January

Chapter 17

On top of the table, scatters a dozen of drafts, a cup of coffee, and Erine's laptop. She listens to a video of tutorials while she scribbles some design ideas, multitasking two things at a time to fit in her schedule.

Later, after the two activities have been done simultaneously, she'll have to practice using the sewing machine, and at the same time listen to some audio stories. In that way, she could be entertained and do work at the same time, as long as she can concentrate.

Erine looked at the sewing machine and a mannequin dummy beside the table. It was hard to find one, but eventually, she found a*****e that happens to have unutilized. What else is that Erine gets to buy some clothes from the said clothing store. Pretty stylish but simple nonetheless.

"Honey," Erine didn't flinch nor look up from her work.

But managed to hummed, "Hmm?"

"Have some snacks downstairs." Mrs. Harper said. "Your father is also downstairs. Come and meet join us?"

That was when Erine got detached from her work, feeling a little shaken by the news. She tried to breathe several times as she remembers the anger she felt for her father. It took her a while.

"Honey, you coming?" Mrs. Harper asked, leaning on the door. "Or do you really need to finish your project?"

"No. I--" Erine stood up from the chair very quickly, causing some things to fall on the floor. "I'm going. I just need a second and I'll be downstairs."

Mrs. Harper smiled. "Okay, we'll wait for you downstairs."

When her mother left, Erine were already finished gathering up the materials. When she looks at the mirror, she tried various faces, trying to adjust any unappealing expression. Practicing not to frown will not be an easy task, but there is no way she could keep smiling the whole time, it's more likely that her father might question what is wrong.

Instead of doing any more rehearsals, she just settles on her normal face, hoping her father wouldn't notice anything negative.

She walks slowly down the stairs, making sure that she doesn't produce any noise.

"She's here." Mrs. Harper said to her husband.

When Erine stared, she found Mr. Harper was seated in one of the chairs, and in one hand, he had a document.

"Hello, father," Erine said rather politely. Taking the seat opposite her mother, Erine waited patiently for her father to put the documents down.

But minutes have passed, and Mr. Harper was still consumed with the papers in hand. Which made her blood boil. Luke never does this during the time they're together. He knew how to keep his work and family matters separate.

However, shouldn't expect much. He's always been like this. Although, he was particularly sweet to Erine, she would never understand why her mother deserve that treatment.

Erine grabs a fork immediately.

Using the utensils, she pierced three pieces of pancake and started gobbling them.

"I love it, mom!" Erine said loudly, making sure that her father will get disturbed by the noise. "What did you put in it?!"

Mrs. Harper beams, "It's just my usual secret recipe." She said shaking her head. "What's gotten into you dear. And slow down, you will choke yourself doing that."

"But I really love it!" Erine said once again, making her voice even louder. "Dad, why don't yu try it?!"

At the mention of his name, the father tore his gaze away from the documents and sets them down.

Pulling up a smile, he asked. "Really?"

Erine nodded several times, smiling from ear to ear. Then she got the brightest idea. Putting another pancake on her fork, she offered it to her father, urging him to open his mouth.

If Mr. Harper doesn't really like being feed at the moment, Erine has no idea. It may have been the first time she ever does this to her parents. It's just a habit she developed from being a mother.

"Hmm?"

Mr. Harper stared at the pancake for a while, disbelief were written all over his face. If he wants to say something, he choose not to and just take a bite on the pancake, as he glances over Mrs. Harper who was now watching them in awe.

Erine smiled and took another piece of the pancake and offered this piece, this time to her mother.

Both of them are exchanging glances at each other a they chew the food in their mouth. But everytime they do meet eyes, they would eventually pull their gazes away. Erine then realized that the two were still in a fight.

And Erine couldn't blame her mother for why she's angry at the moment. But Erine was there with them, with this into consideration, there's no other way but to try and suffocate their selves in each other's presence.

Even though the it was just pretend, she was actually thankful of the way her parents tries to make the atmosphere light just for her.

Wanting to keep on the charade, Erine turns to her father and said, "Dad, I how was it?"

Mr. Harper nodded several times. "It's good."

"Of course," Erine said putting a hand on her chin. "Mom is a great cook."

"Thank you, honey." Mrs. Harper said, now her smile became even wider.

They continued their meal, in turn feeding each other. As if their daughter is the only glue that sticking them together, the two married couple slowly become to warm in to each other. But still there's a little distance between them.

Well, it isn't easy to completely throw away your anger, especially when you didn't receive any apology in return.

"Dad, I'm studying fashion designing." Erine chirped happily. "And one day, I'm gonna make you a suit."

"Really?!" Her dad was shocked twice that day. "My daughter is going to be a fashion designer?"

Erine nodded excitedly. "Yes, I'll make you a suit dad. And mom, I'll make you a dress." She said turning to her mother.

That both of them looked at each other again. Now they are able to give each other a quick smile. Seeing the two to able to reconnect to each other a little, she couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.

A suit and a dress...

Erine thought of it as a joke but seeing the reaction on both of them, Erine felt like rewarding her parents.

That's why she became more adamant in learning fashion.

"Erine." She looks up at her name being called. Her father gave her a smile as he reached for Erine's hand. "I am sure you'll be a professional fashion designer one day."

"We will support you along the way." Mrs. Harper said.

Erine backs away a little, hands searching for something to do, and when she found the pancake on her plate, she grabs a spoon and played with it.

"Thank you."

Although they were still avoiding each other, the atmosphere is better than when she arrive at the kitchen. They spent their afternoon meal chatting with each other.

And when Erine came back to her room the sun is beginning to set.

Seeing that she has no time for sewing anymore, Erine pulled out some of her notebook, and other materials and rushed in making all the homework were given for that week. She has about four of them, and Erine wondered why she didn't made the requirements first before studying about designing.

Erine proceeded on researching for her thesis, all the while, she just couldn't stop thinking of the suits and dresses Erine would want to make for her parents.

Without knowing that she slept that making the thesis.

And when she had dreamed, Erine saw two people. Both had their own partners that Erine couldn't recognize.

She was in distraught. The scene before is a painful image, these are the ones that she didn't want to see. But other than that, there was acceptance, which is a little confusing for her.

Then her parents held hands together all of a sudden, both are in matching styling of clothes. They look tantalizing dancing together, and just by seeing this, Erine already felt the happiness she haven't felt for a long time.

Erine awakes by the sound of her alarm. She wipes the drool over her lips as she forces herself to return to the task at hand. With only a half-ass written report, there is just no way she would be able to present the requirements for tomorrow.

Knowing all of this, Erine decides to just abandon the thesis. And when she sees that there is more than enough time to go back to her projects, instead she grabs a pen and paper. Her hands became unstoppable as she slides through different revisions.

When the next morning came, Erine is unexpectedly excited to start her day, for someone hadn't even made the tiniest bit of progress on her thesis.

The first periods seem to drag longer as her mind lingers at the design she made, how it brought out something within her, but undoubtedly not 'unfamiliar'.

She was competent just a moment ago but when she finally gets to stand in front of the club room, it felt like the first day of school, the anxiety of not knowing what's on the other side of the door.

Erine was just about to knock when she noticed a silhouette moving by the window. The blindfolds were down that there was no way of knowing what's happening but she could tell that there are two people inside.

Just then, the fog in her ears seems to clear up as she found herself eavesdropping on a conversation she wasn't meant to hear.

"They're not prepared." It was a little hard to hear through the door but Erine, at the very least could distinctly make out those words.

"With a leader like you, there is no wonder this club is falling apart."

This made the listener almost drop the two designs with her hands. Hearing the words, it was quite surprising that the whole members acts as if there was nothing wrong with the club. Or maybe they have no inkling of whatever is happening.

Even though there was an obvious answer, Erine choose to drop the question for a while and proceeded to eavesdrop, ears tight against the door. Some words are muddled and muffled but having to pick out a little of it gives the idea of what the whole picture is about.

Club closing down, new club, and the fashion club being on hiatus and not having a big activity these past few months.

Other than those chapped pieces, Erine could already feel the tension even without entering the room.

Come to think of it, the hallway designated for clubs already has its hand full from all the club applications. Some even occupy two rooms, that involve sports such as Taek Won Do and Arnis. And the rest are active when it comes to developing individual events.

The fashion club on the other wasn't really well versed when it comes to doing their own events. Sure they participate in some occasional events...that is if the school or other clubs ask them to participate.

Other than that their performance in fundraising wasn't that bad at all. Simply put, they weren't motivated enough when it comes to things that they won't receive money in return. Which Erine has the trouble finding hard to believe when Liliane is simply wasn't that type of person. Or she definitely underestimated the leader.

Nonetheless, she couldn't entirely blame the whole club. They've been spending both time and effort just to meet everyone's expectations.

But even though some students could understand where the fashion club is coming from, this alone isn't enough.

"To be able to function as an effective club, one should be useful in favor of the school's well-being. The principal gave me permission to take over and disband this club, if you haven't proven anything yet by the end of this month, then I suggest packing your things and moving out of this room."

Erine clutched the paper within her hand tightly as the words rang into her over and over again, like a newly found hope that's slowly disappearing.