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In My Face
by
Alyson Grant
Chapter Two
Chloe is such a exercise fanatic. Can you believe she brought her Tao Bo, Yoga, and Pliates video tapes and has the nerve to expect me to do them all with her? It's not just that either. No she can't be like a normal person and just use the tapes. She also has to have a daily routine! Jogging, Crunches, Sit-ups, Stretching... where does she find the time for all this?
"C'mon Serena! Stretch, Breathe! Doesn't this feel great?" and had the nerve to be smiling too!
I pushed a few strands of hair from my tinted pink, extremely moist face and replied, "No! Does it look like this is feels great?" between huffing and puffing like I was somebody's Granny.
"Give this a few more days. You'll get into the routine." She said obviously taking pity on me.
What if I don't want to get into the routine? I thought about saying that to her but didn't have the nerve. "Not if I don't die first." I said.
Standing up after stretching after her workout she flipped her hair and said critically "Serena you are really out of shape. I mean" she amended, " You look great now but give it a little time and... I'm just trying to help you. If you don't want to be here you can go do what you usually do at this hour...play video games or whatever. I don't really need a partner."
I immediately felt like a little child who can't do anything. This was almost but not quite embarrassing. I mean for some reason I thought of that time a few years back. I must have been in third or fourth grade. Chloe's grandfather on her father's side died. My family and I went to New York where they used to live for the funeral. Anyway it was at first like a slumber party for me. Before we left like maybe half a hour, Chloe offered to do my nails and she did my left hand but then we had to leave for the airport before she could start the right. By the time we had arrived at the airport we had missed the flight to California to connect with the flight to Japan. Then we had to stay an extra day in New York. Probably throwing off my parents plans a bit but Chloe and I were ecstatic! So when we arrived to their home I ran to Chloe's room and started to do my right hand but I was so clumsy and young that it was really, really bad. So Chloe said, "Well you did it." And then that's the same feeling I was feeling at this very moment. Like such an immature baby. Just a child. Dare I say more?
I admire her and I guess if I try a little harder I can be as fit as Chloe is. Hey isn't there a saying that goes something like or to the extent of: Be healthy in mind and body?
After Chloe decided to take off fifty years out of my life we walked over to the lake. Calm, blue, and serene it was like what life should be. Swaying loftily and having no particular reason to go anywhere. Not having all these expectations piled on you. No anger or resentment when you just don't get something. It was just there as it should be. Almost...happy. The way I wish I felt most of the time. The way everyone thinks I feel all the time. The day I don't really feel at all.
Chloe and I were talking and while she was speaking I admired the elegant way in which she spoke and almost if I was into that kind of thing felt the vibes of her aura. I was like a sponge and yet I wasn't. Someone like me could never be as graceful or as calm as Chloe is. She just undeniably cool.
It was about 1:30 so we walked back to the house. Chloe was walking ahead and reached the mailbox first. On the medium sized envelope was the name in their signature purple ''The Esther Westlyn School'. And then just below it were the words, 'Admissions Office'. She then put the other mail in the box and walked toward me.
"Serena. Look! Why didn't you tell me that you applied here?"
I took one look and was immediately nervous. It was like this giant wave of nausea passed over me. What if I didn't get in? What if I did get in? My mother would be so happy if I did but then again if I didn't I didn't even want to imagine the crestfallen look that would come over her face for a split second only to be replaced a second later by a false smile that just barely covered he true feelings. Only to assure me that it was okay and that it was all right.
Chloe held the envelope out for it to be taken. I slowly raised my hand to take it.
I felt the smooth paper of the crisp envelope calmly but my mind was racing. What if I didn't get in? I once again thought. Plus Chloe is here! This is going to be so embarrassing! Oh God. Why Me? What am I going to do?
"Serena?" Chloe asked, "What's the matter?"
I didn't reply. I silently opened the envelope carefully. My eyes saw the words that went straight to my brain. 'You have been accepted into The Esther Westlyn School for the 2001-2002 academic term.
" Serena?" Chloe didn't like the look on Serena's face at all. What if she wasn't accepted?
"I got in."
She said it so quietly. Like she didn't believe it. So quietly and almost nonchalantly that at first I didn't comprehend. I. Got. In. Finally they registered.
Suddenly I was part of a hug and hearing a very happy voice say :
"I am so glad you got in!"
Suddenly I got it too. I was in a daze. It clicked. I Serena Tskunio got into the prestigious school that had been at the back of my mind ever since I got the application.
" Come on! Your family is going to die when they hear the great news! And to think! I was the first one to know the great news!" In a extremely rare burst of excitement Chloe was leading the way.
What can I say? More kisses. More hugs. So much excitement you would think I had just told my parents and Aunt that I had just found the cure to cancer, was engaged, and had become a millionaire. Later that night when I was getting ready for bed my mother came in. With wavy hair and a light blue nightgown and smelling faintly of vanilla with a bit of peppermint she did something that she hadn't done in a long time. She said she was proud of me. Proud of me. She kissed me on my forehead and pushed my hair back gently. I fell asleep with a slight smile curving in my lips.
I may be a bad student and a bit lazy but I knew where I was going next year and after all my past mistakes my mother was proud of me. My parents were proud. My father with is grin, black hair and glasses is truly a man who usually shows reserved emotion but even he was acting just as wild and crazy as the rest of my family... I felt like something in my life had finally gone right and that for once in my life filled with mistakes and bad encounters I had done okay.
A few days later and just one day before Chloe and my Aunt had to leave the first rays of sunlight touched my face and gazed at me while I slept. Later that day Chloe and I were walking to the Arcade. It was somewhat of a farewell to Chloe.
"Serena, Chloe!" A familiar voice called out.
"Hi Andrew!" I said while adjusting my bag.
"Hey Andrew! Darien!" Chloe said smiling.
"What's up? He asked.
"Nothing much." Chloe said, "I am leaving tomorrow night though."
"Oh really? So soon?" he said.
"I'll be coming back though. Right Serena?"
"Yeah" I said while lost in thought.
" Hey Darien! Will you miss me? Chloe said flirtatiously.
"Sure." Smiling at Chloe. "How could I not? Adding that last sentence just as flirtatiously.
Oh spare me. Gag me! Somebody get me a paper bag! Ugh they are so annoying. Always flirting with each other like they were the two last people on Earth. Like they have no common sense whatsoever. I suppose if it were me in Chloe's position I wouldn't be complaining. Even though it's not serious and is always done in fun I always feel like I am about to explode whenever they play this game of theirs.
"Meatball Head. Will you miss me?" Darien asked me teasingly.
"Why would I ?" I said fueled by a sudden anger ,"Your not going anywhere. And even if you were, why would I care?"
Ouch. I winced. Why doesn't Serena get it? Darien is so perfect for her. She is such a child sometimes. I feel like telling her to get a clue! Chloe thought while glancing over at Darien. His eyes which are a deep blue flickered for a moment with what seemed to be almost hurt. No way! Who would have thought? Then a second later he seemed to be back to normal but I knew better. It's easy to act but not quite as easy to hide a feeling. Not from one who knows.
Andrew intervened," Hey is anybody going to actually buy anything or what?"
Whew. Chloe shot Andrew a grateful look. "Actually" She said as she got up, "Serena shouldn't we be getting back?"
"Right. What time is it?"
"Um" checking my watch. "Almost 5:30."
"Let's go!" I said once again faking a cheerful voice.
"Bye Andrew. Bye Darien. I'll come again next time I'm around" Chloe said.
"Bye Andrew." Serena said pointedly ignoring Darien.
"Bye Meatball Head." Darien said and was rewarded with a glare from Serena.
So much for ignoring. Serena thought feeling upset that her resolution and will was gone so quickly.
"Something wrong Meatball Head? Your grades getting you down?" he said innocently. "Bye Chloe."
Seeing that Serena was about to go postal on him or something, Chloe quickly took charge. "Later you guys!" and practically pushed Serena out to the sidewalk before she could say one more word to Darien.
............................................................................ ......................................................
"Why do you always do that? Andrew asked.
" Do what?" Darien asked in reply.
"Do things to make Serena intentionally angry and upset?
"God you act like she's a princess and you are sworn to defend." He laughed.
"She is my friend and the way you act maybe I should feel that way." Andrew said seriously, "You never answered my question." He pointed out.
"I don't know. "
"You don't know?
"I just feel something about her."
"Something about her?" Andrew prodded.
"Stop mimicking me. I don't need a echo!" Darien said sharply giving Andrew a irritated look.
"Your right." Andrew agreed, "You don't need a echo or a mimic. What you need is a fucking conscience." He was suddenly so angry that he cursed.
" I can't help it! I just react like that whenever I'm near her. It's reaction!" Darien tried to defend himself, " It's like I just need to-"
"What you need is the truth!" Andrew said.
"Which is?" Darien asked somehow knowing where this was leading and not really wanting to hear Andrew's version of the 'truth'. Not because it wasn't possibly true but because he was afraid of his strong feelings on the topic and to hear that maybe he-
"That you like her. Why don't you just admit it? Even if you don't like her" Andrew said giving him a skeptical glance, " Then are you seriously going to sit here and deny that you are not even attracted to her?"
In My Face
by
Alyson Grant
Chapter Two
Chloe is such a exercise fanatic. Can you believe she brought her Tao Bo, Yoga, and Pliates video tapes and has the nerve to expect me to do them all with her? It's not just that either. No she can't be like a normal person and just use the tapes. She also has to have a daily routine! Jogging, Crunches, Sit-ups, Stretching... where does she find the time for all this?
"C'mon Serena! Stretch, Breathe! Doesn't this feel great?" and had the nerve to be smiling too!
I pushed a few strands of hair from my tinted pink, extremely moist face and replied, "No! Does it look like this is feels great?" between huffing and puffing like I was somebody's Granny.
"Give this a few more days. You'll get into the routine." She said obviously taking pity on me.
What if I don't want to get into the routine? I thought about saying that to her but didn't have the nerve. "Not if I don't die first." I said.
Standing up after stretching after her workout she flipped her hair and said critically "Serena you are really out of shape. I mean" she amended, " You look great now but give it a little time and... I'm just trying to help you. If you don't want to be here you can go do what you usually do at this hour...play video games or whatever. I don't really need a partner."
I immediately felt like a little child who can't do anything. This was almost but not quite embarrassing. I mean for some reason I thought of that time a few years back. I must have been in third or fourth grade. Chloe's grandfather on her father's side died. My family and I went to New York where they used to live for the funeral. Anyway it was at first like a slumber party for me. Before we left like maybe half a hour, Chloe offered to do my nails and she did my left hand but then we had to leave for the airport before she could start the right. By the time we had arrived at the airport we had missed the flight to California to connect with the flight to Japan. Then we had to stay an extra day in New York. Probably throwing off my parents plans a bit but Chloe and I were ecstatic! So when we arrived to their home I ran to Chloe's room and started to do my right hand but I was so clumsy and young that it was really, really bad. So Chloe said, "Well you did it." And then that's the same feeling I was feeling at this very moment. Like such an immature baby. Just a child. Dare I say more?
I admire her and I guess if I try a little harder I can be as fit as Chloe is. Hey isn't there a saying that goes something like or to the extent of: Be healthy in mind and body?
After Chloe decided to take off fifty years out of my life we walked over to the lake. Calm, blue, and serene it was like what life should be. Swaying loftily and having no particular reason to go anywhere. Not having all these expectations piled on you. No anger or resentment when you just don't get something. It was just there as it should be. Almost...happy. The way I wish I felt most of the time. The way everyone thinks I feel all the time. The day I don't really feel at all.
Chloe and I were talking and while she was speaking I admired the elegant way in which she spoke and almost if I was into that kind of thing felt the vibes of her aura. I was like a sponge and yet I wasn't. Someone like me could never be as graceful or as calm as Chloe is. She just undeniably cool.
It was about 1:30 so we walked back to the house. Chloe was walking ahead and reached the mailbox first. On the medium sized envelope was the name in their signature purple ''The Esther Westlyn School'. And then just below it were the words, 'Admissions Office'. She then put the other mail in the box and walked toward me.
"Serena. Look! Why didn't you tell me that you applied here?"
I took one look and was immediately nervous. It was like this giant wave of nausea passed over me. What if I didn't get in? What if I did get in? My mother would be so happy if I did but then again if I didn't I didn't even want to imagine the crestfallen look that would come over her face for a split second only to be replaced a second later by a false smile that just barely covered he true feelings. Only to assure me that it was okay and that it was all right.
Chloe held the envelope out for it to be taken. I slowly raised my hand to take it.
I felt the smooth paper of the crisp envelope calmly but my mind was racing. What if I didn't get in? I once again thought. Plus Chloe is here! This is going to be so embarrassing! Oh God. Why Me? What am I going to do?
"Serena?" Chloe asked, "What's the matter?"
I didn't reply. I silently opened the envelope carefully. My eyes saw the words that went straight to my brain. 'You have been accepted into The Esther Westlyn School for the 2001-2002 academic term.
" Serena?" Chloe didn't like the look on Serena's face at all. What if she wasn't accepted?
"I got in."
She said it so quietly. Like she didn't believe it. So quietly and almost nonchalantly that at first I didn't comprehend. I. Got. In. Finally they registered.
Suddenly I was part of a hug and hearing a very happy voice say :
"I am so glad you got in!"
Suddenly I got it too. I was in a daze. It clicked. I Serena Tskunio got into the prestigious school that had been at the back of my mind ever since I got the application.
" Come on! Your family is going to die when they hear the great news! And to think! I was the first one to know the great news!" In a extremely rare burst of excitement Chloe was leading the way.
What can I say? More kisses. More hugs. So much excitement you would think I had just told my parents and Aunt that I had just found the cure to cancer, was engaged, and had become a millionaire. Later that night when I was getting ready for bed my mother came in. With wavy hair and a light blue nightgown and smelling faintly of vanilla with a bit of peppermint she did something that she hadn't done in a long time. She said she was proud of me. Proud of me. She kissed me on my forehead and pushed my hair back gently. I fell asleep with a slight smile curving in my lips.
I may be a bad student and a bit lazy but I knew where I was going next year and after all my past mistakes my mother was proud of me. My parents were proud. My father with is grin, black hair and glasses is truly a man who usually shows reserved emotion but even he was acting just as wild and crazy as the rest of my family... I felt like something in my life had finally gone right and that for once in my life filled with mistakes and bad encounters I had done okay.
A few days later and just one day before Chloe and my Aunt had to leave the first rays of sunlight touched my face and gazed at me while I slept. Later that day Chloe and I were walking to the Arcade. It was somewhat of a farewell to Chloe.
"Serena, Chloe!" A familiar voice called out.
"Hi Andrew!" I said while adjusting my bag.
"Hey Andrew! Darien!" Chloe said smiling.
"What's up? He asked.
"Nothing much." Chloe said, "I am leaving tomorrow night though."
"Oh really? So soon?" he said.
"I'll be coming back though. Right Serena?"
"Yeah" I said while lost in thought.
" Hey Darien! Will you miss me? Chloe said flirtatiously.
"Sure." Smiling at Chloe. "How could I not? Adding that last sentence just as flirtatiously.
Oh spare me. Gag me! Somebody get me a paper bag! Ugh they are so annoying. Always flirting with each other like they were the two last people on Earth. Like they have no common sense whatsoever. I suppose if it were me in Chloe's position I wouldn't be complaining. Even though it's not serious and is always done in fun I always feel like I am about to explode whenever they play this game of theirs.
"Meatball Head. Will you miss me?" Darien asked me teasingly.
"Why would I ?" I said fueled by a sudden anger ,"Your not going anywhere. And even if you were, why would I care?"
Ouch. I winced. Why doesn't Serena get it? Darien is so perfect for her. She is such a child sometimes. I feel like telling her to get a clue! Chloe thought while glancing over at Darien. His eyes which are a deep blue flickered for a moment with what seemed to be almost hurt. No way! Who would have thought? Then a second later he seemed to be back to normal but I knew better. It's easy to act but not quite as easy to hide a feeling. Not from one who knows.
Andrew intervened," Hey is anybody going to actually buy anything or what?"
Whew. Chloe shot Andrew a grateful look. "Actually" She said as she got up, "Serena shouldn't we be getting back?"
"Right. What time is it?"
"Um" checking my watch. "Almost 5:30."
"Let's go!" I said once again faking a cheerful voice.
"Bye Andrew. Bye Darien. I'll come again next time I'm around" Chloe said.
"Bye Andrew." Serena said pointedly ignoring Darien.
"Bye Meatball Head." Darien said and was rewarded with a glare from Serena.
So much for ignoring. Serena thought feeling upset that her resolution and will was gone so quickly.
"Something wrong Meatball Head? Your grades getting you down?" he said innocently. "Bye Chloe."
Seeing that Serena was about to go postal on him or something, Chloe quickly took charge. "Later you guys!" and practically pushed Serena out to the sidewalk before she could say one more word to Darien.
............................................................................ ......................................................
"Why do you always do that? Andrew asked.
" Do what?" Darien asked in reply.
"Do things to make Serena intentionally angry and upset?
"God you act like she's a princess and you are sworn to defend." He laughed.
"She is my friend and the way you act maybe I should feel that way." Andrew said seriously, "You never answered my question." He pointed out.
"I don't know. "
"You don't know?
"I just feel something about her."
"Something about her?" Andrew prodded.
"Stop mimicking me. I don't need a echo!" Darien said sharply giving Andrew a irritated look.
"Your right." Andrew agreed, "You don't need a echo or a mimic. What you need is a fucking conscience." He was suddenly so angry that he cursed.
" I can't help it! I just react like that whenever I'm near her. It's reaction!" Darien tried to defend himself, " It's like I just need to-"
"What you need is the truth!" Andrew said.
"Which is?" Darien asked somehow knowing where this was leading and not really wanting to hear Andrew's version of the 'truth'. Not because it wasn't possibly true but because he was afraid of his strong feelings on the topic and to hear that maybe he-
"That you like her. Why don't you just admit it? Even if you don't like her" Andrew said giving him a skeptical glance, " Then are you seriously going to sit here and deny that you are not even attracted to her?"