My door flings open. “Emmy?! Are you okay?!” I don’t respond. I can’t. I feel two weights settle onto my bed. Something touches my back, and another thing grabs my phone. Fingers stroke against my skin under my shirt, and I continue to sob.

  “Oh…” My mom says. “Honey, look at this.”

  After a few moments my dad speaks up. “I’m so sorry you had to see this, Emmy.”

  “I’m disgusting…” Is all I can say.

  “You’re not disgusting!” My dad says forcefully. “You are beautiful and perfect, just the way you are!”

  The tears continue coming, and I feel a hand ce into my hair, and start tugging gently. I don’t know how long I y there for, but after a while I manage a few more words.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” My mom says quickly. “Don’t ever be sorry for who you are.”

  “Grandpa hates me…” I say softly. “So does uncle Eddie…”

  “And they are the only ones.” My dad says. “Did you read through everything?”

  I shake my head, and he puts the phone in front of my face. I read what I can as he slowly scrolls, and see multiple nasty responses, and after rereading them, I realize they’re directed towards my uncle and grandpa.

  “Everyone else in the family accepts you, Emmy.” My dad says. “Everyone. Just because those two have their heads up their asses, doesn’t mean that anything is wrong with you.”

  “We support you no matter what.” My mom says, as she strokes my hair. “Always.”

  “Thank you…” I say softly.

  “You should start getting ready for your date soon.” My mom says. “I’ll help with your hair once you get your makeup on.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I say, and fully sit up. “I love you. Both of you.”

  “We love you too, little dy.” My dad says as he hugs me.

  My parents leave, and I start thinking about what exactly I want to wear. I want to look good for her… I look at the dress from earlier, and pick it up. Maybe something more…? I briefly consider fishnets, but decide against it.

  After looking through my options, I settle on the dress, with my new boots. I put on the clothes, and study myself in the mirror. Not bad… But I’m still missing something… I look towards my purchases, and my eyes settle on the makeup bag. Maybe I can add something to this look like that.

  I take the bag to the bathroom, and set about applying my new cosmetics. After getting down a good base yer, and successfully hiding the remnants of my outburst, I put on smoky eye shadow, and liner. Still something missing…

  Thoughts of the dress my mom is making for me pop into my mind, and I know what I need to do. I take the white pencil, and start adding tiny stars to the shadow, before drawing a small half moon under the corner of my left eye.

  Wow… The makeup looks stunning. I almost can’t take my eyes off myself. Almost. I head into the living room, and smile at my parents. “What do you think?”

  They both just stare at me for a moment. “You look lovely.” My mom says. “Holly is going to be star struck.”

  “Hey!” My dad says indignantly. “Dad jokes are my thing! It’s in the name!”

  I can’t help but let out a chuckle at this. “Come on mom,” I say. “I need my hair done.”

  “You heard the princess.” She says as she stands, a bright smile on her face. “Let’s go. You’re already drop dead gorgeous, the hair will just be the icing on the cake.”

  I follow her into the bathroom, and stand in front of her while she runs her fingers through my damp hair. She pulls out a curling iron, and plugs it in before drying and brushing my hair. Once she is done, she sprays something out of a purple bottle onto my hair, and then starts running the curling iron through it.

  I expect it to come out curly, but she really only just gave everything an inward curve. She parts my hair almost down the middle, and spreads everything out to the sides, while leaving a small section in the center untouched.

  After thoroughly coating my hair in hairspray, she pushes the hair up, and to the side, so that it ys just above my left eye. I stare at myself for a moment, and the only word that comes to mind is ‘cute’.

  “Amazing.” My mom says with a smile. Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes.” I say, and follow her out to the car.

  The drive to Holly’s is quick, and she steps outside the moment I shut the door. She is wearing a white striped button up shirt, with a navy blue tie, and a bck skirt that looks to be made of a material simir to scks. I stare in awe at her beauty, and just smile like an idiot.

  “Wowzers…” She says, and stops in her tracks.

  “Good wowzers or bad wowzers?” I giggle.

  “Good wowzers.” She says as she approaches and gives me a kiss. “Really good wowzers.”

  “I think I'm underdressed.” I say, as I properly take in her outfit. “No.” She says firmly. “If anything, I overdressed.”

  “Let’s just say we both look amazing.” I say happily, and she nods, before kissing me again.

  I open the door to the back seat, and follow her as she slides in. Holly smiles at my mom. “Hi, Mrs. Valera. It’s so nice to get to properly meet you.”

  “It’s nice to meet you too.” My mom says happily. “Emmy here has told me so much about you.”

  “All of it good, I hope.” She replies.

  “Oh, you know…” My mom teases. “Just how you helped her through a panic attack, and gave her a safe pce where she could truly figure herself out.”

  Holly blushes softly, and looks down at her p. “I’m gd.”

  My mom doesn’t reply, and turns her music up slightly. I hold onto Holly’s hand as we drive. After about fifteen minutes, my mom pulls up to a parking lot, and smiles at us.

  “Have fun in there, you two.” She says, and then turns to me. “You still have the money I gave you, right?”

  “Yes, Mom.” I say with a bright smile.

  “Good.” She says. “Go enjoy your night, and call me when you are ready to be picked up.”

  “I will.” I promise.

  Holly and I walk up to the doors of the restaurant, hand in hand, and head inside. “Reservation for Holly.” My girlfriend says to the hostess.

  “Ah yes.” He says with a smile. “Please follow me.” He leads us to a booth by the widow, and pces our menus on the table in front of us. “Your server will be with you soon.”

  We look through the menu, chatting about the various options while we do. The server arrives shortly, and takes our drink order. Holly gets a soda, and I get hot tea. Holly also orders a pte of vegetarian dumplings for us to share.

  The food and drinks arrive quickly, and Holly gives me a smile as she bites into a dumpling. “Oh wow.” She says, her eyes widening. “This is so good! How have I never been here before?”

  “Beats me.” I say with a grin. “Try scooping up some sauce with the open end.”

  She does as I instruct, and her eyes go from wide, to saucers. “This is amazing!” She enthuses. “What are you going to get for dinner?”

  “I was thinking a half pte a vegetable tempura…” I say softly. “And there’s this one deep fried veggie roll I really like, if you want to share it with me.”

  “I’d love to.” She says. “May as well make it a full pte of veggie tempura, and we can just share.”

  “You’re wonderful, Holly.” I say, and reach my hands across the table to take hers. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” She says with a smile.

  The server returns to take our order, and I let Holly order for us, and jump in to get a small cup of teriyaki sauce for the veggies, and a small cup of spicy mayo for the sushi. He leaves, and Holly and I just sit there in silence.

  “What do you want to do with your life?” I ask her. “What’s your pn for after highschool?”

  “I want to go to college so I can be a psychologist.” She says.

  “Wow…” I say softly. “That’s so cool!”

  “Thank you.” She says softly. “What do you want to do?”

  “I want to release my music to the public.” I say. “I want to start or join a band, and py live for people.”

  “That's way cooler than my pn.” She says. “Um… Emmy…” She says softly. “There’s something I should tell you.”

  I squeeze her hands once. “I’m here, my love.” I say softly, concern filling my mind. “What is it?”

  She takes in a deep breath, and then lets it out in a long sigh, before shaking her head. “I want to go out of state for college.” She says quickly, looking depressed. “Will you wait for me to finish highschool, and then move with me?”

  “Of course.” I say immediately. “But, Holly… Don’t think about stuff like that right now. We’ve only been together for a month. There will be plenty of time for that ter.”

  “You’re right.” She sniffles. “Thank you.”

  Our food arrives, and we fall mostly silent while we eat. Holly finds the food absolutely delicious, and promises me that we'll be coming back here frequently. After paying for our food, and leaving a generous tip, we head for the door.

  We exit the restaurant, and Holly takes my hand as we walk. I happily let her lead me wherever it is she wants to go. I am so lucky. I have a wonderful girlfriend, who understands who I am, and loves me for me. Life could not be better.

  As we’re walking along the sidewalk, I feel something bump into me, and sm into a mp post as I fall, luckily not hitting my face. Someone shouts something, but then I feel Holly’s hands on me as she steadies me.

  “I’m so sorry about that.” A gentle masculine voice says behind me. “My idiot friend wasn’t watching where he was going. Are you alright?”

  I turn to see a boy, tall, probably in highschool, with light brown hair tied in a bun.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” I say, and dust my hands off on my dress. “Thanks for checking.”

  “No problem.” He says with a grin. “I’m Tyler, and that,” He turns and points to a nky blonde boy standing maybe ten feet back. “Is Alex, the idiot who bumped into you. Say you’re sorry, Alex!”

  “Dude, really?!” Alex shouts.

  “Yes, really!” He shouts back as Alex walks up.

  “I’m sorry for bumping into you.” He says, sounding more annoyed than regretful.

  “It’s fine.” I say. “Well, we’re gonna get back to our date. Bye Tyler.”

  “Bye.” He says giving me a gentle wave before getting shoved by his friend who is probably saying not so nice things. If only I could hear it.

  “That was weird.” I say to Holly, who is nearly seething.

  “Yeah…” She says sourly as she takes my hand again. “Thanks for making it clear we were on a date.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “He was clearly into you, and you said that we were going back to our date.” She says. “Did you not say that to get him to leave?”

  “Maybe subconsciously.” I say. “I doubt he would be into me. Even if he was, who cares? I have the most amazing girl by my side, and I wouldn’t leave her for anything.”

  “You goof.” Holly says, her mood clearly improving. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” I say, and stroke the back of her knuckles.

  We continue walking, and soon enough Holly is pulling me into a small store. There’s a pop punk song pying throughout the building, and tons of alternative clothing, accessories, and objects, littered throughout.

  Holly leads me to a dispy case, and my eyes immediately lock onto a leather colr with a heart ring dangling off it. She giggles and taps my shoulder.

  “Earth to Emmy,” She says and kisses my cheek. “Whatcha looking at?”

  “That colr.” I say, pointing at the specific one.

  “In a moment, want to try it on?” She asks.

  I nod. “Yes please.”

  “Sounds good.” She says with a grin. “For now though, come help me pick out a pair of rings.”

  “I already have a ring.” I say, holding up the one she gave me.

  “I know, Love.” She says with a giggle. “I wanted to get something matching though, that way we could both have one.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” I say, and start looking over the rings in the case.

  Two rings that are right next to each other catch my eye. Both are made of bck metal, with gemstones inset into them. The crystals themselves are what draw me to the rings. They are made of blue goldstone, and look like the night sky with no light pollution.

  One of the rings has a pin bck band, and is inset with one small blue goldstone gem, and two white crystals, on either side, surrounding a rge blue goldstone gem in the shape of a diamond.

  The other ring is much more intricate. The bck metals whirls and twirls around three small crystals on each side, with one rge leaf shaped blue goldstone in the center. I point at the two rings, and turn to Holly.

  “How do you feel about these?” I ask.

  She takes a minute to look them over. “I love them…” She says softly, before grabbing my hand and pulling my current ring off. “Ma’am, can we try on some rings?”

  The woman who is down at the other end of the counter reading a book, sets it down and approaches us. “Yeah, of course. Which ones?”

  “These two.” Holly says, pointing at the two I chose.

  The woman takes them out and sets them on the gss. Holly takes the more intricate one, and slides it onto my finger. It fits perfectly… I take Holly’s left hand in my own, and slide the other ring onto her finger.

  “What do you think?” The woman asks. “I love them.” Holly says. “Emmy?”

  “I love them as well.” I say with a smile.

  “Great.” The woman says. “Come over here and I’ll ring you up.”

  “Real quick,” Holly says, while pointing down into the case. “My girlfriend also wants this choker.”

  The woman smiles, and pulls it out of the case, before handing it over. Holly takes it and steps behind me. “Lift your hair, love.” She whispers. I do, and she pulls the colr around my neck, and tightens it firmly against my throat. “You look so pretty.”

  I turn and smile at her. “Thank you.”

  We walk down to the till, and the woman smiles at us. “Let’s see… Two rings, once choker…” She consults a piece of paper taped to the counter. “Sixty-five even.”

  I start to reach for my bag, but Holly stops me, and produces a wad of cash from her own bag, and counts out sixty-five dolrs before handing it over. “Thank you.”

  “Thank you.” The woman says. “Have a great night.”

  We walk out into the warm night, hand in hand. I fondle the heart ring on my colr while we walk. I’m so happy. After a good ten minutes of walking, I see the gated entrance to Jefferson Park.

  “Come on, Emmy.” Holly says with a grin. “I wanna get there a bit early.”

  “Get where a bit early?” I ask, confused. “You still haven’t told me what we’re doing.”

  “Right.” Holly says as she drags me along. “Well, you’ll find out in a minute or two.”

  We walk into a rge clearing with a small stage set up. There are a good amount of people there, but also plenty of open grass.

  “Where do you want to sit?” Holly asks.

  I look around, and see an open space retively near the middle, and not too close to the stage that I’ll be over stimuted by the noise, but not too far that I can’t see. “Can we sit there?”

  Holly nods, and walks over to the spot I named, before pulling out a bnket from her overstuffed bag, and ying it out on the grass. I knew there was something weird about that bag. She then pulls another bnket out, but keeps it in her hands.

  “Sit down with me, love.” She says, and kneels onto the grass.

  I follow her lead, and am immediately encircled in a bnket. Holly pulls me against her, and holds on tightly. I happily snuggle in, and focus on the stage. I search for a moment for a sign, and see one at the right of the stage, but can’t quite read what it says.

  I consider asking Holly what we’re about to watch, but decide against it. It doesn’t matter. I’m here, having a romantic evening, and cuddling with my girlfriend. This could be a child's py for all I care. Holly chose it, and that is what matters.

  Holly tilts my chin up and to the side, and smiles at me. “You’re so beautiful, Emmy.”

  Before I can say a word, her lips meet mine in the gentlest of touches. She pulls away slightly, and when I move forwards, she pushes down into me. One hand finds my thigh, the other ces into my hair, and I can barely think with the rush of blood and wonderful feelings from and to my head respectively.

  We continue to makeout for a little bit longer, before a loud voice calls out over the clearing. “Good evening, everyone!” A man says, dressed in a medieval style outfit. “Welcome to Wigglesword in the park!”

  A loud cheer erupts from the crowd, and I happily join in. The man waves and smiles at the crowd before continuing.

  “We are the SouthTown Pyers, and tonight we will be performing MacDonald!” Another loud cheer rings out. “Or as it is known in thespian circles, the Scottish Py!”

  The crowd goes silent, as the stage lights change, and fog begins to creep along the wooden surface. A loud rhythmic drum beat pounds in my ears, and I watch as people come out from various pces on stage, and start fighting with each other. Swords csh, and the sound rings in my ears.

  Too loud. I bury my head into Holly’s chest, and tch on tightly to her. I look up gently, and see her firmly fixated on the show. My hand finds her arm, and I squeeze three times. She instantly looks down at me.

  “What’s wrong, Emmy.” She whispers. “Are you alright?” I shake my head. “Do we need to leave?” I shake my head again. She thinks for a moment. “Is it too loud?” I nod.

  She shifts my position slightly so I’m more ying in her p than sitting in it, and puts one hand beneath my head, the other on top of it, and presses tightly to my ears. The noise instantly softens, and after a few long minutes, I feel my body returning.

  “Thank you.” I whisper to my girlfriend.

  “You don’t need to thank me.” She whispers back. “I would do anything for you.”

  I continue watching the py, and stare in shock as one of the witches rips a realistic looking heart out of a corpse, and then takes a bite out of it. These props are really good. I try my best to focus on the py, but the events of the day, and the early wake up, cause me to quickly doze off.