Worlds Apart

Chapter Five - Juliette

        I reach the top of the stairs and turn left to face my bedroom door. 

        "Oh, Juliette?" My father calls. "Yes?" I answer. "Your mother asked me to tell you check her bedroom. She said she left something in there for you." He tells me. "Alright, thank you." I answer, and turn the opposite way. 

        I cross the hall and see my parents' room. I enter their bedroom and find a beautiful, elegant gown strewn across the bed. There is a pair of shoes to match the dress sitting on the floor in front of the bed. I see a small note attached to the right sleeve, and pull it off carefully, making sure not to rip the fabric. My eyes search the paper, and read the manuscript my mother has written in her finest penmanship.

        Juliette,

                I have chosen these for you to wear tonight when your sister visits. Please put this on, and do your hair nicely as well. I will be at the market for a while, there are some things I must get for tonight's dinner still. Your father should be home from work when you get there, or at least soon after. I love you sweetheart, see you soon.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                - Your mother.

        I set the paper down and pick up the dress. It is gorgeous. Much prettier than anything I have worn before.

        Slipping into the gown, I find it fits perfectly. The dress is even prettier on than when I saw it lying on the bed. It is a pale pink gown, with small beads embedded along the entire bodice. The sleeves reach just below my elbow, and they are covered in a sheer lace. The dress reaches the floor, and if flows out from my waist. I put on the shoes, and they are a perfect match.

        My feet carry me out of the room and to the door between the two bedrooms. The bathroom.

        I set my hair in a delicate, intricate up do. I then check myself in the mirror one last time before I take a deep breathe and exit the bathroom. I walk slowly down the stairs, nervous as to what my parents will say of this. If they will approve or not.

        When I reach the living room, I hesitate. Its not that my parents disapprove of me all the time. Only they sometimes choose to disfavor my opinions and thoughts. But in the end, I of course still love them. Because even when we have our disagreements, I know they still love me. And they can say the same for me. But isn't it that way with every teenager and his or her parents?

        I slowly creep into the living room. "Dad?" I call. His head turns in my direction, and I smile at him. The smile doesn't reach my eyes, but I use it only as a sign of respect.

       "You look lovely, Juliette." He tells me. "Thank you." I answer. I walk more in to the room, and rest on a couch across from my father. I expect him to say something more, but he only turns back to the book he was reading.

        "What are you reading?" I ask him. His eyes shift up to mine. "What?" He asks. "Oh, nothing. Just a little light reading to relax my brain. Work has been very stressful lately. I need something to release some of the tension." He tells me lightly. "Oh." I answer.

        My father goes back to his book, and I sit on the couch staring at the wall behind him. I'm not sure what else to say. So instead only silence fills the large, decorated room.