Guiding light

Beyond words

Tyler

Harry agreed without questions in the beginning and we met after school to go for a shopping spree. On our way to the city center the wind caught into her hair and as she walked ahead of us I saw Jake staring at her mesmerized. Harriett was definitely a gorgeous girl, but since we grew up almost as siblings, I've never seen her in that way.

She turned around and stopped in front of us before we arrived to the biggest shopping center our city had. With her hands on her waist she leaned closer and asked whispering.

- So... Why am I here? Is this some kind of blind date or double date? Ooooh! Or an intervention?! - I sighed and held her shoulders shaking her slightly.

- Snap out of it! - she shook her head and giggled looking shyly at Jake.

- Sorry! This tends to happen from time to time! - Jake looked confused and Harry walked in front of him walking her fingers up on his chest.

- I'm an artist, my mind sometimes looses focus and I get hyper over something crazy. - she pinched Jake's nose and said.

- I need someone at times like that how can keep me on the ground without breaking my wings! - I saw the look in Jake's eyes, he was dying to be that person and I groaned with faked frustration.

- I'm gladly handing this role to you Jake, to be honest I'm tired of it! - I managed to dodge Harry's punch, the years and experience! She frowned but laughed.

- Disgraceful bastard! You called me here asking for my help and now you are saying I'm a hindrance? - I laughed with her and looked at Jake he nodded and we walked to a bench.

- Listen Harry, what I'm about to tell you is a secret. - she nodded and since I didn't know where to start she looked at me and than at Jake and back at me. Harry gasped and jumped up from the bench.

- Oh s**t! You two?! This is my luck ladies and gentlemen! I like a guy for the first time in ages and he is gay! - I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to the bench. I stuffed a muffin I had in my bag into her mouth and said.

- Shut the f**k up and don't make weird assumptions! Please! - she nodded munching happily on the muffin and Jake's face was so red that I thought he is going to pass out.

- You... Like, me? - Jake asked and Harry turned to him stunned. She dropped the muffin realizing what she just said. I caught it before it fell on the ground and now I had two red faced idiots sitting next to me on the bench. I sighed and buried my face in my hands. This is going to be a long afternoon. - I thought. Harry got her clear mind back first and she nodded.

- I thought it was obvious. - she said and Jake grabbed her hands.

- Please, tell me everything into my face because I'm an oblivious i***t! I don't understand the signs unless they are morse codes! - Harry laughed and she knocked something on the bench. Jake grinned from ear to ear and knocked back to her earning a slight blush. I stood up and stooped in front of them.

- Now that you agreed on the terms and conditions, could you please finally help me?

- So, what do you need help with? - Harry asked and I told her everything briefly about Perdita, the same things I told to Jake and in the meantime I wondered, if Perdita had ever seen another woman in her life. Harry's eyes were filled with tears and her hands clenched into fists. She stood up grabbing our hands and pulling us after her

- Harry... - I called her and she snapped back at me.

- What are we wasting out time with?! That girl needs care and love! Let's go! - we followed her and I released her hand while they kept holding hands with Jake. In the store Harry asked a few other things about Perdita her height and physics. Soon she had a few t-shirts, leggings and even a fluffy slipper in her basket, along with a little packet.

- What's that? - Jake asked and she caressed his face, as if they were going out together since they knew their minds.

- Girl stuff! If I can visit her too one day, I'll have many things to talk about with her. I think she didn't really get any real education or herself. - I never thought about that. Jake stopped at the jewelries and looked at a cute clover pendant. He took it off while Harry didn't pay attention and asked me as a decoy.

- What about a nice necklace? - I shivered at the though of putting anything in her neck. A necklace that a guy gives to a girl usually had the meaning of "you are mine".

- No.

- Why? It's a nice detail. - Harry said and I smiled at my friends.

- I'd never give her anything that even resembles any kind of ownership. She had been in those collars for a decade if not longer. I want to give her freedom and I don't want her to feel that she is my property. - Harriett smiled and gave me a brief hug.

- You are right, let's find her a nice new dress. - she said and we paid for the stuff in that shop, heading to another. Harry and Jake looked around while I walked aimlessly, when I noticed a little dress, almost hidden in the corner of the shop. The light color and sparkles caught my attention shining as if it was calling me. I took it off of the rail and looked at the dress. It was a sky blue tull gown with sheer corset bodice, medium length and with ribbons as straps on both shoulders. The fabric had something on it that made the dress sparkle with a silver shine.

- That's it. - I heard Harriett saying it behind me. She walked there and looked at the dress. Jake checked the price and grinned.

- It's the last one an even on sale! - I smiled at the dress and extended it in front of me. I could vision Perdita wearing it with that cute smile on her face. Something warmed up my heart and without second thoughts I said.

- This is a dress fit for a Princess. - I went to the checkout and before we left the shopping center we stopped at a bookstore. Harry choose some educational books and my eyes stopped at a book that had a cover woth an embroidery pattern. Hans Christian Andersen - Wild Swans. I remembered of this tale about a brave, young woman, who fought through hell to save her brothers and she never gave up the good in her. I bought the book and out it next to the dress and other clothes we ended up buying. During our shopping spree, Harry took lots of photos of places and us. At the end she sent them to me.

- Show her these too, maybe it's not a lot, but her curiosity and desire for freedom might conquer the pattern beaten into her bones and mind. - I felt like tearing up. Looking at my friends I felt so much gratitude. I hugged both of them and couldn't stop thanking for the help and generosity. We came for one dress, but all of us ended up buying something for Perdita and not out of pity, but simply because of pure goodness.

- I hope one day she'll let me visit her as well! - Harry said when we departed after accompanying her home. She gave a hug to me and a peck to Jake.

- Don't forget to tell me how did it went! And if she allow it! Take a few photos! - she said cheerfully and I looked at Jake. When Harry closed the door she jumped happily like a child. On our way home I asked.

- What did you tell each other with morse code? - Jake hugged me over my shoulder with one arm and said confidently.

- She quoted from Shakespeare "When I saw you, I fell in love and you smiled because you knew."

- Wow... And what did you say? - I never thought Harry will ever fell head over heels for someone. She was popular for her beauty but only a few could handle her personality and temper. Jake grinned.

-“The moment I saw you, I knew I was in trouble. And I never wanted to be saved.” - I pat his back and shared the pure happiness of my friend while we walked home. I looked at the sky full of stars and just couldn't wait to finally see them sparkle in her eyes.