Just as I was going to avert my visiom from the wall, the eyes caught something I never even imagined off.
A bigger sized handprint got placed on the wall beside mine. My eyes widened, fearing the air around me.
Once again, I looked around, searching for any person or thing .
There was no one.
I again stared at the two different handprints, until a familiar but deeper voice took the air out of my lungs.
"I'm here, Reccy."
He was here. Again. Freaking once again.
Except his voice seemed deeper as my age, though
"Not again. No. No. It can't be. Why are you here?" I could barely say these words while I twirled around , hoping the mystical person to appear.
Who knew I was wrong?
"Look, I apologize severely for leaving you alone for these years. "
"We-well much obliged."
"You know, you don't need to be strong all the time. "
He chuckled gently , and abruptly I felt a hand rub the tears off my face.
The touch felt powerfully secure, with an unknown tingling sensation. It felt like it just belonged here, with me.
But why?
"Don't think much. But I'm glad you think that way."
"Wha-what are you talking about ? I didnt_"
"Newsflash, I can read your mind. I thought you remembered that."
Out of frustration, I sighed and rolled my eyes before questioning, "Who are you? Like what are you?"
"Your mystical camouboy. And you should know I'm never leaving your side."
"But I don't get it. I want to see you. I want to know you. "
"You can. But after prom."
Prom?
Oh shoot.
"C'mon, I said I won't depart from your ears again , we can talk after prom y'know. Now better get ready . And in addition, I would say your plum lips shall use deep maroon lipstick with a bun in the hair. Eh?"
I really had the urge to laugh at his mommy demeanor, and so I guess I did casually, "Are you a single working mom?" I said between my chuckles.
He mildly laughed back replying with, "Seems like we're gonna be far off best friends."
But I couldn't reply back.
***
I opened the lid of the lipbalm, as he mentioned. My hair had been turned into a chignon hairstyle while I resisted myself from looking into the mirror.
As soon as I lifted my eyes , seeing my own image with a huge forehead gave me cringes to look away.
I can't even look at myself.
I slightly, then pulled out my bangs which got stuck to the bun to cover what made my face ugly.
Like super ugly.
"Stop it, Reccy. Be natural, and except the god's gift, okay?"
"No Mr. Unknown Voice." I demandingly replied.
"Be natural." He repeated , making me more frustrated.
"No! My life, my face, my hair and my...bangs!" My voice tried hard to sound confident , so he would know he was not frightening me.
"Confident voice doesn't make you fearless, dumbass. You are afraid of being called ugly and friendless?"
"Do-do you find any other reason?"
"You look beautiful without it. In fact, you are anyway."
"No, stop your flattering."
"I'm not."
"Then I can't find a reason for a gormless voice to compliment a despondent, friendless teenage girl! Okay?"
"Life isn't about friends , it's about living."
"Living your happiness, and I'm simply on the edge."
"Did you have any friends before?" He paused, as I kept questioning, "Just because Clay and Addy are awesome, doesn't mean every friend is like them."
"I'm...I don't mean that."
"You sure don't."
"Leave that, you should learn to love yourself. Remember, bangs and cuts are the gift of the artist, which may not last long, but the hair and face structure you have are the free gift given from God, so learn to embrace it."
"But_"
"And the ones , the friends that can't except the way you are, it is them who doesn't deserve you, you never know how worthy you are,silly. Remember?"
It seemed that he followed someone's exact words, or should I say my own words.
I wouldn't be able to go against my own words so another logic might barge in.
"Exactly, I would never know if I am only 2.5% worthy."
"You would also not know if you are 99.5% worthy, would you?"
Having nothing to say I mumbled, "Tha-thanks."
And I truly was thankful. I never felt this worthy and confident in my whole life until his words talked senses into me.
Maybe he was right?
I averted my attention towards the wardrobe to get the dress. I was not really into parties so I had almost nothing to wear.
And that's when I realized.
I had nothing to wear.
Followed by groans, I stomped my feet several times until I sensed two hands covering my eyes. Instinctive , my hands tried to remove the hands but it felt like something harder than super glue was on his hand to my eyes.
"What are you doing!? Are you gonna abduct me, really?"
"That's the best imagination you got ?"
Failed with the hand struggles, I gave up and decided to flow with the situation.
Even covered with the hands , I could feel a bright light shining through.
He removed the hands and i immediately got ready to fight him, until the gorgeous view in front startled me.
A satiny, sequinned sheath gown of lilac colour lightening my whole dull room.
"It's -its amazing. Where'd you get that?"
"Ah, I always doubted my fashion sense. Now sure of it. I'm amazing."
I chortled but however rolled my eyes, "Whatever, camouboy."
"Sure, now put on your dress , it's waiting for you since so long."
"I want to see you. " I repeated.
"I know belle, Bah-bye. We shall meet in the prom hall. Also, the mirror doesn't have fangs aiming for you."
After changing, there was no sign of that voice. Maybe 'he'll see me at the prom.'
His words echoed through my ears and I decided to leave the bangs stuck where it was. And me, where I am.
I forced myself to lift my eyes up to the mirror. And that time, I had a new outlook on myself. I attempted to see the beautiful features I had , left in my face.
Maybe I'm not that much of an unsightly view after all.
An instinctive proud smile appeared on my face as I stared at the mirror.
In addition, a bundle of enthusiasm and curiosity covered me, I was going to see him? I was cheery. Much cheery.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I twisted the keys of the car door, someone held my arm ,pulling me towards him, " Hey."
"Hey Clay. You spooked me well ."
Before he could utter a word, his eyes explored my dress , completely stunned.
"Woah, you look amazing, señorita . Don't you?"
"Are you checking me out?" I frowned but keeping up a grin. I knew the answer already, cause of course. Even after these years, it's quite shocking that none of us gained any feelings for each other.
Many may suspect, but girls and boys can be friends, for example, take Elle and Lee.
"C'mon, you're my best friend."
He pouted before offering his hand to lead me to the hallroom.
Surprisingly, from the entrance to the hall, all eyes were shifted towards me. Everybody kept staring at me in admiration or probably in resentment?
Unlike Clay, I was never used to this much scrutiny from people and it was seriously taking me out of my comfort zone. Was I looking that ugly?
I lifted my right hand to cover one upper side of my face with a frown.
Beside me, Clay chuckled and uttered,
"Seems like people are getting hot around here. Trying to find the source of heat, oh wait . They already did, Beca."
Even though it took me some time to apprehend his figures of speech, I poked my elbow in his stomach.
On my way similarly, my shoulders jolted against another and I winced.
"Looks like your shoulder is attracted to mine too much, huh?"
"It's just the second time Austin. And that was decades ago." I exaggerated, rolling my eyes again.
As I looked up, he was holding a purple coat in his hand and wearing razzmic berry coloured westcoat with white shirt under and cyber grape coloured bow, with the usual messy hair. Not bad, huh?
Oh what am I thinking?
"Stunningly matched huh? Nice purples."
Like always, Clay and I gave him the go-by, turning our backs but those insolent hands wrapped round my waist tightly, making my body turn around in front of his eyes.
"The hell wrong?"
"I wasn't done yet , Miss."
"Excuse me Austin. She is with me." Charles interrupted, with the act of a savior.
"She was. By the way nice to meet you , Clayton." His smirk brightened and I could now feel the dejected feeling in Clay but i was too far and stuck by Austin.
"Will you go for a dance, enchantress ?" His sudden decency formed suspense, as to his narcissistic one. Maybe a plan to pester Charles? or to make me feel_
"Stop thinking negative, Reccy. Who would ask out a girl just to execute some plan, especially some fascinating belle with divine traits?"
That unknown voice returned again, but it had so much honesty, so much reality that I could not think that as coaxing.
"But it's totally fine if you remain single, you know . No heartbreaks. No_"
"It's just a dance, camouboy. By the way, am I sensing some jealousy?" I whispered, hoping no one to hear me in the loud music.
There was no reply.
At the outset, my cheeks blushed into a pink colour and my beaming smile curved up , looking at the right side where I heard him last.
"So I'll take that blush-y face and smiles as a yes?" Austin interrupted. I don't know why but the smile still didn't scoot my face, "Blushy? Is that even a word?"
Giving his devilish smirk, he pulled me to the dancing stage, filled with other teenagers with glorious gowns each.
"He-hey, I didn't mean ye-yes."
"I know that, its just your smile that did."
"No I didnt_"
"C'mon Reccy , live life a bit." The voice added, soon followed by the same words from Austin's mouth.
Till then, I was safely convinced that I was met with some paranormal potency and nothing could be done about that. Except flow with it, like I always did.
There, I could not help but continue the promenade dance. It went all soothingly, with our gazes locked. Nothing much more, felt deep and tranquility within the unwanted process.
In our school, before the confirmation of the prom king and queen, we do a dance with our date or friend just for the pleasure of having freedom, in case we don't like our chosen winner partner.
I didn't even like my recent partner. Ugh.
______________________________________