Repeat and Retribution

Chapter 10

“How did this happen?” Crystal gaped at the young vibrant and fresh girl in front of her.

She could not help but stare at the mirror, checking herself out. Her hair was full and lustrous, the dark circles on her eyes were still minuscule and unseen. The age line in her cheeks, forehead were nowhere to be found along with her laugh lines, as her skin was still oily yet full of radiance and color.

Crystal let out a gasped as she raised her pajamas to see check her belly, it was flat again. Her then played with her boobs as the did not sag anymore and her waistline was back into it’s slim shape.

She still could not believe what was happening, blood was literally rushing all over her body as she tries to overcome the shock. Looking at the year on the calendar on her table once more, she almost cried seeing that she went back thirteen years back in her past.

Yet last thing that she remembered was being with her best friend Brittany, drinking her worries away and feeling remorse for all of her lost time, before falling asleep on the Narra tree.

She caught her breath realizing what could have had happened, as she suddenly remembered about her vivid dream.

It then dawned on her that she now has a fresh start, a new chance to begin a new and start over again. But this time, she was going to make things right and she was going to make everything work out.

No more Clyde Vancouver or the pathetic and uncertain future for her. She was going to make sure that she would be able to stand on her own.

“Crystals, you’re going to be late for school!” a familiar voice called out.

Her heart pounded hearing it once more after all those years, that all so warm and caring tone that she had missed for so long.

“School. I’m still going to school! What date is it?” A smile formed on her face as she looked at her self in the mirror, touching her cheek and giving it a good pinch just to make sure that she wasn’t still dreaming at all.

Wincing from the trickle of pain that she felt, as she actually hurt herself, trying to give assurance to her own meager mind. Everything was real, everything. Which made her leap for joy even more.

“Crystal! The food is getting cold,” the voice boomed again.

That was the time she began dressing up, quick and concise as she was used to. Sh e was already running downstair within five minutes.

She halts as at the entrance to the kitchen, as she watched the back of her mom sway to the music on the radio, while frying some eggs.

A tear escaped from her eyes as she slowly walk closer. Heart thumping at being able to see the one person she wanted to run to during all those hard times.

Sensing her presence the woman stops her routine and quickly turns to her, head bobbing with a frown as she looked at her face. Cheeks puffy pink and her hair still full of curlers, even the apron made her feel so nostalgic.

“What?” she finally asks, confused at how Crystal looked at her.

“Mama!” she screamed as she gave her a hugged.

She could not help but sobbed feeling the warm skin of her mother and being able to be in her arms once more. It was one of those things that she missed so much.

Crystal didn’t care if it would seem awkward or weird, for it would probably be for her mom, since she did not know anything. But she could not help but do this, to actually remember how it felt.

“Why, what happened, what’s wrong?” her mother quickly holds her, caressing her back while frowning in confusion and surprise.

Crystal was unable to hold her sobs as she felt that tender, loving hold of her mom once again. Something she wanted, during the time that she and Clyde broke up.

But then she realized that, the said incident hasn’t even happened yet and there was no reason for such reminiscing as she was going to make things work out this time.

After a few moments she was able to compose herself. She now was sures that she was back with a second chance at life, one she would not waste again, just because of her mistakes.

“Nothing,” she says as she finally lets go of their embrace.

Her mothers face creased even more, she then pinches her nose before putting both her arms on her hips.

“You better hurry up and eat your breakfast or you’ll be late for your first day,” she scolds pinching Crystals cheeks before turning around to check back on the eggs that were frying on the pan.

She could not help but let out a smile. “First day?” she whispered the words as she was suddenly lost for air. “Is it my first day?” she repeats as if she did not understand those words.

Her mom turns to her again, frowning to the point her brows were almost touching each other. Her mother looked so amusing to her right now as she was still holding her spatula up, like she wanted to hit her.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” she states pointing the end of the kitchen utensil in front of her.

It was one of those times when she knew that her mother was starting to get both confused and worried with her current actions, but she just couldn’t stop herself.

“Yes mama,” Crystal gives her mother another tight hug as she dowses herself with her moms warmth. “I love you so much,” she adds as she started swaying because of the sheer happiness in her heart.

Her mother just smiled as they hugged there for awhile before she finally taps her back, telling her to go to the table, since the food on the stove was starting to smoke.

Crystal then runs to her chair, fixing her plate and also preparing her moms. It was their usual breakfast of dried fish, eggs and fried rice.

Having forgotten the taste of her moms home cooking, she ate all of it with gusto, making sure to finish every bite and not leaving a trace of food on her plate.

Though in her previous life she would complain for eating it almost every single day, now she was more appreciative of what her parents had to offer.

After finishing breakfast she helps her mother clean up, before running back upstairs to her room to prepare for her so called first day of school.

After taking a nice and clean bath she began preparing her clothes and the things that she was going to need. As expected her stuff was a mess, she never really thought about it up until now. Upon seeing the numerous make-up and accessories she had bought before. She was awe struck that she was so delve into looking so pretty that she ended up losing almost all of her allowance just to buy such things she didn’t really needed.

Well that was wanting that she was going to make sure would be removed, as she was not going to repeat that again.

Putting all those things in one basket and only leaving the basic stuff that she knew she needed. She began preparing herself.

Crystal looked straight at the mirror as she was getting dressed. Though she was back in her younger years, there was no way in hell that she was going to act like one. She was going to make sure that she will change everything about her from now on.

First she wore her hair down as neatly as possible, making sure to brush any uneven strands, remembering the effects of powder on her face she did not put any. The only thing that she had on was a dab of petroleum on her lips to make it shine, instead of lipstick.

Checking the length of her skirt, she made sure that it was just near her knee, not too long nor too short. Thankfully her upper uniform was a perfect fit not needing any changes, lastly she made sure that all the other details of her uniform we’re well placed and neat.

She made a note to herself to buy essential necessities that she didn’t have, such as tissue, non scented deodorant and a bigger bag, as the one she currently had was the one chosen by her previous self. A small purse, that didn’t even fit any of her books.

Putting that aside for now, she just made sure to bring the things she needed. Neatly aligning everything in place to make sure that all of her school things were there, plus a few personal items.

As she put on her shoes, she was only able to wear socks that were up to her ankle, she then reminded herself to buy a few pairs, as well as plain handkerchiefs and a watch.

Crystal breath out a sigh, she could not believe her previous self to be this messy and disorganized.

When she was finally all set, she gave herself one more look in the mirror before proceeding to walk down the stairs, prim and proper as her future self did. Making sure not to cause any unneeded actions and noise along the way.

Her mother was suddenly more confused seeing her in that manner, plus the fact that she looked so matured, as her previous self would be running and jumping all the way down.

“Honey, are you sure you’re feeling okay,” her mom asks.

Looking a bit dumbfounded seeing how Crystal carried herself, which looked like a full blown change in just one night.

“Yes mama,” she giggles as she comes close to her to give her a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll be going now.” she waves goodbye before heading straight out.

“Is your money enough?” her mom calls out.

Crystal stops for a while, as she began computing on her mind her fare going back and forth, the amount she needed for lunch, plus extra for emergencies. She then remembered the reason for that and just let’s out a sigh.

As oppose to her current self, she would have asked for extra pocket money as she was always buying stuff she didn’t really need out of sheer enjoyment and fashion, not giving a care were the money came from. That would be the reason why she would ask for extra money before, but since now she knew better, she turns to her mom with a sweet smile.

“Yes mama, I’m good,” she says giggling at how her mom looked right now

Her forehead was a bit creased, eyes wide and looking straight at her in disbelief and worry.

“Are you sure?” Her mom says once again still not believing what she was hearing.

She just pressed her hands to her face to stop herself from completely laughing. “Yes mama, bye. I love you!” she gives her a flying kiss before finally proceeding to the door.

She knew it was quite a shock for her mother because it would seem that her change was all of a sudden. But she knew better and she did not want to revert back to her old self just look normal to them again, she also promised herself with that second chance that she was going to make sure that she would be a better daughter to her parents.

“Okay, you be careful now,” that was the only thing that her mother said as she watched Crystal walk out of the door.

With a new course in life and a better understanding of things, Crystal felt much-much lighter. Having to live her whole life once again was a blessing that she was not going to waste.

As she walked to her school she began contemplating and making plans for her future self. This time, she was going to make sure that she would not end up crying, a mess and lost.