Alone I stand on the balcony that hovers the main ball room. The pianist playing an easy going classical piece as people dance with one another, a smell of strawberries reminisce throughout the room. The lights start to go dim and suddenly all eyes are on me along with some blindingly bright spotlight. Everyone on the dance floor below begins to chant simultaneously in great appreciation and excitement right as the clock strikes midnight. I underestimated how loud two hundred people in semi-formal party attire could be.
"...happy birthday dear Scarlett, happy birthday to you!" They finish in unison.
I look down to them as they end their irritating little song. I smile, not of joy, but for presentation. What a headache of a party. I sigh looking off to the biggest chandelier in the middle of the ball room with my chin resting on my hand and my elbow resting on the railing. Tonight's celebration was tiresome. The beginning of the party was probably the worst because I had to socialize and dance with many atrocious people who mean absolutely nothing to me. It is not that I have social anxiety, it is that I have no desire to be social. I am much more interested in books and gardening indoor plants than I am into going out and making friends, most of the time the only reason I ever leave the home is to get more books and things for plants. During high school I made friends, but I graduated after my freshman year at the age of fourteen. The only time I got to see them was at school and keeping contact with them had become too much of a hassle. None of them seemed like real friends anyways because the only time I was invited to other people's houses was for study groups. I have never invited anyone to my house out of fear people would use me for money as well as my academic strengths. The summer after that school year is when my parents died, and when they did I stopped talking to my so called friends. For a while it was hard to find joy but now days I find it in little pleasantries and myself. It is nice to understand that I can manifest my own happiness rather than trying leach it off of others.
At least all of the wretched people down there who I don't know but know me are having great fun. The only reason they are all here is because my legal guardian Charlie felt sorry for me not having any friends, so he threw a party for my seventeenth birthday and invited all of his business associates. He sure is kind, but sometimes he can be a little impulsive. Charlie being my god father and my parents only trusted friend, he inherited me along with my parents 'association' and this mansion I call home all when my parents were assassinated. Everyone in the association calls it an association because they don't want to call it a gang. I guess the term association sounds slightly classier than gang. Drugs and druggies are what make the business. I stopped taking them what I graduated, I was so addicted, and it seemed if I didn't stop then I would never stop.
I clear my throat and wave as a way to get the crowds full silence and attention. I keep on the fake delighted face I have been holding all night long and then put on a matching charming voice. My hands hold the ends of my dress and I sway a bit to look sweet and kind. The dress being pastel pink and fluffy with tulle added the perfect touch of innocence, length about mid-thigh, any shorter and it would not seem so innocent. The small rehearsed speech I am about to make amounts to absolutely nothing of what I truly think and want to say to this massive crowd.
"Thank you all so very much for coming all this way just for me! This party has been such a blast for me. I feel like such an important person with all of you standing here before me."
I cannot wait till this party is over.
"I do hope tonight has been as enjoyable for everyone as much as it has for myself."
The night was not enjoyable for me at all.
"I would also like to thank the wonderful and magnificent Mr. Moon for making tonight happen!" The spotlight moves to Charlie, he waves, then it moves back to me.
I really wish Charlie would have asked me if I wanted a party before he had sent out the invitations.
"I wish that this night would never end."
I want to go to bed.
"I am afraid the celebration is coming to a close, but with that I think it is a lovely time to eat cake!"
Large crowds make me lose my appetite.
"Goodnight and thank you all so much for coming!"
Within the hour everyone had ate their cake and left.
After making sure that all of the ball room is back to the way it should be I then wander back to my room. For a second I think I hear something behind me, probably nothing. I just begin to pick up my pace out of fright when suddenly a pair of arms wrap around my wait. I jump even though I know very well who this is. Still in their arms I turn around to see Charlie smirking at me.
"That's not funny" I say unamused.
"Yeah, but you're awfully cute right now if you ask me. All scared, angry, and most definitely flustered. Not to mention you are so adorable in little pink dresses, I think I made the perfect decision when I picked it out for you." Charlie says softly into my ear while taking one of his hands from my back to caress my face. His lips lightly brush over my ear. I blush. I hate when he does this to me, but at the same time I love the affection.
"Thanks old man" I retort with an unnecessary amount of sass. He straightens out a bit taking the hand he had caressed my face with and put it back where it was before returning to a tight hold on me.
"Hey! I am not old!" he argues, looking at me sternly. Which is true, Charlie had only turned twenty two a month ago.
"I know that, but I also know what annoys you" I say with a laugh and boop his nose. Slyly slipping out of his arms I then walk to my room.
I cannot even remember the last time I took a bath, but I also feel like I am going to collapse from exhaustion. I should have time to take a bath in the morning. Slipping into a tee-shirt and panties I shudder a bit at the thought of Charlie. He always does that. Sneaks up on me and holds me tight, almost kisses me but never actually does. I cannot help but think he gets something out of that. I have been living with him for three years now but just about a month ago he has started to get closer to me, physically and emotionally. I am now only seventeen, a five year age difference. What if he feels something for me? What if I feel something for him? Whoa there that's enough nonsense for now. I have never felt anything for anyone and I highly doubt it will start with Charlie.
I slowly roll into bed and try to clear my mind of all the bewilderment. Look at me, I am a mess. I just hope that whatever happens from now on between Charlie and I that it will be bearable.
