Chapter 4
It wasn't long before autumn rolled in. The lush green had now turned ochre, the humid winds were now dry and cool. My heart seemed to correlate to this season change; its overall warmth was fading, preparing for the hardships ahead. You see, I had one of the best friends I could ask for, a best friend named Devon, and I'm comfortable, even grateful for that. However, I sometimes doubt myself.
It was Wednesday morning; our semifinal exams were finally over last Friday, which meant we spent the following week off. I had initially planned to spend the time over at Devon's place; however, he and his father left and would be gone until tomorrow or Friday. I have no plans what-so-ever, so the past few days have been reading some novels, texting Serge or Devon (when he wasn't doing anything with his father), or in the kitchen, learning from our family chef. Today I left for a stroll in the garden, Bridgette came up and suggested I go somewhere with my other friends or take the time to learn the proper etiquette as a "lady" should know. I knew Lena was going to her family's ski resort; Eric went to Fiji with his aunt and brother; Serge was at a temple today. 'Who else was there?'
"Watch out, Serena!" was the only warning before I felt a collision, knocking me down. In front of me was a particular brown-haired girl I was fond of. She extended her hand to help me up; I accepted and once I got off brushed of the dirt of my grey leggings. "Funny thing, I was looking for you!"
"Hilarious, Tracy," I remarked sarcastically. "This is my property. Come and walk with me," We went along the pathway trimmed in shrubberies. Tracy told me that Bridgette had let her in and she came to spend some time with me since nearly everyone else was away. When we the waterfront, I stopped to admire an altar of angel boy embedded with flowers and moss.
"Cute!" burst out Tracy, "It reminds me of cupid. Cupid means love! Love means summer romances! It reminds me of this guy I met when I went to that resort; I swear, it was love at first sight! It's not like all those other times I said I was in love either, this was-,"
"Real," I finished her sentence. Just like her forever changing taste in clothing, this was probably going to turn into another fad. Anyone who knew her could have predicted this. I've heard love is blind, and maybe it is; Eric, the one who loves her for her has been under her nose for years. 'Maybe not necessarily blindness or oblivion, maybe it's fear or taking a risk,' Tracy opened her mouth to speak. "You've said it all before,"
"You think I'm not an expert in love, but you are?" Tracy whined. I told her I didn't say I was one, which caused her to go on. "Well then don't be so judgmental. Have you loved anyone?"
"Well Bridgette is like family to me and Devon is my best friend. So are you and the others," I replied simply. "So I guess, I love you guys," Deciding to go back, we turned towards the my manor.
"No. Have you ever liked someone so much, they consume all your thoughts? Are they your strength and is you theirs strength?" she began asking, "Or been happy when they are happy? Are they someone you respect? Care for? Can you image a life without them? Also do they complete you?"
"Well first, I think you shouldn't go around looking for someone to complete you. I think it's important to be your own person, but to find someone who makes you shine. Who makes you better than you already are," I urged on. "You have to be two separate, whole individuals who help build each other."
"Wow! You should be a motivational speaker!" Tracy boldly declared, "But you didn't answer my question," By now the clouds were coming in, turning the skies a dull, dark grey. Part of me avoiding the question; part of me not wanting to get caught in the rain, I walked towards the manor in the distance and motioned Tracy to follow me. "Hey! Answer my question,"
I didn't say another word to her until we got into my room, away from anyone who could hear us, "It's going to rain soon," She gave me a "no-duh" face. I went on, "To answer your question, well, I'm not sure," I took a seat on the sofa by my north wall and Tracy sat on the sofa adjacent to me. "I've never given it too much thought,"
To cut into the awkward silence, I got up and walked over to the intercom to request for snacks and tea to be brought to my room. Even with my back turned to her, I could feel her cerulean eyes watching me. I got back to my seat and told her it was impolite to stare. Instead of her usual self she seemed to be in a daze. I called her name out once; two times; three times. After some time, she finally returned to her sensing. Her mouth opened a bit in awe, as if she wanted to ask something.
"You mean that you never noticed that he… you… this whole time," she mumbled.
"What was that?" Right then, my butler knocked the door, in response I told and him he could come in. He as if he were afraid of waking up a sleeping baby, he opened the door quietly and pushed a cart of tea and baked pasties in, and then poured each of us a cup of tea. Once I dismissed him, he pushed the cart out and I told Tracy to help herself to whatever suited her taste. She took a sip of tea and I asked. "Who is "he" and what did I not notice?"
Tracy bit her lip, "I don't think it's my place to say," She took a small bite of her cookie before placing it on her dish, nervously folded her hands onto her lap. "I think I should be going soon," Since it was raining, I didn't want her going home soaked. If she had her chauffeur come back to pick her up would be too troublesome; the streets are hard to navigate around in this type of weather. After some consideration, she chose to wait until the weather cleared. "Serena, if you don't have plans, would you like to go to the opening of the amusement park on Saturday? I got four tickets, so Eric and Devon are coming too, I texted them yesterday!"
"Sure! It sounds like fun," I took out my cell and checked my calendar, as if I had plans anyways. "Where and when are we meeting up?" She told me she would text me or call and tell me the details, if not I could ask Devon. Small rays of sun started to peek through my bedroom windows.
Tracy's chauffeur came around my home and opened the car door for her. She got in and pulled the window down. "Thanks for having me. Believe it or not, I think you might have changed my prospective on something," I don't know what she meant, but it was something I felt to. A weight had just been lifted.
**Not much I can say without spoiling things . So what do you think?**