Lavender Mist

The Theatre

A piece of pink clouds could be seen through the window. On the wall of the room, glowing lines and shadows of plastic curtains were switching places. The window was slightly opened and it let in a pleasant breeze, which brought along a heady, sweet scent of lime. Spring could be sensed in the air.

Maggie woke up from a dream and her eyes caught warm colours, which the rising sun painted across the sky. She took a deep breath and stretched, reaching her arms over the clean, white pillow. She spent a few moments watching colourful clouds, while they were evenly floating and creating unique shapes. In every one of them, she could see a new face or being. They seemed so alive that she thought she could fly along with them and touch their fragile surface. The corners of her mouth lifted into a dreamy smile and she surrendered in enjoying the fresh air, which caressed her uncovered skin.

Right when she thought she could watch the sunrise completely alone, she spotted Pablo, who was sitting in a white, wooden chair in the corner of the room, with a motionless gaze aimed at the window.

"I thought you were gone," Maggie whispered, trying not to awaken her parents, who were probably sleeping in a neighbouring room. Pablo answered her with a simple look over his shoulder. He had no feelings written on his face and Maggie wasn't sure if he even wanted to talk to her, after she tried to send him into oblivion.

"I'm sorry if I made you angry," she said again, feeling guilty because of the thoughts that were building up in her head.

"You didn't," he answered briefly. His voice was completely silent, so Maggie didn't know if he truly said something. "I know I mustn't be here. I will go if you wish so."

Maggie sighed and peered into him. The warm colours from the sky washed over his pure skin, and his hair shimmered with a golden shine. She knew she would never, in the world, find anything so perfect, like her imaginary friend. Reality could never be so flawless like imagination.

"No, you won't go. You won't, because I still don't want to let you."

"If you don't, why would you do it? The adults are trying to turn you into one of them. But, you have the right to be different."

Maggie let out an audible exhale and hid her face in the pillowcase. The refreshing scent of an emollient filled her nose. She stayed that way for a few seconds, to give Pablo time to exit her room. However, when she turned onto her back again and looked at the corner, he was still there, sitting and thoughtfully staring out the window. Maggie slowly straightened up and tossed away strands of her light hair, that fell over her face and tickled her neck. She stood up from the bed and felt the coldness of the parquet on her bare feet. She quietly sneaked to the window, careful not to upset Pablo with sudden moves or wrong words. She had never been so wary in his presence. She always fully trusted him and knew that he wouldn't be mad at her, no matter what she would do. Now, she felt as he was becoming gradually more strange and unpredictable, although she knew she could control his feelings with her imagination. She approached him closer and slid her fingers through his silky hair, though she couldn't feel the smooth strands under her hand. She was used to doing that and loved that imaginary feeling of touch.

"I'm growing up, Pablo," she whispered, repeating the words she told him the last time. "I need real friends."

After that, she quietly distanced herself from him and headed towards the door of her room. She felt emptiness and rumbling in her stomach as the smell of breakfast reached her. While she was walking down the stairs, covered with white carpet, she slid tips of her fingers over the wall. She peeked into the dining room, and her big, blue eyes sparkled with a curious, youthful glow. She was surprised to see her parents, who were sitting around the dining table and quietly talking. Mother was the first one to find her. She smiled, and then took a bite of breakfast and, with a hand motion, invited Maggie to sit down.