Fangs of enchantment

We are going to WHAT now?!

Turning my head towards the wall, a ray of sunlight snuck its way through the small window over my bed. Its warmth warning me that morning has arrived. Grabbing my worn quilt and tossing it over my head wasn’t going to save what little slumber I was trying to regain. A loud rumbling sound bounced against my ceiling. Trying to sound out sound out the whine of the vacuum, I slammed two of my throw pillows against my ears. “who vacuums this early?” I groan out. Fumbling my hand around to find my phone, I open one eye and try to focus on the time. 8:30am. Trying to get back to the real world, my eyes focus on the doorknob leading out into the bright and loud world. Grabbing my robe I slip my phone into one of its pockets as I slowly shuffle my way upstairs and into the real world.

“well good morning sleeping beauty.” My mother sang as she looks over her shoulder at me. Finally the vacuum purrs to silence as I grab my “don’t bother me until my mug is empty!” and pour some black ice tea in it. “is it a good morning?” Her warm hand rustles my hair as she kissed my head softly. “im sorry for waking you sweetheart but Clyde’s tumble fur was driving me crazy." looking over at our half passed out husky, panting as he gave his black tail a wag against the living rooms hardwood floor. His lazy eyes met mine as if he was smirking at me. Brat. 

Turning my attention over to the cabinet, the growling of my stomach made itself known for its demand for food. Grabbing a box of fruity flakes, I start to make my first meal of the day. nutritious I know. Not even 3 mouthfuls in and the chime of my phone goes off. Praying to all the gods that it wasn't Alex, the thought of that made my stomach do a flip. Biting my lip i slowly pull my phone own and peek at the first letter of the name, C. Oh thank you Buddha it was Celeste. A sigh of relief escapes my lips as I click on her message;

Celeste: BRUH CALL ME! 

Ah she has such a way with words.

Me: Let me enjoy my healthy breakfast first. Also its like 9.. the heck you doing up so early?

It wasn't like her to be up before 10. The girl was a serious night owl. Taking in two more spoon fulls of my breakfast, my phone started to play Winter bear by BTS. Man this girl was on a mission to get the details before I could even function. 

"Good morning Celeste. Also go to bed." their was only one reason for her to be up; she hasn't went to sleep yet. "Yeah, Yeah. ANYWAYS spill. what the heck happened? I thought you two were all gross for each other?" Gross to her since any guy who tried to kiss her only grossed her out. "gross to you since hes not a girl." Giving me a snort of a laugh I could swear I heard her eyes roll. "No Althea it's because I never liked his attitude towards our friendship. He straight up doesn't want me around you. Probably thinks I'm going to woo you baby~" Now its my turn to snort. Celeste always knows how to get me to laugh and cheer up with her goofy comments and personality. She's the only one who's been by my side throughout childhood. My shield when people bullied me, my words when I got tongue tied. She truly was my sister from a different mister. "yeah, well it doesn't matter anymore. he has the C you next Tuesday attached to his hip." Just the images of last night stung my eyes, tears threatening to escape. He was my everything for two years... Two years! 

I spent the next hour venting and crying over the phone with Celeste. Telling her everything that happened, along with the ninja star picture frame. After the phone call I felt completely drained and it was only 11 am. The warmth of my mothers hand rested against the center of my shoulder blades and she peeked at my face. "Baby girl, I know your dad said you're grounded, but why don't we go out and do some shopping before he gets home?"  I wasn't clueless. I could tell she overheard some if not all of the conversation I just had, this should have upset me. hell even hurt me but looking at my mothers eyes, I didn't have the strength or the desire to argue. "You had me at shopping." Giving her a quick side hug, I started to head to my room to get read.

The ocean air stung my nose as the salt water air tangles around my long mousy blond hair. Luckily the sun was taking an afternoon nap behind some dark clouds. Living on the East coast of Massachusetts has its perks. Living in Salem, you were far enough away from the bustling city but close enough to hop on a T for some good ol shopping. However, being on the cusp of looking translucent while even the cloudy sun threatened to burn me. 

The next few hours were spent trying on some dresses and struggling to pick which flats looked cuter with which outfit. Spending time with my mom was always a treat. She has her moments of being scary but for the most part it was like we're friends. Always knowing how to lighten up any dark situation. "Well, we should probably head out before you father gets home." Pulling out my phone from my purse to look at the time. 2:30 PM. "Should give us enough time to hide the evidence." I chime while lifting up 3 bags full of clothes and accessories. Her smile stretched across her face as she playfully flicked my forehead. "Just dont make this a habit  Missy, you can only bend the rules when you're with me." 

We spent the remaining of our time traveling home laughing and chatting about trivial things. Things that helped us ignore the real life problems. After parking the car, we entered the house like it was a James bond movie, sneaking and rushing to take the tags off from all articles of clothes and accessories. with 20 minutes left to spare before dads arrival, we rushed to get our things in our closets as if they were always there. It wasn't often that we did this but even so, we had a method to our madness. Dad never notices fashion or really anything new of the sort. 

It wasn't long after that we heard dads car rolling down the driveway and into the garage. Giving my mom a sly smile as she returned one back while she finished making a large bowl of salad. The door opens slowly as my father entered the house with a bouquet and wine. "wow dad, whats with the swooning gifts?" Kinda gross but it was sweet that 30 years married and my pops still is a hopeless romantic for my mom. I didn't need to look at my mom to know that shes smiling ear to ear. Okay hes clearly sucking up for something. gross. Watching him hand her the flowers and the wine with a kiss on the forehead should have completely grossed out, but part of me wish I had someone who loved me as much as my dad loves my mom. It hurt honestly. 2 years down the drain with Alex. My youth was being wasted and a year left of high school was making me a bit anxious. "Ladies, I have some very important news." Something didn't feel right. An uneasy feeling started to stir in my stomach as my back leaned against the kitchen island table looking at my dad. "I got a job offer in Burlington Vermont. It's a huge opportunity and a large pay increase. I know this is sudden but they would need me there in two weeks." Silence filled the kitchen, speechless and in shock we just stared at him. Finally my mother broke the silence. "A... a few weeks? that's not enough time to even get this house on the market? what about Althea? I'd have to transfer her to a school over there. What about my job? I cant just up and leave the office. I don't know Cody.." My thoughts drowned out the rest of the talking. I couldn't believe it, I wouldn't believe it! This isn't going to happen!