The Impeccable Infinity

Chapter 13

I woke up relatively late today because I had no obligations in the morning, which meant I didn't need to wake up early for anyone. As I started to open my eyes and stretch, I felt much better about the day ahead. Yes, yesterday was horrible, but that doesn't mean that today won't be any better. I'm seeing Mute tonight, and until then I'm just going to relax and spend some time to myself.

I got out of bed and went into the bathroom to fill up the tub. I tuned the metal nozzle and watched as the water filled the bath and released a warm, comforting steam. I grabbed a bottle of soap and poured it into the running water and stared at the small bubbles forming on the surface.

This is exactly what I needed. Time to myself.

When I got into the bath, the water moved up my body and warmed my skin. My sore muscles began to ease and the headache I've had for the past two days started to calm down.

I moved down further in the bath and allowed the water to move farther up my body while I breathed in the steam of the hot water. I forgot how much I've missed taking baths.

I shut my eyes and listened to the water move around me, making small, lapping sounds every time I shifted around. I focused on my breath and felt my body rise and fall with each inhale while I listened to the sound of the wind and birds from the outside.

After soaking in the comforting bath for what felt like hours, I got out and put on a robe. I drained the water and walked back into my room.

I pulled out my makeup and a brush, and began getting ready for my day. The brush felt nice as the bristles combed through my hair and left it looking straight and shiny. I applied a small amount of makeup, enough to cover up any blemishes but not look caked on.

I didn't want to put on my dress yet. It's too early and I don't want to be interrogated by the whole house. Instead, I slipped on an oversized hoodie and put on some soft shorts.

I spent the rest of the day on the couch watching movies and eating ice cream and popcorn, just like I used to with my old family. It didn't taste as satisfying as it used to, and the movie days weren't as anticipated as before, but it was still nice to have a tradition I could keep going even after being forced to live with a new family

*~*~*~*

"Riley, can I ask you to do something for me? It's kind of important I just need your help." I only have an hour until I'm meeting up with Mute, until then I have to find a way to sneak out of the house. It's easier to go behind Ruth, that way she won't make me check in with her every hour and expect me to be home by a certain time.

"What do you need?" She asked, sitting up straighter in her bed. She's been texting her friends all day and watching television, but I can't blame her because I've basically been doing the same thing.

"I have, uh, this banquet I have to go to with one of my friends from back home tonight. I know it's late and everything, but do you think you can cover for me?" I know it's another lie, but nobody can know about Mute either. I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone.

"What's the banquet for?"

"Something for her parents birthday. It's nothing big."

"Yea, sure." Riley said unamused, laying back down to continue texting.

"Thanks, I owe you."

I went into the bathroom and put on my dress, patting it down to restore it to the way it was when I first bought it. It still looks the same,  with the beautiful pastel blue fabric and small lace detailing.

I spun around and watched as it moved around me, fluffing out towards the bottom hem. I took one final look before putting on heels and sneaking into Mutes room. He leaves the door unlocked now so I can come in, which I find very generous.

"Hey, where are we going?" I asked as I walk in his room and closed the door behind myself. When I turned back around from securing the doorknob, Mute stood in front of me; tall and dressed in a suit.

He wore a plain black suit and put on a light blue tie, one to match the color of my dress. His skin glowed and small pieces of hair fell across his face, just as it always does.

"You look really nice sweetheart," he said, walking over to me to give me a hug.

He smelled of the same lavender and musk cologne, it's a weird combination of the two scents but it's one that surprisingly smells really sweet and fresh. My heart raced as he hugged me, and by the time he had let go, I felt frozen in place.

I probably would have stayed in that one spot all night, but once he told me where he was taking me, the whole effect wore off.

"We're going where?" I asked, making sure I heard him correctly.

"We're going to crash a wedding."

I rolled my eyes and felt annoyed at the fact that he's not actually taking me somewhere nice. Yea, weddings are nice, but they're nice when your invited to one. Crashing a wedding takes all of the charm away from it.

"When you told me that you were taking me somewhere nice I thought it was to a dinner, or you know, maybe into town to see a show?"

"Come on sweetheart, sometimes you need to live on the edge."

I squinted my eyes at him after hearing this.

He had a point, and I am the one who decided I wanted to get out and be more social in my new life. Although crashing a wedding was never on the list of things to do to make me more of an extrovert, maybe I should go with it.

"You know what," I said, changing the expression on my face to a more excited one, "that sounds lovely".

Mute gave me a smile and hooked his arm around mine, leading me out of his room.

Ruth was sitting in the living room and reading while the boys were in the basement playing video games.

This shouldn't be too hard.

Mute grabbed my hand and pulled me off the steps and around the corner into the dining room. We ran through the kitchen and out the back door to the car. I skipped across the concrete in my heels and swung my purse in my hand, laughing as I felt the warm summer air. I opened the car door and joined Mute in the front seat. He turned on the engine and quickly pulled out of the driveway and into the street, fast enough for nobody to notice.

Tonight should be interesting.