UNEDITED (so please excuse any bad spelling and tense problems)
I stared at my 23 year old face. I could easily pick out the flaws in my silvery skin. The "beauty mark" above my glossed lips, the green eyes that shone back at me disappointingly, just like my dear father when a young 14 year old November Seasons told him she was pregnant.
There were tears, of course, and even against my father's wishes, my strict over-religious mother kicked me out the house and on the sidewalk of the prim and proper Hidden Springs streets. I stumbled, boated, into a taxi and told the driver to take me "where ever". He obviously felt pity for the exhausted pregnant teen mother and let the taxi ride be free, but with one catch- he took me to Bridgeport.
Paying him a penny, I looked for the only place that wasn't covered in concrete and office buildings, which just happened to be under the slide in the park.
As I screeched out in agony, tiny kids gave playful screams. Just before my red-haired imp was welcomed into the world, I heard someone cry, "I love you mommy!"
That's why I gave that final push, and I welcomed April Seasons into the world.
I knew her name as soon as I saw her flames of red hair flicker in the dull light.
And now, nine years later, some days I don't regret it.
Me- Hi honey! How are you?
Her- I hate our new home. Why on earth did we have to move here, of all places? Why can't we move to Hidden Springs? I saw at the library the other day it's the coolest place to be. Bridgeport is like the mushed up, ugly, fattening Mc Donald's, and Hidden Springs is the slimming but delicious ....
I nod and nod in agreement, not I was really listening to her drone. I know I had a face of distaste on me.
(Authors note- NOVEMBER?! THAT ISN'T YOU??!!?)
I want to screech, "Shut up! If we went to blasted Hidden Springs you would hate it! You would be judged like I was! If that was my mother who judged me, imagine what the townsfolk would say!"
Right. Well. I swallowed the lump of irritation in my thorught. I just need to me kind and act like I don't care.
Which I don't.
I guess.
She had already looked down at the book again. Ok. I urged myself to try make more small talk.
Me- So, what do you think about your new baby sister?
(Note: Love that face. And it's without pose player!)
Her: Winter? No! I hate her! HATE!!
Me: Why, that's a bit harsh, April!
Her: Well, she deserves it! Keeping us up at all hours......
Aww, no. She was still crawling. She had still had wispy newborn brown hair and I could dress her up in pink and bows and she wouldn't cry or scream or kick nor look like a poor deprived baby. Winter was born at a stupid, stupid time in my life when I was coping with April and thought, "Hey? What about a second one?" She was conceived with a donor.
She was a healthy baby, born at 3.5 kgs on the dot, in a hospital. Maybe she'll have a better life than April because of that. Well, April is quite mature for her age. And maybe a super genius.
Suddenly, I had a sharp smack of realisation. I haven't done anything with my life that's stupid without a problem coming afterwards. Why not do something stupid without a problem?
I get up, and run to Matthew Hamming's house.
I gave a side glance towards April. She was still reading her book. Gosh, she loves Jane Austen.
* * *
In five minutes I was shaking. Matthew Hamming? Really? WHAT WAS I THINKING?
But it's too late now. Somehow I want to prove something....I have no idea why. As I get out the taxi, I stared at the pure blue gentle waves in his pool. I change into my costume and get into the pool.
(2 kids? Pur-lease November!)
After my refreshing swim, I got back into my sensible mommy outfit. I nearly fainted when I saw Matthew Hamming coming outside. A few flirts later....
They kissed. And his "agent" seemed strangely angry.
"Uhm, she, she's no-one, but my agent! Agent. Yeah." Matthew nodded at me.
"And his fiance'! Forgot that, Matt?" The woman gave him a death stare.
"Well, then, I enjoyed his kiss," I leaned forward and made sure she could smell the garlic fish combo from last night. "And I'm sure he did, too."
Please,I prayed. Don't say you tasted the fish, Matthew.
(LOVE this face!!)
"So why don't you," I pointed at her, "Just get a life, you she-witch?"
She gave a puff of self- importance and walked off.
Hahaha!
"What's wrong?" I asked Matthew.
"I'm sorry," He said. "I acted without thinking..."
"Well," I said, thinking,
"Will this make it better?" I pulled him close.
"Of course," He said. "But has anyone ever told you to show, not tell?"
The end of Chapter 1
:)