Summer In Paradise (Page Every Day)

Good News

I heard the unbearable sound of my alarm clock, and out of my entire life, I hate waking up the most. I got up with a reluctance to live. "Alright, Selena," I said to myself internally, "you can do this." After my grand pep talk, I headed to the mirror, leaning against the wall next to the door. I grabbed a hairbrush from a small table next to the mirror and started combing my hair. I could feel the brush gliding through my blonde hair, slightly tangled from my endless tossing and turning in bed while sleeping. The air carried a fresh breeze and the scent of waffles. I finished combing and tied my hair into a loose bun. I put on a white t-shirt with black font on the front saying "Barbie Is The Life" and wore black high-waisted shorts.

I rushed downstairs to the kitchen, which was filled with the aroma of waffles and maple syrup. "Hello, Mom," I greeted. Mom turned around, wearing a striped shirt and ripped jeans. "Oh, she can wake up early," she joked, and I forced a fake laugh. "Where are you heading?" I asked her, as whenever she wore those jeans and that shirt, she was going somewhere. Mom turned to me in bewilderment, and it took me a moment to notice that she was staring at me. "Did you forget?" she sighed, "We're going to Klaholgro, of course." At that moment, I froze. The town I last saw seven years ago. Klaholgro was a small town next to Miami. The people there were always kind and friendly, and the weather was always beautiful and warm. Growing up there was a blessing not everyone had.

"Today?" I exclaimed, a mouthful of waffle. "Relax, we're leaving in four hours," she reassured me. I finished my waffle and went to my room. Going back to Klaholgro would be a strange feeling, I knew it. I lay on my bed, which was located in the corner of the room, and took out my new iPhone to text my best friend.

You: Hey, hey, hey

Andreaa: What's up?

You: I'm going to Klaholgro today

Andreaa: No way-

Andreaa: I'm already there.

You: What?

Andreaa viewed your message.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kelley," I heard Andrea's voice greeting my mom before she barged into my room. I got up and immediately hugged my friend, and she was wearing a large "Princeton" hoodie and the same black shorts as I had. We bought those shorts as a graduation gift for ourselves.

"So, princess, what are you taking with you?" Andrea cheered, not understanding her excitement since we wouldn't be spending the summer together. I sat on my slightly sunken bed and looked at Andrea, saying, "I don't know, probably some pants and shirts." Andrea leaned towards me with a stony expression, "You need to take something sexy, kitten. There will be guys, and I can feel they'll want you, all of them," she teased. Andrea had been interested in spirituality and magic since seventh grade, and whenever I wanted to do something, she told me what she thought about it, but that's what I loved about her. I pondered for a moment; I didn't have anything "sexy" in my wardrobe, just the dress I bought because of Lucas when we broke up at fifteen, and I hadn't touched it since. I got up and went to the closet opposite the door. "All I have are the dresses I bought for Lucas," I sighed. With a devilish look, Andrea headed to the mirror. Only then did I notice the suitcase she had brought with her. I immediately knew what was in it: dresses, beautiful, short, and "sexy" dresses. Andrea was my direct opposite; she loved parties and was popular, while I loved books, and no one knew me, well, until last year. Last year my breasts and butt grew; I lost weight, and the acne I had been fighting since I was fourteen disappeared. Andrea was always perfect, with her curves appearing big and beautiful at thirteen; she never had acne and naturally had black, straight, and healthy hair.

She threw various things from the suitcase onto my bed, and then she happily turned to me, "Come on, try them on." With a tremendous reluctance, I dragged myself to the bed.

Andrea lifted the black, short, and shiny dress, almost as if it were made of silicone, and put it on me to see if it would fit. "Try it on," she giggled and placed it on my arms. I looked at the dress and then headed to the bathroom next to my room.

I stood in front of the mirror, which was attached to the white tiled wall, holding the dress in my hand. Why was I doing this? I hate dresses. I took a deep breath and decided to try the dress on. I took off my t-shirt and shorts and put on the dress. To be honest, I liked it; it complimented my body, and I looked good. The dress had long sleeves, but it reached only a little above my knees. Though I looked pretty, the more I looked at myself, the more I wanted to jump off a bridge.

I returned to the room, holding the previous dress and my normal clothes. I put my clothes on the table next to the comb and looked at Andrea.

"I still have to do this?"

Andrea frowned, "Yes," she hissed. I went back to the bathroom and took off the short, shiny dress. Alright, Selena, I told myself, you can handle this. I put on another black dress, which, at first glance, was longer than the previous one and had a matte finish. "Do I really have to do this?" I sighed again.

Andrea frowned, "Yes," she replied. I walked back to the room, and in my hand, I held the previous dress. I put my clothes on the table and looked at Andrea.

"You're going to have fun with this," she said with a grin.