Forgetting the Murder

20: Chinese Lanterns

Think of all those childhood crushes we've all had. Think of those butterflies when you see them or the excitement when they talk to you. Have you ever experienced that moment when the person you're crushing on finally feels the same way? It feels like your life is complete, and that nothing could make you happier.

That is love at it's finest. It's innocent, harmless and something we would never cut out of our lives. Little did we know, that love gets much more complicated. But would you ever want to live without it?

***

Zeke said yesterday that he had a surprise in store for me.

"Abby, are you doing anything tomorrow night?" Zeke asked as we cleaned the kitchen. The others had left and it was just us in the house.

"I don't think so," I answered, "Why, have you got plans?"

"Yes actually, I was wondering if you wanted to come to mine?"

"For what exactly?"

Zeke winked, "A surprise,"

I sighed. I didn't really like surprises. "A good surprise?"

"Yeah,"

That ended conversation as I continued to scrub the counter-top. I didn't really mind then, but the next day I knew I would be desperate to find out what the surprise was.

I tried to occupy myself during the day by cooking - something I hardly ever did, due to my lack of skills. I flicked through recipe books until I found something easy enough for me to cook. I repeated this process throughout the day. By the time I had finished, I had three tray bakes, two bowls of couscous and a large pizza. Neither look entirely appetising, but all surely edible.

I dusted my hands on my apron before hanging it up on the hook beside my fridge. Never had I thought whilst cooking of who would eat the finished products. I didn't live with Mum, Dad or Emily anymore, so I guess it'd have to be me.

That's another advantage of this flat, living here meant that it was easier to avoid Emily. I knew I'd have to face her sometime, but I tried to put it off as much as possible. It brought countless questions to my head, none of which I actually knew the solutions to. I promised myself that one day - even if I didn't know how soon that day would come - I would speak to Emily.

I hopped into the shower and washed my hair thoroughly, trying to focus my mind on anything other that Emily's actions. I rinsed my hair of all suds, breathing the final wafts of strawberries, and stepped out of the shower. I wrapped a towel tightly around my chest and went to get ready.

I wanted to look my best, as I didn't know where Zeke would take me. He told me to meet him at his house at six and it was already five. I straightened my hair and fixed it into a half-up-half-down look by grabbing the hair around my crown, splitting it into two parts, twisting each and clipping them to the back of my head crisscrossed over each other. My outfit was a white lace dress with a brown belt around the waist and brown wedges. I kept my make-up simple with a neutral smokey eye and natural face make-up. I checked myself a final time in the mirror before heading out the door.

The evening air was a bit chilly so I slipped my brown leather jacket on as I walked over to my car. When I was nearly at Zeke's I realised I had forgotten my purse, and hoped whatever Zeke had in store for me would be free.

I spotted Zeke standing at the edge of the road opposite the house as I pulled up. He had his rucksack slung over his back and seemed very excited for the occasion. I stepped out of the car and was greeted by a kiss. This never failed to make my insides turn to mush.