Lilacs Forever

Chapter 7: White Horse

"Boy, I was so stuffed last night, you cook really good."

"Thanks," Delilah answered. She shifted uncomfortably. "So Alyce... do people talk about me at work?" Delilah asked nervously.

"Not that I've heard, and I talk with everybody." Alyce answered, her eyes on the road. She was driving both of them to the mall. "Why'd you ask?"

"I think I've said it before... I think I stick out like a sore thumb..."

"In what ways?"

"I don't look like someone who would work at such a nice company. Everybody looks like they belong there, and here I am in an old pink sweater and my mom's old skirt. I don't look the part of a secretary, I'd look like a high school Girl Scout selling Girl Scout cookies at best..."

"Okay, I think I see what you mean there. So you're looking for a new look."

"I guess, I just wanna dress more business-like... I want people to take me seriously."

"Hey, I think I know what you mean, you should have seen me in my first year working. I didn't know anything , and I made so many mistakes."

"That's hard to believe, you're perfect, Alyce!"

"Now hold on there, missy. There you are again holding people to ridiculously high standards. Everybody is human, we're not perfect and we make as many mistakes as you think you do."

"O-oh, thanks for pointing that out. I want to look the part but I guess I need to act the part too..."

"Don't worry, you'll find your place in no time, just take it easy, don't be so hard on yourself. Look, we're here."

They entered the department store. The first thing Delilah laid eyes on were the elegant and expensive dresses on the display. "Nope, not those!" She sighed.

"We're gonna save gown hunting for your wedding," Alyce winked. Rule one of looking business easily is the blazer. Then, all you'll need to do is wear it over a nice dress or a skirt and blouse."

"It sounds easier than it actually is... Forget finding something I'd look good in, I think I'm gonna have trouble finding something that fits me in the first place."

"Don't give me that," Alyce said.

"O-oh, sorry..."

"What did I say about sorry?"

"Oh, right. I shouldn't have said that..."

"Hmmm... you know the group of ladies that talk a lot with each other?"

"Y-yeah..."

"You've been thinking about them, right?"

"... yeah..."

"Thinking that they look like models or goddesses or whatever?"

"I mean, they look good in what they wear... I can't pull that look off, but they'd look good in everything ." Delilah looked down.

Before Alyce could speak She stopped her.

"Are you annoyed with me, Alyce?"

"No, I'm not" she looked at Delilah sympathetically. "I guess you've been through a lot to think like that."

Delilah paused and stared ahead. "That's right," she said, her heart became heavy, like someone put an anchor on it. She was the shy girl and although she could make friends with a little time, she was bullied for being just that. "I had friends, but there were some people who were very annoyed with me..."

From elementary to high school, people would make fun of her stutter and get mad when she apologized. They would cut her down before she could even finish her sentence. Because of that she stopped trying to make friends and stayed alone most of the time. But she yearned for someone, someone who, as long as she was with, will appreciate her company. She had a few friends she would do girly things with like sleepovers and watching movies or bake cupcakes with, yet there was something still missing.

So she turned to books. The heroic protagonist on his trusty steed, ever since she first started reading fairy tales it was as if she were being carried away to a far, far away kingdom. But she wasn't into fairy tales, at least not anymore. She's outgrown that ever since she first listened to White Horse by Taylor Swift.

I'm not a princess, this 'ain't a fairytale

I'm not the one you'll sweep off her feet

Lead her up the stairwell

She knew the lyrics by heart. She's a sucker for the romance genre and she knew it. Whether it was the novel that makes her giggle to herself over and over again or the heart wrenching breakup songs that played on the radio, she was drawn to stories of love. Of course she didn't believe in Prince Charming or the knight in shining armor but she was attracted to the brooding antiheroes who weren't perfect but could change for their lovers and-

"Delilah," Alyce called.

It was like Delilah woke up from a trance, she was guilty for being a chronic daydreamer.

"So watcha thinkin' about?"

Delilah bit her lip nervously. "I was... I was thinking about a book I just read. Anyway, let's go to the changing room."

This 'ain't Hollywood, this is a small town

I was a dreamer before you went and let me down...

White Horse was played in the speakers at the boutique, blending in with the noise of people chatting and cell phones ringing. Delilah could hear it in the background.

"Funny," she thought to herself as she tried on a skirt.

Now it's too late for you and your white horse

To come around