Chapter Text
Bianca is my name, and I have no recourse for the sins I commit in this tale.
Make no mistake. I am beautiful and I don't mind using that to my advantage. Some say blonde hair is an omen of ignorance, but I disagree.
It's an omen of heartbreak.
⋆˚✿˖°
"You really shouldn't read sad books when you're already sad," Mandy said, sipping her tea like she was a queen or an empress. I liked the empress better.
I pulled out my song notebook and scribbled the word down.
"I joined a book club online, and they're all reading Hamlet. I don't mind," I replied.
"Do you ever go anywhere without that book?" Mandy asked, pursing her lips.
My cheeks heated up as I shoved the notebook back in my purse.
Mandy's stern expression softened. "No. I didn't mean--It's nice seeing you write again. You know, since--never mind."
I knew what she was thinking about. Just the thought made my chest feel heavy, and a fresh wave of depression came over me.
I dared myself to pretend I was happy as I shook my blonde bangs out of my eyes and breathed in the salty beach air. "Remember when we used to run on the beach for what felt like miles?" I said.
"You mean when we were still allowed to do that? Yeah. I miss it. We're supposed to be adults but come on. Running is not just a kid thing," Mandy said, rolling her eyes.
I glanced over the balcony of the cafe to the beach below. The ocean waves were so loud this time of year, and I adored every moment of it. At least I did until it reminded me.
Now I disliked the beach more than anything.
"Mandy, I have to tell you something," I said in barely a whisper. Hopefully the waves would drown out my words.
But Mandy heard me. "What is it?" she said, raising her eyebrows.
Here went nothing. I shut my eyes. "I'm moving back to Maine."
I couldn't--no, I wouldn't see Mandy's face. But it was bad enough to hear her voice.
"What? No! Why?" she cried out.
I looked down at my hands. The skin was dry and irritated from my excessive handwashing.
"It's not my home anymore," I choked out. No, no. Please don't cry in front of Mandy. I swallowed down the urge and met my friend's gaze.
Mandy's expression was void of emotion. I couldn't tell if she was furious, disappointed, or understanding. But realization did set in behind her eyes.
"You're going because of him."
I nodded.
"That little creep."
I nodded again. Yes, the little creep.
Mandy leaned back in her chair, defeated. "I guess this was coming. I knew it would. But please don't leave without saying goodbye. I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Mandy. And I promise. I won't leave without one more girl's night. The pizza toppings are your choice," I said, cracking a smile.
A car honked down below. Mandy rolled her eyes again.
"That's my ride. You want to come down and meet my cousins? They're in town. I told them about you," she said.
"Oh, no. What did you tell them?" I swung my backpack over my shoulder.
"Just that you're the prettiest girl in all of LA with violet eyes and honey hair," Mandy cooed.
"My eyes are blue."
"They're violet in the twilight."
Twilight. That was another nice word. I would have jotted it down in my notebook if Mandy didn't rush me downstairs to the street.
Two people were waiting beside a fancy red car. A teenage girl with cropped hair was jangling the car keys loudly next to a young man's ear. The young man laughed and playfully shoved the girl--not hard enough to hurt, though.
But the sight did bring back some uneasy memories.
"Hello, my little pretties," Mandy shouted to her cousins.
The three family members hugged each other while I stood there, awkwardly watching them with an automatic smile plastered on my face.
Mandy stepped away to gesture towards me. "And this is Elizabeth Taylor."
"No. I'm Bianca," I groaned.
Mandy's cousins glanced curiously at me. Then the man smiled.
"Bianca. I'm Sebastian. This is my sister Thessaly," he said.
"Please just call me Thess," the younger cousin said.
Sebastian. Thessaly. Those were very interesting names. Even more interesting were their faces. Thessaly had a thin, drawn face not unlike a sickly person. But her stature and size looked anything but healthy. Sebastian's face was the opposite. It was slightly round with an intense jawline. His built was also healthy-looking. I tried hard not to stare at the biceps peeking out from his shirt sleeve.
"I heard you looked like Elizabeth Taylor," Sebastian said, grinning.
"Oh. Did I meet your expectations?" I said.
I didn't mean for it to sound like a flirt, but Mandy and Thess giggled. Sebastian blushed slightly and cleared his throat.
"You know, Bianca, you're still invited to come meet us at the beach house tonight. Please come. Just for me. You're--you know, now that you're leaving--" Mandy had a pleading look in her eye.
Thess and Sebastian also waited with bated breath for my response. I literally just met them, and they were hanging on to my every word.
I hadn't gone to the beach house in weeks. Just the thought of the place brought back that horrible crushing feeling in my gut.
But maybe just one more time.
I could survive that.
"Sure." I smiled. "Maybe you'll see my eyes turn violet at twilight."