January

Chapter 16

After those very inspiring and encouraging words, Erine gained the motivation to learn more about fashion. There is a multitude of sources to choose from, just as Erine's interest rapidly grew.

The club leader, Liliane has been very patient with her, monitoring any progress on occasions. During free times, Erine would sit in and observe the members in their work. Over time, she had already established a close relationship with the members, allowing her to snoop around confidently asking random questions, especially about the craft.

This is what had prompted her to watch videos on the internet daily. Life of a designer on a daily basis, best fabrics for a certain type of designs, portfolios, and techniques. She's too consumed finding more information about the craft that these past few days, she hadn't been able to keep track of her sleeping schedule.

Most of the time, she approaches Lana, whom she is more comfortable to be with, among the members, that is.

"How to start with sewing?" At one meeting, Erine asked Lana. "How do I say this?" She scratches her head. "Um, the club really doesn't teach us about sewing."

"What?" Erine exclaimed. "Then why do Liliane created the club?"

Lana stops the fabrics she's been cutting and placed them down.

"For activities and fundraising," Lana said like it's normal.

Erine's eyes went wide. "So, you've never been trained how to do some techniques?!"

Lana shakes her head. "No, even college courses don't teach you that much."

"Then how did you train?"

For a moment, she seems to be recalling some things, as if she had forgotten how to answer them.

"To be honest, I just kind of start it out of nowhere. My first had numerous trials, I wasted so much fabric because of it. So, yeah, I just observed some professionals, and try to imitate them."

It was very vogue, she couldn't tell whether it was helpful or not. Nonetheless, it gave her some good advice.

"Maybe, the most appropriate way to learn is to find a mentor," Lana suggested. The girl seems to notice something in Erine's reaction. Momentarily leaving the task at hand, Lana tried her hardest to give more advice, like she was obliged to do so. "Or you can ask Liliane."

This has piqued her attention. "Do you think she can make room for me?"

One member sitting next to Lana was the one to answer. "I don't think that'll be possible. The girl is too busy managing her online store."

It's a bit disappointing, but rather than that Erine find something more noticeable.

"Online store?"

Seems like more member became invested by the particular topic.

"Yeah, that is where we sell our works."

Now the information and backstories surrounding Davis came into her rapidly.

"They said she was living with her aunt."

"No, she was adopted!"

"And they weren't really supporting her."

"And they say that that store is also her way to find her mother."

"No, her mother died."

"Yeah, they say she's a witch."

The amount of contradicting information confuses her even more. Still, it may not be appropriate to believe such rumors, especially when they're not in sync with each other already.

"I don't really know who started those rumors," Erine said, making the rest of the members stop. "But I'd rather stop speculating about a person that I don't even know the entire story. Besides, isn't it unfair to talk behind her back?"

They went quiet all of a sudden. Some got a little pissed with the way she set things straight, while others agreed along with her, including Lana.

"Do not mind them," Lana said. "And you are right, actually. You can't believe rumors and judge them according to it without knowing the full story."

Although the topic was never brought up among the members anymore, Erine was a little bit curious about the circulating rumors. But she has more self-control than most.

Forgetting about it, she chose to focus on her own problems for now.

Since there was no way to learn without the use of the internet, Erine spent most of her time watching tutorials. Having to experience being sleep-deprived for the first time in her life.

Even Michelle and Elizabeth are a bit concerned at the dark circles that have started to form under her eyes.

"You know, it's not bad to be finding more information about your chosen career," Elizabeth said. "But you should also take care of yourself, you got plenty of time to learn more about designing."

Michelle agreed. "We all start as a beginner in our craft. And certain things must take time to explore."

Erine sighs. Her friends's advice is actually correct. She's been acting careless since the past few days.

It wouldn't have been the case if she have seen actual progress. But it's been five days since she joined the club and nothing changed yet. She's still unable to produce any design. Liliane said to take her time, activities are not near yet.

But it felt as if she was treated like a kid by the way they've given her a chance. The club members did not complain about her current position though.

They're just thankful of the help she contributed on the last project.

"Did you know that we've received feedback from their costume designer?"

Erine was shock by the news but felt overjoyed.

The news was dropped by Michelle who has been keeping in touch with Hans Zel. At the event of the theater play, some of the crew filmmakers couldn't attend, one of them is the costume designer, Harrison Liu.

Harrison Liu is the youngest crew members of Hans Zel tea. He joined costume designer at age seventeen and has been working for a year already. He was still a college student, but Hans Zel hires him whenever they would need help for their next project.

This person, however, has limited time. And hearing that this same person wants to visit the school one day just to see Erine say something more about her potential. That's why Erine is now having an alone time by the garden at that moment.

It was lunch break already, and there is no other places than the garden that she could rest her mind comfortably. The fields is noisy at the moment due for Luke's team having a practice. She wanted to see, but couldn't risk being attacked by the crazy followers. Besides, there was no way she could focus when her concentration is scattered everywhere.

Erine was sitting by the tree when she remembered something. The last time she checked the black diary was at the first time she joined the fashion club.

"Nothing, huh," Erine said, still disappointed to see that there's no new entries in the notebook since the day of the theater play.

She didn't know what happened, but maybe the diary is malfunctioning. Or does the writer had lost interest towards her?

Speaking of the diary, Erine really never found out what is the real meaning behind its existence. She was thinking maybe it was from the future, and she accidentally brought it back along. Which is more likely considering how it just magically writes entries.

Erine was even creeped out by the fact that it knows some of the events, but nonetheless, the majority didn't seem to happen due to her being from the future.

"What's that?"

Not expecting the sudden interruption, she jumped from her seat and quickly backed away.

When she turns, Luke was now laughing while looking at her, grasping his stomach tightly.

"You're so jumpy." Luke said in between laughter. "It's just me!" He said raising both of his hands to  let Erine know that he has nothing.

Erine calms down, rubbing her chest.

"You just came out of nowhere."

"I did?" Luke asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Just then, Erine noticed that he was wet with sweat that the bottom of his hair had been sticking onto his skin. On one hand, he was holding a energy drink while a towel was draped over his nape.

"How did you get away from your fans?" Erine asked.

Luke only smiled. "I sneaked out. Then I found you hear."

Luke wipes his sweat and sat on the place where Erine sat earlier. Erine did the some but had to keep a distance away. They are not that close yet, even though Erine knew that they've been closer than that.

"Why are you here?" Erine asked. "Why don't you join your friends?"

"Oh," Luke cleard his throat. "They are noisy and I needed to rest for a bit. This place is perfect."

Erine agreed quietly.

"I am not seeing you anymore during practices," Luke said. "Is there something bothering you?"

Blinking twice, she puts a strand of her hair behind her ears. "I'm actually busy with clubs."

This seem to have caught the man's interest. Sitting like a properly trained dog, Luke inquires.

"What club did you join?"

"Fashion."

However, Luke didn't seem so surprised by this.

"Really?" Luke said. "That seems so much like you."

"Like me?"

"Mm-hmm." Luke nodded. "You dress well than anyone else in this school. Not over the top but you are attractive in anything you wear."

"Really?"

Erine didn't hear this kind of thoughts coming from Luke.

Somehow, the foul mood from earlier went away by this comment.

"So, what's bothering you?" Luke said. "Don't tell me it's nothing. I've seen you by the window earlier, you were thinking really hard."

This brings back a lot of memories. Especially during her marriage with Luke. She remembers how the guy would always make sure that he gets to ask her how she is whenever he went home, or even give her a phone call during his business trips.

"It's just that I couldn't think of any designs at the moment."

Luke raised both of his eyebrows. "Maybe you need inspiration."

Erine smiles at this, there he is again with his attempt in giving suggestions. Luke is one of those who likes to listen to your problem, and gives you advice that majority of the people gives you. Still, Erine find this cute.

"Yup, I need it," Erine said staring at the black diary. "I just don't know how."

"You must really like it." Luke suddenly said.

"What?"

Luke smiles, and it was getting harder for Erine to focus in her own problem. She even forget all about it, wondering what was she frowning all over and brooding on that she has to separate herself from her friends for a while?

That was how magnetic Luke's smile are. That's why girls are fawning over him, hoping that someday those smiles are going to be theirs.

"To forget about me and turn your attention on this one. It must be that important." Luke said.

This made Erine a little speechless. This is the first time that she heard Luke speaking this way. Maybe it was because Luke isn't used to her ignoring him.

Erine are always the one to initiate in everything.

"Not that I don't like it," Luke said drinking on his energy drink. When he realized it was already empty, he squeezes the can and threw it at a trash can far away from theirs. Luke without any difficulties managed to get it inside. "But I'm a little sad."

Luke is honest with his feelings. It may take a while to build up courage to say his thoughts, but when he did, he'll guarantee a sincere one.

Maybe that was one of the reason why, Erine and Luke never fought during their marriage. They were understanding of each other flaws and accepting on all of it.

On the other hand, Erine still thinks that something negative came out from this type of marriage. That is Erine didn't get to mature that much over the years. That way, she thought she lack the experience that a forty year old woman should have.

"I love you, Luke." Erine said in a mere whisper. "And I can see my future in you."

Luke was a little taken aback by these words.

"But I want to have something I am proud of." Erine said, as if she's talking to the Luke she married.

And when she opens her eyes again, she sees that it was the Luke she did not marry yet.

Erine held the notebook tightly as she moved to get up from the ground. Just in time, the bell just happen to rang, indicating that the lunchbreak is finally over.

"Erine." Luke called, sounding desperate all of a sudden.

It frustrate Erine that she couldn't hear him say his own thoughts, and it might take longer than she used to.

Forcing a smile, Erine puts both of her hand behind her. "I'll be a fashion designer." Erine declared, voice full of determination. "But I am still the same girl who loves fairytales."

It was like a promise that Erine knew she can fulfill. And knew Luke would wait longer this time.

"I'll marry a prince." Erine said, still couldn't believe she was saying all this. But she continued. "But if he can wait, then the princess will be happy."

That was all she said before turning around, clutching the notebook tightly, as if it's her support at the moment.

She might have not said it very precisely, but Luke knew that Erine is drawing a line between them. Even if Erine is gonna come back one day, Luke is scared of the time he's going to waste to be waiting for her.

But just like a prince should do, he'll wait.