I sat waiting at Tibby's for Julia on Halloween at noon. She had told me that she needed to talk to me, and that it couldn't wait until the masquerade ended that night. I was getting a little agitated with her at the moment, I felt like I had been waiting forever. I realize it was only an hour compared, but nearly an hour too long. I was hoping to help decorate Irving Hall that noon when Bumlets and I were done selling our papers, but after waiting as long as I did they were done without me. It looked wonderful though, not that I would have expected any less, but I really love decorating for parties and things of the nature. When she finally arrived she was with Howard. He was quite handsome, I wouldn't say cute, or hot, but handsome certainly could described him, not at all what I would pick out for her, very business, and professional like. The two came up to the booth and sat down. Julia introduced us, and ordered a water.
"What do you think would happen if Howard went back with us?" Julia asked sincerely. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. I mean why would she want him to leave with us? How did she think she was going to explain him?
"I don't know. I mean would it even work? Why? Or do you care if I ask?" I waited for an answer, but it seemed to take a few moments for them to realize what I asked or something. What they told me was absolutely nothing what I would have expected. This was definitely not in her character.
"We're engaged."
"Excuse me? What? When?" I sat and stared dumbfounded.
"I wanna go back tonight, and I want Howard to come too. This way when I go I'm not alone and we can stay together. Would you please, please come with us?"
I thought for a few moments, but couldn't really think of anything to say. "I...I.. Well, what time are you thinking about leaving?"
"Tonight, with Mr. Pulitzer's machine." Howard offered.
"Can I think about it?" They nodded. "Okay, well, do you know where Irving Hall is?" Again they nodded. "I'll be there. Come by and I give you an answer later tonight." I was already standing next to the table, and then I left. I didn't have any more papers to sell, so I went back to the lodging house. I really wanted to leave, but at the same time stay, at least for a little longer. I wondered if they talked to Pulitzer yet about leaving, after all Howard was his apprentice. Who else could he teach everything to in his condition now? I wasn't sure. I rummaged through my bag, found my CD player, and the new Christina Aguilera CD, Stripped. I put the headphones on my head and skipped to the first song I really liked, "Fighter", then, skipped, and listened to the others I liked. I turned it up, laid on my bunk, and closed my eyes. I woke up about thirty, or forty minutes later with her powerful pipes singing into my hears the lyrics to, "The Voice Within." When I opened my eyes I saw Bumlets standing next to my bed. My eyes widened and heart raced for a few moments after realizing someone was there. When I calmed down I sat up, removed the headphones, and stopped the player.
"You'se awake?"
I smiled some. "Yeah. I uh, what are you doing?"
"I'se just made some sandwiches, an was wonderin' if you'se like one?" Just as he finished my stomach began to rumble, so loudly that he looked down at it, and laughed. "I'se guess dats a yes." I was embarrassed at first, but very quickly got over it. I ate a peanut butter sandwich, and downed a glass of milk. Milk is something I rarely ever touch unless I'm somewhere else, or it's in my food, like cereal. It was good this time though. It was getting late so I decided that I should change into my costume. I helped Bumlets get the dishes rinsed, and washed. After we put them in the cupboard in the mess hall I went to the wash room, put on my costume, and did my hair, about as much as I could with no curlers, or irons. Of course I'm guessing Bumlets did the same as me, he changed into a pirate costume, and was waiting for me when I emerged from the washroom. I don't really remember my dress too much. It was white with a pale pink ribbon at the edges, and tied at the neck like a choker. I braided my front tresses loosely back, and the rest laid wavy.
"Wow, you'se look amazin'." Bumlets just stared at me for what felt like a few minutes, but now thinking about it was only a few seconds. I wasn't sure really what to say, I wasn't used to compliments from men like this. I know I must have blushed, I always seem to do that even just talking about things.
"Thanks." I completely wanted to say the same to him, maybe not in so many words, but he really looked cute, or rather handsome. He had on some color, I'm not used to seeing him in anything but dark colors, brown, or dark blue. His dark eyes were what caught my attention. They seemed to shine so much more than they had before. I don't know it was just something that sticks out in my mind. I went to my bag and took my camera out, not the instant, but the good one. I stopped him just before he went for the stairs.
"Oh, wait just a second, I wanna get a picture." I pulled it out, and turned it on. The flash came on and the high pitched sound reached my ears, and I knew that it was ready to take a shot. "Smile." I waited for just a second, and he flashed his teeth, which until then I didn't realize how yellow they were. Very, very gross when I think about it. I tried shaking that image out of my head. Eventually I did before the night was over.
"Ready?" Bumlets asked me after he blinked a few times.
I smiled. " Yep." We left, walked a little while, and arrived at Irving Hall soon after. When we arrived and were seated Bumlets went to look for a few of his buddies, and I searched for Julia. I wasn't able to find her.