III
I awoke to a blank white ceiling. I sat up and looked around the blank white room. It was nothing like the home I'd known for about 5 years previously. My stuff would come today, so I would have it all back. Matteo, Quinton, and Valentine got all of the things in my room yesterday. We put all of the furniture up for sale, including my bed. It wasn't much of a loss. Everything at Juniper was much better. But my billboard, pointe box, stuffed animals, dresses, hair accessories, everything I loved needed to come back. I could never sell any of that stuff.
I pressed my pale, bruised feet into the carpet. I winced a little. The first steps every morning are a bit painful. Pointe comes at a price, but I've gotten used to paying it. I'm thankful anyway. It's a miracle my body can still handle it. I previously had a terrible accident. No one thought I'd be able to get up in my shoes again. But after months of physical therapy, I slowly got back to pointe.
I stumbled to the door and tapped it open. Then...it hit me. A smell wavered through the air to my nostrils. It was a smell like no other, warm and welcoming. It was like coming home on a cold winter day and engulfing yourself in hot cocoa, fuzzy socks, and a movie.
I grabbed a pillow and wrapped my arms around it. My tattered feet padded softly on the cold wood floor as I made my way through the hallway. I followed the smell out of my room, past the living room, and to the kitchen. I found myself staring at a warm, delicious-looking omelet perched on a plate. It was everything you could ever dream of the perfect breakfast being. Warm, colored beautifully, the plating like a ten-star restaurant (out of five stars of course). It beckoned to me, and I could hear it talking.
What a delicious breakfast I am, Andren. It said. Wouldn't you like to know?
I would like to know.
"Oh, you're awake." The deep voice said, which I immediately recognized. Rin. I turned to look up at him.
"Uh-huh," I replied, my voice a mix of tiredness, a yawn, and a slur.
"It's your first day, so I decided to make you breakfast." Rin scratched the back of his neck and smiled at me. There it was. A real smile from Rin. It matched his face well. His eyes didn't seem so intimidating when he smiled. Instead of a cold, glazed over blue, they were more luscious. It made me wonder what his left eye looked like. I'm sure his smile would be even more beautiful then. I quickly demolished that thought. If he's flawless now, I'd be stupid to look at the rest of his face.
"Well, thank you! I'm flattered." I replied with a smile. I tossed the plain white pillow to the couch. It slumped lazily into the crevices of the fabric.
I turned to the kitchen to retrieve Rin's edible art, but it was gone. I panicked a little before looking at the bar counter. Rin must have set it there before he disappeared. I walked over and climbed into the rustic stool as a young child would. I don't really have a choice to do anything different though. I don't like it, but I'm short. I'm mistaken for a child on a regular basis. But that means I can smuggle the free fruit at grocery stores. Ah, the things I'd do for food.
After taking one light and angelic bite of the outside of my omelet, I entered paradise. It was one of the most delicious things I'd ever put in my mouth! It was everything an omelet could be. The egg was light, and a vibrant yellow. There were small bursts of sweetness, and an array of spices. This is the closest to Heaven I'll ever be, I thought, feeling the flavors melt onto my tongue.
I began to evaluate Rin. He was hot, he was mysterious, and he looked as if he carried the dorms furniture in by himself. Not to mention, he was one hell of a chef. After thinking about it, Culinary skills are considered an art. Perhaps that was his major?
The heaven omelet was gone from its plate quickly. It was quite depressing, actually. After shaking my wild curls back, I sighed into a smile and jumped off the chair. Naturally, I landed in the fifth position. Some people find my ballet habits annoying, but I really couldn't care less. I feel like after you've been to Hell and back once, the world can't mess with you. But that's from a demon's point of view, so it's not valid. Right? Because we're all professional idiots when it comes to species segregation.
I skipped to my plain white room and got my uniform out of the closet. I felt the soft velvet of the Purple blazer with the black silk lining on the inside. My pale, bony back was soon covered with the gentle touch of a traditional white dress shirt. I groaned at the black tie slumping on top of the dark pleated skirt.
Okay, watch this. I am going to read your mind, ready? Why is he in a girl's uniform? Did I get it right? Well, again, I'm 4' 11", so, naturally, my body is very small. And the school board didn't have a boy's uniform that fit my oddly specific measurements.
"I could just wear a girl's uniform?" I inquired in our digital conversation.
"Do you really want to? You can get a boys uniform, it would just be added to your college expenses and--"
"Yeah, I think I'll go with the girl's uniform."
So, I got a girl's uniform. Big deal. I think skirts are more comfortable anyway. More leg room. And, it's better not to mention dresses. At all. My love for them is too strong.
I swiped the uniform on, along with some black knee-high socks. Longer socks are always fun, I think. You can get really creative, and it's that much closer to tights.
I strut into the bathroom after allowing the soft smelling mist to fall upon my small figure. I'd received this perfume from Mari-Quinn, since she works at the Hidden Secrets store in the mall. I love the perfume there. Especially because it's a demon-owned company, so there aren't any stereotypical opinions there. This one was an older formula. Lemon beebrush and grapefruit. It was called Pastel Sins. It was more light and airy than Damned Romance or Midnight's Red. But it still had a little bite.
Soon after I brushed my teeth, combed my hair and decided on a headband (I went with my favorite black one), I headed to the closet. There, I found my dark green converse. I sat down and quickly started lacing them up. My mind slowly began wandering as I tied the last knot and packed my bag.
I walked out, seeing Rin slipping on a pair of sleek leather derby shoes. I quickly noticed how attractive he looked in purple. I swallowed down my thought and checked my phone before noticing Rin's blue stare.
"H-hello." I quickly spat. Rin saved slightly before standing and grabbing his keys. I adjusted my backpack before following him, thinking of conversation starters.
"S-so..." I started, watching Rin shut and lock the door effortlessly. "You're a culinary god...but what else?"
Rin looked at me, silent.
"I...I suppose there's not much about me to interest you..." Rin scratched the back of his head a bit nervously and thought.
I let out a small sigh. So I'd get on my hands and knees for him, but he's socially awkward. I noted.
"Your major?"
"Film directing. My minor is script writing."
Finally, getting somewhere. I continued with my questions.
"So you're interested in cinematography?"
Rin was silent for a moment before responding "Yes. I'm planning to direct films."
"Wow! That's cool." I replied.
"What about your major?" He turned to me. I shivered at his stare and almost forgot my answer.
"Er-Ballet. And Modern dance. But that's my minor." I glanced back up at Rin. He thought again.
"So...pointe?" I nodded.
"Are you part of the new program between Juniper and the dance studio?" Rin asked.
"Yes. Yes I am," I said a bit proudly."It's been my dream to be a dancer since I was ten."
Rin glanced down at me. "That's a young age."
I smiled awkwardly and wringed my hands.
"Actually...I really shouldn't be here. There are some people who have been dancing since they were three. Dance takes years of emotional and physical exercise and strength. It's more than just a sport. It's an escape from the damned reality. A way to pay attention to every bone and muscle, study every movement...watch just how far you can go. I was taken in out of pity. Madame Delphine just wouldn't allow me not to at least try. But...I just don't fit. I suppose I'm not a square peg trying to fit in a round hole...I'm more of...a square peg sanded down into a round one. But there's still edges. I don't come from a rich family. I don't have years of expertise. I'm just someone with dreams bigger than him."
Rin was silent. I found the air getting heavier in my lungs. Weighing me down. I dared to look at him. Piercing blue struck the warm chestnut brown of my eyes. Rin was looking at me, and I was looking back.
I couldn't read his face. Something said, "What the hell are you talking about?" But other things said, "And yet you're here for a reason."
I wanted to be able to say something. Something other than, "I'm sorry." But I couldn't. My words slipped down my throat helplessly. I felt my voice die.
"I'm sorry."
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