The infernal alarm blares into my ear, causing me to jerk up and slam my head against the loft ceiling. “Ugh, what the hell.” I slam my fist down on the off button and groan. I brush my teeth while throwing on some leggings and a long sweatshirt. Grabbing my waffle as it pops out of the toaster, I turn on some Def Leppard on my Walkman and bolt out the door. I check my watch and almost drop my waffle from my mouth. “How is it already ten!” I rush off to the store, Maddox is going to kill me.
I pull up, panting to the Freshmart and throw my bike on the rack. Inside there’s already a large number of customers and I’m pulled to the storage room in the blink of an eye. “You’re late again.” I slowly turn around to find Maddox, wearing his dingy orange apron and name tag. “You’re so lucky that my mom and dad can barely see anything. Oh and I clocked in for you so you owe me.” He smirks while shoving my apron into my chest.
“Do you know how much I love you right now?” I smile, wrapping the thin cords around my waist.
“Yeah yeah, just go stock some shelves with Alex.”
“No seriously you’re the greatest guy ever, I’m going to build a statue of you in that apron of yours and put it in center square!” I jump out to the few aisles and search for Maddox’s little brother. Finally arriving in the snack aisle I spot Alex’s tiny brown mop, identical to his brothers, peeking out from a pile of chip bags. “Alexander are you alright?” I ask, grabbing the chips to make a hole big enough to pull him out.
“I couldn’t reach the top shelf...” He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “How are you this fine morning Deila?” I smile at the use of my full name, Alexander is the only one to use it. He says using nicknames would be improper.
“I’m ready to start the day!” I chuckle and help him stack. The bags in their proper order, reaching the top shelf on the small stool. “So how’s it feel to finally finish sixth grade?” He shrugs and mutters something like ‘Full of Incompetent imbeciles’.
After finishing another boring shift, I rummage through the back for my mail. “Here you go sweetheart!” Mrs.Fallon smiles, handing me a stack of letters tied with butcher's twine. “I put your pay in there too so you won’t have to worry about it later this week.”
I smile softly, and suddenly realize she doesn’t have her glasses on and probably can’t see my face. “Thank you Mrs.Fallon, I really appreciate it.” I hang up my apron and exit the store to ride home. As I’m unchaining my bike, I glance across the street to the gas station and notice the green truck from the other day. A frail old man filling up the tank. Letting all of my resentment from before leave my body, I make eye contact with him and give him a little wave. He flashes a wide grin and begins to walk towards me. But then, with a sudden jerk of his body, his smile drops, and eyes glaze over as if he pushed myself out of his vision. I shrug and make the trek home, using AC/DC to block out the world.
Falling on my bed, I pull out my stack of mail and begin to shuffle through the envelopes, setting my money from the Fallon’s aside. I throw most of the junk mail straight into the trash can without a second thought until a large wax seal catches my attention. My breath hitches in my throat. Tearing open the envelope, I read aloud slowly. “Dear Deila Fallon, we would like to cordially invite you to the annual McCallum Ball. Below are the date and time for arrival, please dress appropriately and we look forward to seeing you there!” I squeal and collapse back into my mountain of pillows. “Time for some answers Deila Clarke.” I climb up my ladder into the custom loft I use for storage. Pulling out my mom's full closet, I shuffle through her average clothes until I find the recreations from her travels. My eyes immediately land on a midnight blue ball gown with stars embroidered across the entire dress. A sad smile comes to my face as I pull it off the rack.
“Deila Clarke I’m home!” I jolt up and rush to take off the dress that’s too big for my small frame. I hear her footsteps approaching the door and I freeze. “What are you doing?” My mother gasps. “I told you, these are very delicate clothing pieces from my work. You can not touch them.”
“I’m sorry mom, I promise I won’t do it again.” She helps take the dress off and hands me my pajamas.
“Remember Deila, you can not say things you will not stick to. You’re a curious creature, I understand your want to see new things. However, instead you can say ‘I will try to do better in the future’ alright?”
I shrug, “Miss.Canestrare says that’s not good enough. She always quotes Star Wars and says ‘Do or do not, there is no try’!”
“Humans are a strange race, they crave solid answers where there are none. That is why I try to show you the truth above all else.” She pulls me into a warm hug, enveloping me in her love. “You are the most important thing in my life Deila, I promise I will always protect you.”
“Mom, you told me you can’t make promises you can’t keep! You can’t ALWAYS protect me.” She grabs me by the shoulders and stares into my eyes.
“Deila Clarke, I promise on my life, I will always protect you.”
I wipe a stray tear from my cheeks and hold up the dress that pops against my fair complexion. “I promise you Maeve Clarke, I will not give up until I find out why you’re gone.”
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