If only. If only life were easy. Fern was curled up at the Beaumont resistance on a comfortable dusty blue couch, with a cranberry, home crocheted blanket around her shoulders and a bowl of double chocolate ice cream on her lap.
"Hello Jack. I changed my mind. They said you might be out here."
"Shhh. Gimme your hand. Now close your eyes, go on. Now step up. Now hold on to the railing. Keep your eyes closed, don't peek."
"I'm not."
"Step up on the railing. Hold on, hold on. Keep your eyes closed. Do you trust me?"
"I trust you."
"All right. Open your eyes."
"I'm flying, Jack!"
Magnolia took another bite of her green tea gelato.
"Why?, he's going to die....and she's going to be all alone, and marry someone else!"
"I know!" Fern cried, a tear rolling down her face. The girls had a movie night every once in a while, but this time it was just Fern and Magnolia. After everything that was going on with Clay and Magnolia's recent conversation with Skye they decided it would be best for just the two of them to watch some sad movies and eat junk food. They were now onto Titanic and iced desserts, to be followed by popcorn and the notebook.
"Well I suppose it went alright, He is incredibly sweet...and cute, but he isn't Linden." The television blared in the background. Magnolia leaned forward, a curl falling in her face.
"That's why he's so good though, he's not Linden." Fern pulled the throw blanket closer to her shoulders.
"I know. Ugh! I hate him, why does he have to do this?! No matter how perfect someone is they're just not him."
"Yeah, I know what you mean..." Fern trailed off, suddenly becoming very interested in her spoon.
"I'm sorry, I can talk to Flint, or I could just say something to Clay."
"Not yet, right now just tell me about Skye."
"Well, he was really sweet, and he's pretty cute...I mean he texted me this morning asking if I slept ok."
"Aw..Stop it Jack! It's not going to be ok! Shut up ! Rose stay on the boat!!!" Fern hurled a pillow at the television. The doorbell rang in the foyer, echoing over the stone floor into the living room. The girls paused. It was ten thirty at night, Magnolia 's parents were away for the weekend. Who on earth could it be?
"I'll get it." Magnolia jumped up and waltzed down the hall.
"it had better not be Linden!" Fern called after her. She heard the heavy wooden door open.
"Hi, yes she's here, please come in." Was it her mother? She recognized his voice as he mumbled something to Magnolia. " Fern! You have a visitor!" Fern pushed the blanket aside and walked through the hall to the foyer, the ornate carpet tickling her toes.It was happening. She couldn't believe that he actually showed up. Texting Finn had been a long shot. Magnolia knew that he liked Fern at least a little bit. So when Clay called later asking to speak to Fern she told him to drop by and say what he had to say in person, though she was not expecting this.
"So Fern..." Clay trailed off. "I um, I came to ask you to the sweetheart dance." He was shifting his weight from one foot to another with a nervous smile crossing his face.
"Y...yes...um..I..I would love to." Fern stammered, a mix of shock and excitement crossing her face. The sweetheart dance was big news. It was a town-wide event held in the beginning of every August to celebrate young couples. Magnolia has received several invitations so far, none from Linden of course, though it seemed she might go with Skye.
Magnolia was very proud of herself as she looked at Fern's amazement.
"Well great, uh cool, well I'll see you around." Clay waved to the girls and stepped back into the night shutting the door behind him.
"Did that just happen?" Fern turned to Magnolia, a look of awe still stuck on her face. "Oh my goodness gracious gravy Marie! Clay just asked me to the sweetheart dance! I'm going to the dance! With Clay!"
"Yes you are." Magnolia grinned as her friend started pacing the marble floor.
"Oh no!"
"What could possibly be wrong?"
"I'm wearing my pajamas! And no makeup! He saw me in my pajamas without makeup!"
"Well you were bound to get to that eventually...in fact pretty soon he'll probably see you out of your pajamas!" Fern tossed a pillow at Magnolia, giggling.
"Well I suppose this will be an interesting August."
"I suppose it will be." The girls finished the movie, crying to 'my heart will go on' as the credits rolled, falling asleep to dream of the future and all it's possibilities.
YOU ARE READING
The adventures of the Lemon Glade sisters
Roman pour AdolescentsIn a small southern town hearts are broken and friendships are formed to last a lifetime.