Chapter 2: Six Minutes to Prove Everything
"Who gave you this?""
Lily held up the envelope.
The backstage assistant, Daniel, looked toward the hallway.
"I don't know. I found it on the rack about two minutes ago.""
"Did you see anyone near my garment bag?""
Daniel hesitated.
"Actually, yes.""
"Who?""
"A woman wearing a turquoise dress. She was carrying a black handbag.""
Lily closed her eyes.
Her mother.
For a moment, the noise from the auditorium seemed to disappear.
Vanessa had known where Lily kept her second design. She had helped transport the garment bag that morning.
But why would she remove it?
Lily turned toward the empty rack.
"Where did you last see my bag?""
"Near the fitting rooms.""
"Thank you.""
She hurried down the narrow corridor.
Daniel followed.
"Miss Carter, you only have six minutes.""
"I know.""
They reached the fitting room area.
The corridor smelled of hairspray, hot fabric, and freshly ironed costumes. Several contestants were adjusting their outfits in front of mirrors.
Lily searched behind the clothing racks.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a strip of red thread caught beneath a folding table.
She crouched and pulled it free.
It was the same fabric as her second design.
Her stomach tightened.
"Daniel, can you help me check the storage room?""
He nodded.
They opened the door.
Inside were boxes of accessories, spare hangers, and several discarded costume bags.
And there, behind a stack of cardboard boxes, was her garment bag.
Lily rushed toward it.
The zipper was open.
Her red gown was still inside, but the lower section had been crushed beneath a heavy equipment case.
One sleeve was twisted.
Several decorative pieces had been bent.
Lily touched the fabric carefully.
"No...""
Daniel lifted the equipment case.
"Who would do this?""
Lily didn't answer.
She carefully removed the gown and spread it across the table.
The design was far more complicated than the blue dress.
Its bodice featured layered architectural folds, shaped to create the illusion of a flower opening. Delicate hand-sewn crystals ran along the waist before disappearing into a dramatic red skirt.
The back was constructed with overlapping panels that moved independently when the wearer walked.
It had taken Lily six days to complete.
And she had done every stitch herself.
Daniel examined the damaged sleeve.
"Can this be fixed?""
Lily looked at the clock.
Four minutes and twenty seconds.
"Not perfectly.""
"Then what are you going to do?""
Lily studied the damaged section.
Suddenly, she stopped looking at it as damage.
She saw an opportunity.
"Bring me the sewing kit.""
Daniel hurried away.
Lily removed the twisted sleeve attachment and examined the exposed seam.
She remembered something her grandmother had taught her.
When a design refuses to behave, don't force it. Find out what it's trying to become.
Lily pulled a pair of scissors from her kit.
"What are you doing?"" Daniel asked when he returned.
"Changing the structure.""
She cut away a narrow strip of damaged fabric.
Then she folded the remaining material into a series of overlapping petals.
She secured them with hidden stitches and adjusted the shoulder attachment.
The damaged sleeve became an intentional sculptural feature.
It no longer looked like a mistake.
It looked like part of the original vision.
Daniel stared.
"That's incredible.""
"Hand me the silver thread.""
He passed it over.
Lily worked quickly, securing the final detail before examining the gown from every angle.
The clock showed two minutes remaining.
She changed into the dress.
It fitted her perfectly.
She adjusted the skirt, checked the back fastening, and brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
Daniel stepped back.
"Miss Carter...""
"What?""
"You look like you belong on that runway.""
Lily smiled faintly.
"Then let's go.""
They hurried toward the stage entrance.
But someone was waiting beside the curtain.
Vanessa.
Her turquoise dress caught the backstage lighting. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was furious.
"What did you do?"" she demanded.
Lily stopped.
"I found my dress.""
Vanessa glanced at the red gown.
"You're still going through with this?""
"Yes.""
"You don't understand what you're risking.""
"I'm risking nothing by showing my work.""
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You are risking your sister's future.""
Lily stared at her.
"Why is Brianna's future more important than mine?""
Vanessa looked away.
"Because she knows how to present herself. She knows how to work with people. You just sit in your room sewing things nobody understands.""
"People seem to understand the dress she's wearing.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"Don't start.""
Lily lowered her voice.
"Did you take my garment bag?""
"I was trying to prevent a disaster.""
"You crushed my dress.""
"I didn't know you'd actually be foolish enough to bring it here.""
Lily felt something break inside her.
Not her confidence.
Her last remaining hope that her mother might eventually defend her.
"Move, Mom.""
Vanessa didn't.
"You walk onto that stage, and don't expect me to support you afterward.""
Lily looked at the stage entrance.
Then back at her mother.
"I've been waiting for your support for years.""
She stepped around her.
A production assistant raised three fingers.
"Thirty seconds!""
Lily took one deep breath.
The applause from the auditorium faded as the host approached the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special second presentation.""
Brianna stood at the side of the runway, still wearing her blue gown.
She looked toward the curtains and whispered to her friend, Chloe.
"This is going to be embarrassing.""
Chloe nodded.
"She probably brought some cheap school project.""
Brianna laughed.
Then the stage lights dimmed.
May you like
The curtains began to open.
And Lily stepped forward.
