“That means I’ll have to go back to Cherrywood.” I watch as her face falls. “I’ve never designed a dress for a dummy. Usually, I imagine the person who’ll wear my dress and I add details based on her personality.” I remember the beautiful dresses I’ve designed for my friends and family. Elegant for Florence, bright colors for Kristy, cute pink for Rose.
“What are you making?” Merida jumps from her bed and stands before me.
“Prom collection. I can’t find the right inspiration.”
“Really? You can’t?” Her hands rest on her hips. “What am I? A stone? I’ll go to prom in a few years, you can make a dress for me.”
My body jerks at her words and my insides vibrate as I scan her once more, head to toe, before going back to my notebook. My hands are on fire and so is my thundering heart.
I’m gonna blow Vanessa’s mind.
I sketch a figure, standing exactly like Mere, hands resting on her hips.
This is my sassy, high-school model.
I grab a red pencil and add some curls on the sketch.
By the time I’m done, Mere is already fast asleep with a heating pad on her stomach.
I stare at the sketch and back at Mere and close my eyes, imagining her prom day.
Merida stands in front of a tall mirror. Her red hair longer now, reaching mid-back. The crystals in her emerald gown shine as she twirls to face Keith leaning against the doorframe.
His face is bright, not grumpy and tired, but happy.
Merida beams when he compliments her. She holds her hands out to me as I stand by her desk with a pin cushion and ball pins. This time Keith isn’t terrified but smiling at both of us.
I jerk upright.
Holy Shit! Did I just dream of Mere’s actual prom? Why the hell is my heart racing like I just ran a marathon?
I run a hand over my sweaty face. I feel hot and clammy everywhere.
After taking a few deep breaths, which are not overly effective at calming me, I look out of the window. It’s already dark.
I tiptoe out of Mere’s room as she sleeps peacefully and return to the loft. Snowy mewls by the door when I enter.
“Hi, baby, how are you?” I pick her up and glance at her empty water bowl. “Are you thirsty?”
She purrs in response, wiggling her tail, and I consider that a yes.
I carry her to the kitchen, filling her water bowl before checking my email. There’s one from Ann, okaying my leave for today but also reminding me about my three-week notice.
“Yes, yes, I know.”
I’m no longer worried. I found my inspiration and it’s awesome.
I lie back on the bed and Snowy puts her head on my stomach. I caress her soft fur and think about my dream.
The rare smile on Keith’s face when he looked at me made my heart lurch as every other time.
What am I doing?
Am I really lusting over my landlord who is fifteen years older than me, who has clearly pointed out he’s waiting for me to leave in three months, and who definitely hasn’t forgotten his wife who die a decade ago?
I sit upright.
This is insane, and not even my kind of insane, but a whole new level of insanity.