Tracey inhaled deeply, staring into the golden mirror before her. She delicately adjusted the grand tiara on top of her head, made of pure silver, and adorned with the finest diamonds. It was worth at least ten grand, taking the top spot as Tracey’s prized possession. I am the best. No one can compare to me. Tracey had good reason to think this. After all, she was the daughter of Paul Shawns, one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country. The fifteen-year old lived a life of splendor, one in which everything seemed perfect.

A rhythmic knock came from the door. Mrs. Shawn poked her head inside the room.

“Sweetie, guests are arriving. Are you ready to go downstairs?”

“Yes, Mother.” Tracey turned around, the emerald lace fabric of her gown dancing around her heels. She strutted down the stairs, head held high. Young men dressed in elegant white suits turned their attention to her. Other girls Tracy’s age looked her way with envy and adoration. Tracy eagerly embraced these glances. She even had the audacity to blow a kiss to her suitors.

Of course, Tracey was the star of the show; her shimmering dress shined like a lighthouse through the dark sea of people. Tracey knew all the attention was on her. She was smarter than people gave her credit for, considering the sheer amount of flaunting she did on a daily basis.

An excited bark echoed through the ballroom. Lulu, the Shawns’ corgi, came charging towards Mrs. Shawn. Miss Liz, the family’s personal dog walker, stumbled after the hysterical puppy. Tracey gave Miss Liz a disgusted look; her plain shirt and jeans were an atrocious sight among the extravagant outfits everyone else wore. Sensing this, Miss Liz hurried upstairs, head down with shame and animosity.

A young man took Tracey by the arm, and brought her to the middle of the dance floor. Tracey danced the night away, jumping from the arms of different handsome men, all fighting for her attention. However, Tracey’s pride blinded her from the efforts of her suitors. For the entire party, all Tracey did was dance, dance, dance until she could no longer. Before she knew it, everyone had left.

Exhausted, Tracey lifted her hands to take off her tiara. Her delicate fingers groped around her head, but her fingertips felt nothing. The tiara was gone.

“Mother! Mother!” Tracey cried out. Her most valuable item had just disappeared.

“What sweetie?” asked Mrs. Shawn. Tracey couldn’t even put the situation to words. Instead, she just lifted her finger and pointed to her head.

“Oh no.” said Mrs. Shawn. She was just as startled as Tracey.

“Mother where is my tiara!” yelled Tracey. She knew that her mother wouldn’t know but it was worth a try.

“I don’t know sweetie.” stated Mrs. Shawn. Tracey’s face was turned white with fear. She felt powerless and weak without her tiara. Tracey tried her best to tell herself that it could have fallen off while she was dancing but reality sank in and she knew that she would have felt her tiara tumble off her head. Mrs. Shawn glimpsed around the room to double check that Tracey didn’t misplace the crown in her bedroom.

That night Tracey couldn’t sleep. She was extremely worried that her well loved tiara was gone for good. Just like Tracey, her parent’s didn’t get an ounce of sleep either. Tracey had forced them to search the entire house for her precious tiara. There was no luck. If Tracey had lost any other item, Mr. Shawn would go out and find a replacement. But this special tiara was custom made just for her.

A few days had past and the tiara wasn’t found. Tracey was absolutely miserable. She had no motivation to do anything at all. However, today Tracey actually got out of bed and decided to take Lulu on a walk. Yes, Miss Liz was there as the dog walker but she never did her job. But when she went to grab the leash, it wasn’t there just like the tiara. Lulu’s rhinestone leash had also gone missing.

“Miss Liz!!!!” Tracey screamed.

“Yes Tracey?” replied Miss Liz.

“Where is Lulu’s leash?!” yelled Tracey.

“Oh. I don’t know.” answered Miss Liz. Tracey stormed up to her room and grabbed the telephone. She always had her mother on speed dial so she called her immediately.

“Mother! Lulu’s leash is gone!” exclaimed Tracey. Mrs. Shawn stayed silent and hung up the phone. The most expensive and valuable items in the house were nowhere to be found.

Later that day the Mr. Taben (the carpenter) arrived to finish his job. He came in wearing a larger coat even though it was almost 80 degrees outside. Nobody thought anything of it and just went on with their day. Tracey was miserable once again because her top two objects were out of sight. It was getting late for Miss Liz so she decided to make her way home but the carpenter stayed for a little while longer.