Kerttu's Selection

An Emoji Blazer - Chapter 13

I had woken up early that morning. Lupita had made me a cup of tea. I sipped it at my work desk, sighing. Mom had put in my desk in her work room when I was five. Her workroom had hard wood paneling that was a natural dark brown and most likely, the death of the rain forests. Mom came in, smiling.

"You're early. What's the occasion?" I usually came at least an hour later than Mom and in no way ready to balance budgets.

"A Swendway boat was destroyed in French waters. No one knows the cause," I informed her, skimming the newspaper.

"No," she gasped. She took a seat at her desk which was directly across from me. She was always the symbol of power. She looked picturesque even when sitting. "I'll talk to Ahren. See what he knows."

"He should visit! We haven't seen him in awhile," I replied.

She sighed. "I know. But you know your uncle." I nodded and worked on the rest of my assignments. We were throwing a party for Grandma and Grandpa tomorrow. It would be the first social occasion for the Selected. I would have to get them tailored, prepare the photographers, and lay out the venue.

"Mom, how did you handle princess duties during the Selection?"

She smiled, mentally thumbing through memories. "You know how much I didn't want the Selection, work was my only break." She chuckled to herself, recalling. "But you are connecting with them so much earlier than I did and when you eliminate them, you don't do it by flicking a hand in their face. I still regret doing that."

She continued, growing in determination. "Kerttu, as your mother and queen, I command you go on a date with one of your Selected."

"Will do, Your Majesty!" I gave her a sloppy bow and rushed out of the room with only one name in mind.

I knocked on his door obnoxiously, my energy slightly overtaking me. The door opened, revealing Adim.

"I was not expecting you, otherwise I would have tidied up, I am so sorry," he rambled. His room was practically immaculate yet he picked up the one napkin on the floor and threw it in the trash can. He had gotten the walls painted a light teal, the rest of the room was filled with white and the color maple.

"Who designed this?" I asked, sitting on the bench in front of his duvet.

"Me," he said shyly, tucking his hands in his front jean pockets. "I have a thing, with design," he murmured, looking down.

"You have more than a thing. My mom would probably marry you if she saw this. This is really amazing."

He picked up his brush and managed his hair in front of his mirror. "You say the nicest stuff. Is that a lesson in your princess training?" He finished brushing his hair and sat besides me, on the very corner of the bench. He really didn't want to invade my personal space.

"Sadly, no. But being courteous is a lesson. As long as proper etiquette, blah blah blah, tell me more about you." I wondered what lied inside this sweet nervous exterior. He was like an inside out caramel truffle.

"Me? That's a semi interesting topic. Um, I love sitcoms, acting, writing, cupcakes, and musicals. I love musicals," he confessed as if slightly embarrassed by his obsession.

"You know, we have access to one of the best movie theaters in Illea. Do you wanna watch a movie with me?" It would absolutely crush me if he said no.

"Yeah," he breathed. "I wasn't expecting you to ask me." He bit his lip, playing with his glasses. He coughed. "I would love that."

"Thank you. You have no idea how much my heart was hammering." He laughed which was a raspy sound, quite the opposite of his personality. I was already learning more about him.

We got to the tiny theatre. I attempted to make popcorn and with Adim's aid, we made a half burned batch.

"This is what I get for always coming here with Lupita," I said. He took some popcorn and ate it.

"This is the most delicious popcorn I have ever had."

"Well, thank you for lying."

He rubbed the back of his head, smiling. "Lying to you. That isn't perjury, is it?"

I bubbled with laughter before shaking my head. "No, no, it's not. But you should be as honest as you can just in case." I winked at him which caused his face to turn a ruddy pink. It was interesting that I could have that effect on a grown man. I enjoyed having that kind of power though I was too ashamed to say that out loud. We scoured the array of movies, searching for a good one

"This one used to be my favorite growing up," I remembered. "I used to watch it on repeat. I can quote it line for line when it starts."

"Really? Well, then let's watch that one then," he encouraged energetically.

The musical began. It was about two best friends and their first year of high school. They almost become enemies but returned to being each other friends again around the end. It wasn't the most original plot but that was its goal. A feel good movie with a fantastic score. I sang along to all the numbers, Adim smiling at me the entire time. I felt so free with him. I could be a complete fool, which I frequently was, and he wouldn't judge me. It was a place of no errors and no flaws. It was a place where one could be themselves. It was a place called Adim. Yet, something didn't feel right.

"That was amazing," he gushed. "And your singing. You are, hands down, the best singer I have ever heard."

I waved away his compliment. "I'm so glad you liked it!"

"I loved it," he countered. "Also, I'm trying not to get too excited but I have a surprise for you in my room." I gave him a questioning look.

"That sounded different than it is, it's just clothes. I mean, I got you clothes,. A clothe," he spurted out.

"You're good at surprises," I mocked, giggling. "Let's go!"

We went back up to his room and in a wrapped box with a bright red bow on it was an emoji blazer.

"Oh my god!" I shrieked. "Thank you, thank you!" I hugged him, still clutching the present.

"With the help of my head butler, we recreated an emoji blazer just for you. And I was hoping, you know, if you ever wanted to match or something, we could," he rambled.

"Of course. Everyday of the week, emoji blazers on emoji blazers on emoji blazers!"

"So you like it?"

"I love it!" I pulled into another hug. He smelled like a herb. A fresh, clean scent partnered with a hint of lime. "What cologne do you use?"

"I don't," he replied. "Is that your way of saying I need to use some?"

"No, that's my way of saying you smell good."

"Oh," he murmured.

We stayed like that for awhile before I deemed it time to leave. I said goodbye to Adim and went back to planning Grandma and Grandpa's party.

**Thoughts on Adim?**

**The party tomorrow is going to have some drama. Like Scar said in the Lion King, be PREPARED!!!!!**

**Have an amazing day and always question, never settle.**