Protected

Running Smoothly

We drove down the twisting dirt road farther into the forest until we reached a tall white security fence, the kind you can't see in or out of. I hopped out of the car, then held my hand out. Riley took it and tumbled out of the car. I laughed, and we went into the garden to look at the decorations.

They really were beautiful. There were raised garden beds full of colorful blooms, and there were chairs next to the beds. Between the chairs, there was an aisle of light pink fabric. There were strands of white, red, and pink flowers billowing from the fence, and an arbor across the end of the aisle made of different colored roses. 

Riley smiled, her eyes sparkling. I grabbed her hand, and we left the garden and went to the left side of the fence. There, we had set up a small tent for Riley. 

We could all easily fit inside, with extra room. There was a small table in the corner, and five folding chairs were scattered throughout the room. My Mom and Topanga all sat down. I put the emergency kit down on the table, along with the touch-up kit for her hair and makeup.

Suddenly, my phone dinged. I pulled it out of my bag, and there was a message from Farkle's Mom:

We just for the garden. Be there in five minutes.

I texted back a quick reply and shoved my phone in my bag.

"Who was that?" Riley asked.

"Mrs. Minkus. Farkle and company just left the house, so we have to keep you in here," I said.

Riley nodded, "Right on schedule," she said.

"Come here," I said, getting up and gesturing for her to come over to the table, "You need to have your hair and makeup fixed."

She fluffed over to the table. I tucked a few strands back into her half-up. Then I tightened a flower that was threatening to fall out. Other than that, we had done a spectacular job at preserving her hair. As for her makeup, I applied a whole new coat of gloss, and some mascara. Then I attacked her eyelashes with the curler for another few minutes.

I heard Lucas's car pull up, and then I got Mrs. Minkus's text: We're here.

"I have to go meet them," I said. I put all of the extra hair and makeup stuff back in the bags, and rushed out of the tent.

Farkle was climbing out of the car, and I ran to meet him.

"Hey," I said, "Everything running smoothly?"

He nodded, "Everything's fine over here. On your end?" he asked.

"Yep, everything's just fine," I assured him, "How are you doing?" I peered up at his face, which was alight with anxiety, excitement, and anticipation.

"Good," he shrugged, "Nervous, excited, the works," he said.

I dusted off his collar, straightened his tie, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Everything's going to be great," I said.

I hurried around him to hug Lucas and peck him on the lips, then I rushed back to the tent.

A few minutes later, after I had fixed my Mom and Topanga's makeup, upon their insistence, we heard a car pulling up and a voice.

"Who is that?" Riley asked, her face turning white.

I peered out of the tent and smiled.

"Our first guest."