The Axis My World Turns On

Turn

Paint splattered across the tarp. Splashes of blue, orange, and pink making new colors, creating new patterns. The canvas was in artistic disarray, a sweet disaster of abstract disillusion. Underneath the unmeasured streaks of paint were the sharpest trace of brown eyes peering through the rainbows of colored mist. They were so innocent, so full of hope and wonder and magic. The golden specks in the pupils clashing brilliantly with the streaks of blue and tiny pockets of purple. The colors, as whimsical as they seemed, were the most silent display of sadness. The spilling of so many tears disguised as anything but, lest they be exposed for who they truly are.

Carmilla came down from her room in a pair of navy slacks and a white button-down dress shirt with the top three buttons left undone, hair loose and curly. A black watch on her left wrist and a velvet red box in her hand. She looked ready to stand before a crowd and present the award by her dress. Her face, however, didn't look so sure. Her eyes were dark, something of a storm building in their depths. Her lips were pursed, firm and unwavering. Those chiseled features nothing less than solid stone. A beautiful statue.

"Wow, kitty. You clean up nice. Did you buy that in a medium? I may borrow it this weekend." Will sat at the island eating a bowl of grapes.

"After today, you can have it. It's not like I'll be needing it." She pulled a cigarette from her pocket, placing it in her mouth.

"I thought you hated those things." Her brother frowned, walking away from his grapes, admiring the colorful disaster on the opposite side of the foyer.

"I need it. I'm frustrated." Carmilla replied, adjusting the watch on her wrist.

"Is that why you turned your living room into a 3rd grader's art project?" He snatched the cigarette from her lips, breaking it in half. "You should be excited. You're proposing today."

"Potentially." Carmilla rolled her eyes, shoving the rest of the pack into his hands. He was right. She hated smoking. She only considered it when she was angry. It's a horrid habit their mother had.

"What do you mean?"

She took a handful of grapes from the bowl, leaning back against the marble. "Laura will be seeing someone from her office. Potentially. One of the writers for the food section of the magazine. She's not sure yet."

Will blew out a breath, arms folded and shock on his face. He listened to his sister and Laura talk about this day for 7 years. He even helped Carmilla pick out a ring, he and Mattie. It was never a thought in anybody's mind that anyone else could step in between them and keep the proposal from happening. They didn't think Carmilla would give anyone a chance to, or that Laura would want anyone to.

"Well, what's the plan? Are you just going to play it by ear?" He nudged her.

"Sounds pretty good to me. It's not like I'm gonna stop her from dating. I'm not her father. I'm just- "

"You're the girl who spent the last 7 years holding on to a promise that you vowed to never break."

"It's different now. If she's no longer single, the pact ends." Camilla shrugged.

"Then ask her before it's too late. You have lunch together now as it is. Ask her then. Give her what you promised." Wilhelm pointed to the painting in the living room. "Don't give up and turn into that."

Laura stood outside the conference room waiting for Carmilla to finish discussing a design. She watched through the glass as Carmilla pointed to different areas of the blueprint, showing her client each area of her plan. It always made her happy to see Carmilla so passionate. It happened more when she spoke to clients about the potential of a fresh perspective. It was what she was good at. It was a joy to walk across the street and get a glimpse.