Soulmate

Chapter 5

The next day, Maria was awoken by a knock on her door. Wanting more sleep, she nuzzled her pillow. She protested loudly when a long finger jabbed her ribs. The girl swatted her hand, meeting only air. Maria grunted as she heard a playful snicker.

"Wake up, sleepy head!" The voice whispered to her ear. Maria let out a long groan, and turned her back to the person. There was no noise for a few moments, cherished by the girl, but it was cut short by a powerful whack to her back. It pushed her over the side of her bed, and let out a squeak as she fell on the floor. Maria pushed her knotted bed hair away from her eyes, and glared at the blonde maid snickering at her sleepy friend.

"Jenna, couldn't you have just slapped me, or kicked me? Something less painful?" Maria exasperated. A light laugh echoed in the small room.

"I'm sorry, I guess I underestimated my strength. I didn't mean to, believe me!" Jenna cackled, happy with herself. The blonde really tried to hold her laugh to a controlled manner, but it was harder than she thought. "You have to admit; it was a glorious fall!" She added, between giggles. Maria racked herself from the harsh floor, and made her way to her vanity, dragging her feet who had stayed in their slumber. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Maria let out a little scream. She had tossed and turned so well in her sleep, her hair might as well serve as a nest for birds. She reached for a strand of her dark brown hair, but it was hopeless. Jenna couldn't help but to laugh at the sight of her friend. Maria gave her a glare, but she then decided to join the maid, letting out an exasperated giggle. When Jenna was able to breathe again, she walked to Maria with a brush in her hand.

"Let me help with that." She spoke with a smile. Her soft and gentle fingers skillfully rendered Maria's hair back to the normal, wavy cascade down her back. To Maria's confusion, the blonde didn't stop there. The maid nimbly started to pull them into place, a sort of low crown with flowers, added by the maid.

"Wha...What are you doing?" Maria asked.

"Fixing your hair." Jenna said simply, as if it was an information that everyone was aware. Maria frowned, not content with her answer.

"I can see that, but it has no need for fancy!" She pouted. As much as she felt pretty, Maria was uncomfortable with dressing up; she blamed it on the fact that she never had a woman presence in her life, other than Gina, the old woman she met with at the food market for a few conversations. To her, she felt very out of place, and she had the need to rip everything off, and throw it to the ground. That including jewelry, dresses and all.

"Yes, it does." Jenna replied in the same way she did since this morning. The blonde picked up a bobby pin, and stuck it in Maria's hair. The girl crossed her arms across her chest.

"Okay. Well, could you tell me what for, at least?" She asked, getting irritated by her friend's short answers.

"For the ball."

"What ball?" Maria exclaimed, getting more nervous of what it meant for her. "I didn't know about this!"

Jenna ignored Maria, and stopped to fix a stray hair, looking in the mirror at her friend's reflection.

"You'll be the most beautiful! I'm sure you will catch Nicholas' attention." Jenna said happily, her last words slipping out carelessly. The blonde bit her lips when she realised what she had said. Maria choked, and started coughing loudly. She turned around in her seat to face the maid, with a suspicious glare.

"Why would you say that? He is a horrible person!" Maria snarled angrily, more so at the man than her friend.

"Oh, yes... I forgot." Jenna blurted, and winced as she heard her own words, realising the stupidity behind them. She knew Nicholas a lot longer than Maria, of course she would know that he was an arrogant brat. Maria narrowed her eyes, and sat back in her chair. "I've been her for a very long time, of course I know that." Jenna explained, hoping it would help her situation.