Yooooooooooooooo what's up. 

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Nova's POV

I decided to continue packing since I had little to nothing better to do and it gave me an odd sense of hope, as weird as it sounds. After the initial bag or two, the fogginess goes away and I realize my essentials and other things that would be nice to have. Before I go on a trip, I'm usually like, "well, I'll need a shirt, five pairs of shoes, silverware, and a blanket," but now I can think realistically. 

Kinda...

Then, there is a knock at the door. I figure it is Blake because he just shows up whenever he so desires. But it isn't.

There is a large package leaning on the wall addressed to me. 

The dress can't be here already.

I shrug and take it inside to my room where I open the box as gently as I could before realizing that it indeed was the dress and open it with more urgency, stripping away the tissue paper like a child on Christmas morning until finally it is revealed in all its glory. 

I am unable to do anything but almost shed a few tears as my fingers run over the soft black and red tulle that draped so perfectly over the silky, golden-cream colored underskirt, the bodice which matched the skirt. 

What am I waiting for? I need to put this thing on!

I do just that, and find that it could use some alterations, really simple like a smaller waist, fix the sleeves so they wouldn't fall so far down my shoulders. But once I clipped it back and made the proper measurements, I was taken aback by the beauty of it. 

I wasn't used to seeing myself dressed like this but it was a nice change. It fit the theme of masquerade well, but I still needed a mask and jewelry.

To the store!

*****

Upon arriving at my trusty neighborhood Target, I went to the makeup section first to grab a few odds and ends. With the color themes, I grab a generic, neutral eyeshadow palette with shades of brown, gray and tan. I get some cheap eyeliner, mascara and two red liquid lipsticks. 

I meander towards the back of the store to where they might have costume things I could use. 

And then I find it. 

The perfect mask for this purpose. I had wanted some lace on the dress, but the mask did that for me in that it was mostly comprised of black and cream colored lace that matched my dress with just a little bit of bling.  I grabbed it and tossed it in my cart with some black satin gloves... just for fun. That way, I wouldn't have to worry about painting my nails. 

In the jewelry section, I found a dainty little necklace that stayed at collarbone level and rested just a little bit below a natural divot in my skin where two bones met. 

Into the cart it goes!

"Nova?" 

Shit.

I turn around to the voice I know immediately.

"Uh- hi.. what are you doing here?" I ask flustered as I take tiny steps to the cart to hide some of its contents and toss my bag over most of the items before he can look too close.

"I was craving beef jerky," he states, "it's a wolf thing I guess," he says with a lower tone and rolls his eyes.

"What are YOU doing here?" he asks and raises a curious eyebrow, attempting to peek over into my cart. 

I technically have nothing to hide, as he'll end up seeing everything on me in a few days anyway. 

"Shopping...duh," I push past him, suddenly getting the munchies myself. The silly boy follows me and gets next to me so we are both pushing the cart to towards the grocery side of the store. 

I grab salt and vinegar potato chips, a Hershey's special dark chocolate bar and these really cool looking pickles that were sold in bags pre-chopped into bite size pieces. 

I prefer salty snacks to sweet ones most of the time.

"What are the pickles for?" he asks, furrowing his brow.

"For taming my pet elephant," I say sarcastically but when he doesn't get it I continue, "for eating, silly," and he recoils in disgust.

"What? Why would you eat pickles straight? That is NASTY!" he says loudly like a revolted three year old who was introduced to brussels sprouts for the first time.

I jab his side, making him shut up and head to the front, checking out fast while he is distracted by something else. 

But he sees the red lipstick.

"Whaaattttttt?! Nova acting feminine? Who are you and what have you done with Nova Collins?" He feigns shock manages to be loud enough to get the attention of several prying eyes.

"It's for prom, wise guy," I mutter and he gasps.

"Nova wearing lipstick?!" he says with just as much shock.

"Aren't I supposed to look presentable?" I ask as we get to where I parked my bike.

"Well yes, but I've never seen you wear makeup. I have to say I'm kind of excited," he smiles genuinely and gives me finger guns as he turns to leave

~Later~

Once I had gotten done playing around with my makeup, I started mending the dress as was necessary. I reached under my bed for my sewing kit and accidentally pulled out another box instead, tracing my fingers over the roses engraved into the wooden surface.

Faintly recognizing it, I open it to observe its contents. 

Memories flood my eyes and leave as tears.

"Nova! Dinner is ready!" said my mother from our house as I climbed down from the treehouse portrayed in the picture and ran in.

"Dad! No more pictures!" I whined as he stopped our walk on the beach to take a picture of us, I smiled anyway when he tickled my sides, that smile now captured in the photo forever.

"Don't eat too much cake, baby. You'll get sick," my parents warned.
"But it's so good! And it's MY birthday cake," I said taking another bite too big for my mouth using my hands as seen in the picture of my chocolate covered face. My stomach hurt so bad after that.

"Don't play too rough... Nova! We don't throw mud!" My dad laughed.
"He threw it first!" I said pointing my finger at a boy around my age who I no longer recognized in the picture. 

I wanted to remember him. I wanted to remember those bright green eyes that stood out against the jet black hair on his head that was now mud-logged. 

I wipe tears from my eyes that ran down my face and stare into the aged photo of the three of us, so happy. What happened?

After more reminiscing, I put the pictures down and pick up a small box and try opening it to no avail. Judging by the sound of something inside, I was now curious. It was locked as I noticed with the small keyhole. I looked through the rest of the box for a key to find nothing besides more memories including my favorite stuffed animal which was now beat up from all the love I gave it as a child. I hold it close, hugging it to my chest and place it back in the box the way I found it. 

I place the box in an empty suitcase and layer the last of my clothes around it, only now noticing how much more empty my room has gotten since I started to pack. 

I hang the dress in the closet and move the bags out of sight, as I'd hate for someone to get suspicious. 

I layed back on my bed tapping the screen of my phone, zoning out into the rhythmic clicking my nails made.

I think I'll just... sleep for a bit. 

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Let me know if you enjoyed it! I loved writing about her childhood memories. See ya'll soon ♡