We lost track of time as we scoured the little shops and boutiques in town in our attempt to behave like carefree eighteen-year-olds. Shopping with Laira was much more fun than shopping with Mason. I missed him. No matter how hard I tried to keep him out of my thoughts he kept coming back. I eagerly awaited his return.
Laira's earlier words daunted me. I knew for sure that I wanted him, but I wasn't so sure if he was what I needed. We were worlds apart.
" What do you think of this little black dress?" Laira dragged me back to reality. I had spaced out again.
"It's very pretty," I sighed when I could quite gather my thoughts " Are you going to buy it?" I asked as she brushed the dress with her fingers. I wasn't sold on it. It was too short and too tight for my taste. I liked to be able to breathe and move freely. That looked more like an instrument of torture to me.
" Maybe," Laira shrugged and flipped the price tag " No, not for that amount, anyway," She sighed as she put the dress back on the rack. It was expensive, even for my pocket.
" We should get going. Do you want something to eat?" I asked as we stepped out of the little boutique, and caught with the corner of my eye a familiar-looking face but it disappeared before I had a chance to have a proper look. The dark grey suit and that hat. I had seen that before, but never gave much thought to it. I was intrigued.
" What are the options?" Laira asked as she paused in front of another window, looking at a pair of tennis shoes. I needed a pair since the ones that I had magically vanished. It was still a mystery to me. I made a mental note to do an inventory as I dragged Laira into the shop with me.
The purchase was quick and simple, and to my relief and didn't burn a hole in my wallet.
" You haven't answered me," Laira returned to her previous query " What are the options?" She asked as we made our way through the crowd in the narrow alleys of the Morston town centre.
" No options. It's a yes or no answer, " I replied as we stepped onto a cobbled portion of the alley and I was happy that I wasn't wearing any heels.
"Yes," Laira replied as we squeezed past some more people. After a good ten minutes of prying our way through the suffocating crowd, I was ready to go home and have a nap.
" We can have something at the beach. It's too crazy in town," I replied as we finally exited the narrow alley way onto a wider path leading to Manor Gardens.
" You do realise it is going to be just as mad," Laira pointed out with an eye roll.
" I'm sure we will find something that won't require being trampled underfoot just to get a bite to eat," I countered as we walked past the gates of the garden and were greeted with fewer people, and less noise. The absence of noise was freeing.
" Alright," Laira sighed, shifting the bags onto one hand, looking around at the blooming garden. The array of diverse colours was eye-catching, and the sweet floral scent that wafted in the air was like a balm to a troubled soul like mine.
" So, you like rock music," I interrupted the silence when the sound of a guitar rif echoed in the air and the crowd cheered and whistled
" I listen to a little bit of everything. I'm not picky when it comes to music. I think all music is good. One's taste in music is subjective, not objective," It was true. I wondered what other words of wisdom Laira had to impart to me.
" That is very true, but I would argue that point with the rise and fall of many musicians. Which by definition defies your theory that there isn't bad music and only bad audience, or if you like listeners." I countered as we approached the concert grounds. I had no idea, I had made that up.
" Meh," Laira grimaced " Shaky theory, it doesn't have a ground to stand on. Each person has individual preferences. It does not make the musician good or bad. It just means that there aren't enough people with a taste for that particular genre. Which leads to one-hit wonders. Therefore rise and fall." She wasn't letting it go. I wasn't in an argumentative mood. It seemed I had picked the wrong day to spend with Laira.
" I think both points are valid. Meaning, there are bad musicians and there is bad music. One-hit wonders are just that, one-hit wonders. In the spirit of putting this matter to bed. I say that we are both right and wrong at the same time. A paradox, if you may." I countered and stood in line at the first sandwich shop we came across. There we just a few people in front, so I hoped it won't take too long.
" Now, what would you like to eat?" I asked while Laira frowned, most likely trying to think of a way to drag my argument through the mud.
" I will have a ham sandwich and water," She craned her neck to read the blackboard hanging on the wall, while I sort of did the same.
" This is not over," Laira whispered over my shoulders, while I was still trying to decide between chicken and cheese. I was done. It was a silly argument.
" No, we are done. I'm not debating this any longer. It is a silly argument," I smirked and nudged her with my shoulder when she stepped next to me, giving me an evil side eye.
" Fine," She grumbled, frowning at the blackboard, while I moved forward when the person in front of me finally reached the counter.
" Lily, Laira," Someone called our names, making me and Laira search through the crowd but all I could see was a hand waving in the air, as the owner moved through the crowd.
"Who is it?" I asked when Laira sighed and rubbed her forehead, seemingly annoyed.
" Jude, and Henry," She pouted, when Jude finally emerged through the crowd, wearing swim trunks.
" Hi, " I waved like an idiot. I wasn't all that well acquainted with the Morston socialites and by the looks of it, Laira was allergic to them, judging by the grimace of annoyance she had before schooling her expression.
" How have you been? I haven't seen you in ages?" Jude lunged towards me and hugged me, out of nowhere. We were far from being friends.
" Hi. I'm Moonlight," A soft, velvety voice broke my thoughts. I was a little baffled at the sudden show of affection.
" I'm Blossom," I couldn't help myself and poked fun at her name " Lily," I changed my answer when Laira elbowed me in the ribs "Killjoy," I whispered through gritted teeth, as I stepped back to put some distance between me and Jude.
" How interesting. Blossom Lily Killjoy," Moonlight dazedly said as she took a step forward, and gave me a chance to have a better look at her. Long wavy blond tresses, a delicate figure hidden under a white bohemian dress, and the most enchanting green eyes.
" Your parents must have been very free-spirited people," She noted batting her long eyelashes at me. Far from it.
Smiling, I decided not to argue with her " Yes, one could say so," I replied, trying to contain my amusement and keep my thoughts to myself.
" This is Laira," I introduced Laira who assumed her favourite position, hiding behind me.
"Hi Laira," Moonlight waved, smiling " So, very nice to meet you," She reached her hand to Laira, but Laira just waved and awkwardly smiled.
" Miss, you are holding the line," The man from behind the counter broke our little rendezvous, making me aware that we were just standing there, while the line was getting longer and longer.
" I apologise. Two ham sandwiches and two bottles of water, please." I fished out my wallet out of the bag and placed the money on the counter while the man returned with the order.
" Thank you and once again my apologies, " I said as I took the sandwiches and took the change off the counter. I smiled when the frown got deeper but he didn't bother to take notice of my apologies.
I didn't ponder any longer and took our leave, moving to the side, and sat on the nearby bench while the music sort of blared not very far from where we were.