Butterfly Years

Chapter 18

“Ms.Wong said Ryan will be here in an hour or so,” Mom informed me, walking into my room and eying me up and down.

“You look like an angel,” she finally said warmly. That word – angel – made me think of him again.

Ryan...

I couldn’t really get my thoughts off him over the past two weeks. That wasn’t exactly something to be proud of – my exams had been going on, and just got over yesterday.

But I had pulled through, and if the pleased looks my teachers kept shooting me were anything to go by, I did well this time.

“You sure?” I asked critically, looking down at myself.

I was wearing a red Chinese dress which ended just below my knees. My fingernails were a soft white, and my hair was pulled back with a white hairband. To top it all, my feet were sitting happily in a pair of white strappy heels, making me taller than normal.

At least I’d be able to reach Ryan’s height now...

“Definitely,” mom beamed proudly, “And I can’t believe this. Another year is over...”

My school was having an end-of-year dance at the country club. Everyone was invited, and since we were allowed to bring dates from other schools, Ryan was my date.

“And next year I’m passing out and heading to the real high school,” I sighed, leaning in and hugging mom, “Life sure passes fast, huh?”

“Yeah, I guess,” mom patted my back, before pulling away. “So what’s the deal with Ryan?”

“Uh, didn’t you just say he’s coming to pick me up in an hour?” I asked, turning back to the mirror and smiling softly. “I can’t wait.”

“You see? That’s why I’m asking. What exactly is Ryan to you?” Mom’s tone made me look back at her.

“He’s my date for the evening,” I answered simply.

“And is he anything more than a friend?” she pressed, stepping up and standing beside me.

“Maybe,” I replied, “But I’ll let you know when he graduates to the best-friend level, okay?”

I’m pretty sure both of us knew what the question really was.

She let out a long sigh. “I just want to tell you that love at this age doesn’t last. Nothing lasts at this age. Don’t waste your time over it.”

I turned away from her, a huge void in my heart. “I won’t,” I said softly, looking out of the window. Of course she would tell me something like that before an evening that was supposed to be one of my best. 

“But on the other hand,” Mom put an arm around me, “He makes you happy. Really very happy. I can live with that.”

I turned to smile at her.

“I think,” she ended, “I think he’s good for you. I approve.”

“Good,” I laughed, “Because even if you didn’t...”

“Don’t you dare complete that sentence,” Mom threatened playfully. She stepped away and clasped her hands together. “Holler when Ryan comes, I’m heading to the kitchen.”

“Have fun!” I called after her.

After an hour of walking around my room aimlessly and an intense ‘No, you don’t look fat in yellow’ discussion with Tia, the doorbell rang.

 “Ryan!” I beamed, opening the door to reveal the person I’ve been waiting to see for days.

“Hey Syaz,” he smiled, leaning in and pecking me on the cheek, “You look amazing.”