When Aiva’s clumsy fingers had finally slipped the last button she paused to glance up at the mirror. She tried to find some resemblance between her and all the beautiful people downstairs. Aiva wondered if she was even relted to them. She had freckles like her mother, though hers were more plentiful and Susan’s were usually covered with foundation. She shared the same shade of gray eyes with her dad, but hers were dull.

              Her hair was not sleek nor wavy, blonde or red and her head looked strangely round atop her narrow shoulders. Their noses were like buttons, Aiva’s more like a pigs. Her fingers were short and her hands plump, while there’s were long and elegant. Aiva could list off every feature and how they contradicted her genes. The most apparent was their strength and grace that she lacked.

              Aiva thought she might read to distract her from these comparisons. They were not helping her mood.

              As her eyes scanned down her body critically in an attempt to find even one attractive feature though, unable to look away now, Aiva’s attention landed between her shirt buttons. Where a mark sat a few inches above her navel. A circular discoloration that had not been there before.

              She leaned in for a closer look when a knock sounded. Swift as she could she did up her shirt once more.

              “C-come in!” she fell back into her wheelchair and turned it away from the underused vanity.

              Joshua opened the door. He had a warm smile on his face.

              There’s the party girl!” There was nothing of the prior malice in his voice. He gripped his cane as he stepped into the room and gave Aiva a hug.

              “Why aren’t you down there?”

              Aiva leaned back to look at him. She was yet again amazed at how old he was. His wrinkles were deep. A short, thick beard covered the majority of his lower face. Most of it was white as was his full head of hair. His eyes were such a bright shade of blue that they struck her as sapphires. He was much taller than other people she was used to being around and she had to crane her neck at an almost painful angle to see him. Her silence was his only answer.

              “I’m not much of a party enthusiast either.”

              Aiva responded with nothing more than a weak smile. “I could tell.”

              “The party won’t go on for very much longer without you down there.” Aiva very much doubted the truth of that.

              A frown etched his wrinkles more deeply into his flesh. “What’s wrong?”

              “Aiva struggled out of her chair until she was sitting on the edge of her bed. “What is so important that everyone had to work tonight?”

              “Ah.” He cleared his throat. “Well Aiva, when you work as high up in any company as we do certain sacrifices have to be made.” He gave her a smile and she resisted the urge to shrug.

              There was a short silence before he spoke again. “So are you excited?”

              “About what?” Aiva asked, rubbing her eyes.

              “About going to school of course! You know we’ve been going to the academy for generations now.”

              “Oh, that.” Too tired to articulate her feelings, she yawned. “I guess.”

              Sighing, Joshua leant over and kissed her. “I have to get going, the family meeting wont start without me. Goodnight sweetheart.” He stood with difficulty, pushing his cane into the carpeted floor.

              Aiva closed her eyes as he flipped off the light.