The Strings of a Violin

4. Kito

I watched as Mariya licked at her ice cream contently. Ellie was holding on to her arm for dear life after what happened in the ice cream shop. I could tell that Mariya was getting annoyed by the slight glare on her face.

"Ellie, please let go. I can't seem to feel my arm," Mariya said looking at all the outdoor shops.

"But Miss Mariya, after what happen-"

"I'm fine Ellie, it was just a little overwhelming in there."

Mariya was referring to the ice cream shop. When we walked in there was only a few people, but just as she was about to order when a whole rush of people swarmed into the parlor. She started to hyperventilate and looked as if she was about to faint. I ended up paying and grabbing her come as Ellie led her outside trying to ease Mariya from an anxiety attack. . .

"Can we go into that dress shop Ellie? I want to get some new clothes!" Mariya said buzzing with excitement.

"Of course Miss Mariya, just stay close."

As they made their way into the dress shop I couldn't help but notice that it was warm yet Mariya was still wearing that white knit shawl of hers.

Wasn't she hot?

I slowly trudged my way into the girly shop and followed behind Ellie. They were both looking things that I think were called rompers. . .

When I asked what that was, Mariya pointed to the light pink one that she had on. It was a tank top connected to shorts basically. Like the best of both worlds.

"What do you think of this dress Kito?" Mariya asked holding it up to her small frame. It was a mint green color and probably came to her knees. It had pink and purple flowers on it with lace hanging from the bottom of the skirt.

"It's very pretty, very you," I said trying to sound like one of those fashionistas at fashion shows. I think all I wanted was to get a laugh out of her.

"Really? You mean it Kito?"

"Yeah, I think it would look great on you Mariya." She blushed and trotted off looking for something else to buy.

She tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear that didn't seem to make it into her long white braid. Mariya was biting her lip as she tried to figure out if a shirt and skirt matched each other.

That's when it clicked. Maybe I could be of help. . .

Looking around the store I saw a pair of bright blue shorts.

What size would she need?

I looked over at Mariya. Her legs were thin and skinny. Maybe a zero? Oh well.

Walking around some more I found a shirt that, in my mind, would match. It was two tones of blue. One of the hues matched the shorts. It was light and had frilly sleeves.

"Mariya!" I called out to her.

"Yeah Kito?" She asked bounding to my side.

"What do you think about this outfit?"

Mariya took a long hard look at it and checked to see if it was in budget.

"I like it, I'll get it since you seemed to be having trouble doing something nice for a girl."

I looked at her shocked and handed her the clothes. "I'll, um, be waiting outside for you two. Call call for me if you need anything. . ."

"Okay," she said looking as if she had said something wrong to me. I walked out of the shop and sat down on a nearby bench.

I remember when I had first moved to this town. I was quiet and my parents pushed me hard to succeed in school. I had been enrolled in a new boarding school here for middle school and it was awful.

Everyone teased me and called me rude names. At lunch no one wanted to sit with me so I sat in the band room and played my violin. At the time it seemed to be my only friend.

Then it happened, my parents gave me the choice of going to the private or public high school. Well, my mom gave me the choice since I haven't really seen my dad in a year or two.

I jumped at the chance and instantly said that I wanted to go to the public school. From there I closed up more and became mean if anyone tried to make a bad move on me. Eventually I made a few friends at the end of year nine.

Now that year ten has come to an end I have become a better person. I believe that Mariya is the reason why I'm trying to be a better person. She's showing me that not everyone has a perfect life that they seem to portray.

My family has money, but it's more like my dad's money more than anything. I don't know if Mariya's family is wealthy or not but I do know that it was wrong of them to not love their own daughter because she wasn't the way they wanted her to be.

I just hope she gets better.

"Okay Mr. Kito, I think we're ready to move on to the next shop." Ellie said fixing a shopping bag on her arm.

I quickly glanced at my watch and saw that it was four o' clock all ready. "Here let me carry something back to Mariya's room Ellie. By the time I get back I'll have to check out of work."

Ellie looked at my watch and saw what I mean.

"Okay, thank you for everything today Mr. Kito!"

I smiled at Mariya and her. "No problem, see you tomorrow Mariya!"

She blushed and did a little awkward wave back to me. Smiling I made my way back to the hospital to leave 'work' and put these clothes in Mariya's room.

Well, until tomorrow Mariya, until tomorrow. . .