neckline and center front draping to display ample expanse of cleavage. An extra full skirt of layers of tulle and crinoline gave her the appearance of having the full, round buns she felt she lacked.

She also wore gloves, but in soft, shiny satin that came to a point above the elbow and a beaded handle bag contained her few personal items. Beneath the bouffant slip that fluffed her skirts all she wore was sheer-to-the-waist pantyhose and cherry-dyed-satin strappy sandals with three-inch heels. The set of anklet, bracelet, ring, choker, and earring matched perfectly and was somehow enhanced by the tulle shawl included in the ensemble.

Though all three girls could have been, possibly were, "Belles of the Ball" it was Sharla in her spider silk "Cinderella" gown that drew the spotlight's attention on more than her fair share of occasions. To Jenny dismay, she had to admit Sharla's home made 'dress'--she refused to call it a gown--was a gorgeous creation, a true cotillion gown, in deepest Kelly green satin back taffeta and tulle created exclusively of the soft spider silk.

Sparkling rhinestones twinkled from the folds of the side-draped, dropped waist bodice. The extra full skirt was formed of layers and layers of tulle and crinoline draped over the willow wand frame. Tulle in the form of a triangular shawl draped her smooth shoulders and above the elbow satin gloves graced her slender hands to send shivers of delight racing up Kevin's spine whenever the back of a hand brushed his cheek.

The Tiara, earrings, pendant, bracelet, and ring she had known would be in the chest were perfect, as if designed exclusively for her and enhanced the effect of the ball gown with faultless perfection. The tiara, made entirely of antique gold filigree was set with a line of perfect, multi-faceted stones that Sharla knew were diamonds, centered above them was a perfect emerald the size of a Robin's egg. The earrings were of matching gold filigree and set with tiny diamonds surrounding yet another perfect emerald. The pendant depending from a chain of the same antique gold filigree was yet another perfectly faceted emerald set in gold surrounded by more diamonds. Seven smaller circular plates of the antique gold formed and linked together to fit her slender wrist exactly. Each circular link repeated the large emerald encircled by diamonds design of the other pieces.

The ring continued the theme though in a much sturdier, elemental style. It was a ring she knew was meant to be worn, not kept hidden in a jewelry case. Jenny was beside herself with green-eyed envy! Where had Sharla gotten such jewels? Goddess, if she didn't know Sharla and her family, she would have sworn they were real. But damn it, they couldn't possibly scratch together enough to even rent those jewels, let alone buy them!

She wore a low-heeled, dyed satin pump and was quite able to "dance the night away" without aching feet. And dance she did, keeping Kevin on close leash.

Much to the blonde's chagrin, Kevin had been looking at her all evening but she had not had a single opportunity to let the guy know that her door was always open to his caliber of male. The end result was that she actually enjoyed herself, for once, even though the redhead had caught her and Karl when he had insisted on their 'grabbing a quickie' during an intermission. They had ignored the Off Limits signs and gone into the small covered and glass-enclosed room overlooking the bluffs. It was off to the left of the outdoor verandah. Most of her embarrassment came from the fact Karl had taken her in the rear and Jenny knew Sharla could not possibly have missed seeing it.

The rest of the night went by without a hitch, the boys were perfect gentlemen at all times and all three girls were returned to their dorm without incident by three AM.

 

The End of Part 14, Year 1, the Raven Square Story, in the Sharla Winslowe Universe – Part 15 next.

  

  

  

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