Cherry - part 33

Amelia

Rug

Amelia's brother, Florian, was driving his car, an Audi A6 in black, because he loves black, smoothly. He is smooth in everything he does. Even speaking, though he rarely does that. She could see how Gwen was trying to keep herself together. She should have thought about how Florian works. He just has this effect on girls, and they can't help it. Of course she saw him completely asexual, but he usually just had to look at a woman to get her full and undivided attention. He had always been the dark and mysterious type. He also had his own band, which only made the ladies mingle around him. Amelia never wanted him home if she threw a party. She loves him greatly, but he takes all the attention. He was never a big talker, but when he's among his fellow band members, he sure does a lot of talking. Amelia doesn't really listen to his music. It's usually some kind of metal they play. Girls don’t care. They just see him with a guitar on a stage, and that's usually what it takes for him to score someone. His guy friends are all jealous, and rarely invite him if they go out drinking, aka; trying to get laid.

“So, Ry, are you going to rehearse with the band today?” She asked him and he nodded.

They arrived at Amelia's house; a big, white villa in one of the finer areas. Her parents were both doctors and therefore rarely home, meaning her and Florian had the house to themselves most of the time. They all walked in.

“My room is upstairs.” She told Gwen, who only nodded. She would probably not talk when Florian was around. They all walked up to Amelia's room; an eggshell-white painted large room with a rug in the middle. Her desk was white along with all the other furniture in her room. Her parents had paid for it all, and she had not been there to pick out any of it.

“It's really nice.” Gwen said, while she watched how Sabrina and Arthur sat down like they were at home.

“Thanks so much for inviting me.” She added solemnly. They all smiled at her.

“It's nothing.” Amelia said. Arthur turned on the TV, and almost simultaneously a vague noise was heard from downstairs.

“What's that buzzing?” Gwen asked. Amelia laughed. It was her brother playing on his guitar before the band came over to rehearse.

“It's my brother. He has a music room downstairs.” She answered and Gwen nodded. Amelia was sad to see a nice girl like Gwen fall for her brother. Her too? That had been her first thought when she saw how she looked at him. Just like any other girl. She didn't know if he wanted to be such a womanizer. She didn't know much about his personality at all. She was saddened by the fact and sighed. Sabrina sat next to Arthur, watching some crap on TV.

A pinch of jealousy flushed over her when she saw Arthur look at Sabrina, and she shook her head, as if it shakes off the feeling.

The rug on her floor is red.

Cherry - part 32

Gwen

Newbie

Gwen's long, blonde hair flew around her, as she approached her new classroom. She had been bullied in her previous class. She had been 'that new girl', and therefore an easy target. She had been promised a new and better class. The door was suddenly right in front of her, and she was the last to arrive. The door was closed, and she could knock, but she didn't want to. It was hard to be the new girl, especially on the last year in High School. Then the door opened, and her new teacher, Miss Cryx, stood in front of her, mildly shocked.

“Hi. Gwen, is it?” It was almost like she was singing.

“Yes.” Gwen said, and whatever Miss Cryx should have done out of the classroom, she now forgot and welcomed Gwen.

“Everybody, this is Gwen. Now, I want all of you to be on your best behavior towards Gwen, so she can feel welcomed. Gwen, these are your new classmates.” Miss Cryx gestured towards an empty seat on the right side of a redheaded girl.

“Hi. I'm Amelia.” She turned her torso towards Gwen and shook her hand. Amelia smiled and turned around to the boy who sat next to her.

“This is Arthur, my best friend. Just say the word, we'll help you the best we can.” Gwen smiled. Amelia's words were so kind, a kindness she haven't known since she moved from her previous high school.

“Don't exclude me.” A voice said from behind. Gwen turned around and a short-haired, blond girl looked directly at her.

“You make it sound like I don't want to help her at all. I'm Sabrina, by the way. And I'll be your humble guide. Really, whatever you need. Where the classrooms are, which boys to go for... I know it all. I'm your gossip girl.” She flashed a smile at her.

“Sabrina, I am flattered that you will be there for Gwen, but if you could please wait to the recess to gossip, it would be nice.” Miss Cryx said. The class laughed a bit. This was apparently not the first time Sabrina had done something like this. Gwen smiled at her at turned towards the whiteboard.

After the class, people came up to Gwen to present themselves. Most people left, since this was the only class of the day, but Amelia, Sabrina and Arthur stayed.

“Do you want to come join us at my place?” Amelia asked when people had left. Gwen smiled at her.

“I'd love to.” She said.

“My older brother will come to pick us up. He'll be here any minute.” Amelia said. Gwen looked at her. They were talking for a few minutes before her eye caught him. The guy standing in the doorway had to be Amelia's older brother. Since Gwen was the only one facing the door, she saw him first. She blinked a few times and shook her head when she looked at him. He was about 6, 2 feet tall, and he wore a black leather jacket and black pants. His hair reached the middle of his back, and he had a slight time-glass figure. He was eying the floor, and there was something about him... she hardly could put it into words. His face was round, with marked cheekbones. You could slightly see his muscles under the leather jacket. Amelia turned her head and smiled. They all walked up to him. Gwen could barely make herself look at him.

“Gwen, this is Florian, my brother. Ry, you should have said something, you always sneak up on people.” She smiled. For a second he flashed a beautiful smile with white teeth, and she could slightly see his subtle dimples. When he looked up she saw his matte green eyes. He held her eyes for a second too long, that one extra second that makes your heart stop momentarily. If eyes really are windows to the soul, these reveal nothing. She tried to keep her stare from him, but failed. Dark, mysterious, tall and ever so handsome. Those were the words she would describe him with.

“And Florian, this is Gwen, our new classmate.” She heard Amelia say. She instantly looked up and gazed right into his eyes. She was too afraid to look away.

“H....hi....” She stammered in a low voice. She heard Sabrina laugh behind her. She pulled free from his holding stare to look at her.

“What?” Gwen said, now with power in her voice.

“Nothing. It's just... He has that effect on people.” She smiled again. Gwen looked around. No one seemed affected by her words, nor did they seem embarrassed by Gwen's behavior.

“Hello.” His voice was strong, powerful, and pierced right into her. She caught her breath. He reminded her of a picture she saw once, on her old high school. It was a painted picture of a fallen angel, and his slim, dark figure and this aura he seemed to have, made her think of the picture that both scared and fascinated her.

“Should we go?” Sabrina squeaked.

“Yeah.” Amelia answered, and they headed towards the parking lot.

It just started to rain.

Cherry - part 31

Cherry

Mirrors

Her maids were on the way to Cathy's place. Richard had just left to pick her up. James was cooking dinner. She was on her couch, waiting for things to happen. She was almost desperate to have something happening in her life. What was she supposed to do? She was wandering about in her own little world, and everyone was off doing stuff. Cathy was educating herself, Percival was working. And she was doing nothing but standing on the sideline, not doing... anything...

The buzzer snapped her out of her thoughts with its usual shocking sound. She got up and pressed the button.

“Yes, James?”

“Richard has returned with Miss Goethe. Should I send them up?”

“Yes, thank you James.” She looked at the clock. Time had been flying when she was on the couch. Her room was spotless. So would Cathy's apartment be, when the maids were done.

James knocked on the door, and before she opened it, she put on her best, fake smile. Cathy thanked James and walked into the room. Things were usually never awkward between them, but in the meantime she had looked in the mirror and despite Percival's wise words at the dinner, she just couldn't repeat it for herself again and again when she was alone. Though her mother and father rarely mingled in her business, even they had commented on her new lifestyle of obviously doing nothing. But she did things. She helped Cathy. She gave her life meaningful thoughts. She dreamed of Percival.

“How are you?” She managed to ask Cathy. Lost in thoughts she pressed the button on the buzzer and asked James how the food was coming.

“Right away, miss.” He answered.

“I hope you're hungry.” She looked at Cathy. She nodded. James walked in right after, with two perfectly served plates with corn-chicken. He placed it on the table and with a short nod, he was out again. Cathy placed the envelope on the table as well.

“Cherry, I cannot describe to you how grateful I am. All the things you do...”

“Don't mention it; I'm just happy to help.”

“I've been thinking... About how great it is of you, to do this. Considering what I am and what I used to be. And what I did... I mean, to Percival... If I had known, back then...”

The memory of Cathy and Percival in the corner on the street was like a slap in the face. She felt her hand shaking and in her head she kept replaying the horrifying memory.

“I said; don't mention it.” Her tone was harsh and she was surprised to hear herself snap at Cathy.

“Sorry.” She mumbled.

Involuntarily, Cherry came to think I wish I'd never ever helped her. She could stay as the local hooker and I could be off, doing other things than being in all her business. But immediately regretted the thought. She shot a glance at Cathy. Sitting there, eating something that must be one of the best meals of her lifetime, she didn't look smug, but she stared at the plate with a grateful look. She was obviously not comfortable with the way Cherry had just given her everything she needed. Her life had also been turned upside down. How could I be so selfish to deny her something good in life? She thought to herself. Cathy cut a piece of the chicken. She was careful with the knife and when she put the piece into her mouth, she actually seemed to enjoy it.

Everyone needs something good in their life. She took a sip of her soda.

“I've had James put up a guest bed for you next to mine, so we can talk before we go to sleep. I have a toothbrush here for you as well.”

“Thank you.”

Cherry looks at her untouched plate filled with food. It looked so delicious; it was almost a shame to eat it.

She turns her head to the right, and see herself in the mirror across the room, and feels utterly lonely.

Cherry - part 30

Tony

Call

Tony is not married. Actually he's never really been in a serious relationship. He doesn't want to count in Gwen's mother in, even though they were shortly married. The divorce got through half a year before Gwen was born. Sometimes he wonders how it affected his daughter Gwen, and she often asks why he doesn't have a girlfriend. She asked a lot when she was younger. Now she's 18 and she only asks once in a while. Mostly because her mother, Virginia, got married shortly after Gwen was born. He figures she doesn't understand why her father hasn’t chosen that kind of life.

Tony is sitting at his desk and feeling like a boss. He's working at a bank in which he actually is the boss. He only has one superior. He was looking at the phone, wondering if the damn high school her daughter went to, was completely ignorant of the complains the parents came with.

He had been to the school over a week ago and furiously looked for the classroom she was supposed to be in. He couldn't find it, and when he spoke to a receptionist about how his daughter had been bullied in her class, she just told him “We'll take a look at it and give you a call.” Which of course they haven't done. Gwen was a good girl. She had never done anything to anyone, yet the class she was put in, bullied her. She was the newcomer, and therefore an easy target. They just moved there, and despite Gwen's happy spirit, her classmates had been horrible to her. He wanted his daughter to move class, and he wanted them to take action now.

A buzzing sound came from the monitor. His secretary's light voice sounded through the speaker.

“A Mr. Mosby wants to see you. You have half an hour before the board meeting. Should I send him in, or are you busy?”

“Send him in, April.”

“Yes, sir.”

A few seconds later a man came in the door, followed by April, the secretary. She usually came in with the clients so she could bring them something to drink or eat.

“Pleased to meet you, sir.” Mr. Mosby said and shook Tony's hand.

“You too. Please call me Tony. Would you like something to drink?”

“Club soda would be fine, Mr.”

“April, we would like two club sodas and bowl of mixed nuts.”

“Right away, sir.”

April left the room and Mr. Mosby sat down. Tony did not remember him – he was not a client. It was seldom that someone who wasn't a client did not make an appointment.

“So. Mr. Mosby, what can I do for you?”

“I hear you are going to build a new bank.”

“That's correct. So you are looking for a job here?”

“Well, yes. But not in the bank. I would like to design it. You see, I'm an architect, and I think can make a wonderful new building for your bank. At a reasonable prize, of course.”

April came in with the club soda and a bowl of mixed nuts. Mr. Mosby took a sip of the club soda.

“That does sound interesting, Mr. Mosby. If you have some blueprints or something I can look at, I'll be glad to...” His speech got cut short when the phone rang.

“I have to answer this, sorry.” He mumbled, and Mr. Mosby nodded.

“Yes?” He answered.

“I call from your daughter's high school.” A woman said in the other end.

“Yes, I've been waiting for your call.”

“You wanted your daughter moved to another class, and we have one she can be moved to.”
“Yes. Are there any problems in that class?”

“No, it seems to work fine. Would you like me to transfer her? She can start tomorrow?”

“Yes, thank you. Goodbye.” He hangs up.

“Sorry. It was regarding my daughter’s education. I have been waiting for that call for over a week now.” He shook his head and looked at the clock. Fifteen minutes until he had the board meeting.

“I will send you some blueprints, Tony. Thanks so much for your time; I'm sure you have lots to do.” Mr. Mosby stood up and shook his hand again. And suddenly he was out of the door.

He never finished his club soda.

Cherry - part 29

Amelia

Always/never

Yesterday was the last day and today is the first day. Yesterday was the last day she had Arthur's attention during class. Today is the first day where all the boys will be staring at the new teacher. Yesterday was the last day with Janette, the substitute teacher. Today is the first day with Miss Cryx. And she was excited, yes, and then she was worried. It was a failure for her to lose her best friend to the teacher. She would invade the thoughts of all the boys and trying to be a teacher for them would be impossible.

She approached the school a tad early, but maybe then she would be able to catch Miss Cryx alone. She wanted to welcome her. She also wanted to let her know how much of an honor it was for her to be in the class she was teaching.

Miss Cryx was even more beautiful than she remembered. Her black hair hang loose except two tiny braids on each side of her head, tied in the back. She wore a skinny, black skirt, with a slightly pink shirt and a sea blue scarf. She was humming a tone Amelia never had heard before, and she was sure Miss Cryx hadn't seen her. The tone was so beautiful; she didn't want to interrupt her. Then again, it was slightly creepy to stand in the door and barely be breathing to be quiet.

Miss Cryx turned around and stopped her humming as if it was a horrible thing that she had been humming it in the first place.

“Good morning. Are you in my class?” She said, and Amelia noticed how she tried to keep her cool in front of her. She was staring at her. Amelia thought about that day were she saw Miss Cryx right outside their classroom. She was shocked to see her. She remember thinking 'is it today she's coming?' and shot a glance at Arthur, who obviously didn't want to stare at Miss Cryx either.

'”It's her, Arthur. That's Miss Cryx.” she had whispered to him.

“Really?” He said. She nodded and turned away. Arthur followed her. So why's she surprised to see me? She stared at me. She must remember me. She thought, but decided to follow her act. She wanted to be cool with the new teacher.

“Yes, I am in this class.” Amelia found her chair and sat down.

“Miss Cryx, we are honored have you as a teacher. We have only heard good things about you.”

“I'm glad to hear that. Please, call me Zia.”

“Okay, Zia.”

They were quiet for a time and Amelia found her things and put them on the table.

“How was Paris?” She asked, and Zia looked at the time before answering. It was almost time to start class. Maybe there was so much to tell, so she wouldn't have nearly enough time. Then again, Zia didn't know Amelia, so why would she tell her a long story?

“It was good, in many ways. Highly overrated, though. 'The City of Love' might not be the right term. It was raining most of the time and noisy people filled the street every day, all day.”

“I see.” She answered silently. A horde of people, her classmates, came in. They were mumbling and looking at Miss Cryx from time to time. The bell rang, and the rest of the people hurried inside. Miss Cryx stood in front of the board, looking at the students without looking like a superior individual, coming to teach morons. No, there was something about her eyes, something... benevolently...

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, I am your new English teacher, and as you probably also know already, my name is Zia Cryx. You may call me Zia. I am very excited to be here with you. How much did you go through with Janette?” A few people put up their hands. Amelia figured she didn't need to. Zia looked directly at her for a second, before she pointed at someone behind her.

“Yes, you? What's your name?” She asked.

“Sabrina. And we began reading poems of the First World War, and she also told us about how most men secretly were gay.” People laughed. It was so typical of her to mention that. The sub told them many things, and the stories about general homosexuality was just a briefly mentioned subject, only because Sabrina asked what they did to ease the pressure when there was no women.

“I bet you would have liked to be there.” A guy shouted at her.

“In the middle of a bunch of horny men? Hell yeah!” And the class laughed again. Amelia looked at Zia, who also laughed.

“Yes, that's right, Sabrina. Most men were gay. It was a very demanding job, both physically and mentally. They needed some bodily contact and tenderness, like anybody else.”

Amelia wrote the notes in her book and shot a glance at Arthur. He was also taking notes. Then he looked at her and smiled. She wrote in the back of her book:

How do you like the new teacher?

I guess she's fine. How about you?

Yeah, she's cool.

She didn't look at him when she closed the book again. She didn't want to talk about her.

Zia wrote something on the board.

“Go in groups and discuss question four and five in your textbook.”

Amelia and Arthur look at each other simultaneously, and then she looks behind her and makes eye contact with Sabrina. She's her best friend. Though Sabrina has friends out and about, and Amelia never met many of them. Sabrina often spoke of people and told her stories about them, and Amelia was glad she had never met them. They seemed so different from herself, and she thought about how Sabrina must act very differently around her.

Sabrina nods at her. They walk out together, and Sabrina says “It's nice she has some humor.”

Both Amelia and Arthur nods in agreement.

Amelia looks at Sabrina while they walk towards a table.

She's wearing pink and black striped half-gloves.

Cherry - part 28

Cathy

Jobs

Besides her new school, Cathy still worked at the store. Part time only. She felt how the home nursing school took her time, and only at the store she had time to relax and hear the newest gossip. It went well for her, though. The school was a whole new world, and she really liked to be a part of a community, like she haven't been for a long time. She saw new faces she already knew because of the store or the gossip she heard there.

Cathy pulls up her phone from her pocket and calls Cherry.

“Hey, Cher. How's it going?”

“Cathy, hi. I'm doing well. How about you? How's school? Did you send me the bills?” Cherry's thrilled voice rung through the phone.

“School's nice. We learn all kind of nursing stuff. I didn't send the bills, I was wondering if I could come to your place later? It's been a while since last time I saw you.”

“Please do! You know what; I'll send Richard out to get you. When should he pick you up?”

“Thanks, Cher. I'm of at 7.30, so 7.45 would be great.”

“No problem at all. Would you like to stay for dinner?”

“Oh, I should really get home and clean, I guess it's best if I just drop them off and say hi.” Her thoughts wandered off to her dirty apartment which haven't been cleaned for a week. Dishes haven't been washed and laundry haven't been done.

“Don't be silly! I'll have James make his famous corn chicken. If you need some cleaning up to do, I'll ask the maid to pay you a visit. It's hard to be alone and starting school again.”

“Oh, Cherry, I already owe you so much, please don't. It's my responsibility.” It was nice of Cherry to offer her help to get things fixed. Yet Cathy felt she was in debt to her ears, and she would never be able to pay any of it back.

“Now, Cathy, I'll take care of this. Think of it as... you are already paying me back by going to school and helping yourself. I already have everything, now I want to help someone, and that someone is you.”

“But...” She started, but Cherry cut her off.

“Cathy, shh. Richard will be there at 7.45 sharp. And when you get here, dinner will be ready. And you just give James the bills, and he will give it to my accountant. And I'll have the guest room got ready for you, so you'll stay here overnight. Don't worry, Richard will get you to school safely tomorrow. When you get home, my maid will have been there and everything will be taken care of. It's going to be nice. I'll see you later, sweety.”

“Okay, I guess.”

She stared at the phone while listening to the beeping sound. She never intended to rip Cherry of all her goods. The guilt was building up, but Cherry didn't listen.

A costumer walked into the store, touching a few items before going to Cathy. Cathy knew the costumer; it was Miss Darsy's son, George. He was probably still bitter about being fired from his position as Mr. Cryx's assistant. She had heard he was sure that he was fired so Percival could take his job. She had also heard that it wasn't even Mr. Cryx who fired him.

“Hello, Cathy. I didn't know you still worked here.”

“Hi George. Yeah, well, it's only part time now. I'm studying to be a home nurse.”

“That's nice. How about your night job. Still doing that?” She was instantly insulted. George had never been one of her clients, but he sure was interested in knowing her whereabouts as a whore.

“Not so much anymore. Money is not that tight now. It was only an emergency solution. I had to stop at one point, and frankly I'm tired of all the mean rumors.”

“I understand that. I've heard some of them, and it's not nice.”

“I know.”

He stood awkwardly and looked at her, and she wondered if all he came for was information.

“Have you heard Zia's in town again?”

“Yeah, she's been here for a while.”

“Have you talked with her?”

“No, but rumors spread like wildfire, or chlamydia, in this town.” They shared a laugh and the awkward silence fell again.

“Did you want something?” Cathy asked, and George looked around him.

“I forgot what I needed.” He turned to the door.

“Have you found a new job?” She almost yelled at him before he got to the door. He turned around and looked confused, as if he wanted to as how do you know? And then he laughed. Of course she knew.

“Not yet.”

“Good seeing you, George.”

“You too.” He yelled as he walked out of the store.

Cherry - part 27

Zia

Projects

Her giant calendar on the wall had yet another X on it. She was counting down. She wanted a normal, regular life. Perry had been weird ever since that dinner thing with Cherry and their families. It was several days ago, yet he continued to being strangely silent. Zia had asked him how it all went, but the only thing he had said, was “Good.” So she didn't bother with asking no more. Instead she tried to make something useful of the last week she had left before she started her job. Countless times her mother had asked her “So what are you going to do today, honey?” and Zia had a new answer every day; “I found my old paint-stuff in the basement. I'm going to take up painting.”, “I'm going jogging.”, “I'm going to organize all my music.”, “I'm going to make vases of clay.”, “I'm going to reorganize my room.”, “I'm going shopping for new clothes and give some of my old to charity.”. She was restless and even though she thought “I could also just relax.” but being alone in the house was too much for her. She was used to being alone. She was used to live in an apartment in Paris, having each night alone. The truth was that Zia was lonely and had been for a long time, so she had to distract herself from the noisy silence. Today's project was to go visit her new workplace to get a better hold of it. She didn't want to risk her dignity because she couldn't find her way around it.

She drove her own car to the school and the silence was screaming at her. It was class time so the halls were empty. She wandered the halls silently around the school, until she came to the hall were her upcoming class was. She had been here once before, after hours, but it was strange to know that her students were on the other side of the wall. The bell rang, and only a few seconds later the students roamed the halls. A girl, who came from her upcoming class, stared at her. A boy beside her shot a look at the girl, then at Zia. They were about three people apart. The girl said something to the boy, but Zia couldn't hear it. The boy said one word, and then looked at Zia again. The girl nodded and turned around. Then they walked away. Now Zia could see her bright, red hair flair around her shoulders.

She continued onwards.

When the kids went to the next class, she decided to go home. It was quite hot outside and the last bits of summer were still visible in the heat, the birds, the flowers and the warm wind. She sat in her car with the door open and her legs out to cool down the car. She watched a car drive rapidly around the parking lot, finally parked and a man furiously stormed out of the car.

What a maniac, she thought for herself; I better get out of here before he pulls out a gun or something. She swung in her legs, but before she got to close the door, the man stood in the way.

“Hello.” He said calmly, fixing his messed hair. He was dressed in a suit.

“Can I help you?” Zia asked, and was surprised by her worried voice.

“Do you, by any chance, know where...” he paused and pulled up a note from his pocket, looked at his watched while mumbling 'second period', “classroom 13c is?” He looked pleadingly at her.

“I'm in a hurry.” He added. He was tall and very handsome. He had brown eyes, glasses and brown, messed hair.

“I'm sorry, I don't know.” She turned the key and heard the engine roar a bit.

“So you're not a mother?” He was genuinely surprised.

“I'm going to teach here in a couple of days.”

“Lucky students. Thanks anyway.”

“Bye.”

And then she drove away.

Cherry - part 26

Cherry

Flying

He can make me laugh – that's what she has been thinking all night. Sometimes, when she watch TV, there's some single girls who are asked 'What is the most important quality in a man?' and usually, if it's a bad TV show, they say 'I want my guy to be sooooo hot and looking like a fucking model, otherwise I'm not touching him.' and sometimes, if it's a slightly better TV show, they say 'I want a funny, sensitive guy who can make me laugh when I least expect it.' and that's how she feels now – laughing when she doesn't expect it. Percival can do that to her, and that makes her happy. She's long gone in her thoughts, and they walk around the restaurant and around the town, slowly, of course.

“It's nice here.” She says, and realizes how stupid she sounded. She also think about how Percival have been a little off this evening – maybe he's not feeling well.

“This is nice.” He says, and they are quiet again. She doesn't know what to say.

“So Zia's back home from Paris. That must be nice.” She looks at him, waiting. Maybe he doesn't want to talk about his sister. She could imagine if it's always about her.

“It is.” He says, in a flat voice. She wonders if it's a bad idea to mention his sister, but she didn't know what else to say.

“I'm not mad at her. I just realized I sounded like that.” He was mumbling and she wasn't convinced, yet she nodded and smiled at him.

“It's weird she never introduced us when she was my babysitter.”

“Yeah, I've wondered the same as well.” And then they were quiet again. The sound of their footsteps turned into a tune in her head. They had walked quite a while now, and even though she hung on every word he said, she couldn't help but be amazed by the flickering lights. The sun was going down and the sky was a beautiful mix of red, orange, yellow and blue. No cloud to be seen for miles. She could see the moon.

“How do you think it would have been if we were friends back then?” He said, forcing her to concentrate once again. She heard it in her head, 'friends'. Were they friends now?

“Are we friends now?” She asked, before she could think too much about it. He looked at bit shocked at her.

“Well, don't you think we get along nicely?”

“Why, yes, I do. But does that make us friends?” She heard her own accusing voice, and was saddened by that. Yet she couldn't help it. As if she couldn't control her own mouth.

“I don't know. I guess I just assumed...” His voice trailed off, and suddenly she remembered what Cathy had said about confidence, when they met the first time. She had ruined his confidence, and she immediately felt bad. He was walking beside her. They were alone. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered suddenly, and she realized she had been ignoring them for long time. Her shoulders were tense and she could feel how she hadn't relaxed since they left the restaurant. Was she nervous? That would be logical, and judging by the butterflies, she was nervous. Then he looked at him again and realized she was afraid. What if she had been let down – like he had? By her. She walked in front of him and stopped.

“I'm sorry; I didn't mean to be like that.” She said. His head crooked to the left side and looked behind her, raising an eyebrow. She looked at his hand and wondered if she should take it to empathize her point. She trembled – where was she even going with this?

“I really want to be your friend, but a friendship is built upon shared trust, and...” she paused, but realized she didn't know what to say if he answered now. She had to keep going. “Well, we're merely acquaintances now. I want us to be friends. Maybe even...”

“I want to be your friend as well.” He smiled. She noticed how his voice suddenly sparkled with confidence. Just a bit more. He took a small step closer. The next few seconds seemed like an eternity. She flew out of her body, watching them standing face to face from above. In the most surreal way – almost slow-motion, she watched him lean closer to her body, slower and slower as he approached. He's going to kiss me now, she thought, and she felt how she moved back and forth in the air. Her body on the ground didn't move at all. What am I going to do? Why is he kissing me? You cannot kiss anyone you don't know? Isn't a kiss supposed to mean something? Something special? What the hell is he doing?

She watched her body move backwards and he stopped leaning forward, looking ashamed at her.

“I'm sorry.” He said. And she was back in her body, looking right into his eyes.

“I don't know why I did that.” He said, and started to walk back again. She stared at him.

“I don't know why I did that either.” She answered, and he smiled. It was in the air that no other words had to be spoken. They understood each other, and she felt closer to him now.

They were back to the restaurant before she knew it. They went separate ways.

And they didn't hug.

Cherry - part 25

Percival

Candles

He arrived alone at 7 o'clock, sharp. He had to walk to the restaurant, even though he knew he would probably sweat a little. He was so darn nervous he had to walk some of the anxiety off. Half an hour left, and his mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. Waltz and Cherry would arrive. They'd sit a table and eat, and his dad and Mr. Waltz would talk business. His mom and Mrs. Waltz would probably talk about the other housewives and gossip about the latest news inside their own circle.

And himself and Cherry? He had no clue.

A car pulled up to the entrance. His parents walked out of the car and the driver drove home.

“I didn't think you'd beat us to it.” His dad said teasingly. Percival laughed nervously. His mother hugged him with one arm. Percival stood perfectly still.

“We'll just go to our table now and take a good look at the wine card. Would you like to come?” His dad was almost inside the restaurant.

“I'll just breathe some fresh air. I'll find you in there.” He answered, and his mother muttered 'fine', and so they walked away. What should he do if Mr. and Mrs. Waltz came? What would he say to them? Should he also decline their offer to join them in entering the restaurant, if it happened that they asked? What would be the proper thing to do? He started pacing back and forth, and sometimes he got eye contact with the head waiter, who gave him a strange look, even when he was on the phone. When he saw the black car, his heart seemed to beat in his throat and his head started to spin. He knew it was her. The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish shined as if it had just been polished, and who would drive a car like that, other than Cherry?

And he was right. Her driver, a short guy with big eyes and messy, spiky hair, opens her door. He smiles with scarily white teeth, and she looked ten times as beautiful as he remembered her. Her fancy shoes was high and made her really tall, she wore a light green dress reaching her knee, like she was the most fancy gift wrapped in a simple, but beautiful wrapping. Just the way she walked seemed different. Maybe it was the shoes.

“Hello, Cherry.” He says as she approaches him. She flashes a wonderful smile. The flutter in his stomach is getting worse. Wonder if he can eat anything tonight?

“Percival, it's so good to see you again.” And she hugs him. The feeling from their first hug flashes in him again like heat waves.

“I really like your car. It's so cool.” They walk together into the restaurant.

“Yes, it's pretty neat. Have my parents arrived yet?” She checks her watch at her wrist, and Percival stares at her and gets lost in thought. He doesn't even listen. She looks at him, waiting.

“What?” He asks and looks down at himself. He doesn't notice anything different.

“Have they arrived?” She asks, slowly. As if he's an idiot. He might be, in her presence.

“Who?” He asks, and her awaiting gaze looks so puzzled he cannot help himself, and laughs.

“My parents?”

“Not yet...” He says, and wants to say something more, but he doesn't. He is afraid of losing his ability to speak when she's around.

“May I help you?” The head waiter asks. He can tell they are important people. It's a fine place, but no one dresses that fancy if they are not important in any way.

“The Cryx party awaits us.” Percival says in a fine, deep voice.

“Right this way, Mr. and Mrs. Waltz.” They laugh, nervously.

“No, we are not Mr. and Mrs. Waltz. That's my parents. That's Mr. and Mrs. Cryx's son, and I'm the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Waltz.” Cherry explains to the waiter. He smiles.
“I'm so sorry. You are a cute couple. Have a nice evening.” They laugh again.

“Thanks, but we're not really a couple. Just... friends....” Percival looks into her eyes as she explains to the waiter again. Her voice cracks when she says that they are not a couple. And then she smiles again, along with the teacher, who mumbles something like 'well that's a shame', and they are walked to the table, where his parents are waiting. The talk goes on wine and which one would fall in Mr. and Mrs. Waltz's taste.

“Hello Mr. Cryx, hello Mrs. Cryx.” Cherry says and her and Percival places themselves at the far left of the table, away from his parents. Only a few moments later Mr. and Mrs. Waltz arrive. Percival doesn't dare say a thing. He looks at Cherry from his menu card when she's not looking. Their fathers are already talking about business. Their mothers gossip about the housewives. It's exactly like he expected.

They order. He doesn't listen to what the others order, and when the waiter leaves, he can barely remember what he ordered himself. The wine comes and he and Cherry both ordered a Coke. Hers was a diet, his was a regular.

“So how was work today?” Cherry asks, and he has to think about how to talk before he answers.

“Well, my dad is right there,” he answers in a low tone, “I cannot answer that.” And then they laugh.

Cherry's laughter fills the room and he's wondering why the other people are not looking at her. Why wouldn't they wonder where such a laugh comes from? He looks at her mouth as her lips slightly moves. It's only for a few seconds, but it feels longer in Percival's head.

“Is it really that bad?” She whispers, peaking towards his father. He nod and they laugh again, this time silently.

“I'm sorry to hear that.” And when the last word slips out of her mouth, silence falls and they are quiet until the food arrives. The waiter talks about the wine – it is apparently a very fine wine and it will go smoothly to whatever they ordered. He does barely listen, he's lost in her. Then he thinks about Zia, and how many men have been lost in her. Will it be like that when Cherry gets older? Will boys call her an angel and stare at her on the street? He shivers by the thought of icky boys drooling over her.

“What?” She says, and he realizes he had been staring at her this entire time he was lost in thoughts.

“Nothing, nothing. I was just lost for a while.” And he tries to remember how to smile.

“So what are you doing at the moment?” He asks after a few seconds. He failed to smile so he tries to save it by talking. Maybe she'll forget the weird look he had on his face when he tried. She looks embarrassed.

“Not much. I'm taking some time off. I wish I had the guts to just... go out and do stuff, but I'm slacking the day away. I guess I need it.” She's embarrassed because I have a job and she doesn't, he thinks for himself. She looks down. If only she could look him in the eyes and see how it really doesn't matter to him.

“I wish I could take some time off.” He confesses in a low voice, so his father wouldn't hear it. Percival is scared of his reaction if he heard.

“Why? We should get on with our lives, not just be stuck where we are. The big decisions are to be taken now. I feel so guilty... I don't contribute to society.”

“Because if I had the time to think about what I wanted to do, then I'd probably end up choosing the right thing, and not just choosing something because I had to. You're right, the big decisions are to be taken now, but who said that, anyway? I say it's my life, and I should be able to decide whenever I'm ready. Unfortunately, that's not how it works. I have to contribute to society because my dad says so, and as long as I live under his roof, I do as he says. I could have ended up with a much worse job, so in a way, I'm glad I'm stuck there for a while. But believe me, whenever I can escape, I will.” His voice cracks from whispering. His throat feels a bit weird. Cherry seems to relax more and she nods slowly.

“That sounds about right.” She says and add: “I shouldn’t feel guilty. Thanks.” She flashes yet another wonderful smile and he dazes off into a world where he and Cherry are running in the fields towards each other, only to collide in a warm embrace.

They eat in silence and only partly listens to their parents talk. It seems so mundane and boring. Cherry seems absorbed in eating her food. He wonders how she can stay so thin.

When they are all done, they both look at each other for a long, long time, before Cherry mutters “do you want to take a walk while they finish their special wine?” His smile is wider than it have been for a long time, and they leave the table.

All the candles on the way out flicker a bit when they walk by.

Cherry - part 24

Cherry

Bubbles

Cherry doesn't work. Not now, at least. She's taking a year off, trying to relax. Maybe she'll know, someday, what she wants to do for the rest of her life. For now, she can only wonder. With so many possibilities, so many choices to make when one are so young, it can be quite overwhelming. Her parents have stuff to do. Her dad is working and her mother is probably planning the next ball. She thinks about Percival. Fine, neat Percival. The Percival she spend an evening with. Would she even recognize him outside the bubble they built together? But a bubble bursts and does it when you expect it least. She takes a bite of her banana and presses the button on the buzzer.

“James, could you please bring me a bowl of strawberries?”

“Yes, Ma'am.” And with that, the subtle buzzing sound disappears. Not too long after, James appears in the doorway with a bowl of strawberries. She thanks him.

Her mind wonders off as one strawberry fills her mouth after another. The sweet scent has filled the room and the taste seems to be in every corner of her mouth.

Her phone calls and she picks it up.

“Yes?” She asks, as the number calling was private.

“Honey? It's dad.” Her father’s deep voice sound through the speaker.
“Oh, hi dad. What's up?” Her father is usually busy around noon, so she wonders why he's calling now.

“I was just on the phone with your mom. I was telling her about a dinner tonight with Mr. and Mrs. Cryx. Mr. Cryx called earlier and he mentioned we have a business meeting tonight. Well, he mentioned how you met his son, Percival, when you delivered the message a few days ago. So he suggested bringing our wives and you and Percival could join us as well. That is, if you don't have any plans. Percival was free tonight, so it only depends on you, sweetheart.”

“That sounds nice. I would love to join you. When and where do we meet? I'll buzz Richard right away.”

“It's at Paul's, at 7.30. Give Richard my best.”

“I'll be there. Bye, dad.”

“Bye honey.”

And Cherry starts dancing her in room. Percival had agreed to go, that was a good sign, right? She pressed the button to the garage, and Richard answered.
“Richard, I have to be at Paul's around 7.20 tonight. I'll like the car to get a wash and wax before we go anywhere.”

“Yes miss. But what if you have to go anywhere later?”

“Oh, don't worry, Richard. I'll get myself to where I need to be.”

“Alright, miss. I'll be home in due time.”

“Thank you, Richard.” and then the buzzing stopped. She took a look at her wardrobe and instantly felt exactly like what she was: a teenager. For once, something important. What the hell am I going to wear?

Cherry - part 23

Cathy

Ruins

Cathy had never had a boyfriend, which to her was very obvious why. No one wanted to date a whore. And with all the rumors flying around, she could understand why she repelled boys. She wanted to yell 'I'm sorry I had to make a living!' They wouldn't think the same if it was someone who had worked at a fast food stand for many years. That's a crappy job as well, right? She thinks about how lonely she feels sometimes, and now, when she can see Cherry and her strong feelings for Percival, she feels like she can never have those feelings for anyone, ever. She have been ruined, she feels like her body was a workstation, an unfamiliar place with no relations to the private life, a dead thing like a building. Standing in a shop you put on a smiley face and fake your happiness through an entire day, and that's the same she had done for years. She has no life in her body, she literally bring home her work every place she goes. She had never been in love, or has she? How does love even feel? When was the last time she cried? And she doesn't remember. When was the last time she had strong feelings towards anything, really? When was the last time she took off her mask? And she doesn't remember that, either. She's so unhappy, but something in her says that she shouldn't be. It's going to turn around, that's what they all used to say. Everything's going to be okay. Your luck should turn as well. It's just a matter of time. Those phrases had been repeated for her many times. When was it going to be true? When was luck going to turn for her? She figures it already has. She met Cherry and she offered her help. She would help Cathy, so she could help herself. She didn't realize it before. Maybe Cherry was her guardian angel. She looks at her body. No one can erase the past. No one can undo what has been done, and no one can make it better. I live in a ruin, with scars and wounds which will never mend. She can cover it with new skin and she can cover her body with clothes, but no matter how much clothes she puts on, her body will be there underneath, and no one can make the pain from walking in the ruins go away.

Just move on, she think, because that would be what most people would say right about now. But who can truly move on if you have to carry the tombstone of your old self with you all the time? Who can really find bricks to build a new future, if the past took all the crafting resources?

How can you stop the rain from falling down? It falls and falls and overflows the ruins, but the rain never finds the strength or mercy to take the ruins away and into the great, big ocean of the past.