Infinite Ocean of Sumsa

Chapter 12 part 1 - A night to remember

"So long f*ggots" Beau yelled from the paddle boat. He sat, extending his feet out behind James who started steering the boat in the correct direction, southeast. Beau had reached out for the second plastic oar, and plunged it into the crystal clear water. To the left, then to the right. Each time at a faster, more steady rhythm which coincided with James' movement.

"Don't have too much fun without us" Jai winked, sticking out his tongue.

"Ahaha! I won't be making any promises" James howled from below.

They continued to sail out merrily into the horizon where a lingering, crimson sunset lit the evening sky.

***

Phoenix collapsed onto Sylvia's bed in exasperation, throwing her arms up into the air. Sylvia simply stared at her in confusion.

"I think I'm having a teen-life crisis!"

Laughing, Sylvia swivelled around in her little stool which was positioned in front of her Victorian dresser, so as to face her cousin, "is everything OK?"

"No, everything is not OK!" Phoenix brought her self into a sitting position but banged her head against the wooden planks that supported her own mattress, in the process, "ouch." Without hesitating, she spilled out her worries to Sylvia, "the party starts in about two hours and I have no idea what to wear. I've never been to a proper formal party in my life and I don't know what to do. But, I'm guessing you have plenty of experience in that department so I was wondering if you could give me a hand?" She paused for a split second before adding, "I don't want to ask my mam cause she thinks she knows loads about fashion when really, she hasn't got a clue."

"Wait... don't tell me you haven't even been to your own prom, seriously?" Sylvia gasped, completely dumbfounded.

"Nope, we call it our 'Debs' and it's after secondary school. It takes place in the Summer and I'm dreading it cause I don't really have many guy friends, if you know what I mean... That's what happens when you go to an all girls' school for your whole life."

"Ugh, that sucks."

Phoenix sighed, rolling her eyes to heaven, "tell me about it. So... will you help me?"

"Of course! There's literally nothing in this world that I love better than to dress people up!"

Phoenix smiled at her sincerity and enthusiasm. "Just no bows or ribbons or anything pink."

"Aw, I could just imagine you all pretty and pink." She hopped off the stool, striding towards her walk-in-wardrobe, "I have a really cute hot pink dress that.."

"NO!" Phoenix raised her voice in determination, her dark, doe eyes widening in horror.

"OK," she replied, unimpressed.

"Well, what are you wearing?"

"This." She held out a plastic hanger holding the most beautiful baby blue dress that Phoenix had ever seen. It really was something special in comparison to the floor length dresses that she was accustomed to seeing in the shop windows on 'Grafton Street.' It possessed all the qualities of an aquamarine jewel, with hundreds of little gem stones decorating the bust. It was off shoulder with one thin mesh strap for support and slim-fit, which would favour Sylvia's slight figure.

"Wow." Phoenix really was speechless.

"You like it?"

"I love it! Try it on please!"

Sylvia beamed in excitement, "if you insist! But then it will be your turn to pick something out."

She disappeared into the wardrobe while Phoenix was left to her own devices, to ponder on the long, exhilarating night that was yet to begin.