Two Of Hearts

Sees right through me

Throughout the dinner party, my eyes are fixated on Sylvia. The way she carries the conversation with these people as if she has known them her entire life perplexes and impresses me at the same time. Her polite smiles start to plant roots in my mind, and before I know it, I am making my way toward her once again.

"The dinner was lovely," I muster up the courage to say.

"Thank you, Ivy. I heard from your aunt that you are a picky eater, so I am glad you liked it," she replies.

I flush and curse my aunt in my mind for sharing random facts about me with Sylvia. There goes my chance of being mysterious in front of this beautiful woman. As if she just read my mind, she laughs and adds with a wink, "Don't worry. That's all I know about you."

"Whoa, did you just read my mind?" I say with a raised eyebrow and chuckle.

She narrows her eyes playfully and closes the distance between us as she whispers in my left ear, "I can see right through you."

The words take a few seconds to register as I am busy basking in her elegant perfume, but when they do, I am left confused. She does not elaborate but instead says, "Would you be so kind as to accompany me to the market tomorrow?"

I am now even more confused as to why she would need the help of someone like me when she could easily ask anyone else at the party who is more social and agreeable. However, I do not say these thoughts aloud and nod.

As soon as I reach my house, I start looking through my wardrobe in search of something to wear for our little meet-up the next day. My brain is buzzing with excitement despite the small voice in my head questioning our interaction. It is random, sure, but I cannot refuse to help a pretty woman, now can I?

Looking at myself in the mirror, I sigh at the length of my hair. I have an overgrown wolfcut that has started to look like a mess, plus my dark circles are worse than ever before. I look way too skinny compared to a few months ago. I call Clara from our local salon and ask her if I can get a haircut first thing in the morning. She doesn't mind, she says, but she wants all the juicy details from my date, and I cannot help but flush at that. I do not correct her and hang up.

When I close my eyes that night, I dream of red lips instead of the horrors that I am accustomed to. Those lips repeat, "I can see right through you."

Note:

The chapters will get longer, I swear.