The Church and Its Orbs - Chapter 5
I'm rewriting my Gemma story, which is tentatively titled The Church and Its Orbs. This is the fifth chapter. The previous chapters are linked below.
Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
---------
If Lila keeps talking about Sweetheart Flowers, I am going to break something. I need to change the subject, though it seems like I can’t escape them, no matter what I do.
“Aren’t you sad you didn’t get a flower?” Lila asks as we sit in her room, trying to do our homework. Lila’s parents are almost never home, so we prefer to hang out there. That way, Ruby and my mom can’t bother me.
“No,” I state flatly as I stare at my report on The Tale of the Golden Prince.
“Maybe if I gave you a makeover, you would get a flower next time. Though, Wren could seriously use a makeover, and she got a flower from Kai,” Lila mutters. She sounds like she can’t believe it.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Wren doesn’t need a makeover -- she already looks good,” I say. She looks like a model, albeit one for an extremely underground clothing company.
“She does need one. Sure she’s gorgeous, which is why Kai wanted her, but that ‘I’m so dark and angsty’ look is just tragic. I’m surprised the Church even lets people sell clothes like that,” Lila says, rolling her eyes.
“Those clothes might technically be illegal,” I say, starting to feel almost worried. I wonder why she hasn’t gotten in trouble for dressing that way.
“Nobody in Tevaren makes pink hair dye,” Lila whispers conspiratorially. “I bet she imports it.”
“Is that even possible?” I wonder as I open my copy of The Book of Church Fairy Tales.
“Anything’s possible if you’re willing to break the rules,” Lila says. Her inflection is oddly knowing. What possible rule would Lila have broken, though? “Anyway, why don’t I give you a makeover? I know the Church has rules about it, but you could afford to show a little more skin.”
I feel my cheeks burn. “Lila,” I cry, “I don’t need to ‘show more skin,’ that’s for sure.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t look so scandalized, Gemma. The Church allows sleeveless shirts for everyday wear, you know. And you can wear skirts that fall a few inches above the knee. It won’t actually kill you,” she says.
“It’s -- it’s not Churchly,” I stammer. The only time people are supposed to wear skimpy clothing is when you’re doing some kind of performance, like if you’re dancing during the Purity & Love festival or acting in a regular school play.
“Wren’s outfits aren’t Churchly. A sleeveless shirt is just...being normal,” Lila says. She gets off the bed, goes over to her closet and begins rifling through it. Lila pulls out a red top with thick straps as opposed to proper sleeves. It looks rather...clingy, as well. I eye the item skeptically. Where would Lila even wear something like that?
She holds up the item. “See? This is normal. It’s not like the top is purple. Now, okay, that would be un-Churchly. Purple is the holy color. But red? Red is just the color of red orbs -- you can totally wear it. I know Oliver likes this one,” she says.
Excuse me?
I raise my eyebrow. “And why would you be trying to wear something like that for Oliver?” I say.
“Because he likes it, obviously,” she mutters, rolling her eyes again.
“But -- wearing something so...revealing? That a guy likes? Isn’t that --?” I ask. I look at the shirt Lila’s still holding with more than a little skepticism.
“--it’s not like I’m sleeping with him,” she sighs. She puts the shirt down on the bed. “And, seriously, if you tried on something like that, maybe you would get more male attention. You do want a husband, don’t you?”
“Of course I want a husband. But that’s not how you go about getting one -- is it?” I say, taking another look at the shirt on the bed.
“So -- how about that makeover?” Lila says.
I glare at her -- some of Lila’s ideas are so odd. “Still no -- we have work to do,” I grumble.
“That’s too bad -- Oliver’s coming over soon, and I could have used him to test whether the makeover was successful,” she says, shaking her head.
I shudder. The idea of Oliver’s inspecting a made-over me is decidedly not appealing. I turn back to my work without another word, trying to figure out if I have anything more to say on the stupid Tale of the Golden Prince. It’s not like there really is much to say on the story -- everything has already been said in class.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to change into the red top,” Lila says.
“Whatever,” I mutter. I’m too busy with the work we’re supposed to be doing to care if she’s changing.
Part of me does wonder if it’s truly appropriate to have a boy over at her house when here parents aren’t here, not that Lila’s parents ever seem to be around. The Church doesn’t forbid people of the opposite sex hanging out -- until you get your orb, anyway. Becoming adult in the eyes of the Church means we’re much more “open to impurity.” Right now, Lila and I are still children, but that doesn’t mean I like it.
Another thing that strikes me as curious is the fact that girls are never forbidden from socializing by themselves -- even after they get their Testing Orbs. Isn’t it possible that sed girls would seize the opportunity to do things that are not only impure, but downright unnatural?
“Hey, Gemma, look at me,” Lila says. She taps me on the shoulder.
Reluctantly, I turn around to look at her. She’s wear the red top and a black skirt with red polka dots that seems awfully short. It does not look like something the Church would approve of.
Lila gestures at herself. “Hey, how do I look?”
“Like a Church Purity of Dress Committee might have have you fined for indecency,” I mutter
“I can afford it -- besides this is just for hanging out with Oliver,” she says, smiling.
The doorbell rings -- Oliver, apparently, is here. Sighing, I put down my report and follow Lila downstairs. She’s practically skipping, her ponytail swinging back and forth. As for me, I move much more slowly.
I hang back when Lila opens the door for him. His face breaks into a huge grin when she does. “Hey, Lila, it’s so good to see you,” he says. Then, he notices me. “Oh, hi Gemma.”
“Hello,” I say.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Lila murmurs, touching Oliver’s arm when she speaks.
Is that normal after you get a Sweetheart Flower from someone?
Lila sighs dramatically. “I wish Church-approved movies weren’t so boring, or I would suggest we go out and catch one,” she says.
“I would rather watch you,” Oliver murmurs, causing me to raise an eyebrow. He looks over at me, wearing an expression that seems to be asking me if I have a problem with his -- is that flirting? -- with Lila.
My friend giggles, and I glare at Oliver. “We’re supposed to be doing our homework right now,” I mutter.
He shrugs. “Eh, homework can wait,” he says. He looks over at the clock on the wall. It’s 5:00PM. “It’s early yet, anyway.”
“5:00PM isn’t that early,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest as I look at the clock again.
I notice how close Lila and Oliver are standing to one another.
“What, are you the Clock Police?” Oliver mutters, a slight laugh in his voice.
“You know what? I think I’m going to just go home,” I sigh. I turn around and start to head up the stairs.
“Oliver and I want to be alone, anyway,” Lila calls after me.
After I gather my things, I turn to find the two of them on the couch, not even an inch of space between them. My stomach sinks -- I do feel bad for how abruptly I decided to leave. I walk around to face the pair of them. “I’m sorry for leaving. I -- do really need to do my work,” I say.
“It’s okay -- Lila and I will be fine,” Oliver says. He doesn’t sound angry.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Lila murmurs. She smiles at me.
“Bye, everyone,” I say. I turn around and head out, feeling awkward.
I wonder -- have Lila and I been growing apart? It seems I understand her less and less.
What am I missing?
next chapter
Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
---------
If Lila keeps talking about Sweetheart Flowers, I am going to break something. I need to change the subject, though it seems like I can’t escape them, no matter what I do.
“Aren’t you sad you didn’t get a flower?” Lila asks as we sit in her room, trying to do our homework. Lila’s parents are almost never home, so we prefer to hang out there. That way, Ruby and my mom can’t bother me.
“No,” I state flatly as I stare at my report on The Tale of the Golden Prince.
“Maybe if I gave you a makeover, you would get a flower next time. Though, Wren could seriously use a makeover, and she got a flower from Kai,” Lila mutters. She sounds like she can’t believe it.
I cross my arms over my chest. “Wren doesn’t need a makeover -- she already looks good,” I say. She looks like a model, albeit one for an extremely underground clothing company.
“She does need one. Sure she’s gorgeous, which is why Kai wanted her, but that ‘I’m so dark and angsty’ look is just tragic. I’m surprised the Church even lets people sell clothes like that,” Lila says, rolling her eyes.
“Those clothes might technically be illegal,” I say, starting to feel almost worried. I wonder why she hasn’t gotten in trouble for dressing that way.
“Nobody in Tevaren makes pink hair dye,” Lila whispers conspiratorially. “I bet she imports it.”
“Is that even possible?” I wonder as I open my copy of The Book of Church Fairy Tales.
“Anything’s possible if you’re willing to break the rules,” Lila says. Her inflection is oddly knowing. What possible rule would Lila have broken, though? “Anyway, why don’t I give you a makeover? I know the Church has rules about it, but you could afford to show a little more skin.”
I feel my cheeks burn. “Lila,” I cry, “I don’t need to ‘show more skin,’ that’s for sure.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t look so scandalized, Gemma. The Church allows sleeveless shirts for everyday wear, you know. And you can wear skirts that fall a few inches above the knee. It won’t actually kill you,” she says.
“It’s -- it’s not Churchly,” I stammer. The only time people are supposed to wear skimpy clothing is when you’re doing some kind of performance, like if you’re dancing during the Purity & Love festival or acting in a regular school play.
“Wren’s outfits aren’t Churchly. A sleeveless shirt is just...being normal,” Lila says. She gets off the bed, goes over to her closet and begins rifling through it. Lila pulls out a red top with thick straps as opposed to proper sleeves. It looks rather...clingy, as well. I eye the item skeptically. Where would Lila even wear something like that?
She holds up the item. “See? This is normal. It’s not like the top is purple. Now, okay, that would be un-Churchly. Purple is the holy color. But red? Red is just the color of red orbs -- you can totally wear it. I know Oliver likes this one,” she says.
Excuse me?
I raise my eyebrow. “And why would you be trying to wear something like that for Oliver?” I say.
“Because he likes it, obviously,” she mutters, rolling her eyes again.
“But -- wearing something so...revealing? That a guy likes? Isn’t that --?” I ask. I look at the shirt Lila’s still holding with more than a little skepticism.
“--it’s not like I’m sleeping with him,” she sighs. She puts the shirt down on the bed. “And, seriously, if you tried on something like that, maybe you would get more male attention. You do want a husband, don’t you?”
“Of course I want a husband. But that’s not how you go about getting one -- is it?” I say, taking another look at the shirt on the bed.
“So -- how about that makeover?” Lila says.
I glare at her -- some of Lila’s ideas are so odd. “Still no -- we have work to do,” I grumble.
“That’s too bad -- Oliver’s coming over soon, and I could have used him to test whether the makeover was successful,” she says, shaking her head.
I shudder. The idea of Oliver’s inspecting a made-over me is decidedly not appealing. I turn back to my work without another word, trying to figure out if I have anything more to say on the stupid Tale of the Golden Prince. It’s not like there really is much to say on the story -- everything has already been said in class.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to change into the red top,” Lila says.
“Whatever,” I mutter. I’m too busy with the work we’re supposed to be doing to care if she’s changing.
Part of me does wonder if it’s truly appropriate to have a boy over at her house when here parents aren’t here, not that Lila’s parents ever seem to be around. The Church doesn’t forbid people of the opposite sex hanging out -- until you get your orb, anyway. Becoming adult in the eyes of the Church means we’re much more “open to impurity.” Right now, Lila and I are still children, but that doesn’t mean I like it.
Another thing that strikes me as curious is the fact that girls are never forbidden from socializing by themselves -- even after they get their Testing Orbs. Isn’t it possible that sed girls would seize the opportunity to do things that are not only impure, but downright unnatural?
“Hey, Gemma, look at me,” Lila says. She taps me on the shoulder.
Reluctantly, I turn around to look at her. She’s wear the red top and a black skirt with red polka dots that seems awfully short. It does not look like something the Church would approve of.
Lila gestures at herself. “Hey, how do I look?”
“Like a Church Purity of Dress Committee might have have you fined for indecency,” I mutter
“I can afford it -- besides this is just for hanging out with Oliver,” she says, smiling.
The doorbell rings -- Oliver, apparently, is here. Sighing, I put down my report and follow Lila downstairs. She’s practically skipping, her ponytail swinging back and forth. As for me, I move much more slowly.
I hang back when Lila opens the door for him. His face breaks into a huge grin when she does. “Hey, Lila, it’s so good to see you,” he says. Then, he notices me. “Oh, hi Gemma.”
“Hello,” I say.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Lila murmurs, touching Oliver’s arm when she speaks.
Is that normal after you get a Sweetheart Flower from someone?
Lila sighs dramatically. “I wish Church-approved movies weren’t so boring, or I would suggest we go out and catch one,” she says.
“I would rather watch you,” Oliver murmurs, causing me to raise an eyebrow. He looks over at me, wearing an expression that seems to be asking me if I have a problem with his -- is that flirting? -- with Lila.
My friend giggles, and I glare at Oliver. “We’re supposed to be doing our homework right now,” I mutter.
He shrugs. “Eh, homework can wait,” he says. He looks over at the clock on the wall. It’s 5:00PM. “It’s early yet, anyway.”
“5:00PM isn’t that early,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest as I look at the clock again.
I notice how close Lila and Oliver are standing to one another.
“What, are you the Clock Police?” Oliver mutters, a slight laugh in his voice.
“You know what? I think I’m going to just go home,” I sigh. I turn around and start to head up the stairs.
“Oliver and I want to be alone, anyway,” Lila calls after me.
After I gather my things, I turn to find the two of them on the couch, not even an inch of space between them. My stomach sinks -- I do feel bad for how abruptly I decided to leave. I walk around to face the pair of them. “I’m sorry for leaving. I -- do really need to do my work,” I say.
“It’s okay -- Lila and I will be fine,” Oliver says. He doesn’t sound angry.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” Lila murmurs. She smiles at me.
“Bye, everyone,” I say. I turn around and head out, feeling awkward.
I wonder -- have Lila and I been growing apart? It seems I understand her less and less.
What am I missing?
next chapter