"Did you enjoy it?" Asked Rosa,while scrubbing the count that had been spotless for some time.
Emily didn't know how to answer. It had tasted great, but there had been an empty flavour that gave the amazing pancakes the texture of a disgusting paste.She swallowed hard and smiled politely at Rosa.
"Thank you."Emily said, trying to sound sincere.
Emily excused herself and made her way out of the kitchen. She felt like exploring the house a little more. She went into the living room in which there was a large painting on the wall. Emily stood on the hardwood floor, and stared into it. It was of a dark figure running away from a house. It had been painted with in beautiful silvers, dark blues and blacks. She cocked her head, looking at it again.
Emily admired the artwork in Jennifer's house, but wondered why she didn't have any photos. She also wondered if Jennifer had any kids before.
Emily heard the clack of heels behind her. She had the sensation of being watched. Emily whipped around to see Jennifer in the doorway. Her lips were in a tight frown, making her look much older than she actually was.
"Hey, what are you doing?" She asked.
Emily raised her eyebrows. Why did it matter? She was just looking at a painting.
"You know...getting to know my surroundings." Emily replied, awkwardly.
Jennifer fiddled with her large ring again. Emily noticed that she had a red mark around her finger.
"Well, I was just checking on you. Why don't you go up to your room?" Jennifer said with a fake smile and a commanding tone.
Emily opened her mouth to protest, but saw the fierceness in Jennifer's icy eyes. She walked out of the room and up the stairs. She felt like a pushover, but didn't want to make Jennifer angry. Emily opened her bedroom door and walked over to her bed. She forlornly flopped on the bed. She fumbled for her cell on the bedside table and picked it up. 'Angry Birds' flashed onto the screen.
Emily didn't feel the time fly by as she threw multi-colored birds across the screen. Her eyes soon began to hurt,so she put the phone down and sighed. Her book was lying on the coffee table. she picked it up and walked over to the balcony's door and threw it open. She blinked as the sunlight shone in.
Emily sat on one of the chairs. She flipped open her book and began to read. She was immediately sucked into the world printed on the yellowing pages. Her eyes darted across the pages, taking in the words. They spoke to her. She liked that.
At about half five, there was a sharp knock on the door. Emily snapped into reality. She jumped up, putting the book down and went to the door. Jennifer was standing at the door in a sapphire bikini and large sunglasses.
"Hey. Want to go swimming?" Jennifer chirped.
Emily bit her lip. Jennifer acted strange this morning, but now, apparently, this had never happened. Emily wanted to say no, but Jennifer looked like she wouldn't take no for an answer.
"Sure. I'll get changed."
Emily went to her wardrobe, to find a swimsuit. It wasn't hard- There were hundreds of colored bikinis. Emily found a pretty floral one, but hesitated. She always felt awkward in her swimsuit, but a bikini? She felt uncomfortable. Unfortunately, Jennifer came in and grinned.
"Oh Summer, you'll look lovely in that! Quick, now. Put it on."
Emily put on the tight bikini and examined herself in the mirror. Emily was always scrawny. She had a flat chest and no hips. But she had to admit- she didn't look half bad in that bikini. Grabbing her new Ray-Bans, she ran outside into the hallway and downstairs.
********************
Jennifer lay on one of the many sunbeds, basking in the glorious evening sunshine. Her honey blonde hair was strewn across the chair and her sapphire bikini showed off almost all of her perfect tanned body. Emily's flip-flops squeaked across the patio as she made her way towards Jennifer. She felt gawky and ugly beside Jennifer.
"Emily! I'm just working on my tan. You go on in. If you're hungry, I'll ask Rosa to crank up the barbeque."
"Oh! Uhm, thanks. But there's no need."
Emily shrugged off her towel and kicked off her flip-flops. The water looked so cool and still, so inviting. Emily walked to the edge and dived in. The water felt amazing as she dived underneath the clear blue water. She arised to the surface, taking another breath, then plunged to the bottom again.
After a few lengths, there was a huge splash. Emily turned to see Jennifer smiling beside her. Her hair was clinging to her skull and droplets of water clung to her long lashes. Emily was in awe of her immense beauty- which made her feel ugly once again.
But Jennifer wasn't perfect at everything- Emily beat her in a few races.
"You're quite the mermaid, Summer!" Laughed Jennifer.
"Thanks! I love to swim." Emily smiled back at Jennifer.
Everything seemed fine as the two swam in the sunshine. But Emily would soon find out that Jennifer had a lot of secrets- And she'd go very far to protect them.
YOU ARE READING
Perfection
Mystery / Thriller“Emily was confused. There was something wrong. Her room was ready made and there was a closet full of clothes in her size. Jennifer always wanted to know what she was doing. But Jennifer was kind – wasn’t she?” Fifteen year old Emily has been stuck...
