Project: LOVE [Chapter 3 - Edited]

What a beautiful day. I was lying in bed, rolling around, checking my surroundings. The sunlight was shining through my bedroom curtains, the birds were chirping outside on my balcony, the room was still comfortably cool, and the bed was all fluffy and soft… nothing could beat this nice wake up call. It’s perfect. I turned on my side and looked at the digital clock. It read seven forty.

Hold on. SEVEN FORTY?!

I sat up in bed and grabbed the clock. My eyes weren’t deceiving me – it really was past seven in the morning, and I was still in bed! My first class started ten minutes ago!

I got up, slid off the bed, and made my way to my bathroom. Never in my mind had I thought I could finish cleaning myself up in five minutes or less. Once I dried myself and put on my undergarments, I threw on the first things I could grab from my closet: a white tank top, red hoodie, and denim shorts. Afterwards, I took my watch, grabbed the backpack, slung over the video camera bag (with the video cam inside of course), wore some slip-ons and raced down the stairs, all the while trying to put on the watch right.

“Lara, breakfast is ready – why are you in such a rush?”

I heard my mom’s voice from the kitchen. She probably just finished cooking the food, or was cleaning the pots and pans. I couldn’t really tell, since I couldn’t hear the water much from where I was, plus, I was in a hurry. Soon, mom was by the stairs. I stopped mid-flight.

“Sorry mom. It’s seven forty and I’m really running late. Can I eat it on the go?”

She looked at me funny, then checked her wristwatch. “What are you talking about? It’s six forty, not seven.”

Six forty? I swear I saw seven on my bedroom clock. Just to make sure, I checked the time on the watch I managed to successfully wear. It read six forty too.

“That’s weird.” I sighed, walking down the stairs. “I guess the clock’s being trippy.”

Mom laughed at me and led me into the dining hall. “Your brother probably just played a prank on you. I think he went up a few minutes ago to get something, then jogged back down.”

Nate. I should have guessed.

The moment I sat down on the table, the scent of toasted bread filled my nostrils. Mom brought over a plate of toast, bacon, and eggs then placed them down in front of me. She also handed over a glass of strawberry juice.

“Nice breakfast!” I dug in, eating to my heart’s desire. For an unexpected wake up rush, this is probably this morning’s form of compensation. I wasn’t complaining anymore, though Nate’s still going to get a thing or two for playing around with my clock. “For a second there, if you hadn’t stopped me, I would have missed out on this feast, mom.”

“It isn’t a feast, it’s just ordinary breakfast; no way am I letting you out the front door without eating anything.”

“Aw, thanks.”

While eating, I focused my gaze on mom. People said we looked alike, with the wavy auburn hair and medium brown eyes. When we’d smile, people would say dimples would appear on our faces and that our eyes would seem to be smiling too. They say it’s a sign that someone is really happy. I wonder about that now though. Family friends had voiced out their concern to my parents. They wanted to know, according to them, what caused that sparkle in my eye to be lost now, whenever I do smile. I don’t know what made it a big deal for them, but for me, what’s the difference? A less glamorous one or a fake one… no one would really care which one I’d give, right?

I shook my head. What am I thinking? There really are some things that change.

“Oh, Lara.”

My train of thought stopped once mom called my attention. I didn’t even realize I was drinking my glass of juice. “Yeah?”

“I forgot to tell you, your father used your car. He had to go to work early and his car is still being repaired, so he told me to tell you he’s going to drive yours for now.”

Say that again.

“It crossed my mind just now. He left sometime a while ago, while you were still in bed. Once you’re done eating, honey – Lara?“

Before she could say another word, I was already on my way to the front door, bags on my back and side, with the remaining toast in my mouth.

It takes about thirty minutes to get to school by car, and it’s already six fifty. Dad left while I was upstairs so I couldn’t call him to come back here and pick me up so he could –

“Lara, aren’t you going to finish your breakfast?”

I shot a quick glance behind me. Mom was there, peeking her head out of the archway. “Sorry mom! Got to get going if I want to get to –”

Bump.

Ouch, that hurt. I fell to the floor, bottom first. I rubbed my lower back and looked at who I just bumped into.

“Oh squirt, you’re in a hurry.” Nate stood there by the open front door, looking at me. “Listen, I fixed your bike, it’s out by the garage. I didn’t have work today and I woke up early, so I thought I would repair it so we can go biking again sometime – that’s a waste of good toast.“

He was pointing on the toast that fell to the floor. Oh come on. Was he more worried about the food than me? Can’t he at least give me a helping hand?

I stood up, dusted myself, pinched his side, and ran out.

“Ouch. What was that for?!”

“That’s for that prank earlier this morning. You’re dead when I come back home, but thanks for fixing my bike! You’re a lifesaver!”

“Prank…? What prank?”

Is he going to pretend he doesn’t know just to get on my nerves? Well, whatever. He did fix my bike, and that’s the last thing I need to worry about right now.

I quickly made my way to the garage, took my bike, hopped on it, and cycled as fast as I can to the streets. It was probably going to take me longer to get to the university, but I couldn’t risk going to the station, there might be a long line of people there.

I just hope I don’t get there too late.

Sheesh. I didn’t think that in a fairly cool morning, I’d be rushing to class like this.

********

“Yo, chief. Good – what’s up with the get up?”

One more time. Just one more time someone stare at me and I swear…

Kasey poked my cheek. “Earth to Lara, are you still there? Why is your left side soaked?”

“Don’t ask, it’s a long story.” I closed my locker door. We were by the science department. We weren’t science majors by any means, it just so happened this was where all the remaining lockers were when I got in line to rent one for the rest of the year. Kasey’s was by the humanities department, way over on the other side of the campus, near the organization building. Hey wait a minute.

What’s she doing here if we were supposed to have philosophy class? It’s eight o’ clock, thirty minutes past the first class.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in the director’s class?”

“Director’s class?” She tilted her head to the side. “But I… weren’t you… well, whatever. The old man called in sick so he couldn’t come. We have the class off.”

WE HAVE WHAT?

“Sorry, can you repeat what you just said?”

Her brows furrowed as she looked at me. “I said, we have the class off.”

I think I feel faint. I cycled my way here as fast as I can, getting wet by a speeding car that rode over a puddle of water, possibly soaking my organization report aside from my clothes, just to know my classes were actually four hours later?

Four. Stinking. Hours. Later.

WHY?

“Anyway Lara, you could totally use the period off. What time is your next class?” She leaned on the locker beside mine.

“Eleven thirty…” I feel so down that I couldn’t even say it properly.

“That’s good. You could use a shower. You won’t be able to go around campus without getting unnoticed because of how you look right now.”

“I know, but it’s not like I brought extra clothes with me. It’s not like I knew I was going to get drenched.”

Kasey grinned at me then winked. What does she have in mind?

“You’re lucky, chief. Come with me. I’ve got a solution for you.”

“What solution are you talking about?” I sighed, zipping up my backpack. Thankfully, only the edges of a few books and my file case were wet.

“You know that I go outside campus from time to time, right? I’ve got shampoo and extra clothes in my S.S.E. locker, you know, to look fresh when I meet potential sponsors for our home org.” She locked her arm around mine and began tugging me forward. “So let’s go!”

I nodded at her and we made our way to the S.S.E. – that’s what the lot of us call the organization building, acronym for Student Skills and Entertainment. We joined organizations which we felt we could grow better in, no matter what cluster they were, be it performing arts, politics, etc., and pretty much everyone makes friends with their fellow members, hence the name. Kasey was working for our home organization, the management org. Home organizations are what we call our course’s main group. I bet it’d be obvious to say we were both management majors. Anyway, she was under the marketing team, those who were assigned to find sponsors and meet with them personally, so I guess that’s why she carries some extra clothes around – just in case one of them contacts her and she had no choice but to go. I work for one of the clubs under the multimedia cluster, but that’s another story all together.

We got inside the building then rode the elevator to the fourth floor. Kasey led me to one of the rooms that I’ve never been through before. The ladies’ dress up and shower room.

“My locker’s over here.” She unhooked my arm and signaled for me to follow her, so I did. There were rows and rows of tall lockers, about seven I suppose, and Kasey’s was at the fourth row, sixth from the left. She unlocked it, then placed something in my hand. It was a plastic container with shampoo, conditioner, and a new box of soap inside.

“Kase, are you sure? I don’t even have –“

“Hold your horses, chief. I’m not done yet.” She looked at me and smiled. She pulled something out then put it over my right shoulder. “That towel’s clean. I just brought it with me the start of this week. I haven’t used it yet, so don’t worry about it.”

“T-thanks.”

Crap. This is a whole new level of embarrassing. I’m not used to borrowing someone’s personal hygiene kit.

“So, what do you want to wear? I’ll warn you though, both my button up shirts here are in the shade of blue.”

“I’ll take whatever you choose…”

She stopped fussing over the things in her locker a bit and turned her attention to me. I didn’t notice at first, but then she suddenly drew her face close to mine.

“Lara, are you… blushing?” She blinked several times while I tried to hide my face. “You’re actually blushing?”

“J-just tell me where the stalls are!”

Jeez, woman. Can’t you tell I’m not used to this sort of thing?

“Oh man, this is too cute to be true.” Kasey chuckled. That made me feel like my cheeks got a little bit hotter. “The shower stalls are there to the right. See that opening there? That’s where you need to go. I’ll just wait here for you, okay? Just yell if you need anything, like disposable –“

“I don’t think that’s wet. I’m wearing denim shorts after all. Anyway, off I go!”

Another minute in the same area as her, and I think I would’ve gotten red as a tomato. Seriously, this isn’t something I do on a normal basis! It’s embarrassing enough to borrow these stuff, much more letting her catch me with this shade on my cheeks! It’s not like I had someone who was this pushy before…

Wait. Lara, of all things, why did you have to think of that now?

This isn’t good. If I thought about that now… – the shower. The shower will help take my mind off stuff. I got in the fifth stall and hung my clothes and towel to the door. I turned the knob and warm water sprayed over me. Who knew that taking a shower here would feel so good? I took my time to clean myself up. Kasey’s shampoo smelled amazing! I reminded myself to take note of what brand it is. Once I dried myself and put on my undergarments, which luckily were barely wet, I wrapped myself with the towel and walked back to where Kasey was.

“Whoa, well look at you, chief.” Kasey grinned as she saw me. She was lying down on the long plastic bench. I noticed the clothes that were near her feet. “I didn’t know what you want, so I just picked out what I think looks good on you.”

“Well, thanks for considering what I’d look like.” I chuckled, grabbing for the closest piece of clothing to me, which was the light blue button up shirt.

“No problem.” She sat up and looked at me. “Put them on, I want to see if I had the right choices, though it’s not like I had plenty of choices to begin with.”

I slipped off the towel, quickly putting on the shirt. To my surprise, it fit snugly – not too tight, nor too loose. Did Kasey and I have the same body size? I never noticed before until now. Next, I wore the black business skirt. It was just a few inches over my knees.

“Hey. Those look better on you than on me, Lara. Those things fit just right on me, well… I occasionally pin a part, but you get it.”

I nodded. I got what she meant. Soon enough, I should ask her to go train with me again.

“How do I look?” I asked her, folding up the sleeves. I kept the first two buttons open, just enough for me to feel more air.

“You look great. Check by the dresser over there!” She pointed to a huge dresser at the end of the room. It was the type with the lights around it, and it was near multiple sockets. “Feel free to use the stuff over there too. We all pitch in things like make up and the like. There’s also a hairdryer, should you want to use it. The other girls won’t mind.”

I made my way over and checked myself front and back. I had the shirt tucked in and the skirt wasn’t too high nor too low. It looked about right.

“Lara, wear these.”

Right behind me, I saw Kasey bend down. When I turned to see what she was holding, it was a pair of low, black, open toed heels. It had something that looked sort of a like a blue gem in the middle.

“These would fit better with your outfit rather than the slip-ons. You can keep your clothes here for the time being while we’re in campus. We can just collect them later once our classes end.”

“Kase, you know you shouldn’t…”

Kasey winked at me. “Come on chief, I do this because I want to.”

I looked away, slightly more embarrassed, but still put on the heels. Once I was done, Kasey clapped her hands together in delight.

“See, you look gorgeous, Lara!”

When I looked in the mirror, I saw myself dressed in formal wear, kind of red in the face. Kasey on the other hand was grinning like there was no tomorrow. I stared at her reflection. That smile… it was genuine – and also infectious. Now, though it’s been quite a while, I felt like I regained something, even for a moment. For now, I felt like I was truly happy, smiling along with Kasey.

“Chief… you should smile like that more,” she said. “It’s wonderful to look at.”

She really knows what to say to make me feel uncomfortable, huh? Well… it isn’t an unpleasant kind of uncomfortable, and… I guess she isn’t just saying that. She’s always been honest.

“Hey, Kase?”

“What is it?” she asked, grabbing for the hairdryer and plugging it in.

“Thanks.”

She looked at me. “What?”

Here it goes again…

“I said… thanks.” I put my hand on her shoulder. “For this and being my friend.”

“When did you get sentimental all of a sudden?” She blinked.

Oh come on. Is it really so strange for me to be more open about how I felt?

“N-nevermind. Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

I turned away and started to bolt for the door, but then, I felt her grab my hand.

“Lara, you’re welcome. Always.”

When I looked at her, I felt there was something there that I haven’t seem for a while. Was it something I said? For a second or two, I thought I saw something form at the corner of her eye.

“I told you before, you can rely on me when you need someone.” Kasey let go of my hand. “These are just one of those times.”

I can’t deny that.

“Plus… I can’t let you go out of here yet.”

“Huh? Why not?”

From her pocket, Kasey brought out a comb and handed it to me. “Your hair is still a mess! It’d look better if it was neat! If you don’t want to dry it, at least comb or brush it.”

Leave it to her to make a moment light.

I sighed in resignation and began brushing my hair. Kasey, in the meantime, was suggesting various hairstyles I might want to try out. I got the feeling we might take long inside this room, but still…

It’s not like I didn’t enjoy these moments.

“Hey! Be more careful when combing your hair – you might get lots of split ends that way!”

“Alright, alright. Jeez.”

And this bickering.