Butterfly

t w e n t y t w o

Today is Ethan's graduation. This is the end of his highschool experience, and the finish of the chapter we have written together. Everything is happening so fast, that in two months he'd be off to Harvard, and we'd rarely see each other then.

Josh and I were given free passes to attend the ceremony. Right now, I'm in my bedroom, looking for a semi-formal outfit to wear for the seniors' graduation. Courtney is lying down on my bed, giving me outfit advice.

"...Sydney, you want to shine there," Courtney corrected me, as I kept searching for perfect matched through piles of clothing, "Maybe something glittery would help—? Oh! Or wear a shocking color there. You'd be the belle of the ball!" She said dreamily.

I poked my head out of my skirts pile, "I don't think I should be wearing something like that. The ceremony is supposed to be for the graduates, and not me," I stated, "Everyone would be looking at me!" She knows how I loathe the attention.

My step-sister's eyes widened, "That's the point," She tapped her chin in thought, "You'd be the star on the Christmas tree, the bride of the wedding, or the red shirt mixed up with the rack of white clothes!"

Hmm... should I wear a dress, or a long skirt? "I think you're missing my point," I groaned. Josh is arriving in an hour, and I still don't know what to wear. Lucky him, he'll just be throwing in a tuxedo and his done.

"You know I think Mom has some mixed up semi-formal outfits in Mr. Harper's closet," of course, that's a good idea. Some of Mrs. Schleyer's non-used clothes are in Dad's extra compartment.

I snapped my fingers, "You, are a fabulous genius, Courtney!" I grinned, snatching out the underwear that's stuck on my ankles then throwing it back on the bed. While my sister's on her phone, I rushed to the Masters' Bedroom.

As I looked around, indeed, Mrs. Schleyer has a lot of semi-formal outfits laid out in Dad's drawers. They are mostly black and white though. I'm not wearing these. They're going to think I'm attending some funeral.

The only bright colored thing in these clothes is a sleeveless yellow dress that's exactly above my knee. But I'm not wearing that. What am I? A big fat sun? And just look at all the ruffles in there. I'm only looking at them and I already feel itchy.

I muttered, "Gosh, clothes could be such a hassle!" I thought to myself, still staring at a plain brow dress in this closet. Wow, Mrs. Schleyer has awful taste when it comes to color. That's not what I expected from her, when her daughter is a teenage-drinking Marilyn Monroe.

My step-mother has a lot of clothes, but you could surely count on her to mess up a special event real badly.

Thanks, Mrs. Schleyer! You're great help! Could you note the sarcasm playing around in my voice—? Exactly!

Polka dots aren't really my things... I'll look like a dumb zebra in stripes. It's obvious I'm not wearing something super tight that will cut off my blood circulation.

You know what, I'll probably just give up, it's no use. I'd just break the bad news to Ethan that I won't be going to his graduation even if it meant the world to him if I go.

As I was about to lose hope, Dad entered the room, and found me sitting on the floor, sulking and hating on clothes right now. He whistled as he marched towards me.

Dad came home pretty early today. Maybe it's because he has a half-day schedule or something. He kneeled down towards me, and soothed my back calmly. Just like what Mommy did when I feel pretty awful.

"What's the matter?" He asked me. I wasn't crying or anything. I was just stressed about clothes, "Wait, are you going somewhere, dear?" He cocked a brow, waiting for my reply.