Noreen left Ireland to attend the top ballet school in Toronto at the age of 16. Her painful experience at the school causes her to develop dark feelings she has never felt before. She becomes a threat to herself. Now 21, she calls a number she hasn...
Boka would have worn a striking emerald baby doll dress, and sat on the small white stool by the mirror, painting her face with light makeup.
Amy would already be prepared, in her pantsuit, excitedly moving around the room on her phone.
Amy would say, "That wedding was insane. It had to have cost Amy and Adam's family a whole fortune, I mean, did you see the details in the flowers and decorations? Looked better than the royal palace," she would lie down on the bed, "I can't wait to get married."
"I cant wait for the reception, but you know how these rich people always serve tiny food in huge plates. At least it looks pretty, but it usually tastes like crap. I should hide some flapjacks in my purse, right?" Boka asks.
"I just want to dance to some nice music." she would say in a dreamingly tone.
She would get up from the other stool, and spin around in the mirror in her light pink dress, like she did when she was a kid.
"Look at us," Amy would push them in front of the large mirror, "all grown up!"
"Ready for a party!" Boka would elongate the 'y' in party.
After snapping countless photos, they would grab their bags and head downstairs to the car, into the night.
Not before the man emerged from the nearby bathroom.
Azi would shine in a dark dress shirt and pants, a silver ring on his pointer finger.
"Wow, the shimmering stars of Dublin. Boka, Amy, and..."
His words would falter as he gazed at her.
Her twists in a high ponytail, the way her eyes held excitement and beauty, the arms that once bared a line of scars.
"You two can head to the car, I just need to talk to her for a second."
Boka and Amy would descend, and snicker to each other, whispering things she wanted to decipher.
What game are they up to?
She would inch closer to Azi, inhaling his fresh cologne.
"You look snazzy tonight." she would say.
"Thanks, and same to you. You're very--uh--very you."
"What is that supposed to mean Azi?"
She would laugh as Azi stutters with his words.
"I mean it in a good way. It's so amazing seeing you like this because, it's been so hard. Everything you have been through. Seeing you go out and enjoy yourself...it's a really good sight to see, Nor."
She would smile, noting how much better he got at expressing himself.
His right hand would move from behind his back, to the space between him and her.
The black, velvet box.
"You know, I was going to ask you about this box a while ago."
"Yeah," Azi would scratch his hair, "I wanted to give it to you as a gift, but I was afraid you would find it too personal and maybe weird. Amy and Boka brought flowers and food, and I brought this."
He would open the box, and it would be as if time stopped for their moment.
A silver locket, with an intricate shamrock design in green.
"I was too nervous back then, but I guess it's a good time now."
She would caress the outside of the locket, and open it, revealing a picture from early 2008.
Noreen and Azi, at Azi's birthday party, taken at the new pizza parlor.
They have their arms strung around one another, a wide smile resting on their young faces.
She would chuckle at the photo, then Azi would take it from the box and place the locket around her neck.
"This is so thoughtful, thanks Azi."
"No worries. I wanted it to be a reminder of our friendship. That I'll always be there for you."
Amy would yell from the foyer below, "We're going to be late guys!"
She would wave Amy off, and move her body to wrap her arms tightly around Azi.
Azi's tense muscles would relax, and he would surrender to the precious moment, placing a kiss on top of her head.
She would release, and grab his hand, and they would walk down the stairs.
She would bid farewell to her family, who sleepily watch television in the living room.
She would thank God for life, and go on to have a raving, spectacular night.
