Chapter 3

What I would give to sleep in till a certain time in the morning, instead of waking up to warm up with Izana again when it's still dark out. Everyone I know doesn't live the life I live, but it wasn't always like this. Back when our parents were alive they worked hard to get us where we're now. Taking second jobs just to put Izana through school for acting. It had been his dream since he got the lead role in his middle school play. From there our parents vowed that he would see his dream of being in a big time movie.

That day did come, but with a price. On the day of his big premier, my parents and I were on our way to meet up with him at the theater where they would be showing the movie. It was raining hard and father lost control when his car hydroplaned, sending us into a tree, killing my parents instantly. I only suffered a few broken bones and slight bruising.

After the funeral, our parents' families argued who would take me in as their caregivers since I was underage. Izana was over eighteen, legally an adult, and didn't need a caregiver to raise him. Within that week, Izana announced that he would be the one I would be raised by. Even though we don't see eye to eye, and don't usually get along, he would make sure I had a comfortable life. He did keep his word, though at a price of helping him with practice acting. A career he wants me to follow. I am still undecided if I want to pursue acting or not.

I fell to my knees once he struck me with the wooden sword to my gut. "You win," I breathed from the pain.

"You did better than the other day, Zen," he lifted my chin with the sword. "So, any word if that kind sweet apple red-headed girl is coming to the party tonight?"

"Shirayuki is unable to attend." I've never heard of a floral place staying open so late in the evening, but he doesn't need to know that. "She had other plans with a friend of hers." I've heard interesting stories of how active her guy friend is. Parkour is his adrenaline. He would make an awesome stuntman in movies. Especially in Izana's movies.

"How sad. She seems like a very genuine girl. Tell me Zen, do you fancy her?" The sword he held under my chin brought me to my feet. I don't think fancy is the word to use for her. Shirayuki is appealing, and I do find her very unique with that apple color of hers, but the way Izana speaks is if I'm in love with her, and the answer is no.

I lowered his sword, pressing it down hard, "Shirayuki is genuine, but I don't fancy her by any means."

"Oh, Zen. Do you not fancy any girl at the pathetic public school you attend?" I don't know many girls at that school to even know about them.

"No, Izana. I don't fancy anyone at that school." Never have, never will. The right girl will come along, just not now.

"Hm."

"What?"

"You know how you told me you wanted things to change?" He turned his back to me, holding the sword behind his back and holding his wrist at the same time.

"Yes, what of it?"

"I want to add on to that change you requested." I know what he's thinking.

"And that request is?" He wants me to find a date!

"Tonight, at the party, I suggest you find a girl that catches your eyes, and ask her out on a date." …

"You're joking, right?" He has to be.

He turned around fast to face me. "No, Zen, I am not joking. If you do not succeed in asking a girl out by tonight, then you'll have no choice but to continue with this career path by joining me in this movie we're to be in together." A movie that he wrote based on our lives. I wasn't ready since it wasn't that long ago when we lost mom and dad.

"If I succeed at asking a girl out tonight, will you allow time before we actually film this movie?"

"Yes, I will give you a year's time till we film the movie." I'll take it. "But, if you fail, then we will start shooting here soon." By soon, he means tomorrow.

I held my hand out for him, "deal!" I hate making deals with him but I have no choice.

This week flew by faster than I expected. It was early Saturday morning and I was preparing an unexpected order for a funeral for a young man who died tragically from an illness. Multiple families and friends of this young man placed orders for lilies and roses to be delivered to the funeral home. As I made the order, I began to think about how I was going to get out of here, get dressed after Umihebi leaves for a poker night with her friends at a bar on the other side of town. Knowing my stepmother she would come back super drunk and be incoherent like always. Hopefully she's smart enough and goes straight home. So, that would just leave Mihaya to avoid, depending on what time he decides to come back. But knowing him he would stay as late as he could till when the party ended or until he got himself kicked out.

Yesterday at school I still let Zen know that I couldn't attend his Halloween party because of work. It wasn't technically a lie, but I didn't want him or others to know that I would be there in disguise. The only one who knew I was attending was Obi. I haven't told Garrack about my plans for this evening. She would be thrilled when and if I told her the news. She was up front, writing up an order for a pride wedding next weekend.

I finished with the floral arrangements and brought them up front on the cart to store them in the fridge. "So, there's not much going on today and we're caught up with all we have done. Do you really have to work so late?" We stepped out back so she could have a quick smoke.

"Yes, even though there isn't anything else to work on." I really need to tell her, "Garrack, I have something to tell you."

"What's that?" She was one of those dear people that is all ears.

Umihebi's office faced the front of the second floor, so there was no way she could hear our conversation out here. "I'm planning to attend the Halloween party tonight."

Garrack was all smiles when I told her the news, "Shirayuki, that's thrilling to hear!" Then it dawned on her, "how do you plan to attend when you have to work tonight?"

"That's where I'm stuck." Maybe I could ask Umihebi if it would be okay if I could hang with Obi at the diner. They stay open so late into the night, that if she decides to drop in on us there, then I can calculate when she would arrive. I went and explained how I hope my plan succeeds.

"It doesn't hurt to ask and I'm here to help if you need it." Garrack is a genuine friend.

"I'll ask her after we get back after dropping off these flowers," we both were ordered to deliver them within an hour to the funeral home just down the street.

She took the last inhale of her cigarette and released, "I hope she allows it. Do you have a costume?"

"I do," the dress was still at Obi's place. "It's a ball gown costume that belonged to my mother."

"Will you need help getting ready?" Only if this plan goes successfully, then yes. "I will let you know here soon."

"Remember to not let her get to you," I never do, unless she threatens to cut my hair and tries sending me away to a school I don't know of.

"I promise I won't." We dropped the flowers off at their proper time at the funeral home, paid our respects to the family, and took the time we had to walk back to the shop. "Do you want to grab a bite to eat?" It was our lunch break now.

"Sure, let's go to the deli and get an apple salad." The usual food we eat at lunch. It was simple, light, and was five doors down from the store. "So, what color is your dress?"

"It's pink," a color that would suit my apple red hair.

"Do you know how you want your hair done?" I don't.

"No, I am unsure of how it should look." My hair is so long that any style would work.

"I say an updo, with braids, and a few strands hanging off to the side." I think that would work.

"That would be great!" I hope my plan will work out.

We returned back to work after our lunch and Umihebi was walking down from her office, when we both walked into the store, "did you guys deliver the flowers?"

"Yes, step-mother." Now was the time to ask. "Since we're all caught up with our work, and there is nothing left for the rest of the day, could I get off at my usual time and spend that time with Obi at the diner?" I hope she says yes. I'm technically not lying and Obi's home is right near the diner too.

"You're not planning something I need to know of are you, Shirayuki?"

"No, just the usual I do on weekends evening like this."

She raised her finger towards me, "I will be checking if you're there at one in the morning. If I don't see you there, you will be shipped off to that boarding school first thing in the morning. Do you hear me, Shirayuki!"

By checking up on me, you'll be wasted, crying about how your friends' lives are better than yours, how your son has no friends, then going home, passing out, and forgetting about the evening before. "Yes, stepmother," I'll be walking you back to your room as you cry on my shoulder and leaving you with a puke bucket by your bedside.

"Good, her eyes looked around the store front, "sweep and mop the floors before your shift is over. I'm leaving now to take Mihaya to get his hair done and pick up his costume. Remember what I said, Shirayuki," and she left the store without looking back.

"So, what's the next step?" Garrack asked, placing her hand to my back.

"Clean the floors and get ready to leave right after!" I smiled her way.

I made a call to Obi to meet me at the diner in a little over an hour so I could talk to him about stuff. He seemed excited because he knows I want to go to the party, but I didn't tell him the details of how things need to play out. "So, where do we want to do your hair?"

"I'm not sure. My dress is still at Obi's."

"Well, here me out, Shirayuki. We'll go get your dress here soon, go back to my place so I can help you with your hair, get you two to the party once you're dressed, you stay till midnight, and I get you two back to his place so you can change, then you run back to the diner like it was nothing." That actually could work.

Within that hour we met up with Obi at the diner. He sat at the usual booth we always sat at, having his usual meal, and chocolate malt soda. "Yo! So, are we still on for tonight?"

"Yes, but hear me with what I'm about to say." I went back on explaining Garrack's plan.

Obi gave us the biggest grin, "oh! I like this. Getting back here won't be a problem. Just have to time it wisely."

The decorators had just left and the party was a few hours from starting. So, during that time I went and got my annual haircut at the salon I always go to, got a quick bite to eat, and picked up my costume from my stylist. I was going as prince charming. Don't know why I chose that, but not everyone is going to dress as me, and would come in different costumes.

I had hoped Shirayuki would be coming tonight, but it's understandable that she had already made plans with her friend, I believe his name is Obi, before she could be invited. At least she won't be alone because I know she doesn't have many friends. Anytime I saw Shirayuki around school, she was always with the boy Obi, and no one else. I've heard rumors that she wasn't allowed to have but one friend. That rumor came from Mihaya. A prick I wish wasn't coming to the party. But I have something that will help keep me in disguise. A white mask that was delicately made by the hands of my seamstress.

Driving back home and at a stop light, I turned my head to see a familiar face in the diner window. Shirayuki was with Obi and another person. So, she has more than one friend. I don't recall if I ever met this person, but all I saw was the back of their head, but my eyes were on Shirayuki only. She was smiling and it looked like she was having a good time. A kind of time I hope to have when I don't live off a schedule.

A car behind blared its horn towards me and I noticed the light had turned green finally. I sped off and headed for home. A home that I lived in after the passing of my parents. A home that felt like a castle. Too big for me in a way. A home to me should be simple and nothing to this extreme like Izana's. Go big was his motto. A motto he lives to this day.

Paparazzi waited at the gate when I came to a stop and began taking pictures of me, "Zen! Zen! Is it true you are going to be in a movie with your brother?" Tha man was trying to push his way towards me, only to be stopped by security guards.

I don't have time to respond. I just waved at him and drove onto the property and closed the gate behind me. It was time to get ready for the party that starts in three hours.

Wow! I'm sorry I haven't posted in almost two years. Life really caught up with me and I focused on other stories instead. If you're a fan of Inuyasha and are okay with Sesshomaru/Rin pairing then please go check out those stories I have. I have two that are co-authored. One, is complete, My Forever Heart. Two, is still in the work, Kiss of Fate.

I'll try to post again soon when I'm not busy at work or with stuff at home.