Alone In The Dark

Chapter 9: Magnifying Glass

Once I got home I unlocked the door, tossed my bag to the side of the door and headed to my room. I had a sudden urge to write a poem about that moment with Skylar. I grabbed my worn out a little notebook and my special poetry pen and started to etch my emotions straight from my heart onto the woven fibers of the page.

Magnifying Glass

You see pass my flaws;

Pass my insecurities.

You see pass the rumours;

Pass the hatred spread stories.

You see pass all of my issues;

Pass my past.

You see pass what they read in the news;

Pass the magnifying glass.

You see pass my wall of resistance;

Pass my headstrong persona.

You see pass my persistence;

Pass my emotional trauma.

You see pass the bleak contrast;

Pass the negativity.

You see pass the magnifying glass;

You see me.

-Christina Mason

Once I finished the poem I headed downstairs to do the laundry, but I could not erase the smile that I wore off my face, I was so happy that Skylar came into my life, I don't feel ashamed of myself and I feel completely comfortable the way I am. I loaded all the laundry into the washing machine and then went to go make pasta for when my dad got home; I was still full from that mega hotdog that Skylar and I made. After unloading the washing machine I wrapped the pasta up and put it aside to cool down and went to go take a shower and sleep. That night I had the best dream ever, I re-lived the moment with Skylar and we just stared into each other's eyes with no interrupting sneezes or anything. It was lovely to just stare lost in his eyes, and although there were no sneezes to interrupt that did not stop my alarm clock from going off at 7 am. I woke up smiling still dazed from the dream and I went downstairs and had cereal, my dad was about to leave for work and said, "Lovely pasta you made last night Christina, but what's with the hair? Have a fight with the hairdryer? Or is it a new crazy hairstyle?" I was confused until I felt where my hair was standing with my hand. I slept on my right side, which made the right side of my hair stand up and the other side normal. I laughed and said, "Fought with my pillow apparently." He grabbed his briefcase and headed for the door and said, "I'm leaving now sweetie, see you later. I will be home today in time for dinner tonight at 7 pm right?" "Okay, dad, bye. Oh, dad, can Jasmine and my new friend Skylar come for dinner? I want you to meet him, he went through the same kind of situation and was a big help." I asked. He grabbed a slice of toast before leaving and said, "Yeah, sure honey. See you later, bye." "Thanks, dad, bye," I replied. Once I finished my cereal I took a quick shower and got my things together before heading to the bus stop. I grabbed my bag and my packed lunch and locked the door behind me. I decided to pack a healthy sandwich to school every day - packed the night before - to avoid from under or overeating in the cafeteria. As I approached the bus stop I saw Skylar approaching the bus stop as well. He smiled and waved to me and I reciprocated his greeting. When I reached him I said, "I see you decided to step this side of the block this morning." He laughed and said, "Well, I think a short walk before the bus ought to do me some good and it's better than waiting a few seconds alone on the bus aimlessly searching for a friendly person, waiting to talk to you, Christina." I smiled and replied, "Do you hear that?" He looked puzzled and asked, "What?" "Flattery," I answered with a grin. He chuckled and exclaimed, "Alas, I was caught red-handed!" I was still laughing when the bus pulled up and the doors opened. We stepped one by one on the bus and although students at my school did not make any snippy comments towards me I still received several acidic looks from students from other schools that travelled on the bus. I ignored it, because if I let it bother me and let them break my spirits then everything that I worked so hard on achieving in my life would be wasted. I am not going to pay any mind to people's arrogant ways. Skylar and I went to claim our empty seats at the back and we listened to his iPod playlist. I really liked his taste in music it was in a sense soothing and blocked out all the negativity in the surrounding atmosphere. I did not want to tell him about the poem inspired by him because it would make things weird between us - considering we just met. When the bus stopped outside of the school I saw Jasmine through the window waiting for us by the school entrance. Once we departed the bus we went straight to Jasmine and started our first working day of school. It was tiring waking my brain up after it being dormant for so long. I was worn out by the end of the day and they basically just gave us a breakdown for the year and a taste of what we would be covering in each subject. My favorite subject was art, it was the most relaxing and expressive subject of my day. I went straight home after school, exhausted and quickly set up for the dinner that Jasmine and Skylar would be joining my dad and me for. Skylar decided to come straight after he dropped his backpack at home to help me set up for dinner. When he came I had just popped the turkey in the oven to roast and heard him knocking on the door. I took the oven glove off and opened the door. My hair was tied up messily and I had a stained hoodie and track pants on with an apron. Skylar looked at me as I opened the door, grinned and said, "Hey, and might I add: don't you look lovely?" I rolled my eyes and said, "Hey, and might I add that you're not funny. It's just what I'm wearing to cook in; I'm going to change into something else before dinner." He laughed. "Well, okay then. So, what should I do? Set the table? Or cook?" He asked. I laughed and said, "Well judging by your mega hotdog cooking skills yesterday I think it would be safer for you to set the table. I already covered the cooking part so I'll go change while you set the table. Four plates, saucers, forks, knives, glasses, spoons and don't forget the tablecloth. The cutlery is in the drawer by the window and the plates and saucers are in the cupboard by the fridge as for the tablecloth and serviettes they're in the cupboard next to the oven." He smiled and said, "Yes ma'am!" I headed upstairs to shower and change while he set the table. I took a quick shower and got out the outfit I wanted to wear. Simple slim-cut black jeans with a loose-fitting silver raw silk button up sleeveless blouse and lace-up washed out grey color heel boots and I styled my hair in messy curls and did everyday make-up, a light smokey eyeshadow, black eyeliner and a light lip-gloss. As I descended the staircase Skylar turned to ask me, "Which side does the cutlery go on?" "The right side, I think. I always just put it on the right," I replied. He smiled and said, "Thanks, you look great. I feel underdressed is it formal?" I laughed and said, "No you look fine if anything I'm overdressed. It's a girl thing - or maybe just a 'me' thing - I look for any excuse to dress up." He was wearing jeans with converse sneakers and a black t-shirt with headphones on it, he was wearing it to school earlier that day. Just as we finished lay the table it was 6:57 pm and Jasmine was knocking on the door. I opened it hugged her and she came inside, she was wearing a pretty vest top and floral skirt dress with stockings and heels and her hair in a loosely tied bun. Her makeup matched the colour palette of the floral skirt. Skylar also hugged her and I told them that they could watch some TV while we waited for my dad. I put on the TV and we watched the end of some random movie that happened to be on. I took the turkey out of the oven and it was perfect. I put it onto the centre of the table and took out cold drinks and set it down on the table as well. When my dad arrived it was 7:09 pm and the movie we were watching had just ended and the credits were rolling. We made our way to the nicely laid table for dinner. I sat in my usual seat as did my dad and I introduced Skylar and my dad. Jasmine and Skylar sat on either side of me and we all said grace before we ate. Judging by their facial expressions, it appeared that they were enjoying their meal. I was nervous because I have never made a roast turkey before I just dug up my mom's recipe and followed it step by step. After we ate I took out a quick dessert that I fixed up before popping the turkey in the oven. It was just some chopped tin fruits with yoghurt. Since everybody was done with their main meal it gave us all time to talk. I cleared the dining table and put the dirty dishes in the sink and I placed the dessert with spoons and bowls on the coffee table in the TV room. My dad asked Skylar what happened to him and Skylar told him the entire story. My dad felt terrible for him and asked if he would want to call his mom to come over for some dessert and tea. He smiled politely at my dad and said, "Sure Mr. Mason, where's the house phone?" My dad gestured to the phone on the wall beside the TV and replied, "There's the phone." Skylar stood up and went to call his mom and when he returned he told us that she said she would be over in ten minutes. After scintillating conversations, the night came to an end and Jasmine's dad picked her up and Skylar and his mom departed to go home. I cleared up the last bit of dishes and washed them and packed them away. I was completely exhausted so I changed into my pyjamas and collapsed straight onto my bed and buzzed off into sleep.