Spotlight on the Mirror

Chapter Eighteen

For the next week, Wanda was M.I.A. and Holliday enjoyed the peace. The bedroom door even remained unlocked because Holliday wasn't about to take no shit from Wanda any longer. She used that time to practice her dancing and to work out. When she wasn't reading Natasha's diary, she visited her body in the hospital. Sometimes, her dad and Mendall were there but rarely they weren't. Holliday needed that sense of comfort to deal with the realization of Natasha's life. She watched her dad interact with Mendall and could tell that they were really in love. It made Holliday acknowledge the fact that she had never fully experience love from the opposite sex.

It dawned on her that she had rarely experienced anything outside of CC's. She made Jazz Dance her commitment and stayed focus but forgot about the other aspects of life.

Holliday had experienced crushes before and was completely "in like" with a guest instructor once. He would flirt with her during class breaks and Holliday really wanted to entertain his advances. But then the realization of Ms. Dee's life snapped her out of that fantasy and she reminded herself to stay away from guys. Even in high school, she didn't participate in any school functions or events because dance consumed all her free time but she loved it. She didn't even have any friends at school because Madison attended a private school so she rarely interacted with her peers. Holliday only went to the Homecoming Dance her senior year because her mom made her but she missed Prom due to a dance competition. Her mom always said that she would regret it but she never did until recently.

Holliday still couldn't bring herself to visit her grandma's grave. She wanted too especially if the switch didn't occur before the tour but she could never find the nerve. Madison went often to place Ms. Lena's favorite flowers, white Tulips, on the grave on behalf of Holliday. Madison probably figured that "Natasha" was uncomfortable to visit the grave and in a sense, she was. Holliday did want to say goodbye and to wish her grandma peace but for the moment, she would just continue to say a silent prayer for her. As they were driving back later in the week, Holliday decided to see if Madison would open up to her.

"So... Holliday told me that you were going to quit dance after graduation. How have you been keeping yourself busy these days?"

"Holliday told you a lot... Well after graduation, I planned on experiencing my own life and just finding myself. But once Holliday was placed in the hospital, my plans changed. I couldn't move on with my life knowing that my best friend may never wake up again."

"Wow Madison, you're such a great friend and Holliday is truly lucky to have you. Are you sure that Holliday would want you to give up your life for her though?"

In a sad but quiet voice Madison replied, "I can't live my life while she's not living hers."

Holliday didn't know how to respond so they both remained silent for the duration of the drive. Holliday's heart broke knowing that Madison was stuck in her own miserable life because of her situation. The worse part was that before the switch, Holliday barely gave Madison any time. She knew that Madison was drowning in her own despair but she could only focus on herself. She was a bad friend and wished more than anything else that she could just grab Madison and hug her tight. Holliday took their friendship for granted but in her time of need, Madison still had her back.

Holliday was prepared to offer another session of ass whooping when she entered Natasha's home but once again, Wanda wasn't anywhere to be found. Holliday grabbed a quick snack from the kitchen and headed to the bedroom. She wanted to take a bath and clear her mind. She still had no plans on how to reverse the switch and couldn't come up with one either. The clock was ticking and Holliday was definitely running out of time.

****

A few days later, Holliday was enjoying the aspect of sleeping late when the devil herself barged in the bedroom and emptied a shoebox of something all over her. Holliday thought it was strange that Wanda was throwing papers at her so she sat up and inspected the unknown documents. To her horror, it wasn't papers, it was pictures.