"Beep! Beep!" Reaching over Maalon quickly hit the snooze button on her alarm clock, reading the bright green digital numbers which read 8:09. Stretching lazily, she listened to the monotone sound of her bones cracking back in place.
Suddenly a knock sounded on the oak door that separated her room from her sister's, which was divided by the bathroom in the middle. Monique popped her head in the door, her long, dark, locks, incased in a fluffy white towel. "Just wanted to tell you I'm done with the bathroom. And that you better get moving, before Seth gets here at 10" her sister informed. Maalon's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Seth, and she nodded quietly, exiting her unmade bed. Today Seth was taking her to the annual Eclipse Festival held just outside La Push, and Maalon couldn't contain her excitement. She quickly took a hot shower, washing up with her favorite body wash and shampoo, before she towel dried her body, plugging up the hairdryer in the electrical socket. After blow-drying her hair, all three of her sister's burst in the door, fully dressed, bags and piles of clothes, make-up, shoes, and accessories piled in their hands.
"You guys" Maalon started nervously, as she was forcefully made to sit on her bed, "I'm only going to the carnival" Renia snorted unattractively, her tiny form, digging through the mass of clothes, which was Maalon's closet. "You're going to the carnival" she stated, "so you need the perfect first time at the carnival outfit." She threw a pair of converse over of head, and Maalon grimaced. "Renia's right though" Roy piped, applying eyeliner to her bottom lid, "the carnival is a place to have fun, but it's also romantic. I remember my first time at the carnival…. That's when I kissed Jeremy Walkins" her older sister sighed dreamily, her eyes becoming hazy with the memory. "Jeremy Walkins had a retainer" Monique murmured sourly. Roy shot her a look, and Maalon giggled, as Renia finally emerged, a handful of clothes in her hand.
"These will be perfect. Cute, fun, flirty, and just enough room to move around in" she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, and Maalon blushed, as they got to work on her hair and makeup…
"And one final pluck…" Smiling triumphantly Roy put the silver tweezers away, and Maalon grumbled as she rubbed the sore spot on her eyebrows where Roy just plucked. Not looking up from her Teen Vogue magazine, Renia handed Maalon the clothes, Monique ushering her to the bathroom. She came out a few minutes later wearing a bright blue t-shirt from Hot Topic that said: "Hug Me please! I'm Awesome" with a picture of a chibi panda, a light wash jean skirt, knee-high black and blue argyle socks, and knee high All Star converse. Mussing her hair lightly, her bangs now fell suggestively over her right eye, and her eye shadow was flawless with a Smokey Eye effect. Her sisters gushed heavily, their eyes alight with joy, and Maalon couldn't help but feel loved.
"I love you guys" she whispered quietly, tears starting to well in her brown eyes. Renia gave a teary laugh, and brought the girl into a group hug. "Don't cry bug-a-boo" she chastised, "You'll mess up your make-up" that made Maalon laugh more, and she nodded, swiping under her eyes, to ensure her make-up didn't run. Suddenly the light chiming of the doorbell sounded downstairs, and the twins squealed, as Roy and Renia rushed to see who could answer the door first. In the end Renia won by a landslide, her hands gripping the door handle heavily. Snatching open the door, Seth's eyes widened in surprise, as the one of many of Maalon's sisters stood before him panting heavily. "Hey Seth" she said breathily, "come on in" she held the door open wider, and he smiled sheepishly, ushering himself inside. "Maalon will be down soon" she informed him, reaching up to hug him lightly. He patted her back awkwardly, and two sets of light feet, started down the oak stairs. First Monique appeared, and then Maalon and all the air came out of him in a whoosh. She stood before him in a simple t-shirt and skirt combination, her dark brown eyes looking at him intensely. He quickly shoved his hands in his pockets and the sound of her sister's giggles faded, as he looked at her, taking in her appearance.
"Oh… you two are having an instant connection" the couple snapped back into reality, Renia looking at them knowingly, with her arms crossed over her chest. Maalon questioned, "How do you know that?" her sister shrugged, and ran a hand through her curled hair. "I don't know" she responded, "I saw it on a movie last night" Monique rolled her eyes, and Seth gently grabbed her hand, averting her attention from her on-looking sister's, to him. "You ready" he whispered quietly in her ear, nuzzling his face in the side of her neck. Her breath caught in her throat and she nodded her head incoherently. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he led her outside the big house belonging to the sisters, stopping in front of sleek silver and white Ducati 848 motorcycle. Maalon's eyes widened in surprise, as Seth reached into the rear compartment, pulling out one helmet. He strapped it securely on Maalon's head, knocking the side once for good measure, before straddling the bike and putting the key in its place. "Aren't you going to wear a helmet?" Maalon asked warily. Seth chuckled, helping her straddle the massive bike, before gunning the engine. "It'll ease my troubled mind to know that you're safe and sound." Was all he said, before he slowly gunned the engine and revved up the tires, pushing the brakes, to gravel up the street quickly, and taking off out of the La Push Reservation.
The Eclipse Festival was dark and mysterious with tapestries and ribbons and curtains of red, scarlet, maroon, violet, indigo, and black, hanging precariously across the wooden arch that made up the opening of the festival. People were breaching them on both sides, all dressed in dark clothes and scarlet cloaks, unusual mask perched on their faces or in their hands. Maalon looked in awe at the glorious dancers either on stilts or dancing with ribbons, flouncing around them.
"This is amazing!" she breathed excitedly. Seth smiled, happy to see she was having a good time. Digging quickly in his pockets he dug out 25 cents to buy a stick or two of cotton candy, the change jiggling in his hand. "You want some cotton candy?" he questioned. Maalon nodded excitedly, dragging him towards the little cotton candy booth in the middle of the festival. There was a young girl working the cotton candy line, deftly pouring sugar into the machine. Maalon distinctly remembered her being in her English and History classes last semester. "I think her name is Kelly? Katie? Something with a K!" the girl turned away from the machine, her bright blue eyes, glowing in recognition. "Oh my gosh, Maalon!" said girl cringed at the nasally quality of her voice, plastering on a weak smile. "Hey Kelly…" she muttered quietly. The girl smiled happily, reaching over the wooden counter to bring the girl into a hug. "How are you?" Maalon shrugged, and the girl giggled, twirling a piece of her brunette hair around her perfectly manicured finger. "And who's this.." she purred after a while, her blue eyes darkening as she gazed hungrily at Seth.
"This is Seth" Maalon muttered angrily through gritted teeth, "he's my boyfriend" Seth smiled fondly, his hand tightening around her waist. Clearing her throat Kelly stood up straight again, taking their 25 cents and making two blue cotton candy swirls. The sugary confection swirled mystically around the paper cones, and she handed it to them, quickly calling for the next customer. Maalon walked away a smug and triumphant smirk on her face, and Seth chuckled, popping a piece of the desert in his mouth. "You were jealous" he stated amusedly. She scoffed, and bit lightly into the blue sugar, groaning slightly, as it melted in her mouth. "She was practically all over you" Maalon growled, her converse clad feet stomping on the dirt path. Suddenly, a hand gripped her tightly around the waist, her front making impact with that of her boyfriend's.
"I like this side of you" he purred seductively in her ear, his tongue peeking out to lick the shell. She shivered in his embrace, and his grip on her tightened more. "You do?" she whispered quietly. Seth nodded, burying his face in her mussed hair. "I like it a lot" his voice was deeper, gravely, as he kissed her racing pulse point, nibbling lightly on her outstretched neck.
Later once the main festivities of the fair were over and after hours and hours of being there, the time rolled around to be 6:30, and they were holding an open mic night on center stage, for anyone who wanted to join. Maalon was sitting down on a blanket Seth had brought along, rubbing her sore feet. Seth had gone to supposedly get them something to drink, but that was ten minutes ago….
"And now we have Maalon coming up to perform for us" the baritone voice of the host said into the microphone. Maalon's head snapped up in surprise, and the burly guy, was motioning her towards the stage. By now on lookers were looking towards her, and she was blushing five shades of red. Seth appeared from the side stage, and Maalon furrowed her brows in anger. Placing her shoes on, she stomped towards her boyfriend, her head meeting his chest. "Seth!" she hissed angrily, "are you crazy? I don't want to sing!" she jabbed him in the chest with her finger, knowing oh-so-well it wouldn't affect him. He grabbed her wrist gently, pulling her towards him for a kiss. Snaking his tongue out, he silently asked for permission, which she gave hesitantly. Breaking away, he quickly pecked her on the lips, pushing her up the stairs that lead to the stage.
"There will be more of that, if you sing!" he yelled after her. Her legs were shaking as a mic set was placed on her head. The lights were bright and almost blinding and she gulped nervously. Whispering her song choice into the ear of the D.J, Maalon turned her back to the audience.
{Intro:}
It doesn't matter if you love him,
Or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'cause you were born this way, baby
She turned towards the audience slowly, her brown eyes, captivating everyone.
[Verse 1:] She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on "there's nothin wrong with lovin who you are" "so hold your head up girl and you'll go far,
My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
In the glass of her boudoir
She said, "'cause he made you perfect, babe"
Listen to me when I say:"
Her moves were precise and seductive, her hips moving slowly back and forth.
[Chorus:] Don't hide yourself in regret
I'm beautiful in my way
'cause god makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track baby
I was born this way
Maalon's voice was strong and commanding, as she belted out the chorus with all of her heart. The rest of the song was just as strong, as she finished with a full split, and a sexy smirk. The audience gave a standing ovation, their cries loud and sure, as they whooped and hollered loudly, about ready to jump on stage. She walked off stage confidently, handing the mic set back to the host. Seth was waiting for her at the bottom of the stage, a fresh bouquet of roses in his hand. "For the rising star" he said. Maalon smiled, inhaling the fresh scent of the flowers. She smiled graciously, kissing him lightly on the cheek.
As they strolled around the carnival, taking in the sights, Maalon saw that there was no line for the Ferris Wheel. Dragging a reluctant Seth, she showed them the two passes they bought, as the attendant let them through. "You made me go up on a stage in front of thousands of people and sing, the least you can do is ride the Ferris Wheel" she reminded him, forcing him into the hard set. He grumbled as the attendant strapped them in behind the metal bar, and Maalon chuckled amusedly. The Ferris Wheel slowly climbed to its highest peak, and the couple looked in awe at the beautiful sight in front of them. A harvest moon was shining brightly in the sky its bright orange colors bouncing off the Eclipse Festival. Red and Scarlet lights were shining down below from the paper light holders, and Maalon could faintly see the patrons dancing and chatting and laughing happily beneath her.
She smiled fondly, and gripped Seth's hand, remembering their night on the beach after Bella and Edward's wedding. That day changed her life, but it also brought her closer to Seth. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes, watching all the radiant colors, bounce and dance across his eyes. He turned his face towards her, and smiled a toothy grin. She giggled and placed her hand on his tan cheek, bringing his face closer to hers. Her lips met his in a gentle kiss, their lips moving in synch. Seth wrapped one arm around her waist, the other threading through her hair, and Maalon groaned slightly, deepening the kiss. His tongue snaked out asking for permission, and Maalon opened willingly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Separating the teens were panting heavily, as Seth dropped kisses down to Maalon's exposed neck, nipping certain places here and there. Kissing the spot behind her ear, Maalon's breath caught in her throat, and Seth smiled wickedly.
"I told you there would be more of this" he murmured….
Later, once Seth dropped her off back home, Maalon was in a trance for the rest of the night. Her body was buzzing with excitement, as she walked in a trance-like state to her room. Her once unmade bed was now neat and clean, as Maalon set her purse down, reaching down to unlace her shoes.
Laying in bed, she looked habitually at her clock, which read 1:02. Her eyes were beginning to get heavy as she kept replaying the day over and over again in her mind.
"Tonight was perfect…" she thought dreamily, as she drifted off to sleep.