The Art of Mending Memories

The Art of Mending Memories 25

The Art of Mending Memories

Chapter 25

I zipped up the dress, allowing the blue-green colors to shimmer around my body. I applied some makeup and walked in front of the full length mirror.

I smiled at my image. The dress was so pretty. I had painted my nails a metallic teal. My brown hair was curled and clipped to my head. I had a silver bracelet on my wrist and my mother's necklace on my neck. It was a simple necklace, with a silver twirl for a centerpiece. I stepped into silver sandals and my outfit was complete.

I took a deep breath and headed for the stairs. As I descended, a flash of light momentarily blinded me.

"A little warning next time," I called to my audience below.

"You're just so beautiful!" Anna exclaimed with another blinding flash.

I reached the bottom of the stairs and smiled at the crowd. Aunt Jane, her best friend Anna, and Mr. Keith were all standing before me: Aunt Jane and Anna in casual clothes; Mr. Keith in business casual wear. He was chaperoning.

Anna's camera was out and snapping pictures, causing the blinding flashes.

"Don't go too crazy with the camera," I told her.

Anna let the camera hang from her neck and brought her hands to my face. "You look so grown up. I remember when you first moved her four years ago. You were such a shy little girl then. Now look at you: all grown up!"

I smiled. "Thanks Anna."

Anna stepped back and I turned to Aunt Jane. She was oddly quiet. She was staring at me strangely, smiling a sad smile.

"You look so much like your mother did at your age," she said quietly, "especially with the necklace on. Mom gave that to her. It looks beautiful on you." Aunt Jane smiled joyfully. "She would be so proud of you."

"Thanks," I whisper.

"Okay, now I want a picture of the two of you," Anna instructed with the camera.

I rolled my eyes and posed for the picture.

Many pictures later, I was closing the passenger door. A bunch of us were meeting at Kara's house because she lived so close to the school. Since Mr. Keith had to be at the school to chaperone the dance, he was dropping me off at Kara's.

I met up with Cassy as we were walking up to Kara's house. Entering together, we received warm welcomes by Paul, Ian, Sophie, Jean-Paul, Kara, and many cameras.

After all the compliments, pictures, and laughs had been exchanged, we went to the dance.

A small part of me felt nervous and anxious, although I wasn't at all sure why. I could hear the music from outside the school: some pop hit. The inside was the same as always at the beginning of homecoming: groups of people talking in circles as they waited for more friends to pile in before dancing. Our group was no exception.

"I wonder how this homecoming will compare to others," Paul said.

I shrugged. "It's all overrated anyway."

"That's so not true," Kara argued lightly. "You are just unappreciative."

"Nah, I agree with Kaelyn," Paul chirped.

"I like homecoming," Cassy stated next to me. "It's fun."

"Exactly!" Kara shouted.

"Exactly what?" Sophie asked, exiting her conversation with Ian and Jean-Paul to join ours.