*******
Selphie came over to my house after school today. It is Friday, and as you well should know by now, the dance was in a few hours. Right now it is around four thirty and the dance started at seven o'clock. But Selphie and I were being picked up by Sora, Riku, and... heaven's goodness... Chad at six thirty. We figured we should give ourselves about a half an hour just to make sure that we remember everything... and everyone... *coughs* Chad *coughs*... But this was a whole other story.
When Selphie first entered my house she took her backpack off of her back and emptied her small bag of... 'things'... onto my couch. I watched as she carefully selected a few items and, finally, turned to me. I was hovering over her, above the arm of the couch, as a strangely curious but concerned expression lit my face.
-First thing's first, nail polish. The earlier you put it on, the better. Always remember this Kairi. Kairi? Are you listening to me, Kairi!?! I turned my head in her direction and nodded.
-Oh, what? Yeah I was listening the nail polish first... Now go on, I insisted as I slid down to come face-to-face with her.
-Okay, do you still have the colour I bought you? Selphie questioned intently. I took one look at her and then at my hands. I seriously didn't think my nails looked that bad.
-Selphie, do I have to? I whined.
-Kairi, listen to yourself, you're acting like a child. Now come on, if you really don't like nail polish that much we'll just use clear. Selphie smiled patting my hand lightly. I nodded; I liked that idea much better. I figure what is meant to be colourless should stay that way.
Selphie gathered up all of her little supplies and brought them over to my kitchen table. After the nail painting fest, and after the nail drying fest, Selphie brought me, and her supplies, of course, upstairs to my bedroom.
-Selphie, you know makeup and me... we don't like each other. I exclaimed, as I got more nervous watching her take out a pencil of dark red eyeliner. –And red... Selphie, are you crazy!?! I shouted.
-Nonsense Kairi, you'll look gorgeous. Selphie assured. I couldn't complain, I mean, it's not that I didn't trust her or anything. Her mom was the founder of the most famous beauty salon on this island. I just wasn't sure that I would be able to recognize my reflection when she shows it to me. Sure she looks nice in makeup, but me, I am a whole different story.
I sighed, not wanting to give in, but not wanting to get into an argument. –All right Selphie, do what you need to. Turn me into a fake runway model.
-Oh Kairi, light... I promise that I'll be very light. You know that that's my technique. How could I possibly forget?
I will not even begin to explain to you that hour of torture that Selphie put me through. The 'close your eyes', 'now smack your lips together', and who can forget the 'Oh, hand me another tissue can you? I got the eyeliner running again...'. I sighed when I heard that one precious word that I had been waiting for, for far too long.
-Done! Selphie exclaimed as she rolled the stick of mascara back into its case. I was afraid to even look in the mirror when she handed it to me. I took a deep breath. –Oh Kairi, I swear you'll love it! She squealed. More deep breathes...
I slowly lifted the mirror to my face and... Omigosh, it was like all that she had done, everything she had put on me was like invisible. I was shocked, I was amazed, I was speechless, and... I liked it.
-So... What do you think? Selphie anticipatedly questioned. I kept the mirror aligned with my face, examining every area, wondering where all the makeup had gone.
-It looks like you put nothing on, it looks so... natural. I said. I had no idea I had this much natural beauty, was I sounding full of myself? Oh well, I was hott man, and I was taking advantage of it tonight!
-Well, you know, in the world of makeup... Less is more; she sighed as she pulled down the mirror. –Okay, so why don't I go do myself up, it shouldn't take that long because I don't need much. Put on your dress and wait for in here. Said Selphie as she grabbed her little bag and raced out on her way. I closed the door to my bedroom after she left and turned to look at my clock. It was now 5:45. I had a half an hour and fifteen minutes. I traipsed over to my closet and opened up the doors. Inside was my dress, hanging in its solitude. It looked so elegant like a princess gown or something. I didn't want to touch it, I just wanted to stare at it, it was so beautiful. But we all know that the beauty drains once I put it on... No, I have to stop bringing down my self-confidence, tonight was my night and I wasn't going to treat myself like dirt. Let myself bask in the glory of it all.
I grabbed the dress off of its hanger and laid it out on my bed. I pondered how I was going to do this. I changed slowly, trying to get everything to fall in just the right place. After I was satisfied with it I headed over to the floor length mirror on the back of my door. Yes, I sighed to myself. This was good. I tried to soften out the edges a little and then it hit my that something was missing... But what? I found myself gaining closer to the door trying to find out what was missing. It was like I was a puzzle... Almost finished but two things weren't there. No, I'm not talking about Sora and Riku, though that would make a pretty good response. Suddenly I saw the door handle move and quickly backed away as the door ferociously swung open. Selphie was standing on the other side, obviously pleased with herself as well. Wearing her new jewelry. I gasped, of course, that was it!
-Kairi, no offense, you look great, but I can't help but notice that you're missing something. Said Selphie as she set her bag down on my bed and drew her hand up to her chin. –I can only imagine what...
-So you noticed as well, I see...
-I got it! What you need, sister, is a little visit from aunt silver... do you have any nice bracelets or necklaces? What about earrings? She questioned. I jumped at the last one, I actually had a pair of earrings that my aunt had given me a few Christmas's ago. The were the perfect thing, tiny silver chains with little stars at the end.
I rushed over to my bureau to try and find them, coming up with a small black box in my hand. I walked over to my bed where Selphie was standing and I sat down. She followed my example and sat down next to me. I opened the box to show Selphie.
-Will these work? I questioned as I pulled them out and placed them in my hand. I didn't really care if she said no because I had never worn them before and this was just the over powering boost that I needed. What was I thinking?
-Yeah, those are great, she smiled I worked them into the holes in my ears that hadn't seen the likes of an earring for nearly a year now. I sighed, as they didn't put up much of a fight.
-It still would have been nice if you had let me buy you a necklace or something, it would have made you really pop! Said Selphie with a littler more emphasis on the word 'pop' then was necessary.
-Oh well, I replied lazily. –Can't win 'em all... Let's go down stairs and get something to eat before we go. I suggested as I stood up. Selphie happily followed me down to the kitchen and watched as I ate two grilled cheese sandwiches and a cold pizza. Selphie claimed that she was too excited to eat, but I knew that it was only because she liked junk food and that I didn't have much of.
Six o'clock rolled by pretty quickly and my mom offered to give me a ride to Riku's house, because that was where Sora was. I guess that was better than waiting for awhile for Chad to go and get them and pick us up too because it was only six fifteen and me and Selphie couldn't wait any longer, so I called Riku and told him that we were coming over. I made my mom drive us, even though his house is only two houses away, I just felt kind of stupid walking down the street in broad daylight wearing a dress... a 'nice' dress.
When we got there my mom dropped us off at the front porch and I rang the doorbell. A large smile formed on my face as I awaited the reaction I'd get when they saw me. I almost let out a quick laugh, but I didn't want to look fruity.
I looked over towards the beach, the water gently lapping against the shore. The air had gotten warmer and it almost felt like summer again. I wanted so badly to run down to the beach and jump into the water. It looked so cool and refreshing, catching the glimpse of the early sunset. It was so breathe taking, more than that of anything I had ever seen before. I wanted to take a picture, to capture right now forever. I suddenly turned around to realize that Sora and Riku were standing at the door staring at me. Awe, it was so cute, the two of them in their white collared shirts and black dress pants and jacket. I almost started crying it was so cute... Really, what was problem tonight?
-Awe, you guys! I said lightly as I advanced inside. There were hugely lit smiles bordering each of their faces. They looked at each other for a second, smiled again and then grabbed two, small, tan, paper bags off of the coffee table near them. What was this? They each outstretched one arm, with a bag in the hand, to me and almost gasped, but caught it just as it neared my lips. –Huh? I questioned it, not for me... They both raised their eyebrows in unison as to 'urge me on and take the darn bags already'. I reached for both of them and bit my bottom lip as a smiled came out. The smiles wouldn't fade from either of their faces.
-Go on... he urged me as I opened the first bag, the one that Riku had handed to me. My eyes grew large as I peered inside. I looked back at him as to ask, 'really'. He nodded quickly reading my expression. The smile on his face increased more. He licked his lips and I slowly reached down inside the bag, in my hand, I held a silver chain connected to a small silver star in the center. It also had one of those little chain thingy's at the end that sort of trailed down your back. I couldn't believe it, it matched my earrings perfectly. I could tell by the look on Selphie's face that she had noticed that too. I smiled uncontrollably now completely forgetting that Sora had given me something as well. I quickly opened the other bag finding a matching bracelet. It was just like the necklace, only smaller. Had they gone shopping together? A sly smile appeared on my face as I looked up at the two of them.
-Awe, you guys, I absolutely love them, I smiled as I stepped up to both of them and kissed them on the cheek. I almost laughed when I saw how red Sora's face had turned when I backed away.
-Well... Riku began, -You going to wear them or what? He questioned eagerly. I laughed, oh yea. I handed the bracelet to Selphie, and held out my right hand to her. I gave the necklace to Riku, well; he kind of took it from me. I could feel him tracing the chain with his fingers. I sighed.
-Riku, I asked as I turned around. He jumped and stared at me.
-I wasn't doing anything, he lied knowingly as he whipped his hands behind his back and looked away.
-surrre, I replied. Then the three of us headed outside to pass the time. We sat down on the porch steps and watched the horizon. The colours slowly changing as we sat, I was overwhelmed with a sudden feeling of giddiness, a feeling that I haven't experienced forever. In fact, I don't that I had ever felt this sheer happiness ever. It was such a pure feeling, like everything for a split moment had been forgotten, everything that caused us pain every bad memory just lifted away. It was like a new sun was rising over the horizon of our lives and I could tell that it was going to be better from now on. It was like the beginning of a new day, he freshness of starting over, so simple and yet so complicated. I couldn't help but smile, the only way I knew how to express this. I was captured by the essence of tonight's beauty, as I said before, I wish I had a camera. Actually, I bet Selphie had a camera, she had a lot of things in that bag of hers.
-Hey Selph. Do have your camera by any chance? I questioned. I almost cried when she nodded her head, pulling the camera out of her backpack.
-I was just thinking the same thing, she smiled, the sunset is really pretty tonight, hey, do you think I could take a picture of you three? She questioned turning it on and setting the flash.
-Sure, I spoke for the other two as well. I stood up and took both of their hands. They were a bit hesitant but I yanked them up and pulled them off of the porch. I walked across the beach and stood right in front of the dock, my arms laced through one of theirs. Riku was on my left and Sora, on my right, as usual. Selphie got ready and the three of us smiled. A great way to capture the moment, with my two best friends. Besides, I didn't have many recent pictures of them and I wanted one to add to my abnormally large collection.
Selphie's finger snapped over the button and she smiled as she set the camera back down. The four of us smiled together. Four inseparable best friends, even Selphie of course. The loss of two of them wouldn't hurt us, I still just wished that Tidus, even Wakka, was here to just be here, if only for a moment. But I was never the less as happy as the world. The single happiest time of my life, and I knew that tonight would be even better. The night without forgotten promises and heartache; a night were we could just be ourselves. The night that, I felt, I finally made it through, I survived the hardest three weeks, as pathetic as that may sound, of my life and tonight would be the beginning of the first chapter in my new life story. I couldn't wait for it to start, but I hadn't yet realized, that it already had.
*******
Selphie came over to my house after school today. It is Friday, and as you well should know by now, the dance was in a few hours. Right now it is around four thirty and the dance started at seven o'clock. But Selphie and I were being picked up by Sora, Riku, and... heaven's goodness... Chad at six thirty. We figured we should give ourselves about a half an hour just to make sure that we remember everything... and everyone... *coughs* Chad *coughs*... But this was a whole other story.
When Selphie first entered my house she took her backpack off of her back and emptied her small bag of... 'things'... onto my couch. I watched as she carefully selected a few items and, finally, turned to me. I was hovering over her, above the arm of the couch, as a strangely curious but concerned expression lit my face.
-First thing's first, nail polish. The earlier you put it on, the better. Always remember this Kairi. Kairi? Are you listening to me, Kairi!?! I turned my head in her direction and nodded.
-Oh, what? Yeah I was listening the nail polish first... Now go on, I insisted as I slid down to come face-to-face with her.
-Okay, do you still have the colour I bought you? Selphie questioned intently. I took one look at her and then at my hands. I seriously didn't think my nails looked that bad.
-Selphie, do I have to? I whined.
-Kairi, listen to yourself, you're acting like a child. Now come on, if you really don't like nail polish that much we'll just use clear. Selphie smiled patting my hand lightly. I nodded; I liked that idea much better. I figure what is meant to be colourless should stay that way.
Selphie gathered up all of her little supplies and brought them over to my kitchen table. After the nail painting fest, and after the nail drying fest, Selphie brought me, and her supplies, of course, upstairs to my bedroom.
-Selphie, you know makeup and me... we don't like each other. I exclaimed, as I got more nervous watching her take out a pencil of dark red eyeliner. –And red... Selphie, are you crazy!?! I shouted.
-Nonsense Kairi, you'll look gorgeous. Selphie assured. I couldn't complain, I mean, it's not that I didn't trust her or anything. Her mom was the founder of the most famous beauty salon on this island. I just wasn't sure that I would be able to recognize my reflection when she shows it to me. Sure she looks nice in makeup, but me, I am a whole different story.
I sighed, not wanting to give in, but not wanting to get into an argument. –All right Selphie, do what you need to. Turn me into a fake runway model.
-Oh Kairi, light... I promise that I'll be very light. You know that that's my technique. How could I possibly forget?
I will not even begin to explain to you that hour of torture that Selphie put me through. The 'close your eyes', 'now smack your lips together', and who can forget the 'Oh, hand me another tissue can you? I got the eyeliner running again...'. I sighed when I heard that one precious word that I had been waiting for, for far too long.
-Done! Selphie exclaimed as she rolled the stick of mascara back into its case. I was afraid to even look in the mirror when she handed it to me. I took a deep breath. –Oh Kairi, I swear you'll love it! She squealed. More deep breathes...
I slowly lifted the mirror to my face and... Omigosh, it was like all that she had done, everything she had put on me was like invisible. I was shocked, I was amazed, I was speechless, and... I liked it.
-So... What do you think? Selphie anticipatedly questioned. I kept the mirror aligned with my face, examining every area, wondering where all the makeup had gone.
-It looks like you put nothing on, it looks so... natural. I said. I had no idea I had this much natural beauty, was I sounding full of myself? Oh well, I was hott man, and I was taking advantage of it tonight!
-Well, you know, in the world of makeup... Less is more; she sighed as she pulled down the mirror. –Okay, so why don't I go do myself up, it shouldn't take that long because I don't need much. Put on your dress and wait for in here. Said Selphie as she grabbed her little bag and raced out on her way. I closed the door to my bedroom after she left and turned to look at my clock. It was now 5:45. I had a half an hour and fifteen minutes. I traipsed over to my closet and opened up the doors. Inside was my dress, hanging in its solitude. It looked so elegant like a princess gown or something. I didn't want to touch it, I just wanted to stare at it, it was so beautiful. But we all know that the beauty drains once I put it on... No, I have to stop bringing down my self-confidence, tonight was my night and I wasn't going to treat myself like dirt. Let myself bask in the glory of it all.
I grabbed the dress off of its hanger and laid it out on my bed. I pondered how I was going to do this. I changed slowly, trying to get everything to fall in just the right place. After I was satisfied with it I headed over to the floor length mirror on the back of my door. Yes, I sighed to myself. This was good. I tried to soften out the edges a little and then it hit my that something was missing... But what? I found myself gaining closer to the door trying to find out what was missing. It was like I was a puzzle... Almost finished but two things weren't there. No, I'm not talking about Sora and Riku, though that would make a pretty good response. Suddenly I saw the door handle move and quickly backed away as the door ferociously swung open. Selphie was standing on the other side, obviously pleased with herself as well. Wearing her new jewelry. I gasped, of course, that was it!
-Kairi, no offense, you look great, but I can't help but notice that you're missing something. Said Selphie as she set her bag down on my bed and drew her hand up to her chin. –I can only imagine what...
-So you noticed as well, I see...
-I got it! What you need, sister, is a little visit from aunt silver... do you have any nice bracelets or necklaces? What about earrings? She questioned. I jumped at the last one, I actually had a pair of earrings that my aunt had given me a few Christmas's ago. The were the perfect thing, tiny silver chains with little stars at the end.
I rushed over to my bureau to try and find them, coming up with a small black box in my hand. I walked over to my bed where Selphie was standing and I sat down. She followed my example and sat down next to me. I opened the box to show Selphie.
-Will these work? I questioned as I pulled them out and placed them in my hand. I didn't really care if she said no because I had never worn them before and this was just the over powering boost that I needed. What was I thinking?
-Yeah, those are great, she smiled I worked them into the holes in my ears that hadn't seen the likes of an earring for nearly a year now. I sighed, as they didn't put up much of a fight.
-It still would have been nice if you had let me buy you a necklace or something, it would have made you really pop! Said Selphie with a littler more emphasis on the word 'pop' then was necessary.
-Oh well, I replied lazily. –Can't win 'em all... Let's go down stairs and get something to eat before we go. I suggested as I stood up. Selphie happily followed me down to the kitchen and watched as I ate two grilled cheese sandwiches and a cold pizza. Selphie claimed that she was too excited to eat, but I knew that it was only because she liked junk food and that I didn't have much of.
Six o'clock rolled by pretty quickly and my mom offered to give me a ride to Riku's house, because that was where Sora was. I guess that was better than waiting for awhile for Chad to go and get them and pick us up too because it was only six fifteen and me and Selphie couldn't wait any longer, so I called Riku and told him that we were coming over. I made my mom drive us, even though his house is only two houses away, I just felt kind of stupid walking down the street in broad daylight wearing a dress... a 'nice' dress.
When we got there my mom dropped us off at the front porch and I rang the doorbell. A large smile formed on my face as I awaited the reaction I'd get when they saw me. I almost let out a quick laugh, but I didn't want to look fruity.
I looked over towards the beach, the water gently lapping against the shore. The air had gotten warmer and it almost felt like summer again. I wanted so badly to run down to the beach and jump into the water. It looked so cool and refreshing, catching the glimpse of the early sunset. It was so breathe taking, more than that of anything I had ever seen before. I wanted to take a picture, to capture right now forever. I suddenly turned around to realize that Sora and Riku were standing at the door staring at me. Awe, it was so cute, the two of them in their white collared shirts and black dress pants and jacket. I almost started crying it was so cute... Really, what was problem tonight?
-Awe, you guys! I said lightly as I advanced inside. There were hugely lit smiles bordering each of their faces. They looked at each other for a second, smiled again and then grabbed two, small, tan, paper bags off of the coffee table near them. What was this? They each outstretched one arm, with a bag in the hand, to me and almost gasped, but caught it just as it neared my lips. –Huh? I questioned it, not for me... They both raised their eyebrows in unison as to 'urge me on and take the darn bags already'. I reached for both of them and bit my bottom lip as a smiled came out. The smiles wouldn't fade from either of their faces.
-Go on... he urged me as I opened the first bag, the one that Riku had handed to me. My eyes grew large as I peered inside. I looked back at him as to ask, 'really'. He nodded quickly reading my expression. The smile on his face increased more. He licked his lips and I slowly reached down inside the bag, in my hand, I held a silver chain connected to a small silver star in the center. It also had one of those little chain thingy's at the end that sort of trailed down your back. I couldn't believe it, it matched my earrings perfectly. I could tell by the look on Selphie's face that she had noticed that too. I smiled uncontrollably now completely forgetting that Sora had given me something as well. I quickly opened the other bag finding a matching bracelet. It was just like the necklace, only smaller. Had they gone shopping together? A sly smile appeared on my face as I looked up at the two of them.
-Awe, you guys, I absolutely love them, I smiled as I stepped up to both of them and kissed them on the cheek. I almost laughed when I saw how red Sora's face had turned when I backed away.
-Well... Riku began, -You going to wear them or what? He questioned eagerly. I laughed, oh yea. I handed the bracelet to Selphie, and held out my right hand to her. I gave the necklace to Riku, well; he kind of took it from me. I could feel him tracing the chain with his fingers. I sighed.
-Riku, I asked as I turned around. He jumped and stared at me.
-I wasn't doing anything, he lied knowingly as he whipped his hands behind his back and looked away.
-surrre, I replied. Then the three of us headed outside to pass the time. We sat down on the porch steps and watched the horizon. The colours slowly changing as we sat, I was overwhelmed with a sudden feeling of giddiness, a feeling that I haven't experienced forever. In fact, I don't that I had ever felt this sheer happiness ever. It was such a pure feeling, like everything for a split moment had been forgotten, everything that caused us pain every bad memory just lifted away. It was like a new sun was rising over the horizon of our lives and I could tell that it was going to be better from now on. It was like the beginning of a new day, he freshness of starting over, so simple and yet so complicated. I couldn't help but smile, the only way I knew how to express this. I was captured by the essence of tonight's beauty, as I said before, I wish I had a camera. Actually, I bet Selphie had a camera, she had a lot of things in that bag of hers.
-Hey Selph. Do have your camera by any chance? I questioned. I almost cried when she nodded her head, pulling the camera out of her backpack.
-I was just thinking the same thing, she smiled, the sunset is really pretty tonight, hey, do you think I could take a picture of you three? She questioned turning it on and setting the flash.
-Sure, I spoke for the other two as well. I stood up and took both of their hands. They were a bit hesitant but I yanked them up and pulled them off of the porch. I walked across the beach and stood right in front of the dock, my arms laced through one of theirs. Riku was on my left and Sora, on my right, as usual. Selphie got ready and the three of us smiled. A great way to capture the moment, with my two best friends. Besides, I didn't have many recent pictures of them and I wanted one to add to my abnormally large collection.
Selphie's finger snapped over the button and she smiled as she set the camera back down. The four of us smiled together. Four inseparable best friends, even Selphie of course. The loss of two of them wouldn't hurt us, I still just wished that Tidus, even Wakka, was here to just be here, if only for a moment. But I was never the less as happy as the world. The single happiest time of my life, and I knew that tonight would be even better. The night without forgotten promises and heartache; a night were we could just be ourselves. The night that, I felt, I finally made it through, I survived the hardest three weeks, as pathetic as that may sound, of my life and tonight would be the beginning of the first chapter in my new life story. I couldn't wait for it to start, but I hadn't yet realized, that it already had.
*******
