Ocean Blue & You

angels in masks

That night, I showered, and got out my outfit for the party, and dressed in it. I'd planned it several nights before. I'd decided to be an angel. There were several other things I thought of being, but I wanted it to be simple, yet pretty. So I had bought a long, simple, cotton white, sleeveless dress from the shops in Littleton's town centre. It was great for the summer too, and kept me cool in the harsh heat of May. I'd washed and braided my hair the night before, so it would be curly for today. I took them out, letting my long, now curly honey blonde hair tumble over my shoulders and down to my waist. Then I brushed it, and brought some strands of hair around to the back of my head, and tied it, in a sort of little twist plait around, keeping the little strands away from my face. Then I walked over to my mirror and put on some natural makeup. Some mascara and a tiny bit of eyeliner, and a little brush of pink on my cheeks.

Then I finished with a natural, pinkish red colour on my lips, and slipped on my white, ballet pumps. A lot of the girls would be wearing heels, but I knew better, and obviously thought that even if I had worn them, they'd end up being taken off and carried around to dance at the party. These were comfy, and simple, like I wanted the outfit to be. I didn't want people to notice me. Unlike Emma. I wanted to just go to the party and have fun with Anna and Faith, and nothing else would happen.

Before I left, Mum helped me pin on my little, soft white angel wings behind my back, and I could hear her little sobs as I grabbed my silver mask and satchel.

"Mum! Please don't cry!" I sighed, patting her on the back and giving her a gentle hug. I could feel her wet cheek and dampness on my left shoulder, where she'd left a tiny little puddle.

"I know, it's just- well, you're not my little baby anymore," she said, sniffing into a tissue.

"I'm seventeen Mum!"

"Yes I know, I just can't believe it. You just look so beautiful," she said.

"Thanks Mum," I said.

"You do Posy. We're very proud of you," Dad said from the kitchen doorway, leaning against the wall. He came and gave me a big hug, and I thanked him too. And then Mum and I left the house, and she drove me to Faith's as I stared out the car window excitedly, fiddling with my nails excitedly, as Mum occasionally let out a little sniffle. I was going to my first proper party! My heart was thumping loudly in my chest. I was getting that butterfly, light feeling you get in your stomach when you're nervous or excited for something. And then, sooner or later, Mum pulled up outside Faith's house, on the outskirts of the town, at the very, very top of the hill, just before it got flat.

"Alright! Here we are!" Mum said, as I unbuckled my seat belt. "I love you Posy. And I'm so proud of you." She gave me a kiss on the cheek, and another hug.

"I love you too Mum," I said, and then I got out the car and waved Mum goodbye, as she shouted "have fun!" out the window and then drove away. I watched her car disappear until it was a dot in the distance, and then finally knocked on Faith's door.

There was about ten seconds before Faith opened the door, and then said "hi!" before staring at me for another five seconds. Then Anna came down and took a glance at me too, and gasped.

"Posy!" she exclaimed, her mouth open. Faith was grinning broadly.

"What?" I said, stepping on to the doorstep and walking in as Faith shut the door behind her.

"Well, you- you just look beautiful," Anna said.

"Oh, thanks Anna," I said.

"Yeah, you do," Faith agreed.

"I was hoping to be discreet, you know? I don't really want everyone to notice my costume."

"Oh, they might not notice your costume, but they will notice you," Faith said.