As Annie measured and recorded some figures, Sandy shivered since she had to stand still and could not hug herself for warmth. To escape the little girl's cold touches and the freezing air, Sandy dreamed of the fabulous dress she would receive. It would be one that would make her pretty.
"Do you have a favorite color?" Annie interrupted her dream.
"Yellow," Sandy replied. Her dress would be yellow, the color of gold.
"Pale or brownish yellow."
"Brownish."
Sandy would look fabulous in a yellow dress. Certainly she was going to look better than that rich orphan Juneida. Yes, more attractive than that middle-schooler at Christmas, at the parties that she would attend. People would admire her and call her beautiful.
(Caught up in her daydream, Sandy conveniently forgot that Juneida was always at her uncle's during Christmas.)
A sudden flash pulled Sandy back to reality.
Sandy realized that Annie had just taken a photo of her. She immediately covered herself with her hands. "What are you doing?"
"Taking your picture," Annie said indifferently, "The dressmaker needs to know how you look like to match the style."
"But..."
Annie held her digital camera up. "Don't worry, only the dressmaker's going to see it."
"But... okay." Sandy lowered her hands. She felt her cheeks warming with a flush of blood as Annie took more pictures.
Annie held her camera up again. "Turn aside. I need a side view."
Just then, a shadow separated itself from the darkness behind Annie. Sandy's arms moved back to cover herself and her mouth opened to cry a warning.
Before Sandy could scream, Annie saw the expression on the girl's face. She turned just as her camera was snatched from her hand.
"What are you doing?" Selina demanded as she stepped into the light. She stared down at the little girl.
"I'm... taking Sandy's measurements."
"For what?" Selina pressed further.
"To make a dress for her."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"You're giving her one for Christmas?"
"Yes," Annie confirmed.
"You'll have to give it to her by Friday if you're going to make it before the Christmas break," Selina pointed out.
"I'll get it to her by then," Annie promised.
"Very well, then."
"Can I have my camera back?" Annie asked.
"You don't need her picture for this." Selina examined the camera. Despite the splint on her right wrist, she had no trouble flipping through the photos on the display at the back of the digital camera.
"But the dressmaker needs to know what she looks like," Annie argued.
"The dressmaker can work fine with verbal descriptions." Selina erased the photos on the camera. "What they really need are her measurements. Have you got them?"
"Well... I need to double check..."
"Then go make sure."
Annie hurriedly took the measurements again and checked them against her notes. The little girl's hands trembled as she worked, though Sandy failed to notice it with her mind wondering about her classmate's presence. When Annie was done, Selina returned the camera. Then they waited as Sandy got dressed.
After that, Selina escorted the girls from the dressing room and from the auditorium.
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