"Shrinking in a corner,
pressed into the wall;
do they know I'm present,
am I here at all?

Is there a written rule book,
that tells you how to be—
all the right things to talk about—
that everyone has but me?

Slowly I am withering—
a flowered deprived of sun;
longing to belong to—
somewhere or someone."

****************************

Tiara

"Do I look good baby? Honey? Look here. Does this colour look good on me?" My friend has rolled his eyes so many times today that I feel it's going to permanently go back into his head if he does it one more time. I hold back my grin when Fiona asked the hundredth times today if she looks presentable? "YES! Fiona. You look fabulous darling. I have told you already. Can we go now please? Tiara's bakery opening is today, if you remember. And do I have to remind you that without her, the ceremony will not happen? Now come on. I'm loosing my patience here." Said Garald throwing his hands in the air irritatingly.

Fiona pouted at me but gave up. One last look at the mirror and she turned around. "Yes my love, I know and that's why I'm trying to look perfect for the first impression." She said, going towards her bed and picking up her golden purse that matches her yellow dress and smirked at both of us. She must have seen our bored faces and huffed. "Uhhh fine. You both have no sense of fashion. Let's go!" She said scoffing at her husband and dragged me out of her room towards the main door.

"Fucking finally." muttered Garald who was tagging behind us towards his car. "Did you say something?" Said Fiona, halting in her mid walk and glaring at her husband. "Absolutely not, my love. Do I have a death wish?" He said, gulping. "I was just admiring your ass. It looks hot as fuck by the way. Makes me..." he hissed. I blocked my hearing by closing my virgin ears. "Aaa..aaa...aaaa...La..LA.. la" Bless my ears. "Guys!! Stop it please. My ears are about to bleed. Take your porn reel somewhere else." I fake glared at the cute couple in front of me.

They both looked at each other then me and blushed a shade of red and got inside the car in a hurry, avoiding my eyes. I shaked my head at their childish behavior that I never get bored off, let me tell you. Garald started the car and kissed his wife's hand who was on his right and gave each other the sweetest smile that can give you diabetics and drived on to our 20 minites ride to our destination, my dream job. My parents dream. The bakery.

Gerald and Fiona are my only friends and family after my real one passed away in an unfortunate event. The pain never goes away but my two angels never fail to cheer me up. Sometimes I love them to death and sometimes I envy them so much. They have something I always dreamed of. A relationship with unconditional love. A love so magical, you just can't stop making heart eyes on them. Garald and Fiona are my only friends since childhood. Garald and my brother were best friends when...well when he was alive. Garald still treats me as his little sister and he found out few years back that Fiona my best friend who is also a human like me, is his mate.

Well you might wonder what kind of supernatural being is Garald. Well he is a Naga. Desendence of Basilisk. They are very loyal and loving beings...untill they are not. They are very trustworthy friends to keep around but one should definitely think twice before going on their bad side. They are known for never failing to take their revenges. After the Invasion almost 100 years back from the Supernatural beings on our "realm" as they say it, we were exposed to every mythical creature we have ever heard or read in books. Let alone it be big foot. Werewolves or garden fairies. But not everyone is as friendly as my friend here.

They have a hierarchy just like our ancient kings and queens. The strongest of them are the kings. I don't know what creature they are but they call themselves the Royals. Then comes the ministers who are their court members. Fortunately some of our Humans were invited to become a part of it. Fortunate beings. They call themselves the Nobles. Noble my ass. They are the most self-centered beings I have ever seen. Then comes the high officials like doctors, architect, warriors or soldiers. Then comes the others. The creatures who are non magical beings. Shifters like Naga, wolf, tigers bear or any other shifter that can only change their forms from human to animals or birds. But no magic. Like Garald. Then last but not the least. Me. A human. I guess you got the picture.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not ashamed to be a human. I'm glad actually. I want to have a small life full of happiness rather than a long life full of misery. Yes you heard me right. I call it a curse. They never go old. They never fall sick. They just live on and on. And do what you ask me? Useless stressful life. I would rather die wrinkled face, reading bedtime stories to my grandkids rather than looking like a well preserved mummy, where you can't even make out the difference who's the father the son or the grandfather is. They all stop growing old after a certain age. Whatever. I had my fare share of supernatural classmates and neighbors to know them well. And a husb... no! Stop Tiara! We promised we are not going their ever again. It was a dream a bad dream. Just forget it.

Deep breath. Deep breath. In..out...in..out. "Tiara? You ok girl?" Asked Fiona with a concerned face. "Yes. Just over excited I guess." I tried to give her a fake smile and failed when I met her's and Gerald's sad eyes through the mirror. I'm not going to cry today. "Tia? Don't." He warned me. The good and worst thing about having a best friends is..you can not hide your pain from them. Because they know you well. I sighed closing my eyes and opened it finally giving them both a genuine smile. "I'm not. Let's go. We need to finish the last minute work before people start piling in." I said, diverting their attention to our current situation.

They both know what I did exactly but didn't stretch it for now. I guess I'm Safe. "Cool. You both go in first. I forgot the candles. I'll get it and meet you guys inside in 5 minutes." Said Garald unlocking the car for us. "Ok" we said together and jumped out of his car to cross the road to my dream shop with a big smile on my face, after a very long time. It feels like my parents and brother were watching me right now and are very proud of me. I can literally picture my brother's hand over my shoulder, squeezing it. "Good job Tia. You did it." I smiled when I saw how my mom's name turned out as the name of my bakery. Maura's Bakery...you ask it we have it.

My mom loved to bake and she loved ever more to feed people her delights. They were just heavenly. Fortunately I had her recipe book and when my mom passed away with the dream to open a bakery, I promised myself to fullfill her desire even after she has passed on. I was not going to give away her passion. It still lives in me. "Tiara!! Stop day dreaming. Open the back door. It quarter to 9 already. Come." She's right. "Yeah. Sorry. Just went back on memory lane for a sec. Mom would have been thrilled today." I said smiling and putting the keys on the keyhole. "She's. Trust me." Said Fiona, pushing me inside the door.

As soon as we got inside, the heavenly scent of Cinnamon rools cookies pastries cakes and delights just was so overwhelming, our mouth watered. We both looked at each other and licked our lips. "We can have a taste right? Nobody's watching." Then we burst out laughing like teenagers and ran towards the store room. My sweeties. Here I come. My sadness long forgotten. I tasted all the items that I was going to put on display today for the customers. I might be stress eating but who can blame me. "They are so delicious." Said Fiona, stuffing her mouth with Turkish delights. I laughed and managed to just nod my head because my mouth was more stuffed than hers.

"And here I thought. You are the responsible one." We stopped mid eating. Caught in the act by Gerald. We giggled and put our tongues out at him together. "Unbelievable " he muttered and went up front to get the show on road. It was 9. Show time! After getting a food orgasm as Fiona put it, we jumped into business mode. Customer after customer piled in to check what are we offering. To my surprise, most of them are supernaturals and they really loved my pastries and cookies. We even received orders from few customers. Every thing was going great. More than I have expected.

The customer were really sweet towards me..which was new. They can't stop praising my baking skill which made me blush a lot of times. And I genuinely thanked them. They all left our bakery with a promise to come visit again which just made my day. Just after 8:30 at night Gerald, me and Fiona shut the door with a closed board and slumped on the chairs with a fatigue. Mostly Fiona and me. Gerald didn't even sweat. Perk of being supernatural. Whatever. I'm not jealous at all. "That went well. Like more than well." Said Gerald passing water bottles to both me and Fiona. It was like my face has a permanent smile plastered on.

"Yes. That was unexpected." Said Fiona. I nod while taking a sip of my water. "Guys? Thank you so much. It would have been really impossible without you. I don't have words." I seriously don't have words for how grateful I am for their efforts. "Tiara. You are family. I will do anything for you. You know that right?" Said Gerald, pulling me and Fiona in a group hug. "And my only friend and sister." Said Fiona, crushing my wind wipe. I coughed and laughed at once. "Fiona you are chocking me!" She let me go with a sorry and then hold me softly. "I can't ask for more." I said, smiling at both of them.

"Ok now that the hard part is over, can we grab some grub. I'm starving." Said Gerald, making my stomach growl. They both laughed at me. I followed. "Let's go" I said, holding his outstretched hand. "I'm feeling italian today. What say?" Asked Fiona, to both of us. "Italian sounds good." I said smiling. "Italian it is then." Said Gerald, pushing us out of the store. "Go wait by the car. I'll lock and come." He said. Ok we said and walked towards his car. The car ride was all about how our day went and what raw material we need to get from the venders. And stuff like that.

When we reached the Italian restaurant, Gerald pulled his car over and we stepped out. As soon as I walked out of the car, my body collied with a hard chest. "I'm sorry. I wasn't watch..." the last words didn't leave my mouth when I saw who was holding me in a firm grip, avoiding my fall. Suddenly I felt like my world stopped. My breath hitched and I can hear some voices but I can't make out who's calling me. Those eyes, those lips, this face, this touch. No matter how much I try, I can never forget it. And the voice...

"Tiara?"

I heard Fiona muttered a curse behind me. "Fuck"

Fuck indeed.

That was the introduction. Tell me your views with comments and please vote if you like it. See you in the next chapter. Chao.

Lina.