the summer i turned beautiful [l.t]

Chapter 1--Figures

Today was the day. June 20. I woke up at 6 in morning because I just couldn’t hide my excitement anymore. I brushed my boring brown hair and pulled it into a high ponytail. I put on some bright pink shorts and a Yale sweatshirt (that was given to me by Mum) and my Nike sneakers and just went for an early-morning jog. Trust me, I wouldn’t want to get Freshman 15 during my first of college, do I?

            It has just rained last night, so the grass was wet. As the sun began to rise, the grass sparkled in the distance. Like a million diamonds just lying on the ground. The temperature was chilly, but as the sun rose, it became warmer. I can still feel goose bumps rising in my arms. The air smelt clean, which was normal for an early morning in L.A. because there wasn’t a lot of cars and traffic. I ran to the playground that all of us used to go. Now, we rarely go because of the memories we left behind. Dad has been for gone for 6 years. He died in a freak car accident. Mum took it pretty hard and she went in an immediate depression. She’s doing fine now, because of our supervision, but I’m scared because Meg and I will be gone for the whole summer. Meg’s going back to college in early September and I am waiting for my acceptance letter. But, lately, Mum was going out with Wayne, and I think its time for her to start dating again. Wayne wasn’t that bad, he’s a businessman about 40 years of age. Mum was only 38 years old and she had Meg at 19 and me at 20.

            I ran to the swing set, the swings where Dad used to push Meg and me back and forth. I set my eyes on the bench where Mum used to always sit and draw designs while Dad played with us. That’s why we moved away from this playground. We still live near it, about a 5-mile distance and it is easily avoided.

We moved away from our old house we lived with Dad and moved in a smaller and home-y condo. Our condo was about 10 miles from downtown and we recently got a makeover over the place. We got a new kitchen, and new furniture. The siding was a tan color, similar to the sand by the Santa Monica Pier, there were red shutters next to the 2 windows by the front door and also on the large window. Mum was extremely rich because of her fashion industry. She doesn’t think much of Dad nowadays because she’s busy launching her nail polish line, Drama by Alina Edwards. Alina is my Mum’s name. I absolutely adore it. Before she had Meg and me, her life was all sorted out. But now, since we are older and moving out, she is continuing living her trademark life. Mum is so inspiring. She’s famous, but not paparazzi famous. Teenage girls love her clothing line and she think the Drama nail polish will amp up her ability to do more and more things.

            I walked on the wood chips towards the swing set. As of right now, I am holding back my tears. Because I can’t stand to be in my late memories, I decided to run in lightning speed back home. I was glad I didn’t run into Gregg this morning because then I would be mad screwed.

When I got home, I looked at the grandfather clock; the numbers read 7:24. Well, make that 7:25. I pulled out some blueberries and chocolate chips and some bisquick. Time for some chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes.  As I was flipping the pancakes, Mum came down in her robe.

            “Mornin’ Mum! How are you this morning?”

            “Well, you sound quite enthusiastic, today. And I’m doing quite well actually. And how are you doing?”

            “Fine, I took a long run. How’s the Drama polish line going?”

            “Absolutely amazing. I’m working on a few more colors. Have any suggestions? And are you sure you’re fine?”

            “Well, of course I’m pissed, but I’m seriously fine.”

            “Oh, alright,” she said with a smile and a wink, “Would you like me to help? We can work on breakfast and talk colors at the same time.”

            “Oh yes, can you spray the muffin tins and pour the batter and after that, we can heat up another pan and help make pancakes.”

            “Alright, hun.”

            While we were making our breakfast concoction, we talked about nail polish colors and Mum really liked the idea of a 2-in-1 nail kit and the design polish. 

            After we were done eating, it was 8:30, so I decided to wake up Meg. I walked up the spiral stairs that led to her room. I put my ear against her door and I heard music blaring from her room. Not just any music, but from One Direction. Okay, I guess she was up. She has fangirling issues I swear.

"YOU DONT KNOW YOURE BEAUTIFULLLLLLL" Meg screamed.

            “Hey, Meg. I made breakfast! Come down! P.S you're singing is horrid.”

            She mumbled something like “Okay, or go away.” I don’t know which but I went down stairs anyways. As I walked through our foyer, the doorbell rang.

            I opened the door, with the unlocking sounds of the hinges.

            “Hello.”

            “Delivery to Elizabeth Edwards.”

            “Yeah, that’s me.” Weird. The package wasn’t heavy, almost like it weigh like nothing.

            I signed the delivery guy’s digital pad and he lefted. The guy looked old, in his late 50s almost. He had a small white beard growing on his chin.

            I walked back to the kitchen and opened the package.

            Mum moved herself a little closer to me. Hmm. I wonder who sent me this…

            “Mum, did you have anything to do with this?”

            “Maybe, maybe not.”              

            I grabbed hold of the cardboard flap and ripped it apart. Inside was an bracelet. There were some charms too: a clover, a teabag (because of my obsession with Yorkshire Tea), and a Hershey Kiss. It can’t get better than that.

            “Mum, thank you so much!”

            “Oh darling, you are welcome, I just thought you might need a part of me with you in the UK. You can put all of your special belongings in there, anything you would like. I used to have one of my own too. My mum bought one for me. I’m just carrying on the tradition.”

            “What about Meg’s?”

            She whispered, “This is our little secret…shhh…” We giggled.

            Meg walked in right when we were in the middle of our giggle fest.

            “What secret?” she asked. Oh why did she have to so nosy? BITCH BITCH BITCH!!!         

            “Oh nothing, we were talking about the company’s secret to success.” Mum said coolly.

            “Ew, who likes business talk?” she made a disgusted face.