(Orig) Green Leaves - Part 1
Efeu tugged at her strap, eying herself speculatively in the mirror with distaste. Her hair was done up, but this time she chose to have it partly French-braided with the end tapering off into two low pony-tails. She wore only a little eyeliner and some chapstick because she dislikes make-up, but she unfortunately got her mother's small eyes and had to off-set it with eyeliner. She will put on lip-gloss later. At her neck was her favorite necklace her mom gave her when she came back from her excursion to Central America. The chain was wrapped in black leather, while the pendant was a heart outlined in engraved silver with a bud of a flower peeking out. She was wearing a white with light green stripes tube over a forest green halter. Both of them were a present from Michel, gifted to her because he said she looked nice in shades of green with black or white. Loose, camouflage Capri pants covered most of Efeu's legs, and was low-riding and showed a strip of skin. She was thinking of wearing her double upper Chucks, still in mint condition to the party, or her Vans.
She checked her watch, staring at it before she started to absorbed the time. Still some time to go until Michel comes. Efeu glanced at her closet, wondering if she should bring a sweatshirt. She rubbed her arms. She inexplicably hated showing her arms. Maybe it was because she hated the vulnerability?
It doesn't matter, Efeu told herself, and grabbed Blake's black hoodie. She pulled it swiftly over her head to avoid prolonging the ruin of her hair. When she checked the mirror, she decided that it wasn't too bad. Then Efeu gathered her other items, stuffing them into a purse, and left her room.
Natille was in front of her computer, doing something. She ignored Efeu, who stopped at seeing her and stood awkwardly, partially-expecting a nasty barb. None came, and Efeu hesitantly went on her way to the kitchen. Even though they had a shared oath between them, it was fragile and could be broken quite easily. Natille would doubtless tattle on her in a heartbeat for the fun of it, but that was currently irrelevant beyond that Efeu still looked up and was susceptible to her. She acted timid and subordinate around older people not in her age group.
Efeu mixed honey and hot water together, watching the second hand tick. Michel said he was coming at noon. They were going to the cinema to watch a movie with some of their other friends. Afterwards is the Columbia Mall and then to the Green Mill.
It was unfortunate that her family's apartment was further from her friends' homes. They used to be closer, in the north neighborhood. She wasn't sure who she should blame, although she heard talk from her mom that it was about her extended relatives on her mother's side. She frowned. She only had a picture of her cousin, but that was when they were a year old. Life and times changes a person, Efeu knew, and tried to crush her childish view of what her cousin would be like. She only knew her cousin's first name, which was a little sad, but she was about her age. She hoped it'd be fun, since her cousins on her father's side, from her Auntie, were still little kids. Then she would have someone her own age to gossip with.
Should she tell her friends? Efeu decided not to because she didn't want to prove to be a liar. Besides, she didn't know if her cousin would come at all.
Stowing those thoughts away, Efeu drained her drink and placed the cup in the sink for her sister to wash. She checked to make sure she had everything, then left the apartment. Her parents were gone, and her sister didn't care much for where she went. She was safe to leave the apartment earlier without any bad repercussions.
"Efeu!"
She turned around, and caught sight of who called out. "Michel!" she exclaimed, and waited. When they were close, she threw her arms round his neck and hugged him.
Michel laughed. He had shiny wavy black hair, whose feather-soft strands tickled her skin. His bangs fell into his beautiful blue eyes, which she playfully tucked behind his ear. He was wearing a matching black hoodie and jeans. He kissed the corners of her mouth by way of greeting, and she reciprocated.
Michel Spijker was three-quarters Dutch and a quarter German. His father was half Dutch and German. His mother was full Dutch. Michel's parents had moved to the United States after marrying in Europe, where they met her mother. Even several miles away from her hometown, his mother passed her customs down to Michel, who introduced them to Efeu. They were comfortable with giving each other greeting kisses, although many people misinterpreted their standing with each other. He had told her that it was common to greet someone by kissing them on the cheek when they were younger. With the progression of their friendship, the closer the kisses were to the mouth. Efeu didn't mind, and Michel had yet to voice complaint.
"How are you today, Efeu?" Michel asked, pulling back. His blue eyes seemed searching, Efeu thought.
"Fine," she said. "Let's go. My parents are at work and my sister already knows that I'm not going to be there for most of the daytime." Michel nodded. He grasped her hand loosely, then held it to his lips.
"Lady's first," he teased. Efeu rolled her eyes. Michel just chuckled. "I know you like it when I treat you so."
Efeu shifted, a little embarrassed, but refused to look away. His long lashes framed his bright eyes, and she couldn't help but think how terribly handsome Michel was. It became increasingly uncomfortable, so she yanked her hand from his hold.
She jerked her head. "Wanna race?"
Michel was quiet for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not?" He flashed her a wicked grin. "But this conversation isn't over."
Efeu stuck out her tongue. "It wasn't a conversation in the first place." Then she ran.
"Hey!"
It wasn't a good distraction, but diversion tactics were never her strong suit. After all, Michel was one of the fastest in the school, and doubtless would overtake her, but she ignored it in favor of trying to win. She loved the thrill of the wind brushing past her face, the steady pace of running...
The small breeze picked up, and became colder. Efeu was glad she had the hoodie on, because she had dressed to impress and not for warmth.
Running on grass slowed her down, and she was soon overtaken by strong arms. "Gotcha!"
Efeu shrieked with glee, and stumbled a little. Michel spun her around and planted a dry kiss to her mouth before quickly pulling away.
"Stop that," Efeu said, leaning back against his arms. She smiled at him. "Come on, the cinema's right in front of us." She entwined her hands in his for comfort; she didn't know why he was looking at her so oddly.
"Yeah, whatever."
"Jeez, I didn't know you were so unenthusiastic, considering that last phone call," she muttered as they walked along. She got a one shoulder shrug in response. Up ahead they saw a few of their friends waiting.
"Bridget and Aksel, it's so good to see you guys!" She rushed over to hug them.
Bridget Nye was slightly taller than her, but they shared the same birthday, although she was a year older. She had slightly wavy blond hair, grey-blue eyes, and filled out even at the tender age of soon-to-be-twelve. She wore a white dress shirt over a black halter top and black jeans. Bridget and she were good friends, though not at the level of best as she was with Michel.
Aksel Reynold was Bridget's boyfriend. He started dating her at the end of the school year. They were both the same age, but Aksel was one grade higher. Efeu thought it a bit strange that Bridget was dating someone she knew as a friend, but didn't comment on it. He had brown hair and light brown eyes. He was just a few inches taller than his girlfriend, and claimed their height was perfect because they can mold their bodies to kiss each other easily. He had on a brown Abercrombie hoodie and beige pants.
"Michel, don't tell me you did it with Efeu!" Aksel crowed. "Both of you looked so flushed, I can't help but get wild ideas."
"Aksel!" Bridget and Efeu cried together, smacking him in the arm. Efeu didn't believe she had ever blushed before, but she was ready to die from embarrassment.
"Cool, Aksel, nothing happened. Unless you want some from Bridget." Michel smirked at Aksel's disgust. Bridget didn't see it, and Efeu was grateful she didn't. Unlike Christine, Bridget didn't go through boys like water, and she would be devastated if Aksel just broke up with her. Their friendship together with everyone else would be irreparably marred.
Aksel's phone rang. It was from Sven. He said that Christine and he couldn't make it, Christine because she was grounded right when she woke up, or so she said, and he because he had to attend to his little brother. So their party was down by two. They entered the cinema, joking about what Christine did this time.
Walking out of the Green Mill several bills lighter, Michel and Efeu waved good-bye to Bridget and Aksel who left to go home. He lived close by. Bridget was staying for her mom to pick her up. She lived at the far west side, near the airport and army base. Ashley also lived there.
"Wanna come over my house? It's closer, and we can get my mom or dad to drive you home," Michel suggested. His arm was slung around Efeu's shoulders, hugging her close to his side.
Efeu hummed, checking her watch. "I don't know. It's almost half-past four."
"You don't have a curfew. What did you tell your mom?"
It was still light out. The sun was high up in the sky as if it was noontime. None of the residents were expecting it to set anytime soon, and many people were still out and about. The parking lot for the strip mall was full of cars. Some were just pulling in. Were they going to Green Mill or the rival Olive Garden?
"I said I might be back early, or I'd stay late at your house."
Michel grinned, showing white teeth. "That's great! Then we can hang out."
"Yeah, but I told her that it was unlikely. And I don't like it when my dad gets mad." She made a face. Michel shrugged. "But I'll come." She smiled up at him, who cheerfully returned it.
"When we get there we can call your mom or whoever."
"Thanks, Michel. But maybe you should let your mom know I'm coming over."
He flashed her an amused smirk. "Mom wouldn't care 'cause she loves having you over."
Efeu looked away, trying to suppress a smile. "Yeah."
Michel was right. His mother loved having her over, and told him to reiterate that to Efeu who seemed to have forgotten.
"Play it safe, guys, and don't do anything rash. I'm warning you!" she ended in a sing-song voice before hanging up. Michel just rolled his eyes. "Moms," he said.
Efeu laughed, forgetting the earlier scolding. "It's not like we're going to start ravishing sex." She giggled, remembering when the doctor/nurse came to class and spent the day talking about puberty.
Michel caught her train of thought and laughed. "Yeah." He sobered toward the end.
"What do you want to do?" she asked, sliding into a stool under the counter. She put her elbows on the table and watched Michel, who shrugged. Then he leaned over and queried, "How 'bout you help me with my homework?"
"Why? You're just as intelligent as I am," Efeu said, sliding off.
"Come on, I need something to do." She didn't quite know what to make of that grin. "Sure," she said.
The phone rang.
Efeu looked at Michel, who shrugged and answered: "Hello?"
Michel was silent for a moment, then said, "Yeah, she's here. Why?" Michel frowned and lowered the phone. "It's Jake. He wants to talk to you about the upcoming celebration for next month."
Efeu mirrored Michel's expression. "How come? I thought Ashley was heading that."
Michel shrugged using one shoulder. "I'm just the messenger," he told her, but related it to Jake.
"What do you mean she quit?" Michel queried hotly. Efeu tugged the phone out of his grasp; she hated to see Michel's temper.
"Hello? This is Efeu," she said mildly.
"Yo, Efeu! Didn't mean to bother you, but I wanted to know who is overseeing our party next month?"
"Henry and Carson scheduled Ashley to do it," she replied. "Since it has been approved, Ashley has no authority to refuse unless contested within reasonable grounds. Should there have been a contest, I would have been immediately contacted after its filing, and informed everyone."
"Unh. I was recently contacted--about two weeks ago?--by Ashley, telling me that I had heard wrong; the person who is both host and overseer is you."
Efeu remained quiet as Jake tried to excuse himself, but her mind was another matter. It was whirling with thoughts on how to fix this problem. Michel stood behind her and hugged her. He was trying to reassure her, because the only solution was to rule disciplinary action. If she didn't, the trust would dissipate and there would be dissensions. Did Jake know that?
"Jake," she interrupted. "Do you still have the printed notification?"
"Yeah."
"That's good." Michel gave her another squeeze to show his support. She breathed in deeply, then exhaled. "Now, this is what I want you to do..."