Much thanks to all the delightful reviewers!
In the morning I was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by warm sunshine streaming through the cracks of the blinds. I ran outside, energy and vigor coursing through my body violently. I felt eight as I ran around Diana's backyard like a little kid, the dew on the grass tickling my soles and the sunshine softly kissing my cheeks. I giggled as I tripped over a tree branch and found myself rolling in the cool greenness of the ground.
"Did little Bella come out to play?" Diana stood between the sliding doors that led to the backyard in her silky nightgown and robe holding Ginger, her tabby, to her chest. She laughed wholeheartedly at my antics.
I smiled and quickly composed myself, following her to the kitchen.
"It's a gorgeous day!" I exclaimed happily.
Diana seemed surprised at this sudden change in mood.
"I'm glad you think so. You could use it. By the way, it's always like this here. You'll see. You will never want to go back to Washington." She said "Washington" as if it was a curse.
"Washington has its own charm." I protested playfully.
"Rain? Mud? Oh, yes of course. Delightfully charming." She said sardonically as she quickly placed two pieces of bread in the toaster and filled the coffee machine with water. She fumbled through the cupboards and pulled out a box of granola.
I sat down in the patio overlooking the mountains. The wind gently played with my hair and I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, taking in the clean aromas of the new day.
"So what's the plan then?" I asked when Diana sat across from me.
"I have the whole day planned out." Diana replied excitedly.
"Yes?" I encouraged.
"First, the beach. Then some lunch. Then shopping on Melrose. Later we can hit a club if you're not too worn out." Usually only Diana, the ball of energy, could handle such a day, but I felt energized and revived.
"Sounds good." I shrugged.
"See, you're getting used to it already." She replied victoriously.
The beach was fairly empty. A few scraps of washed up trash lay scattered on the dark yellow sand. The waves crashed against the shore angrily, but it seemed so natural. I thought of all that the shoreline had endured for thousands, millions of years. I fell to the sand and embraced it, as if feeling its pain in the grains that slipped through my fingers. In my palms the tiny crystals shimmered, as warm memories floated through the salty air.
"Come on Bella. Let's go." Diana motioned for me, leaving, her bright sundress fluttering in the wind. I followed, gathering my white flip flops, and adjusting my pale blue swim suit. Usually I felt the need to cover up, but today I blended with the sky and sea, forming a kind of union that was sacred and fragile, but ran deep through my bones.
Shopping was never one of my favorite actives so I allowed Diana to have her fun. Clubbing was also never really my forte, so I was getting nervous.
"You'll look great Bella." Diana reassured me as she handed me a small black thing that was supposed to be a dress.
It hugged all the right curves and had a plunging neckline. I've worn worse, and Diana knew it. So I didn't complain. Instead, I fastened the small buckle of the strappy black heels she handed me and swiped eye shadow across my lids. Diana put the finishing touches by applying mascara and her signature red lipstick. I let my brown locks fall where they may. I gazed in the mirror seeing a wild creature staring back. The whole look was sexy, for lack of a better word, but not too over the top. I trusted Diana not to allow that.
We hooked arms as we stepped out of the car and went into the club. The atmosphere was cramped, stifling. Techno and electronica pounded through the speakers. I felt shudders pulsate through my body with each beat. It was strange, as if I was blending into the music.
Again I saw faces swirling by. Attractive strangers ground their hips into one another while arms roamed everywhere, grabbing and clutching to whatever they could find. I suddenly felt overwhelming sadness. Their futile attempts at forming some kind of human connections reminded me too much of my own.
"Just relax, beautiful." He seemed to purr. His fingers trailed over my skin like fire as his slender body slid up against mine. I stared at the ceiling unwilling to breathe. I smiled as a Madonna and Child stared back down at me.
I was thrown back head first into reality. I wasn't quite sure what kind of horrific expression registered on my face, but I soon found Diana shaking me frantically.
"Bella what the hell's going on? Are you okay?" She pleaded, clutching my shoulders, her jade eyes mad with worry.
It wasn't the memory. No, it was the two topaz orbs that watched me closely from across the room.
I swam in the golden light of their mystery, lost myself completely under their brilliant blaze. Those eyes spun me in a million different directions at once. I reached for Diana to steady myself, but couldn't look away. I was a slave to those eyes, willing to die for them at any moment. I felt my body melt, sure I would dissolve by the power of the golden intensity. Yet, as always, anger was on my side and slapped me upside the head. I stood rigid, glaring at the unreserved beauty ahead.
I think you know where this is going...dun dun dun