A/N: Okay, I know I have not been updating for quite a few days, or you could say about a week, but I'm back again I guess. I think that it's a little difficult to
keep updating now, since I have a lot more activities compared to last time, and perhaps the most important reason is that…I've grown addicted to reading not
writing fanfiction again! And worse, Fanfiction went wild on my computer, and I couldn't post for like a week! Sorry! Never mind, here I come with chapter 6!
Chapter 6: Fashionista La Vista
Laurelle Kaye
Wow. Just, purely wow. I mean, even I couldn't have thought of a design like that. Not bragging that I'm creative or anything, but I always fancied myself as a positively artistic
person. But this…this was just pure genius. I stared in amazement at the room around me. This was to be my permanent home for quite a while, and I was affirmative that it was
going to be time well spent to try to coax my roommate to leak some of her creative juices over to me.
I turned in a small circle, my mouth open in a similarly 'O' shaped way. I gawked at the cushy designs splayed around the room, and I could tell Jodie and Charlie weren't immune
to its charm, from their astounded looks written all over their faces.
The first thing that caught my eye was the pure white table that screamed for attention the minute somebody walked into the room, regardless of who it was. The table was folded in
a Jet Plane style origami, and looked as if it were made of metal. There was a vase of red roses placed carefully in the centre of the two wings, and the scarlet shone like spilt blood
against the blinding white. I shook my head slightly, dazed at the colors, while only half listening to Charlie's words, in which I only took in the major details, something about
meeting him at twelve forty-five at the Playground. Not like I knew where that was, but I could ask later, as I ignored Charlie spout off information about how to get there. For
now, I just wanted to enjoy the view. Then, I took in her side of the room. Clearly she had known somebody would be coming to stay, as she had put in large black pipes with
white insides up, such that it created a 'holey' barrier between her bed and the rest of the room. The classic look however, was altered into a chic style piece of furniture when she
had hung different colored clothes to cover the holes. There was forest green, sapphire blue, scorching orange, auburn and many other colors. When I looked closely though, I saw
that these articles were actually stuff that could be used! Like the cream yellow cloth was actually a face towel and another black-sprinkled-with-sparkles one was actually a bath
towel folded in half. Because she had discreetly (and really creatively) covered her bed through the pipes, I couldn't see the rest of the room in that direction, but then I came to
wonder were the bathroom was. Just as I was spinning in circles (really slowly though, I'm not a complete idiot!), I heard the door being flung open, so I naturally whirled in
that direction, and a strawberry-blonde came tumbling in. Well, not really tumbling in, but anyway, she entered the room. I saw her fire off questions towards Charlie, and I didn't
bother to pay attention, still surveying the room in awe. Then, something told me that the conversation was about to turn towards me, so I stepped forward, and just as Charlie
turned backwards to look for me, I smiled at the girl and stuck out my hand, saying, "Hi, my name's Laurie and I'm your new roommate, nice room!" At that point, Charlie and
Jodie left silently, presumably to leave us to have some 'girl talk'. We watched the pair of them leave, and there was a pregnant pause between us, one of only slight awkwardness,
before she broke it.
"Cool, you seem like a nice person, mine's Mileana, and come on, sit down, my legs are getting tired and you've been standing longer than I have!" She exclaimed, while leading
me past the black pipes and into her own 'room'. It was more like a division of our room, but her space looked so cozy that I was impressed by it. Because of the cloths, the wall
facing the pipes had a spectrum of colors reflected on them. It was slightly shadier, and since she had used a piece of cream cloth with dangling beads to cover a large window in
front of us, the little enclosed space seemed very private and beckoning. To add to the atmosphere, Mileana had placed a one-seater sofa-like thing which seemed a lot like a
splash of crimson paint molded into a lazing chair shape in the corner, so it jazzed up the ambience. Next to the chair was her bookshelf, but it wasn't an ordinary bookshelf, not
that one would have expected one after looking at all these ingenious ideas. It was made of glass, framed with steel. The whole chunk of glass was divided into strips vertically by
more glass, and metal horizontally, so that the rectangles formed was just enough to slide a book. However, Mileana had taken that design and turned it into her own by only lining
the books in the middle, such that it created a one-two-one-two book pattern, which made it look so contemporary. I chuckled in mortification, and I thought I did pretty
respectable art. I looked around for her bed, but couldn't find one. I frowned, puzzled. Turning to her, I looked at Mileana, who had been silent all this while, doubtfully. She
seemed to realize the 'problem' and in her loud voice, replied.
"Oh yes! You're probably wondering where the bed is, hey? Yeah, everybody does. You see, it's a little cramped here, and so I don't really use a bed, but there's a particular spot
here in the carpet," I glanced own at the carpet, which seemed to be a furry, ticklish brown layer of fur, "which is deeper but a little firmer than the rest of the carpet? Yeah, so I
sleep there. It's quite comfortable actually." I gaped at her; who would have such a brilliant idea of having a slight hole in the carpet, suitable for sleep and walking? This girl was
probably a part-time genius. Wait, forget part-time, she did it unconsciously, it's now full-time. I was absolutely willing to continue to marvel at her room, but Mileana broke my
train of thoughts.
"Hey Laurie, you want to just chill out for a bit? You know, sit here, and drink some stuff and talk? It's really hot today, and since it's a Sunday, we don't have work. I can show
you around this place, it's pretty big, might get lost." Mileana looked quite eager to sow me the ropes, so I agreed with no hesitation. She got up from her curled spot in the red
sofa, and walked over to a little area, one of the small holes not covered by the carpet. She reached downwards, and poked her fingers through two holes. I stared at her, intrigued.
What other tricks did she have up her sleeve? She yanked it out, and with a billow of mist, I saw a wooden box with a protruding handle in Mileana's hand. Peering inquisitively at
it, I asked her with undisguised curiosity.
"What is that? It came out of the ground!"
She laughed and heaved the wooden container onto the carpet, where I quickly crawled over and touched the cool surface of it. The woody scent quickly spread in the air, and
every time I breathed, I inhaled it.
"No, no! It didn't come out of the ground! We're on the second floor here, to get to the ground; we'd have to puncture the ceiling of the rooms below! This is just from a little hole
I cleared in the cement. Basically, I line the sides of the hole with lots of ice, and make sure that they can't melt, with, of course, a simple spell. Then, I put the container in with
drinks, so that I can keep the drinks cold, without taking out space! It's the same concept with my wardrobe. Here I'll show you. You can take a drink first though, you must be
thirsty. Help yourself!" She pushed the cart towards me. I quickly chose a bottle called Eagles' Cranberry Juice (I had no idea what that was) and raised it in thanks. To my
surprise, the bottle was made of thick glass. No wonder Mileana had such a hard time carrying it up. Unscrewing the bottle, I tipped it towards my mouth and drank it. Shuddering
from the sourness, I hoped that Mileana didn't see that; I didn't want her to think that I didn't like her drink. Fortunately, she'd already turned back, and was now tugging on a
metal handle which I didn't see before. Pulling it laboriously, her face contorted with the effort. Quickly setting down my drink, I jumped up to help her. Both of us yanked hard at
the handle, and she chuckled somewhat nervously.
"I guess it's time to take out some clothes!" she muttered, when the full thing emerged from the hole. My jaw dropped. Literally dropped. And she was right about her previous
statement; clear her wardrobe was an understatement. The 'thing' was a giant rope tied in a lasso style, a ring at the top and the rest of the frayed rope trailing down to the bottom,
which looked suspiciously like it'd been hit with the stupefy spell to turn it rigid. On it, at least a hundred hangers circled it, using it as a source of support. And guess what? On each
of the hangers draped at least an article of clothing. Mileana was a fashion goddess.
Laughing at my astounded look, she shrugged modestly. "I guess a lady's got to have her clothes! After all, I need to live up to the reputation I was named after!" I nodded in
understanding. Her name, Mileana, was probably derived from the Italian city Milan, which was a tourist hotspot for their legendary fashion sense. Yes, and live up to her name she
did. I trailed my fingers against the smooth and scratchy materials of the fabrics, still trying to work my voice up. So…many…colors…It was incredible! Sequins, silk, glitter,
sparkles…everything!
"Holy Merlin, where did you get all this??!! Do you own a shop or something? This is so incredible!" I practically yelled in her ear. Seemed that when I got my voice back, it was
literally a blast. With a soft "whoa!" she leapt back, chortling at my delight. Feeling the carpet, she moved her hand around, like a blind person would, until she hit something that
sounded a little hollower compared to the rest of the carpet. I assumed that she was looking for her 'bed'. She sank down into the surface in a graceful move that I was positive no
one else could master. She crossed her legs to her chest, so that she looked like a little ball. I only looked at her properly now. I mean, I was so overwhelmed by her room that I
kind of ignored the creator herself.
Mileana was definitely a classic beauty. I mean, she had (as I mentioned previously) strawberry-blond hair, but I could see slight streaks of-pale pink if I looked closely. She didn't
wear it long, like I supposed that people like her would, but had it cut short till it reached the nape of her neck. She also had the typical sharp nose that I had, and a sprinkle of
freckles across it, something I was sure she wasn't very proud of. Her eyebrows were carved into really high arches that perfectly accentuated her eyes, which weren't as
spectacular as the rest of her face. They weren't big, just normal, and although they were the ordinary brown, they sparkled with life. Her mouth was curved downwards, which
kind of gave it a pout. This, however, was the kind of pout that made it seem cute, not overly childish. It could get on my nerves on a bad day though, I was practically sure of that.
Today, however, it was tolerable I suppose, and mildly amusing. Alright, enough about this fixation on her mouth.
"Hey Mileana, I was just wondering, do we have a toilet to ourselves or is there like a common one for everyone?" I suddenly blurted out, coming out of my daze. She looked
slightly startled and her hand froze in a gesture above her head. Oh crud. She was probably saying something and I cut her off…Not a good start. Anyway, she stared at me like I
was a little out of the loop, but perked up once she answered me cheerily.
"Oh yes! Sorry, I didn't tell you just now, should have told you earlier! Anyway, you'd better come with me," she stuck out a hand to haul me up from my comfy position on the
carpet, "it's a tad bit complicated." She wrinkled her nose, as I stretched contentedly, then grabbed Mileana's hand and pulled myself up.
We left her-no-our room, and walked just a little to the left, till we reached the door of the room next to ours. It seemed that this room was a little smaller compared to ours and the
one on the other side. Just glimpsing at the whole row of rooms, I saw that the pattern was repeated. I glanced questioningly at Mileana, but she seemed pretty confident of what
she was doing. I shrugged and left her to do whatever she wanted and deemed necessary to do. After all, she was the one who was already familiar with this place, and I'd be
damned if I were to upset her, since she had really good opportunities to harass me if I provoked her. Mileana rapped on the door smartly, a certain rhythm, long-short-short long.
No one answered, so she smiled, and securely pushed open the door. I followed her in without a complaint.
As we entered the room, I was sufficiently awed by it. It was not as fanciful and creative as Mileana's designs, but more like something I would have been able to craft. It was
painted a dark red color, with undefined swirls in different hues of blue and green. It was elegant, with snowflakes hanging from the ceiling. There were the essentials, like the toilet
bowl and sink, as well as a bathtub. However, the sink was just purely breathtaking. It had shards of what seemed like liquid silver trapped in a black top, and they looked like they
were struggling to get out. As I traced the outline of a shard buried just directly under my finger (I thought I could feel its surface), the light winked at me, and as I tranquilly smiled at
it, I took a closer look.
I jumped back in shock, face going pale. Holy Merlin, what was that about?No, I must have been dreaming it; it wasn't possible. Mileana took one look at my face, and seemed
like she understood my fright. I blocked out her words which were now flowing as slickly as oil. She said something about it being from the Mirror of Erised, and that Charlie
brought it back from England. I vaguely heard her mention that though the shards showed images, she really had no idea what they were. Charlie refused to tell her, and warned her
simply to-. What Charlie warned her, I would never live to know, and I didn't want to know as well. For the second time in less than an hour, I interrupted her.
"What did you see?" I was still dazed, and forming the words was much harder than I thought it would be. She stared at me for a second, like a puzzle she simply couldn't figure
out, before answering, chuckling somewhat self-consciously.
"Oh me? I know it's kind of stupid, but I saw myself owning this large clothes company, which of course I was President of, and everyone wanted to buy my clothes, just like I
always wanted. I know, it's kind of dumb, huh?" She glanced at me sheepishly, as though searching for an answer. I stopped listening though; I was sure I was expected to give an
answer something along the lines of it being perfectly believable and that she could definitely achieve it, but I didn't. She said that she was the President…that was possible in the
future…Could the Mirror of Erised be foretelling the truth? No, no way. It could never happen, for I knew the circumstances would never allow it, as well as the person himself
would never agree or even fathom about it. I knew that. Because I saw Josh. I swayed on the spot, while my head spun with memories…
Flashback
"Josh! Stop it, you know that I hate that!" I giggled like a little child, as Josh hoisted me up from the waist and swung me across his shoulder so that my face got the
full impact of his back crashing into my nose. I inhaled deeply, yet discreetly. He smelt of cinnamon and tomatoes. I loved that smell, and my lips curled into his flesh.
Pretending that I wasn't affected by him, I smacked him playfully, and kicked my legs in the air, protesting all the while, although I really loved his attention. I tickled
him at the waist, although I knew that it wouldn't daunt him from carrying me. He wasn't ticklish, and this was simply a ritual that we both loved. We would bind as
two friends who cherished each other.
He ran down the grassy hill we were standing on, and to the edge of the water of the lake near the hill. I felt every thud when his feet hit the ground, and could feel my
body bump every time. It was bliss, to be playing with someone you loved and not have a care in the world. I knew though, that my affection was not simply of friends,
but of more, of craving and needing more.
"Relle…you know we're at the edge of water…I think I'm stumbling a little, you're too heavy…" He arched his eyebrow wickedly, and I could feel the vibrations on his
back when he laughed. I panicked a little, I was sure of what he was implying, and the idea wasn't pleasing at all.
"Josh please! No! Come on, I'll give you a free Chocolate Frog when we get back to my house, an Acid pop maybe? I'll play hockey with you for an hour! I swear! Two
hours!" I pleaded, my arms and legs flailing. I sensed that he was trying hard to control his excitement. I subtly rolled my eyes; his new craze was hockey.
"Four hours, or it's off!" he announced triumphantly. I whimpered slightly; being abused for four hours was not a charming thought.
"Three." I bargained, hoping he'd agree.
"Deal." Yes! Victory was mine! Hallelujah! I whooped, and he chuckled, setting me down on the grass. I immediately sank down into the vegetation, relishing the solid
ground. Lying down flat on the grass, I stared at him. Josh was sitting beside me, his arms supporting him while he sat normally, but with his legs stretched out.
End Flashback
"Laurie? LAURIE? Are you still here with me?" Mileana waved a hand in my face, staring at me concernedly. I snapped back to reality, the ecstasy of my recollection gone in an
instant. In a way, I was thankful for Mileana for stopping me from continuing. I knew that the next part would have taken my whole body's energy to stop myself from crying. Even
now, I hoped that there were no lingering tears in my eyes.
"Huh? Oh sorry, just…I had some relationship problems, and yeah, sorry." In my heart, I was laughing mockingly at myself. Relationship problems were a real understatement. I
saw Mileana nod hesitantly at the corner of my eye, probably confused as to why my 'relationship problems' would be in any way linked to her dream fantasy.
"Okay, I can see that you're a little tired now, must be because of the time differences. It's okay, let's go back and rest." I noticed that she carefully avoided the fact that it was
blatantly obvious that the moisture in my eyes had nothing to do with fatigue. Tactful. Too tactful. I nodded absent-mindedly, only half-listening to her; the rest of my mind drowned
in reminiscence. I threw a glance at my watch, and saw that it was only 11:20. I sighed.
"Yes, let's go back."
When we hopped back to our room, I didn't bother to decorate my room or unpack first. Taking out a black cloth from my suitcase, I wearily draped it across a wooden rod that I
had magicked to act as a curtain hanger. Mileana poked her head in. I psychologically moaned out really loud. This girl couldn't take a hint for nuts.
"Hi, um, you want to just rest? I'll just wake you later? At what time?" She titled her head as she asked.
"Just, just about 12:30 will do, if you're still in? Thanks so much." I replied gratefully, maybe this girl wasn't just about completely ignorant. Maybe I really lucked out in the
roommate department. She nodded, and grinned a chirpy smile, before her head disappeared from my view.
I exhaled noisily. Time to myself. Time to think of him. And time to remember how I embarrassed myself.
Flashback
I played with the peacock quill in my hand, twirling a strand of my long hair around the tough surface of the feather. Looking up from my favorite book, Intricacies of
the Unknown, I beamed at Josh over the deep purple binding of the book. He didn't see the look I shot at him; he was too busy re-writing an article for the monthly
magazine, Natural Nuances of Nature. Sure, the name was a little lengthy, and it seemed so humiliating to write an article in it, but I could tell Josh loved it. And
because he did, I did too. I loved the way his eyes would light up when he talked about how we had to save the forest because there were so many fascinating animals
there. "It's incredible, Relle. You should see it Relle, you should see it." He would gush, as he earnestly nodded. I would laugh, and then hug him.
I tapped him on the foot with my shoe, and then instantaneously feigned innocence by looking away. I didn't get to see the look on his face, but then I was sure he
wasn't fooled. Josh was always one of the smartest wizards I'd ever known. When I finally dared to glance back, I saw that he had a tiny grin on his face. I made him
smile! The thought registered in my mind, and though it had happened many times, I was still elated that I could make him grin. I tapped him again, but this time, he
was ready. His left foot pressed hard onto mine after I prodded his right one, so that my foot was sandwiched between his. My face grew hot. I should not have gotten
myself into this mess; now how was I supposed to explain my discomfiture to him? He would have a field day knowing that yet another girl liked him. Josh was the kind
of suave and polished gentleman that mothers would delight in knowing, and girls would throw themselves at his feet simply for him to acknowledge them. He'd
definitely laugh and leave me.
Prior to my belief, he took my hand gently, and traced invisible patterns on it, not even looking at me. My heart thudded. Surely this was too good to be true? He
couldn't possibly think of me in that way too? I stared searchingly at his eyes, knowing that they would tell me the truth. And tell the truth they did…
End Flashback
Against my will, as I fought against the tides of exhaustion, I sank into a deep and unwelcoming fit of slumber…
A/N: So!! That took me ages to write! It's probably the longest chapter I've ever written in m entire life!! Incredible…Anyway, I'm kind of tired, and this stupid
computer is killing and frying my eyes!!! Therefore, I shall now sign off, and Tata! Review-o, people-o's!