What Once Was

Chapter 3- Young and Beautiful Dream

-1920, New Orleans, Louisiana-
-Charlie POV-
The city resumed as a normal day. It was a regular summer day, and felt the sun warm my skin as me and Anthony walked in the pavement to the bus stop.

"Oh come on! Come with me, it will be so much fun!" Anthony pleaded as we stopped walking and shook me from my shoulders. So hard that it made dizzy.

"I-I don't know if its such a good idea, I don't like staying out past midnight." I said as I tucked my hair behind my ear. That and I didn't want my parents to catch me here in the human realm. Anthony sighed and let go of me.

"I'm going back to New York City next week." Anthony sighed as he buttoned down his pink collar stripped shirt. "Molly needs me."

"Is it your family again?" I asked, knowing that Anthony's family was not really...nice. Well everyone except Molly

"Unfortunately yes. But I don't want to bore you with facts about my harsh family." Anthony dismissively said as he placed his hand in my lips. "That, and since this is my last week here in New Orleans, I need to make it memorable, and its must for you to join the fun!"

I looked into his eyes that were filled with hope. I grabbed his hand and sighed, "Fine, where is this party of yours." I smiled as his eyes brightened with emotion. Ah! I don't know its this random rich fellow. Heard he is quite handsome!" He nudged at me.

"Oh wow, I am assuming you're only going to go see how cute he is." I teased him as he rolled his eyes and puffed out his cheeks.

"Not the point ! We are living in a revolution, and you are an iconic flapper." He pointed out my coral silk chiffon dress, T-Strap glitter synthetic dance shoes and cloche hat. Of course I had to dress in the relevant fashion. "This is like, what I heard, the party of a lifetime! And you need to live your life!"

"I am living my life!" I whined.

"Really? How?" Anthony crossed his arms across his chest.

Well I couldn't really tell him I was literally not supposed to be here, and that I am only pretending to be human because I was curious about the human realm. If only you knew.

"Exactly." Anthony took my silence as a response.

"Okay fine you win." I said as I raised both arms to surrender. "Where should we meet up?" I asked as we looked at our surroundings. We were currently in front of the local cafe, and waited for Anthony's bus to get here.

"Let's meet at the bridge at around 6!" Anthony pointed southwards to the bridge.  I looked at my wrist watch, which were quite modern these days. 2:30 it read. "Its a deal." I told him.

"Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Another female body was found near the bridge!" Screamed a little boy as he waved newspapers with his hands.

"Oh god, that's not something a little kid should say." I said as I looked at the boy who had received attention from people. Bystanders quickly paid the child for a newspaper to get a scoop of the news.

"Its the sixth one this month." Anthony said as he counted with his fingers.

"Oh my." I mumbled as I fidgeted with my dress.

"Here is my ride, let's meet up where I told you, and wear something cute!" Anthony said as he points at me up and down.

----------That Evening----------

After a brief quick visit to home, and assuring that I would be in my room sleeping, I sneaked in through the same portal. Upon arriving a couple of feet away from the old church, I got rid of my red cheeks, the birth mark that could easily identify me, to religious people. As for my black lips I turned them into a pale pink color. I changed my hair to more shorter and curlier. I changed my clothes into a flapper dress of beautiful silver sequin and pearl handbeading on gorgeous black mesh. A dramatic scalloped beaded fringe complemented the whole dress. I wore black T-strap pumps that were adorned with a bow on the rounded toe.