7 PM, Sarah Anderson, The Anderson's Mansion.
As expected, early in the morning and at the same time every day, the cycle was renewed; mother nature guided one of her sons throughout the horizon once again. The celestial fireball ascended high in the sky, twilight melting away slowly and slothful. With the change from night to day, sunrise spread. A relaxing lavender glow and a brilliant amber hue slowly painted the empty, azure canvas; the soft colors gorgeously blended together into a neon of pink and peach colors, resembling cotton candy, and spread across the earth. The dazzling snow-capped clouds woke from its own beauty sleep and, alongside with the rebellious wind, started lazily drift across the sky, in its usual morning ritual, greeted the large birds that flew freely, following their own journey. Their chirps came in a repeated refrain, the exact same pattern, its melody softly floating unrestrained, like notes that were never written and dancing-steps that were never taught, one that can only come from the soul.
Eventually, the golden sun rays screamed loudly at me to get me up. Surprisingly, I woke up before my alarm, which was nice. I stretched my arms up feeling full and oddly energized and, even despite finding that unusual, I jumped out of bed and quickly got dressed, getting ready for school. I walked over to my balcony window and opened it, stepping onto the patio and staring at the sky. It was beautiful. The wind gently brushed over my face as I closed my eyes and took in the smell of the freshly early morning. Such a solemn moment as that one gave me a confidence rush, I felt like a tiny rechargeable battery, full of energy to give and sell. A new day has begun. I smiled at myself, feeling for the first time in my life that everything was going to be alright. I was confident that I was going to accomplish anything that I would set my mind on. My life was in my own hands and I was strong enough to carry it on by myself. I was alone for now, yes, but eventually, I knew that I would be happy at the end of my journey. I still had hundreds of battles to face, a thousand memories to make and a million stories to write. I pushed myself leisurely off the railing and backed away from the edge. Once inside, closed the doors and curtains. I sighed contented before reaching for my phone on the bedstand next to my alarm clock, turning it up and looking up the date: Monday, July 9. I went over in my mind what had happened over the weekend, suddenly struck with a sense of unease."I moved in Friday night and if my memory doesn't fail me it was September XX, I held a house party the next day. Then, what happened next... all these months? Of course, school happened and girl night-outs but, something is missing... what is it?!" Not coming to any fruitful conclusion, I scooped up my bag and headed downstairs to the dining room. The room was empty and tidy. My stomach rumbled and started to feel a bit lightheaded; I needed to eat something and fast if I didn't want to pass out of low sugar. So, I made myself a quick toast with butter, melted cheese, and boiled some water in the kettle so I could prepare my favorite tea of all time, fruit-flavored. At last, I took my so much-deserved bite and sip. I let myself indulge in the mix of different flavors melting in my mouth. No breakfast such as that one has ever tasted so good in my entire life! It almost seemed that I hadn't had a proper meal in ages. I finished my food and quickly rushed to the front, waiting for Naomi's car and confident that nothing out of extraordinary would happen. I reached out for the handle and opened the front door. Before leaving the interior of the manor, I decided to take one last look back; something continued to bother me, tho. My house felt empty, or at least emptier than when I came for some reason. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it slightly bothered me. I shook my head, dismissing it, and resumed my previous intention. With a loud thud, the doors closed longingly behind me.
(...)
The environment in the car was cheerful, we chit-chatted along with each other the whole ride to school. Today was the last day of high school.
"You guys better not disappear during the summer!" Naomi scolded us in advance. "Let's make plans! We can go to the beach or the Pink Lady cafe! What do you guys think?"
"Only if we get to go to the Arcade too! Maybe two or three per week?" Suzu said, hoping her suggestion would stick.
Naomi laughed and glanced at Suzu, "Just what we need-- keep dreaming!"
The Italian girl crossed her arms, throwing her sulking fit of the day."I like gaming."
"Is there anything you don't like? Oh, I know... studying!" Naomi's bright gaze mocked her.
"Geez, Naomi, you don't have to be like that!"
"Hey, I'm just saying you should pay more attention to your studies! How do you intend to enter a nice college acting like that?" She asked, one eyebrow arching in her direction.
"Who said I want to go to college?" Suzu shrugged her shoulders.
Naomi glanced sideways at Suzu, surprised by her response, not knowing exactly how to properly react or reply.
I leaned forward and placed a hand over Suzu's shoulder, giving it a lil' squeeze, and tried to pass on my moral support to her. "W-Well there is still time! Y-You don't have to decide just yet!" I told her.
Suzu chuckled. "Don't worry too much Anderson, I've already decided! I'm just messing with Patterson's head!" And, then, she stirred out her tongue out mischievously to Naomi, who was driving.
"H-Hey! That's mean!" Naomi stopped the car at a red light, "Stop making me worry over nothing, Suzu!" She then turned to the passenger seat and pinched Suzu's cheek as pay-back.
"S-Stop, that hurts Naomi!" Suzu tried to yank her way away from her face.
"That's what you get for pulling my strings!" She continued.
"S-S-Stoooop!" The whine in her voice made Naomi roll her eyes.
I smiled at the sight. Those were definitely the moments I was truly going to miss once in college. The realization made me want to laugh and cringe at the same time. Those girls were way too precious. I just hoped they would stay in my life despite the probable distance.
"Hey you guys, when are you gonna get your dresses for the dance? The ball is coming soon." I asked.
Suzu placed her hands behind her neck, closed her eyes, and nudged against the seat. "Not going to."
"What?" Naomi almost lost control of the car. "You kidding me?!"
"Nop," Suzu replied in the most detached and carefree voice she could muster.
"What are you going to wear... a t-shirt, a blazer and a pair of trousers?!" It bounced around her expression, first in disbelief, then in shock, and finally, in disappointment.
"Yup." Once again, that tone of voice.
"Every girl is going to wear a dress! It's a formal occasion for God's sake! Ugh--! You're so tiring Suzu..." Naomi stated, pitching the bridge of her nose with one hand and with another holding the wheel.
I covered my mouth holding my laugh in; these two were so fun to watch.
Then, Naomi addressed me. "Please, Sarah, tell me you're going to wear a dress... I beg you..."
I smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, I will. Today I'm gonna talk with the tailor, he's gonna make my dress by order."
"Uh!" Naomi sang in a melodious voice enthusiastically, "What a dream! It will be one of a kind! Please tell me you'll show it to us--!" then clapped her hands for a short moment before grabbing the wheel again. She, herself, wished she could take one tailor-made dress to the ball, however, their price was a bit out of her league, unfortunately. "His he taking your measures today?"
In my innocence, I nodded mindlessly of Suzu's next commentary."Is he going to see you naked~? Maybe you'll get lucky--" She teased me silently suggesting something naughty might happen in my meeting later.
"W-WHA--?!" I hurried on shyly, with a hot blush spread across my cheeks. "I-I don't know if he's even a guy! From all I know, it could be a woman... It was my father who hired the services!"
"Ah! You did not disown me, so it's true!" Suzu almost jumped in her seat, .
"S-Stop it! O-Of course h-he's not! The only person who's going to see me na-naked will be my boyfriend! And-And I won't do anything before that!" I answered, looking gravely at her blinking hazel-nut eyes. I was mortified, felt traumatized by why she implied. I couldn't believe Suzu even suggested such a 'thing' might happen. I cried outrageously in my mind. Now, I couldn't stop seeing it.
Suzu readjusted in her seat, "If I were you, I would take advantage of the situation. You don't want to stay a virgin 'till your thirties, right?"
I blinked and caught my breath at the recent turn of events. How did our conversation about dresses end up in the subject related to virginity and sex?!
"Suzu! Don't say stuff like that!" Naomi immediately rebuked Suzu for the inappropriate thought."Hon, virginity is something important, you should lose it when you feel ready and with whom you think he's worthy of that."
"Noooo! Don't tell her that!" she said, shifting her attention to Naomi, "Who cares who's the guy she sleeps with? She should know the carnal pleasures! I can give you some tips if you want~" and, winked in answer.
"Suzu!" Naomi called her out in a scolding tone and widened her eyes at her, as if silently asking 'what are you doing'.
"What? It's something normal to do. She eventually has to do it."
"No! If she wants, she can just abstain! That's nothing wrong with that..."
"She's the one who loses. That's some good stuff." Suzu shrugged again, plunging her hands into the air; Naomi rolled her eyes in annoyance.
Naomi sighed; her sigh was resigned and weary."Don't listen to her, hon. Yes, of course, It's a good experience but, everyone has their timing. Just stay true to it."
I attempted to hide my face behind my chalky-white fingers, feeling shy and embarrassed enough. "Can we not talk about my inexperience, please?"
Out of the blue, we burst out laughing. I was laughing so hard, that I had to wave my hand in the air, pleading for a stop. I didn't know why, but the waves of laughter just kept coming. I didn't even know what we were laughing at this point. I tried to catch my breath and regain some control of my body.
(...)
Finally, the day reached the end. No more classes. No more high school. No more Lisette. Hello, college. Hello new people. New professors. New everything. I never felt more nervous in my whole life. What would happen after I touched my diploma? Would real life just sweep me away? Would I be left alone in a void of my own doing? Would my friends stay by my side? Would I find love? It was hard to say. So many questions and very few answers.
I stared at the graduation forms covering my dining room table, unable to process all of the information on them."I'm gonna graduate." My mind settled into a hushed rumble at the thought of graduation. I was both nervous, excited, worried, anxious, and angry all at once. What was I going to do from that on? Where would happen after this was all over? What was in store for my future? And why the hell did my house felt so empty? I sighed and placed my forehead against the table. My head began to spin and I feel I'm about to throw up. Closing my eyes, I counted my heartbeat as it pounded in my head. What broke my concentration was the doorbell ringing. I lifted my head and walked over into the lobby, peeping my head out, "Who is it?" I asked loudly, already expecting it to be the tailor.
"'Old & Bold' services" Finally he spoke, his voice controlled. The man's voice felt familiar somehow.
I felt my nervousness as the realization struck me.
"I came for the try-out," It said, "Is Mrs. Anderson home?"
"Y-Yes! I'm coming--" I gulped down my anxiety and rushed to the door; my hand froze on the doorknob when flashes of my conversation with Suzu inside Naomi's car filled my mind and clouded my judgment. Did I really need to be half-naked for him to take my measures? I bet he has seen a lot of people in their underwear during the span of his professional career. And, there was nothing wrong with that, right? Besides, dad trusted him enough to hire him to do this type of work. So, I shouldn't give it too much thought. I would just be one more. After drawing a few deep breaths I finally opened the door and was marveled by the most beautiful view.
The man was at least 5 tall s and seemed young, perhaps, a couple of years older than me. He was with his back turned to the door, holding the cuff of his shirt's sleeve, as if to make sure that the buttons were in their respective homes; strong hands, slightly rough from working. He was wearing a red shirt with a pink vest, brown slacks, and buckle shoes, plus, he had his brown jacket perfectly folded-up on his right arm. Upon hearing the door creaking open, he turned around in my direction, greeting me with a smile that seemed genuinely sweet and sincere with the right touch of graciousness to it. He had silky gingery hair, meticulously stylized to the side, keeping one of his eyes hidden. His eyes were like pretty gemstones, pouring a mysterious, sparkly vibe. And, his mouth; he had the most perfect lips, delicate but at the same time rough, like those of a hopeless lover.
"You seem oddly familiar... Do I... Do we know each other?" I asked, very confused about how a stranger could have such a first impact on me.
He held out his hand, silently offering it to me to take it. "Mrs. Anderson, my name is Erik, delighted to make your acquaintance." I smiled, hesitantly, then looked up at him, reaching my hand out to him. He returned the smile, raised it to his lips, and kissed over my knuckles.
I felt my face slightly burn at the man's gesture and said, "L-Likewise."
"Now, shall we began?" He glanced at me through the bangs of his hair, "It will be my pleasure making this dress for you. It will suit you, just like a princess."
~~The End~~