2. Bad Date
"Sarah? Did you heard what I said?"
The young woman startled and looked up. She had spent last few minutes, absent-mindedly staring at the flower pattern on the edge of her plate, and hadn't heard a single word her father said. Now, with guilty smile, she shook her head, meeting his questioning gaze.
"No. I'm sorry, I was lost in thoughts. What did you said?"
"I said that you'll have the house for yourself for the following two weeks." Robert Williams repeated his earlier words. "Irene and I had planned to visit my cousin in Brixton. Toby comes with us. I'm sure you won't mind having a break from babysitting him." He glanced at the children seat which was occupied by six years old boy with blonde hair.
Sarah narrowed her eyes and smiled mischievously. She loved her brother to the end of world and beyond, but he did had talent to test even the most patient person, and Sarah was on top of his list when it came to pulling mischief. Of course, his desire to pick on his sister had lessened somewhat after he crawled into her closet and spilled lemon juice on her favorite dress. Ever since he made sure to avoid being inside her room when Sarah herself was not there - spending entire day grounded in his own room and without his favorite teddy bear hadn't vanished from his memory so easily. What had surprised Sarah was that the punishment was given by Irene in Sarah's defense, but she could not deny that she was getting along with her stepmother better, despite their initial head-butting on every little thing.
"I thought that you'd prefer to spend the first weeks of summer break in peace and quiet, get some rest before starting the job." Robert continued the conversation. "Besides, you and Chris never got along. What do you think?"
Sarah didn't had to think twice about it. Being anywhere near her uncle was not alluring in slightest, especially since he had tendency to constantly criticize her on her supposed flaws, her love toward books being among them, and the fact she refused to go out on dates. On this particular matter, Irene seemed to side with Chris, occasionally trying to set Sarah up on date. Her reasoning was that while maintaining her independence, Sarah still wouldn't lose anything if she had someone in her life. 'It's not like you have to jump into marriage right away. Just give yourself chance to get to know them. Who knows, you might thank me later.' - was her stepmother's usual reasoning, and sometimes Sarah agreed, if only to silence Irene on the matter, afterwards giving excuse that it didn't worked out, they are too different and she wasn't feeling any vibes with them. It worked for a while, at least, until Irene found the next suitor.
Chris, while not actively playing matchmaker, still found the ways to get under Sarah's skin with his remarks here and there, seemingly innocent and off-hand, but each time she had grown irritated and had to restrain herself from not retorting some venomous choice words back. She found his opinion unfair, given that his own daughter, Sarah's cousin, was hardly the example of how a girl should behave. She was smoking, spent most of her free time partying hard, changed boyfriends more often than socks, and so on. Yet Chris either was unaware of it, or blatantly ignored it, instead pointing out everything that was wrong with his niece's life.
"I think uncle Chris will survive without opportunity to make yet another list of how much I'm screwing my life." Sarah pretended to look thoughtful about the subject, looking up at the ceiling. "But tell him I look forward to it next time. My life will be completely wasted without his lectures. How will I live without someone telling me on every step just how wrong it is...?"
"Sarah...stop being silly." Robert shook his head, but she noticed the spark of amusement about her antics in his eyes. "Don't be childish."
"Dad, haven't you heard that for parents, children always remain children, regardless how old they get?" Sarah maintained innocent expression. "So, it means you will always see me as little girl, and it's just in your eyes that I'm childish, when in fact I'm the impersonation of seriousness."
Robert pulled martyr's face, which made Sarah to break into laughter, but it didn't lasted long as Toby decided to join the fun as he see fit, and her laughter died when potato mush was thrown across the table, landing on front of her favorite sweatshirt. "Toby!" Sarah groaned, grabbing napkin and dabbing on shirt to save what was salvageable. "I washed it only yesterday! Would it be too much to ask for you to not act like little goblin?" But Toby only stuck his tongue out at her.
Later, when Sarah had cleared the table and finished washing the dishes, she watched Robert and Toby leave - they had promised to pick Irene up from work and do some grocery shopping. It gave her few hours to herself. Once the car vanished around the corner, Sarah walked back in house and headed upstairs to her room and closed the door behind herself. As she turned, she caught her reflection in vanity mirror across the room, and paused briefly, taking a good look at what she saw.
From spoiled teenager, she had grown into mature young woman, and while she took life responsibilities seriously, her stubborn and sharp temper still managed to resurface here and there, showing clearly in her fierce, green eyes. Refusing to follow the fashion choices of most girls in college, Sarah never allowed anyone to go near her hair with scissors, and now her raven hair had reached the point of her waist in thick, silky layer. She had lost the teen roundness in some parts, but gained in others, which did gained her appreciative looks from the opposite gender, and yet for some reason Sarah did not felt flattered in slightest. She felt like there was someone out there, meant for her, and usual student parties were not the place where to seek him - especially since majority of boys had their interests and conversations limited to three things - beer (at best choice), sports, and girls, mostly their appearance, and precisely in such sequence.
Her friends had pointed out - and Sarah silently agreed - that she was too picky in her opinions, but she couldn't help it. Besides, the pick-up lines the guys used were so old and banal, she could swear there is some manual specifically for college boys - "You're so cool, let's have a drink, maybe go out somewhere, eh?" Whenever Sarah heard something along these lines, she found it hard to resist giving them a solid kick where it hurts the most, so that offered drink would serve them as anesthetic, and nothing would mess their dancing skills anymore. Cruel as it was, it was how she felt, and that's why she preferred to stick to her chosen lifestyle to not spoil other people mood to enjoy their own preferences and life as such.
Sarah pulled the chair back from vanity table and sat down, resting elbows on table, chin in palms. She just had turned twenty-one years old, freshly finished college with excellent grades, and soon she would begin her first real job as teaching assistant in elementary school. She loved children, and as her part time job, she had volunteered to work in kindergarten as nanny. The kids loved Sarah and her stories, never having enough of them and always demanding more, and she loved to read and sometimes make up her own stories for them. Even though she had grown up and no longer lived every minute of her life in world of fantasies, Sarah's imagination never died.
Of course, her family was surprised, when one fine day, she cleared her room from all toys and storybooks, leaving only few, the rest either passing down to Toby or packed up to store in attic. Now, her shelves were filled with more serious literature, but toys were replaced by either souvenirs from small trips she took with her family in summers, or gifts from her friends on birthday or Christmas. In one day innocent dreamed turned into serious and responsible young lady who was interested more in her studies rather than acting out the childish plays and dressing up.
Sarah looked at her reflection and smiled, albeit a little sadly. She had to admit that she truly looked forward to these next two weeks, free from Irene's nagging about sitting in four walls and that she should go out more and spend time with other people. It was hopeless to try and get her understand that most of guys in Sarah's age were simply unable to appreciate anything more than pretty face, not to mention anything more serious. Of course, there were always alternative options, but Sarah was even less interested in parties for 'those above 30', so she preferred her four walls and books.
A shrill phone ring interrupted her musing, and Sarah got up, rushing out and down the stairs, cursing whoever invented so unpleasant sound for phone ringing. "Hello?" She picked the receiver, assuming it was her father calling to tell something, like, 'don't forget to hang out the laundry' or 'check if we still have pasta'.
"Ms Williams, could you come over to the front door?" A male voice asked, and the call ended.
Well, it definitely was not her father. Wondering who had nothing better to do in bright daylight, Sarah glared at the receiver as if it just had bitten her, then hesitantly approached the door, yanked it open and...
"Hi!" She was greeted by cheerful smile, plastered on face of a young man.
Sarah could not suppress the groan. Davis was nice guy, but he was completely hopeless as anything, simply friend included. And just as hopelessly he was stalking her for three months now, following like shadow. Very persistent and talkative shadow. Irene, of course, had noticed it, and occasionally hinted that he must really like Sarah and that perhaps they should have a date, yada yada yada. Right now, he stood in front of her, the wind breeze playing with his shoulder length curly hair, staring at Sarah with hopeful eyes, hidden behind thick glasses.
"Oh no, if you're here to invite me along to one of those science lectures you fancy so much, don't even waste your breath. I've no time, nor mood for that." She categorically said, instantly regretting it. She didn't wanted to sound so harsh, but it seemed that Davis simply could not take the hint otherwise. Last time when she agreed to spend time with him, she regretted it for long time, finding herself stuck for whole evening along with twenty similar bookworms, listening the newest astrophysics discoveries. As if she cared about that. For all she did cared, Davis and his peers could get married with every space black hole, Andromeda galaxies, and whatever else was there in the outer space.
"Sarah, listen!" Davis put his foot in doorway, so she couldn't close it. "Five minutes, please? I know you...well, most of people, think I'm a nerd, but...Come on, Sarah, will you listen?" He tried to keep the door from closing. "I wanted to ask...willyoucomewithmetoprom?"
The final sentence he babbled in haste, because Sarah was pushing the door shut with such force, Davis had real reason to fear his foot won't hold out and break. But then suddenly she stopped her attempts to close the door with or without his foot in between, and blinked in confusion and surprise at Davis. Such invitation was something new from him.
"To prom? You're actually planning to go to the prom? With me?" Sarah doubtfully asked, as if unsure if she heard him right.
Davis nodded and carefully pulled his foot back, seeing that he was no longer in threat to spend the following days with crutches, then clasped his hands behind his back and tilted head, waiting for her response. Sarah shook her head and sighed in resignation. Unfortunately, she could very well imagine what would happen if she would refuse - Davis would linger around on porch long enough to await for her family to return and then attempt to get them on his side. And Sarah knew that Irene would jump in delight at such chance to play matchmaker. Weighing all pros and cons, she gave in.
"Alright, Mr. Know it all." She said, making sure that her displeasure was clearly visible. "I'm in, but on one condition."
"Anything you want." Overjoyed smile spread on Davis' face.
Sarah's hands itched to wipe this smile off with help of baseball bat. Just one problem - she didn't had one. Perhaps she should consider getting one for future situations like this. "Don't put on that God-awful necktie with yellow dots. If I see one dot, I'm out of there. It's prom, not Halloween party." She knew she was rude and haughty about this request, but Sarah was determined to give as many hints as possible for Davis to forget any future invitations he could have in store.
"Anything for you, Sarah." Her attempts were in vain, because Davis seemed to be agreeable to anything, just so she wouldn't change her mind. "Do you want me to pick you up here?"
Sarah suppressed desire to slam her forehead into doorframe. Last thing she wanted was for neighbors to see that antique junk rattling down the street. Davis, though, called it classic. She wondered from which museum he got that excuse for car - it was pure miracle that metal box on four wheels was able to move at all. "No, I'll meet you at park near the college." She quickly replied. "At seven."
"At seven, alright." Davis grinned happily. "You'll really come with me? Seriously?"
"Yes, yes, now begone. I've lot to do today!" She growled as sulkily as she could.
Davis raised hands in surrender gesture and backed away, tripping over the rocking chair behind him. Flailing his arms to maintain balance, he stumbled down the steps with nervous laughter, then began to walk away, but not without one last glance over his shoulder at Sarah who gifted him with death glare. "From you, even Know it all sounds like compliment."
Sarah slammed the door shut, not finding it necessary to give any kind of response. Rolling her eyes and sending him to all possible directions and locations where the Hell could be found, she slowly made her way back to her room to find something to wear. She had completely forgotten about the prom, despite other girls talking about it for weeks, and hadn't even planned to attend it. One, because she didn't had partner, and second, she would pick a good book over date at anytime. Now, however, it seemed she would have to change her plans for the evening since the partner appeared at her door on his own accord.
Sarah did liked to dance, but in the list of every potential candidates, Davis' name would certainly be on the very bottom. Under line. In brackets. With huge question mark. On one side, he was one of the guys who strongly believed that every second that was spent by something else than reading - and not reading as such, as she did, but swallowing scientific books, filled with complicated formulae and terminology - was wasted. Sarah did not minded if people were interested in it, good for them, but she did not fancied spending the date by listening the retelling the entire content of such volumes. Despite herself being nothing short of bookworm, such guys were not in her taste.
On the other hand...Davis was not half bad looking. Maybe it won't be so bad, she thought at herself, digging through her wardrobe, searching for something decent to wear. Compared with others, Davis was one of guys to have something to talk about, not just regular male interests. It would be just one evening, she told herself. One evening and that's it, she won't see him anymore. There were rumors that Davis had planned to leave to New York next month, which would deprive her from chance to even run into him somewhere - harder to do that if entire ocean is between two people.
When Robert, Irene and Toby returned home few hours later, they were surprised to find Sarah in the hallway, standing at the full length wall mirror, putting the finishing touches on her makeup. She wore sleeveless burgundy dress that waved around her knees whenever she moved. It had been Irene's purchase which she had insisted Sarah to have, so she would have something else to wear, besides her regular jeans and various shirts. While accepting it out of politeness, now Sarah felt glad she had it. She hadn't wasted much time for hairstyle, merely brushing the strands from her temple backward and pinned them up, letting the rest fall freely over her shoulders and back. While adding some simple makeup, she glanced in reflection at Irene who stood behind her and assessed the image with critical, but satisfied nod.
"I knew this dress would look good on you." She stated. "Are you going on date?"
"Not really." Sarah shrugged, finishing her makeup with little bit of lip gloss. "I'm going to prom." There, she said it. Curse her big mouth, now prepare for interrogation.
"To prom? I thought you didn't wanted to go." Robert frowned, trying to evade Toby who attempted to trip his father on his way to kitchen to set down the bags of groceries. "And who is that potential death-wisher who had enough courage to ask you out?"
"Robert!" Irene exclaimed in only half-faked outrage, but Sarah sent her best glare toward the kitchen door.
"No offense. I just want to know what are the chances that I would have to bail Sarah out of jail tonight for killing the poor guy." Robert grinned, earning very annoyed look from his daughter. "Well, who is he? And why you haven't introduced us to him?"
Sarah sighed. "You know him already. I've mentioned his name few times. Davis Kent? We went to college together."
With corner of eye, she could see Irene smiling like Cheshire cat, which set some slight alarm in Sarah's mind. She began to have suspicions that perhaps it was not a simple coincidence that Davis decided to show up today with the most uncharacteristic invitation. Something told her that Irene had participated in this conspiration to get her out of house and to attend the prom - she seemed very disappointed earlier when Sarah first mentioned that she was not going to this event, excusing herself with the fact that it's just formal event and she already got her diploma, so there was little need to attend prom to celebrate anything.
It was relief enough to see at least her father scowling at the mention of the guy's name.
"That long-haired nerd that has been glued at you for three months now?" Robert crossed arms over chest, leaning against the doorframe with Toby peeking from behind his legs at his sister. "You couldn't pick someone more...decent?"
"I did not picked him, dad. He practically coerced me into going. With any luck, I'll be home way before midnight." Sarah picked jacket and threw it over arm, then grabbed her purse and pecked a light kiss on father's cheek, then ruffled Toby's hair. "Be good, Tobes."
"Don't rush, Sarah. Stay as long as you wish, and have a really good time." Irene rummaged in her own purse, looking for something. "Where did I put it...ah, there it is." She fished out a small golden chainlet with locket attached to it in shape of heart. On front, it had infinity sign engraved with small vines adorning it. "Let me...turn around..." She lightly touched Sarah's shoulders to get her to turn around, and put the chainlet around her neck. "There. Now it's perfect. I thought...you would like it."
Sarah was slightly speechless. Sure, her relationship with Irene was better, but usually she only got gifts that were either of practical use or when there was some reason to celebrate. Receiving something like this randomly was not something she was used to. "Thank you." She didn't know what else to say, but did gave Irene small hug before leaving the house.
As she reached the park, she glanced at the large lamp post with clock in between two lanterns. She was ten minutes early, the eager suitor was nowhere in sight, nor within hearing range - his car rattled like ghost of Canterville which made it easy to spot from a large distance. After fidgeting on spot for a while, Sarah decided to stroll around the park for a while. Here and there, where the hedges cast the shadows over benches, she could see the dark silhouettes of couples that probably were certain they're hidden successfully. Feeling rather awkward at glimpsing these intimate moments, Sarah pretended to not see them, walking past as quietly as she could, not that she believed any of them would pay notice to their surroundings.
Irene would probably say something along the lines that Sarah was long due to experience something romantic herself, if sneaking around the dark corner to snog was considered romantic. Sarah, you're hopeless old maid, the only thing that's missing is bunch of cats, the girl thought at herself. On the other hand, her world was not so bad. It was cleaner and purer, and she was in no rush to change it. She just haven't found the one for her heart desire yet... and just when this thought rushed through her mind, Sarah realized it was not entirely true. Somewhere deep in her heart a tiny nagging feeling rustled, unclear sensation that she missed something...or someone, someone very important. As if she had already met the one she would give her heart to, but because of some cruel prank of fate they were apart now.
Sarah shook her head to banish these, undoubtedly, silly thoughts. Maybe she should notch down the number of romantic novels in her collection. Not her favorite choice of reading, but it helped with insomniac nights - few chapters, and her eyes were shutting down themselves. She was no longer the naive teenager who believed to love of first sight as it was described in those books. Sure, in more adult novels, main characters went through lot of trouble, misunderstandings and twists of fate before they ended up together in the end with their happily ever after. And yet Sarah could not imagine things happening in such way in reality. There was no such thing as prince in shiny armor, riding on white horse to pursue his one and true love, remaining faithful to her and only her. It was not how world worked.
She slowly emerged from the darkness and looked around. Davis still was nowhere to be seen. Sarah did not felt disappointed, more relieved that she could go home now without feeling guilty... her brain barely finished to form this thought, when two, slightly trembling and moist hands covered her eyes. Startled, she quickly broke free and spun around, strong word forming on her tongue, but froze unsaid as her eyes fell upon her partner for the evening. His appearance surpassed her expectations - curly hair neatly combed, tied in ponytail, dark suit with matching necktie contrasting starkly with his white shirt. With a nervous smile he held the corsage, made of small, white rose blooms, and Sarah hesitantly allowed him to put it on her wrist.
"I hope this necktie is to your liking." He finally spoke, when we crossed the street, heading toward the venue where the college organized the prom party.
"It's not bad. You look quite decent." Sarah grinned, seeing his satisfied tomcat expression, but slight disappointment did not left her, realizing that while he fished for compliments from her, he did not bothered to give any to her in return.
Reaching the venue and walking inside, they mingled with other students who already were there, enjoying the party, dancing at loud pop music. Sarah assessed the atmosphere and allowed the chance that the evening might turn out tolerable, maybe she would have a good time for a change. And so it was - after a while she found herself on dance floor with Davis who turned out to be quite good dancer after all, and it was more than she had hoped for.
The next couple of hours were spent by them either dancing or taking small breaks, having refreshing drinks, and chatting about their career plans now, after finishing college. When Davis brought her back to dance floor, the song changed to slow ballad with slight hint of rumba rhythm. Something stirred within her, and before she knew, she tore away from Davis, stepping away from the dance floor. It felt wrong, dancing with him...as if there was someone else she should be dancing like this, someone else's arms holding her in the dance...
"I...I need some fresh air." She breathed, fanning herself for better effect, feeling urgent need to get out of the crowded room, the walls seemingly squeezing in on her. "Why don't you...get us some drink? I'll be right outside." Without even awaiting his response, she made her way to the door, pushing through the throng of students that were hanging around near the exit, chatting and laughing. Yet another deja vu sensation washed over her, and she felt like she's going to faint if she won't get outside fast enough.
At last Sarah stepped outside and took a deep breath, the chill night air breezing against her flushed skin. The music, deafening loud indoors, became soft background to the starry sky and night birds chirping in nearest trees. Sarah pulled her jacket on, slowly realizing she lost any desire to return inside. What was wrong with her? Why did some insignificant song had such massive brainstorm effect on her?
"Want to take a walk?" Davis interrupted her internal musing, handing her glass of coke.
"Gladly." Sarah nodded, noting that he did not had glass for himself. "You're not thirsty?"
"No, I already had a drink back there. Let's walk." Davis shrugged, slipping his arm around Sarah's shoulders. Alarm bells rang in her brain again, and she swiftly stepped a bit further, forcing his arm to lose contact with her body, then glanced at him quickly. If he was disappointed, he did not showed it, and kept on walking further down the path where the streetlights could not reach, and Sarah did not liked it. Aside of retreating further from the venue and into the darkness, Davis had once again slipped into his favorite subjects, eagerly talking about the list of books he bought recently to better prepare for his new intern job in IT company - Sarah never even bothered to pay notice what was the company name. She doubted he listened when she talked about her plans to become teacher earlier, but was this really the best topic to bring up with the girl on a - supposedly - date? It didn't hindered Davis from ramblin on and on.
Sarah made a promise to herself - if he would dare to ask her again anywhere, she will seriously consider buying baseball bat.
Before stepping completely out of streetlight reach, she abruptly stopped and interrupted Davis' monologue. "Can you not sound like walking IT encyclopedia for one day in your life?"
"Is being smart considered bad thing now?" He raised eyebrow in unusual boldness. It almost seemed that he was actually taking pride of boring her to death.
"It's hopeless. I have enough. I'm going home." Sarah stated and turned to walk back where they came from.
Suddenly she startled, when pair of arms tightly closed around her waist, spinning her back around and pressing her against his suit. Sarah felt her insides flipping unpleasantly, but before she could say a word, Davis pressed his mouth upon hers, prying her lips open with his tongue. Shocked and frightened, not even in her wildest and craziest dreams expecting such bold behavior from this guy, Sarah shot her hands up against his chest to push him away, but he seemed to take that as encouragement and released one hand from her waist to slide it upward, beneath her jacket... in an instant shock was replaced by anger, and tasting whiskey on his tongue, Sarah quickly realized where he got such bravery from, but enough was enough. She did not recalled giving this Don Juan even slightest hint that such ministrations were welcomed. And it was final drop in her chalice of patience.
Not without effort untangling herself from intoxicated Romeo, she swung her arm and landed a loud, heavy slap right on his left cheek. "What the hell you think you're doing?" She furiously yelled, ready to repeat the slap, but her hand was caught before she could even swing it. Apparently it was not enough to shift his brain in right track. Where one can buy baseball bat at 11PM?
"Relax, Sarah." Davis had the nerve to actually smile at her. "This is a date, isn't it? Don't tell me you didn't wanted it. Every girl claims to not want it, but in fact they dream of it, it's scientifically proven fact. Admit it, you just play hard to get."
Sarah wasn't angry, not at all. No, she was boiling in fury, and if only she could, she would've borrowed a lightning bolt from Zeus himself to strike down this smirking, self-centered jerk, and the mention of science sealed his fate. Since her hand was still within Davis' grasp, she chose the second best option since Zeus was not available at the moment. With her free hand, Sarah grasped his necktie, pulled him just a bit closer and...with all her strength performed women most favorite self-defense kick. With her knee. Right between his legs.
The grip on her hand slacked and vanished as Davis collapsed on ground, clutching the injured place with a puppy dog whimper. "You...bitch..."
Sarah debated if she should try in practice some moves she had seen in Jackie Chan movies, but decided against it. He did not deserved a second more of her attention whatsoever, and Sarah turned, striding away, though prickling ears to make sure he didn't followed, but to her relief, it seemed that her kick had put him down for some time. She took the shortest route possible to reach the park near her home, and only once she did walked into it, she slowed her steps down, finding solace in this place which had been her own personal hideout for so many times.
Kicking her shoes off, Sarah turned off from path and walked toward the pond, soothing her aching feet against cool, dew filled grass. The peace and quiet of this place greeted her, the bright stars blinked above her head, and full moon reflected in calm surface of pond. The stone bench she sat on so many times, escaping reality with help of her story books, now felt as welcoming as ever, and she sat down, sighing. This had been by far the worst date she ever had, and she had fair share of them. Maybe there was something wrong with her? How else to explain her love life tumbling downwards like avalanche, no matter what she did, even when she did wanted things to go well. Sarah leaned forward, resting elbows on her knees, and absently watched the dew glistering softly in moonlight.
Suddenly the nearby bush rustled. Sarah sharply straightened up and looked in direction of sound, slipping hand in purse, closing fingers around the pepper spray can which she always carried along. Too bad she forgot about its existence earlier, or Davis would've ended up not only with aching groin, but also very itchy and aching eyes as well.
For a second she thought she saw a pair of yellow eyes glinting in the darkness. She blinked, and it was gone. And yet...the strange feeling of being watched grew only stronger. "Who's there?" She called out, but was met with silence. Of course, it was stupid to actually believe that even if someone was there, they would respond like that, especially if they had ill intentions. Sarah stood up and looked around. Slight wind caressed her flushed cheeks, but the anxiety did not ceased in her eyes. Was it the silence and darkness of the night that made her heart beat so frantically? Without any further thought, Sarah put her shoes back on, clutched the purse tighter and left in brisk step without even looking back.
Only when she finally reached home, she felt the tight knot in her guts loosen itself. Unlocking the door, she quickly slipped inside, double checking when she locked the door again and put the safety chain as well for extra measure, and left the shoes downstairs, sneaking up to her room barefoot to not make any noise. At long last safe in her room, Sarah fell into bed with clothes on and stared at ceiling for a while, letting out a deep sigh. She knew that tomorrow she will be forced to endure load of questions about how it went, and she could not decide what to tell. This dilemma did not let go of her mind even minutes later, when Sarah finally emerged from her bathroom, changed into pajamas, and slipped under the covers, hoping the sleep would stop avoiding her soon enough.