After a difficult hour, Solana sucked her index finger, she still couldn't get used to the pain. She took a glance at the clock on the wall, it was almost tea time. Her instincts of a maid kicked in, she taught about preparing Chamelion tea for the Princess. She smacked her head, rubbed her face, in frustration and sighed. 'Idiot, I'm no longer a maid. This world has no princess and royal family. I am free from my servitude but still it is almost tea time.'
'Which tea should I make? I know how to prepare dozens of them. Wait! I remember Dad likes to drink coffee, a latte to be precise.'
She rested her guitar on the stand, stepped into the kitchen and thought. 'Too bad, I don't know how to make coffee or use the coffee machine.'
Solana decided to stick to what she knew and served him green tea, along with a few pastries which Henry had left in the cabinets.
Henry said "Oh, tea again" His face scrunched, looked at cup on table and became sour.
Solana said "Yes, you can have it with cream or sugar if you like."
Henry poured cream for himself, he stirred while Solana took a sip, sipping tea like an elegant lady. She wiped her chin, with the napkins, said "How was it? Originally, I wanted to make rose tea, it has a more delicate sweetness to it!"
"It tastes good but..." Henry said before whined to his daughter, said "Tea seriously, couldn't you make coffee for me?" her hands spread out.
Solana giggled, she said "Sorry, Dad it just that I don't know how to make coffee?"
Henry suddenly drank, he exclaimed "It is simple, let me show you" he dragged her to the kitchen.
Solana wrly smiled, put her cup down and followed him. Henry showed his daughter how to ground the coffee beans and use the coffee machine. Henry poured different ratios of milk, coffee and foam. He then sprinkled the fresh, coffee powder on top and presented it to Solana. He said "Volia! Here is your cuppachino" his eyes prompted her to try it.
Under his encouragement, Solana sipped. She said "Hmm, it tastes good"
"Great, now watch me as I show you how to make a latte" Henry said. Solana loved to learn new things especially about things related to food and embroidery. Which were the two things she was skilled in other than music. Sometimes Ametria, used to jokingly tease her, that she was the missing young miss of a powerful family. A small smile framed her face, as Solana thought about the time, she went to the festival with the Princess, disguised as a Young miss from a wealthy merchant family.
Solana had a few chocolate tarts, she felt it taste better with a cup of coffee.
The went back to her guitar practice, the doorbell rang again. 'Seriously, again. Ahh I hope it isn't someone I want to avoid! I know, let Dad to answer the door.'
Solana faked her tiredness, wearily she said "Dad, can you see who is at the door?"
Henry winked, he went to answer the door, he shouted from far "Solana, it is Robby! Come here, I think he wants to talk to ya!"
Solana sighed, dragging herself the entrance; thought about her distant memories of Robby and the past Solana. Thinking about it, Robby was always there for her, but she only viewed him as a younger brother even though they were of the same age.
Robby and Solana go away back, they were childhood friends and were friends until she went to highschool, where she met Samantha and the other girls. Slowly, they stopped spending time together.
A distant memory was played in her mind. It was a few months ago, when Robby found out Solana was dating Cameron.
They both fought and she slapped him. "Who I want to date is my choice not yours! Stop interfering with my life. Leave me Alone!" Furious, he shouted in the empty school hallway "Fine, I will leave you alone"
Solana shouted "Good" he back off, tears stained his cheeks and ran. After that, they drifted to their separate ways, he stopped eating food with her in the school canteen and Solana as well ignored him in class. They never reconciled.
Last time, he was the only one who knew and visited her in the hospital. Solana concluded that he still cares about the original Solana.
Solana pondered, 'So, why is he here?'
Henry was talking to Robby, she got closer to them. Robby tilted his head sideways, looked past Henry and showed Solana a friendly grin.
He lightly waved his hand, said "Hey"
Solana said "Hi" as she walked closer.
Henry winked, 'Is something wrong with his eyes? why does he keep winking? there must be a catch' Solana thought.
Henry said "Ok, I some work to do. Excuse me" He slowly walked to his office, leaving them together.
Robby said "How are you?"
Solana said "Good, just had tea. And you?"
Robby said "I'm fine but can we have a talk?"
Solana said "Sure, what do you want to talk about?"
Robby eyes twitched, said "Why don't we have a walk?"
Solana paused, she said "Okay" She put on her cloak from the coat rack. The door creaked open, she locked the door behind her and said "Let's go"
She found him a few phases ahead of her, she briskly walked and caught up with him. Solana lightly punched his shoulder, he said "Ouch, what was that for?"
Solana said "That's for walking ahead of me. I thought you wanted to talk"
Robby said "Oh, my bad. I just don't want to waste time."
Robby sighed, said "Soon, in a few months we would be in college"
Solana said "Yeah, have you thought about college?"
Robby said "I'm not sure, maybe one of those university that specializes in business, since I'm a business student. And you? Oh wait, I remember you wanted to become a fashion designer"
Solana said "No, before I did want to become a designer but now, I want to apply for a music degree."
Robby paused, said "Is this a joke?"
Solana said "No, I really want to become a musician"
Robby said "But why?? I remember clearly you..."
Solana interrupted him, said "Yes, I know what I said that. But my heart beats for music"
The leaves rustled as the wind blew, swaying his brown hair. His face became small, he sighed, without looking and muttered "Looks like I can't stop you"
He chuckled, he said "Music, I guess you are quitting your old dream"
Solana wasn't sure what to say, she said "Maybe..."
They both silently walked, saw children shouting and playing on the street. Robby mouth curved and smiled, his eyes were tinted with melancholy. He slowed his pace, watching the children play. He softly said "How Nostalgic?"
Solana's ears wiggled, lines appeared on her forehead as she thought about his words. She said "What is?"
Robby said "There used to be a time, we too used to play like them..." a chuckle escaped from his mouth, as he thought about his childhood.
'I can't remember much but they have been good friends.'
Robby pointed to the cherry tree, he said "We used to play under that tree and when it was December, we both used to collect the cherries, haha I remember one time, when you climbed the tree, you slipped an fell down on the fallen cherries. Haha your face"
'I imagined myself as covered with squashed cherries' Solana laughed along.
"These may be small things but its the simple things that are memorable!" Solana said, she thought about the things she did with Ametria.
Robby nodded, he said "Yeah, I never saw you as a sentimental person" he turned, peering into my eyes.
Solana lightly smiled, said "Maybe, I have changed or maybe, I was always sentimental"
Robby chucked and stopped in front of the same cherry tree they talked about a moment ago. He sat, leaning his back on its trunk and patted the soft grass, beckoning Solana to sit next to him.
"You know, now after having a closer look, I think you have changed" Robby said.
Solana eyebrows furrowed, leaning her head away, her eyes slanted with a teasing grin. She said "Really?"
He gazed into the distance, without looking at her, he said "Yeah, you seem more calm, poised, you know refined. Sorry to say this but the girl, I used to know is rude, rough, reckless and carefree.... An insensitve airhead, only thinking about me me me!" he laughed.
Solana stayed silent, internally, she too agreed that the old Solana was a bit unreasonable, there must be a story behind it.
Robby said "No offence"
Solana replied "None taken..."
An familiar tune tingled in their ears, she turned and saw a white truck with an ice cream cone on top, slowly drove and pulled over. The children screamed and shouted, skipping and jumping at the sight of the ice cream truck. They rushed and crowded around the truck, balling their tiny fist, holding the money in their hands and shouted. pushing each other, few tall kids stretched their hands above the smaller ones, shoving the money and placed their orders through the small window panel. Amused, Solana laughed, it reminded her of the people in the flee market in the capital.
Robby stood, patting the dirt off his pants, he stretched his hand out and Solana gladly took his hand, he pulled her up. Robby grinned, said "What do you think, you want one?"
Solana understood what he was implying and nodded, they strolled to the ice cream truck, patiently waited for their turn and agreed to let the children order first.
While they waited, he said "You doing this, buying ice cream together feels like we are friends again"
Solana beamed, tilted her head and said "Aren't we already friends?"
He turned and stuttered, said "I thought after that day we weren't friends anymore... you didn't need me since, you have other friends more cooler and better than a normal, boring guy, who always weighing you. I mean your fun down"
Solana said "Is that the reason why you decided to avoid her?... I mean me"
Robby solemly nodded.
Solana continued talking "Isn't it natural for good friends to fight sometimes? We are all different in a way and there is bound to be a few discords and disagreement between friends."
"And I think also I'm at fault for being so stubborn" Solana said, lightly smiled.
"Maybe it's mine too, I shouldn't have reacted negatively when I heard about you and that guy" Robby wrly smiled, said.
Solana said "It's alright, after all you were thinking about my best interests. And in the end, you were right"
Robby wearily sighed, titled his head, looking at the sky and sarastically said "Yeah... I was right?"
"Sometimes, I wished, I wasn't right, there is no way I wanted that...dude "
Solana butted in and commented "You mean that jerk, that bastard... go on, continue"
"that jerk to break your heart" Robby said.
They both stared into their eyes, breaking their serious conversation and laughed.
Robby wiped the fake tear, Solana said "Oh, look we are next!"
The man behind the counter, said "What would you like, pretty girl?"
Solana ignored him, said to Robby "What would you have?"
Robby smiled, glanced the menu on the counter and ordered. "I think cherry would be good...give me a scoop of cherry ice cream."
The man asked "with a cone or...?" Robby replied "Cone please" Within a minute, he handed him his order and said "That would be $1.50" Robby said to Solana "What about you?" "Hmm, one scoop of chocolate fudge and with scoop of cherry ice cream on top."
The man handed her ice cream and said "Pretty girl, here, that's $3" Solana checked, running her hands through her pockets. 'Damn, I left the money in my purse'
Robby saw her panicked expression, he touched her arm and said "Let me pay"
He removed a few dollar bills from his wallet and paid for her ice cream. Solana wanted to say 'no' but she couldn't as he already paid the bill and besides they were friends. Solana decided to pay him back, some other time.
They both walked back, slowly licking their ice creams. Robby said "Why did you choose cherry as well?"
Solana said "Because it is the symbol of our friendship"
His eyes widened and lit up, ends of his mouth curved and brightening his whole face. He gazed into her, peering into her soul, he loosened his gaze and chuckled.
Solana lashes fluttered, asked "What's so funny?"
Robby continued laughing behind his closed mouth, pointing his finger at her.
He said "Look at you, your nose, it is covered..."
Solana rolled her eyes, raised her voice, "Stop laughing" she said, while wiping the ice cream off her nose and lips.
Solana scanned him, she grinned and said "You got a little something on your cheek"
Totally unaware, Robby said "Where?"
Solana's eyes slanted, said "Let me help you" showing the handkerchief in her hand.
When his guard dropped, Solana sly, She gently took his hand, pushed his ice cream, smearing it on his face.
She laughed and ran, Robby froze, slowly touching his face, he shouted "Solana, come back here"
He ran after her, while he ate whatever was left of his cone.
===
The both panted, exhausted, Solana fell on the soft lawn, her chest heaved and soon Robby caught up, he staggered and lied down, resting his head on his arms, breathing heavily.
Robby voice broke, said "I never you were that good at running"
Solana said "It must be one of my natural talents"
Robby chuckled, said with sarcasm "Yeah, right?"
They both stared at the evening sky, Robby faked his cough, drawing Solana's attention. He said "The reason, why I wanted to talk to you"
He paused, thoughtful said "About...prom"
Solana blinked, unable to comprehend the word 'prom'. 'I have seen that word many times posted on the school walls. What does it mean?'
He stealthly glanced at her, from the corner of his eyes and saw her puzzled expression.
Robby said "Prom, you know the homecoming dance?"
Solana mouthed "Oh" 'So, it is a dance. Is it like a school ball or something similar?'
Robby blushed, softly said "And I was thinking... of being your dance partner for prom?"
Solana sat, leaning on her shoulder and peered, sizing him up. Robby turned, started stuttering "No, let me explain since you have no one, I thought maybe I will have a chance with you"
Solana knitted her brows, her smile slipped, went poker face and stayed silent.
His jaw tightened, she noticed his hesitation, he took a deep breath and turned, gazing into her, softly said "Honestly, I ..."
The wind blew, rustling the leaves, their hair whistled and swayed, she pushed her stray hair back. At the same time, his lips parted, mouthed his words, her eyes widened and covered her mouth with her petite hands.