Shuffled: When the Cards Talk You Must Listen

Chapter 21 Red Just Isn't Your Color, Or Mine (Working title)

When I woke up the next morning I was surprised to find it bright, sunny and warm! Like I don't need a jacket, hoodie or even a sweater warm. As I stepped into the shower I realized that I hadn't dreamed at all last night. Not one smidge. Then again I also had not read any of either of the little books either.

I wish I understood this weather. It's nothing like the other areas I've lived in before. I mean it was still JUST October, maybe this is Indian Summer. Ok maybe that's not exactly PC but I don't know what else to call that amazingly warm weather you get after the first cold snap of fall season. Either way I'm not complaining.

I could not help the smile that painted itself across my face as I got dressed. I felt fun and flirty, and free today. Yesterday Cein and I had gotten a lot of work done on our one act and Aunt Teenie had filled me in on the stuff that's going on with my mom. I guess she is doing better. Some down time from all the moving and changing jobs and dreams(?) has been doing her good. If I'm lucky she will be able to be home before I have my birthday.

I took a deep breath, and paused. Ya my birthday. We've never done a big celebration, always been on the move too much, but she PROMISED me something special for my 19th. The anticipation had always been something I'd looked forward to. Now, I half-way dreaded it. I don't know if it's just because of my mom being in the psych ward or if it's just because she is not here any more, but something just feels off. And it's making me nervous.

I clear the water off the bathroom mirror and look at myself. My eyes are dark, and fathomless right now. I can't place what my eyes are saying. There are too many thoughts flitting through my mind, through my eyes. My hair is wet so it just looks dark brown, and my skin stands out whiter than white right now. I blink, slowly, and think about how odd my life has been, for so long. And now that I kinda, sorta, finally feel a little bit settled, my mom is nowhere to be seen. SIGH.

GRRRRR Lyssa! What is wrong with you! Get it together and enjoy the nice weather for once before it's all gone.

I pull out the blow dryer and dry my hair nice and straight and pull it up into two high pig-tails. Yep I'm gonna enjoy the nice weather, and forget about the murkiness of my family life for the day.

I pull out this flowy pale pink cross over top, and a pair of light skinny jeans. I even finished it off with a pair of pale green ankle boots. I feel like spring in a fall world. Oh well who has to dress for the season? Nope Not ME!

At school life is normal. I'm still getting stared at by the three bleach blondes, and their flock of followers. And the boys of the pack are still stalking me. I can feel their eyes on me everywhere I go. I made up my mind to not let them get to me today. Nope, sunshine and rainbows for me today please and thank you. And MeiLei is 110% on board with that thought.

We even accidentally dressed similarly. It was such an odd feeling to have friends like this, like me. I've just never experienced this before. Kelli, and Daisha just shook their heads at our antics over lunch. But what can I say I was in a good mood. Today was Art and I was looking forward to starting the next dragon painting. I had sketched out the lonely dragon, but I'm not really feeling that today. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what comes out of my brushes again.

"Hi Miss. Lucianna!" I sing as I breeze through her door. It looks like she got the "Bright! Spring Colors" memo today. Hmmm Interesting. There seems to be some kind of VIBE going on today. I had to smile again. It's interesting how life just flows sometimes.

"OH Lyssa! You look wonderful today! Look! We match."

"So it's just you me and MeiLei! Out for the joy of a warm day."

She smiled "We certainly do! So what are you working on today?"

"OH, I'm not sure. I'm gonna let my brushes do the talking like before. Maybe I'll find some sunny faerie dragons or something." I laughed and she agreed before her attention was pulled away from me by the other students.