Good Vibrations

Presents and Moët & Chandon

 Jeni unlocked her door with difficulty and pushed it with her back, her hands being full of packets. When she entered the flat, she immediately put them down, sighing in relief and stretching her painful arms. Then, she closed the door and removed her coat. Right after Brian, Roger and herself went out of the pub they were in, Roger had to leave to buy a present for his sister. As for Brian, he still had time to give to her. Since Jeni still had not found any presents for her parents, Brian brought her to the shop where he bought clothes for his mother. At first, Jeni was not really convinced that the clothes they were selling were good for her parents, but nevertheless, she found everything she needed. As her father was fond of velvet, she bought him a very elegant velvet suit, more beautiful than the one she found in Carnaby Street. It was not really expensive, and apparently, the quality was great. For her mother, she bought a long burgundy dress, with fringes dangling from its collar. Jeni was quite proud of what she found, and once again, Brian had been really helpful.

She hanged her coat to the coat rack, and removed her gloves she put in her handbag. As for Brian's scarf, she kept it around her neck. She picked up the packets and stepped in. She sneaked her head in the living room and saw Bonnie sitting on the couch, her legs crossed, reading a French book. Jeni smiled.

“Hello, Bon'! I'm home!”

No reply. Jeni frowned and looked at her friend, who was pursing her lips. Bonnie was focused on her book and did not turn her head, though she heard her very well.

“Bonnie? Is there anybody in there?” Jeni insisted.

Again, no reply.

“By the way, we're invited to a Christmas party at Brian's. There will be Roger and Freddie from Smile too.”

This time, Bonnie turned her head and looked up to Jeni. She had a weak smile, before replying:

“I can't go with you. Rod called me this morning and invited me. I'm spending Christmas with him.”

Jeni nodded and shrugged before going to her bedroom, putting the packets she was holding on her desk. She sighed and noticed the book she was supposed to read for college. She still had not finished it. Having nothing to do, she picked it up and walked up to her bed, sitting on it. She opened her book to the pages between which she had put a bookmark, and started to read, her back pressed against the wall. But she could not focus on the words she was reading. It was as if she could read them, but she did not understand their meaning. She finally closed her book and sighed. She was thinking about so many things. About Roger and Brian, the Christmas party, and the fact that Bonnie had been ready to give up on her for Christmas. Nothing was planned for Jeni when Rod called Bonnie, and she felt betrayed. Did Bonnie want her to be alone for Christmas?

Jeni shook her head and let her eyes wander in the room. It had been a while since she actually took some time to appreciate her environment. Her room was like a medium size rectangle, whose door was located in the middle of the left smaller side. Right next to it, on its right, was her single bed, with its turquoise-blue sheets and white pillow. There was a large window on the opposite side, lined up with the white wooden door. In the top right corner, there was her large desk, covered with the presents she had just bought for her parents. In front of it, at the feet of her bed, stood her tall bookshelf, multicoloured because of the variety of colours of the spine covers. One of its shelves was covered with records. Right next to it, there was a tiny wooden chest of drawers, on which was lying a turntable. The walls of the room were white, but some areas were covered with posters of bands or films. A small poster of Keith Moon was hanged above the window, and a huge coloured poster of Led Zeppelin was hanged above the desk. Some small pictures of the Beatles, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, The Who, Donovan and Pink Floyd were pinned above her bed. In front of the latter stood a huge wooden wardrobe, which used to belong to her grandmother, when she was little. It had known the last century! It had two heavy doors... which were not well closed. Jeni frowned and stood up, walking up to it and trying to close the doors. Unfortunately, she could not. Something was obstructing them. She widely opened the doors and her eyes widened. There were five brand new big canvases, though they were all of different sizes, with an envelope on top of them. She picked it up and read the words written on it.