chapter 20

I have never for once felt the buzzing atmosphere of Maryland after six O clock. It came across my mind when my friends asked me if I would like to join them in night shopping.

The first thing I asked was the point of night shopping. It turned out it was self-explanatory. My question was, why couldn't the shopping be done in the daytime? All the shopping I have ever done in my existence has always been in the afternoon. I perceived that they disapproved of my inquisitiveness and became a bit silent. I finally finalized with a promise of notifying my grandmother.

Just completing my essay assignment, I glimpsed at the digital clock on the table, it was 7:49, removed my socks, and waggled my toes. My feet were starting to sweat.

Retreating to my bed, I picked up my phone and phoned mom. It rang for some time, but she was not answering. I wondered what mummy was doing presently. I called again -There was a small knock on my door, and before I could respond, the door swayed open.

Mackenzie stood at the threshold. She had on a bathrobe, as usual, like it was her treasured clothing. "Umm...Wanna hang?" She held up some girly-looking things that sparkled and shined.

Subconsciously, I ended my call. Do I really want to hang out with Mackenzie? "Sure."

"Come along then," she beamed.

After she was out of my room, I quickly put on my jacket and followed her. I ended up following her to her room. I expected it to be in a parlor or kitchen. What was I even thinking, of course not.

As expected, her room was beautiful but similar to mine. The only difference was, ignoring the fact that she moved in yesterday to stay for a while, the room looked like she had lived there for a longer time. She already had decorations. There were fake ivy at the window side, a small shaped window collage, and other luxurious gadgets and furniture. When did she bring all this, or had they always been here? She had a black and white piano and a microphone in a corner. She is probably a singer, amazing.

Entering Mackenzie's room was like entering a newly opened store, except that there weren't things on shelves. There was a soft tune that drifted from beneath her bed. To my surprise I knew the song, It was lost sky by Chris Linton.

Her room had a dim pink glow, but then she turned on the white chandelier in the center of the room, which ended up illuminating the whole place.

I looked up, mine wasn't as majestic as hers. Mine was simply a long gold chain with a cream and transparent colored curved bowl that had a bright light inhabited in it. Hers was an extended family of lights, having the head in the middle, and the rest by the side, some curved.

Her room smelt of strawberries, as usual, it was probably her shampoo. I could hear running water in her bathtub. The door was opened, and light emanated from the bathroom. I guess she has an obsession with baths and bathrobes. It was probably the reason why she always had a sweet strawberry scent.

I retreated over to a navy-blue bean bag that sat in a group of similar ones. There was a round puffed pillow that sat in the middle, obviously serving as a table. The walls behind the circle arrangement were designed with led bulbs. It gave a studio-like look.

A smile escaped my lips. It all felt like a dream.

Mackenzie later joined me after settling whatever was going on in her bathroom. Now you could hear just the fine tune floating around the room.

"I have cakes! Would you like some?"

For some weird reason, I hesitated. Not that I wanted to.

"Don't worry, they don't have many calories. They are special." She stood up and went to her door. "I'll be back," and it closed shut.

I laughed. Calories?? I don't mind if the cakes I'm eating have a lot of calories, its taste is totally worth it. cakes are wonderful.

I filled my eyes with the look of the room again. It was beautiful. Soon enough, Mackenzie came back -with a basket. She placed the basket on the ground and nestled down on her bean bag.

Unpacking the bag, she said "Do you have space in your tummy to eat all this? Because I have just very little.

"I do...I haven't eaten dinner. I was supposed to go downstairs after I finished with my assignments."

"Wow," she screeched. "I knew you were the brainy type; I was correct." She was beaming while slicing the cakes in the most uncommon shape.

"...I'm not brainy, I just like to read a lot." Being called brainy was no fun. I was sometimes called that in my recent school. I didn't like the people that call me that, so I didn't like the word.

She rolled her eyes still smiling. "That is the exact reason you are babe."

Babe?

She handed me a pink and brown slice with a roughly hexagonal shape. I stared at it, and she laughed. "I am like that sometimes."

I laughed a little and took a bite. "Mhhh...This is good. Strawberry and chocolate, what a combination." I laughed.

"I like strawberries you know." She took a bite.

The exterior cake was gumming to my fingers. It was so soft, I almost felt like it was a breathing baby pet. Resembling a sponge and from its softness, it is obviously a sponge cake. I didn't usually have much cakes like this back home, they might cost a fortune. I lifted it to my mouth for another bite as the slithering scent of coca and strawberry flavor floated into my nostrils. The scent is so good, I am sure it added to the overall taste of the cake.

I chewed on my last bite. " Can I have some more?"

"Sure, But don't forget, if you take too much then you would be taking in calories."

"I really don't care about calories." I laughed.

"Wow." She stared at me like she was trying to study my soul. "Why?"

"I donno. Never really ever did." I said, cutting myself a normal slice.

"How do you manage to be in shape then?" She asked leaning in. "You act like you could buy two whole cakes if you feel like it and eat them all."

Isn't it someone that has money, or rich parents rather, that can be pampered? I chewed silently and looked away. I smiled so she wouldn't be confused. "I have never had a problem with my weight." I stared into her eyes -Smiling, even though that was the last thing I wanted to do.

"Wow, that's cool." She blinked rapidly and retreated. "What saves me is discipline and probably passion. I wouldn't want to over eat and gain much weight, lose my contracts, my voice, and probably more." She looked at me like a child, expecting me to support what she said.

"Those are signs of responsibility you know. Hopefully, you will grow up into a hardworking successful woman."

Her smile was small, but she said," Thank you...You too." She was looking at me now.

"Thanks." I hope so. It would be a wonderful thing to make mummy proud, to put a smile in her eyes after all she has been through. I didn't ask this time, I helped myself to another serving, admiring how the pink and brown layers glowed. I felt her eyes watching me. "You want some?"

"Nah," she waved her sparkly fingers. "I don't have any magic you know." We both laughed while I subconsciously stared at her nails. She had a press on. Her fingers were long and a glowing blush pink color. It matched so well with the color of her skin almost like there were her own fingers. I noticed the glitter lined at the brim of her fingers. Those are what caused the sparkles when she waved her fingers. I looked away and picked up my saucer.

Meanwhile, she stared at my fingers. They were pretty but plain. I know. "If you like my nails, I could do something for you." She offered.

"Yes, they are pretty but don't worry about mine," I replied.

"Stopp. Being like that is no fun...C'mon, they don't hurt."

"Fine." I wouldn't like something similar to hers though. They were too attention-grabbing. "I want something simple and nice."