I stand in front of my full length mirror breathing deeply hands trembling. I could barely look at my reflection. Today, was my 16 birthday. I have been fearful and excited for this day for a long time. This was the day I'd be expected to blossom from a girl to a woman.
I must admit I wasn't what to expect as far as ceremonies went. The theme changes every year, and I had no other siblings to tell me what to expect. The only thing I knew was that it was a elaborate celebration. It marked a year before I was eligible to go in a field or fill a survey for potential partners. In our society adulting starts early. Mostly because of the councils beliefs. If everyone graduated earlier and started working and having families productivity rates would go up and we wouldn't have to worry about joblessness or people being homeless.
I don't know what the future holds for me, I'm trying not to have any unrealistic expectations. Things along the lines of fairy tale romances unexpectedly living in a mansion or becoming a model. The only problem is I don't really know what direction I was wanting to go in my life. Everyone in my class had their education pushed to limits ensuring we be nothing but successful by the time you turned 16.
I didn't know how much time I would have to figure it out. Honestly sometimes I wish it was like I could ask life to give me all the answers. I realise though that would be cheating and would probably take all the fun out of living. I stare at my reflection in the mirror. This is it I tell myself the day your life starts.
I chose a simple outfit for the ceremony. A kneel length light blue silk dress with tiny pearls doting the hemline and heart shaped bodice. My grey eyes were adorned with minimal makeup and my lips were slightly pinker due to lip gloss. I hadn't wanted to go over the top but not simple either. My aburn hair was falling in waves down my back. On my feet were a pair of silver sandals. I inhaled deeply trying to block out my nerves.
Today marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. I wasn't sure if I ready to start being an adult but I had to try. I heard a soft knocking on the other side of my door. Can I come in?" A boys voice that was all too familiar asked.
Yes Kain you may." I said. I hear the sound of the door opening and the next minute my best friend was standing in the doorway leaning against the doorway. "You look beautiful ." were the words that escaped his lips. Pretty I mean pretty. He stuttered trying to undo what he thought was a mistake.
"Thank you." I say cheerfully. I couldn't help but notice the slight blush forming on his cheeks. Embarrassed much I teased. Kain ran a hand through his dark messy hair. Oh why?" he asked. Your're blushing. I pointed out. Am I he asked?" waggling his eyebrows.
If I didn't know any better, I would say he was trying to flirt with me. I didn't know very much about boys plus I hadn't thought of Kain as anything more than my best friend the keeper of my secrets. "Isn't it that obvious?" I asked. "No not really." Kain flashed his signature boyish grin at me. "Is that what you think?"
"Kind of." I confess I didn't want to let on that I liked the way he was talking to me even if it was something I wasn't used to. In all the years we'd known each other he never blushed around me or even attempted to flirt with me. I was confused and somewhat wondering what brought this on. I hadn't seen or heard any signals that he liked me.
I decided to change the subject. Are you nervous for today I asked him. "Should I be nervous?" He asked me. Eyebrow raised as he looked around. "I was just wondering I know I am."I said. Trying to sound casual. "Don't be your amazing," he tells me his green eyes twinkling in amusement. "It's easier for you to say ." I shot back sounding harsher than what I meant to sound like. "It's always been easier for you.
Kain looked up to me he face showed a hurt expression. The normally light blue eyes I'd grown accoustomed to darkened. The cheerful smile that was on his face quickly shifted into a frown. "What's that susposed to mean?"
Quickly I realized I may have hurt him. "Nothing just forget I said anything." I whispered softly. Kain softened. "Look your nervous for today I get just try not to think about it." "How can I ?" I asked. "Think happy thoughts." Kain shrugged . "That's I what do." I cocked my head slightly. "Are you sure that works." "Sounds cheesy." I said skeptically. "Don't knock it till you try it." Kain said. "It's helped me a lot over the years."
"So have you always spent your entire life living by Peter Pan's Mantra?" I asked curious. I was supprised. I was learning something new about Kain. I was pondering weather or not there were more things I didn't know. "Pretty much Ava ." "Why is there is a saying that a saying that you live by too?" Kain asked gently.
"Don't you think it's a little cliche to live your entire life by one saying?" Kain rolled his eyes. "Okay smarty pants, if you had to live by a saying what would it be?" I don't know I say truthfully. "Can I have sometime to think it over?" "Depends how much time are you wanting?" Kain smirked.
