Okay, I know technically Caucasians can be geishas because Liza Dalby was one (I think) but they're less accepted so you get my point here.

 1 month later…

Alison crossed out the last date of the month. August was over. She had been in America for one month officially. Still, she didn’t feel relieved or happy because of certain….things.

“Alison, are you dressed yet? ” Her mother hollered.

“Coming!”

She opened her wardrobe and gazed at the neatly hung clothes. Today was Cornwall Institution’s annual school dance and everyone was excused from classes. Each person had to go with someone from the opposite sex and for the past few weeks, folded notes were placed in lockers, furtive glances exchanged between people and love cards started popping out of nowhere as everyone hurried to secure a partner. Alison was a little bowled over by the invitations. So far, she had received six requests from six different guys. In the end, she ended up going with Alex because he was her good friend after all.

As for Edward… Things were going fine between them. They had met up occasionally for dates and subconsciously, she was waiting for Edward to go to Stanford and quit being a teacher before they progressed further to prevent any tongues from wagging. Although she wanted to go with Edward for the dance, teachers were prohibited to attend with students.  Obviously that didn’t stop some thick-skinned girls like Jessica from sending flirty messages and placing love poems on his desk. Alison wasn’t perturbed of course. She knew Edward wouldn’t betray her but jealousy was a very dangerous thing and she was careful to keep away from it.

As for Carrie, Alison couldn’t find any word to describe her. Ever since that fateful incident, she had been going home late and leaving the house early on the pretext that she was studying with some mates but Alison knew it wasn’t true. Often, when she got a bathroom pass during the lesson, she would find her sister giggling and gossiping in the girls’ restroom, as if oblivious to anyone else. She couldn’t tell her Mum about Carrie because her sister would never forgive her if she did that. And there was that tiny matter of her knowing about Edward and her…..

“Alison! Be sure you’re done in fifteen minutes! Alex is coming over soon! ”

“Yes, Mother!”

Alison surveyed all her clothes dismally. She had bought a lovely emerald green dress but somehow, she didn’t feel that it was appropriate for the occasion. Her eyes turned to the silk folds of a kimono in the drawer. As if it was a magnet, she felt hypnotized by it, took it out, and inhaled the sweet cinnamon scent. Could she wear a kimono to the dance?  Would anyone actually laugh at her?

Alison hesitated for only a second before screaming, “Mother! Can you come in for a moment?”

 ***“

Now, you look like a beauty,” her mother said admiringly as she hung back and observed her daughter.

“You think it’s okay?” Alison looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing one of the expensive silk kimonos her mother’s friend had given her. It was nothing like some of the threadbare second-hand kimonos she used to wear made of crude rough material. This kimono was in a water-blue with swirling lines in silver to mimic the current in a stream. Glistening golden fish tumbled in the current with soft red petals of a sakura flower floating in the river. Her obi was embroidered in pale pastel green and blue. Alison’s hair was tied neatly into a bun with a flower as a pin inserted at the side and her lips were painted red. Although her Caucasian face wasn’t supposed to match the dress, her skin had always been clear with no freckles and thus from afar, she looked Japanese.

“Beautiful,” Alison murmured as she twisted and turned, looking at herself again and again. Thanks to her mother who used to know a dresser and thus, had the basic knowledge on how to dress someone with a kimono, she would look extraordinary in the eyes of the Japanese.

But would it look good in the eyes of her American friends?

“I’m sure Alex would be dazzled,” her mother grinned and Alison felt a little taken aback by surprise. Her mother had never expressed her emotions so…openly. Both her parents were very reserved people. Sometimes, she wondered if they even planned to have them, to have children or it was just accidental.

Noticing her puzzled expression, her mother’s face reverted back to the original impassive form. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?” She frowned.

“I..I’m not used to you being so excited about me.” Alison winced, afraid that she had touched her mother’s raw nerve. She braced herself for the ultimate scolding.

“Alison.” Her mother breathed. “We need to talk.” Alison had never seen her mother that nervous before but suddenly, she was even more aware of how her mother had aged over the years.

From an independent American teenager who had grown up in an Australian farm, Helen Wright had travelled around Europe for a few years after graduating from Melbourne University. It was then when she met Alison’s father, Richard Goodall, who was working as a small-time army official in a small Turkish town. In a spur of a moment, they had a small wedding ceremony and moved to Arkansas in America. After Alison was born, her parents upped and moved to Japan after her mother had accepted a job as a translator and her father taught English and Turkish to Japanese businessman interested in learning a foreign language.

Alison loved her parents but when she was little, she used to stay with her maternal grandparents who resided permanently in Texas (her father was adopted and his foster parents died when he was 21). She often found photographs of her mother when she was young- a pig-tailed girl with a heart shaped face and small lips. For Alison, it was hard to see the transition from childhood to adulthood for her mother and she wondered if it would be the same for her.

“Look, I know that I’ve been harsh on you ever since you were young but because you’re our eldest child and we trust you,” her mother said seriously as she gazed down at her dove-gray knitted sweater and black trousers. “And I know how the move to Washington has upset you but we know that you’re mature enough to understand that we can never live in Japanese permanently nor emigrate there because we’re Americans. We can never fit into the Japanese society completely. ”

“But…my friend, Etsuko, said that her father was American and he got a Japanese citizenship,” Alison whispered. She remembered the sweet face of Etsuko, her best friend at Akura Junior High School and the afternoons she had spent at Machiko’s house, just doodling and talking about their ambitions. Machiko wanted to be a Kyoto geisha because her maternal grandmother was one but she had to wait until she was fifteen to be legally qualified and train to be on after leaving junior high school. 

“Why do you want to be a…prostitute?”  Alison remembered herself asking Machiko.

“A prostitute?” Etsuko had taken a step back. “Geishas are not prostitutes! Are you saying my grandmother was one?” There was a horrified expression on her face which led to Alison hurriedly trying to explain herself.

“Don’t they entertain men?”  Alison, who was then only fourteen, felt a little confused. Her mother had warned her to steer clear of the Japanese teahouses and not talk to any of those beautiful geisha who wore dangling bright obis. When she asked why, her mother had told her that they were prostitutes.

“Yes, they do,” Etsuko had said a little impatiently. “But their main focus is on practicing their art forms. They don’t offer themselves to just anyone. My grandmother retired and met my grandfather who was a painter. A geisha is a respectable profession and they’re an integral part of our Japanese culture. ”

“Really?” Alison was deep in thought then. She wanted to be wherever her best friend was and then decided that if Etsuko was to be a geisha, she would be one too. “Can I be a geisha?” she had asked hopefully, hoping to get a giggle or a squeal of excitement from her friend because they always did everything together.

“No, you can’t,” Etsuko shook her head sadly. “My grandmother says that foreigners or Caucasians cannot be geishas. You have to be at least Japanese to be recognized as one.”

“But I’ve lived here for twelve years! I know about Japan as much as you do!” Alison cried out.

“I’m sorry, Alison-san. It’s the fact that although you behave like Japanese, you aren’t one and you never will be.” Machiko lowered her head embarrassingly. “My grandmother always says that it is no use to wish for something one can’t have. Just remember that.”

Remembering that scene stung a little. It reminded Alison of how she would always be different from Machiko however Japanese she was.

“If I remember correctly, Machiko-san’s father married a Japanese woman. That’s why they allowed him to have a citizenship.”

“But Mother-”

“Just concentrate on your schoolwork. You belong here.” Her mother continued, oblivious to her daughter’s distress. Look at your sister, she fitted into school perfectly.”

Yes, how perfectly so much that she actually took up smoking. Alison wasn’t sure but she found packets of Marbolos and a lighter in Carrie’s bag. Her mother must be deluded to think that Carrie was still the quiet and obedient girl. But then again, she knew that since her parents weren’t particularly close to either of them, it was difficult to understand the problems they were experiencing.

“Carrie i-” She began.

“And I know Richard is very hard on you but believe me, he loves both of you girls a lot. It’s just that his foster parents had always been very aloof to him and he finds it hard to express his feelings openly to his children.” Her mother smiled fondly. “And you know him, he has such an ego issue. Even if he was proud of you, he wouldn’t tell you that.”

No kidding. It’s hard for Alison to admit but although her father wasn’t exactly sugary and sweet, nor did he showed affections to them outwardly, she knew that he worked hard so as to support this family and had never betrayed any of them. Putting aside the abnormal explosive behavior sometimes, he actually made a pretty decent parent.

“Okay, okay, I get your point,” Alison replied uncertainly and smoothed the creases on her kimono. “Do I look decent enough to leave the house?” She allowed herself to smile a little. At that moment, she felt a sense of camaraderieship with her mother.

“Go on.” Her mother pushed her to the door. “I’m sure Alex would be dazzled by you,” she murmured.

“Sure indeed,” Alison echoed.

Pity Alex wasn’t exactly the person she wanted to impress.

 ****

“Wow, you look….” Alex’s eyes widened when he saw her and Alison giggled. “Traditional? Conservative? ” she added teasingly. She figured that if people bothered to laugh at her, she would just laugh alongside with them rather than be all embarrassed.

“No, really pretty,” he mumbled appreciatively and snuck another admiring gaze at her. “I’m so glad I have the company of Miss Alison Goodall for this dance.”

“You don’t look half-bad yourself.” Alex was wearing a black tuxedo (like all the other guys) with a red rose in his pocket. His face had no make-up on it (Mrs Kingston had probably tried to force some on him but he had refused) and the usual cheeky grin was in place. Surprisingly, he had exchanged his spectacles for contacts and he actually looked rather good. Noticing her gaze, Alex took the flower out from his pocket and offered it to her.

“For you,” he said seriously while trying to not break into laughter.

“Thanks.” Alison was delighted. “It’s so pretty.” She peered at the rose and touched the red petals.

Am I a gentleman now?” Alex had been trying to get both Angela and her to acknowledge him as a true “man” but so far, both of them were adamant not to add to his ego any further.

“Yea, maybe.” Alison pretended to consider and then said, “Is the limousine coming soon?” She gazed at the endless cars speeding past her and she felt brilliantly excited in spite of her nervousness. Alex’s father had come up with an excellent idea of renting a limousine to drive everyone to the school and so far, Alex and her, Angela, Jane (although Alison swore to not speak to her for the entire evening) and Carrie (whom she promised her parents and herself to keep an eye on) and their partners were in on the plan.

“Who’s the chauffeur?”

“My brother,” Alex mumbled.

“Edward’s the driver?” she blurted out unknowingly. Suddenly, her heart quickened in pace and she desperately wanted to see her nobody-knows-but-she’s-proud-of boyfriend.

“Yea, I told him that he could have hitched a ride with some other teacher but he insisted and said he wanted to see someone anyway.” Alex sounded confused. “Don’t know what he meant by that. I think he’s officially psycho.”

“Me neither,” she squeaked and secretly smiled. Trust Edward to say that to his brother. “They’re coming now.” He squinted into the near distance. Sure enough, the limousine was turning around the bend, inviting numerous stares from the passers-by and pedestrians. The soft engine purred as the car drew up in front of them and Alison noticed all the windows were tinted.

“Hop in!” Someone slid open the door and Angela stuck her head out. “Hello guys.” She grinned and Alex raised his eyebrows before stretching out his hand and said, “Ladies first.”

“Thanks.” Alison smiled as she carefully climbed into the car without getting caught in her kimono. The moment Angela saw her, she gasped.

“Alison! You look beautiful! I never knew this was how you looked in a kimono.

“I was afraid this would be a little too unique for the dance.”

“Obviously n-” Angela hurried to reassure her but someone sitting in the corner of the car snarled, “It looks like a freaking clown’s costume.”

Alison turned around. It was Jane Kingston, accompanied by a Mexican boy with surprisingly asymmetrical features. She was wearing a backless, strapless, short skirt which was no bigger than a skimpy bath towel. Carrie was sitting next to Jane with a boy whom Alison had never seen before. Carrie’s date wasn’t even handsome or good-looking. In fact, Alison couldn’t really tell but the boy looked like he had a tongue ring. His hands were all over Carrie which was wearing an extremely low-cut silvery dress. When Alison saw Carrie ignoring her, she merely shrugged and went to sit on the extreme side of the limousine.

“Don’t be impolite, Jane.” Alex scolded his youngest sister before rushing off to join Alison and Angela.

Suddenly, Alison looked up. She had just noticed Edward who was sitting right up front in the driver’s seat. He wore a tuxedo and looked as good as any day. He caught her eye and he grinned. Alison’s heart palpitated even faster and she blushed.

How she wished she could go to the dance with him. Although she wanted to snog him senseless there and then, she didn’t have the chance to do that and obviously she must remember that her date today was Alex- however platonic their relationship was- and that she simply must pay some attention to him. For now, she would just concentrate on having a good time. She turned towards Angela and started an enthusiastic debate on how the girls would look like flashing peacocks today.

 ****

“This is just….wow.” Alison was stunned. The entire school’s auditorium was drastically redecorated and silver pom-poms were hung up, shimmery and shiny under the spotlights. The area was modeled like a disco though it wasn’t difficult to navigate across the dark floors with the help of the multi-colored lighted sticks. A long wooden table was set aside as the refreshment area and there were appetizing and scrumptious cakes and glasses filled with Coke and Mountain Dew. A large disco ball hung from the middle of the room, twirling around as pop music blared from the speakers.

“This year’s so much cooler. Last year, all we had was a Halloween-themed party,” Angela pointed out knowledgeably.

“As long as the food’s good, no one’s complaining,” Alex grinned and as usual, went straight for the refreshments area to hog a few plates of desserts.

 Angela watched Alex scoff down a pineapple tart before saying, “Seriously, Alison, why did you agree to be his date? If I’m not wrong, one of the school jocks, Albert what’s-his-name asked you out.”

“What’s wrong with Alex? He’s quite funny,” Alison said defensively. She didn’t like the way Angela phrased her words.

“No offence, but with Alex as a partner, I hardly think you would get a chance to dance.” Angela laughed and stared at her, “So what are you planning to do now? Dance or what?”

“I think I’ll just stand around here and wait till Alex’s finished. Besides, I’m way uncoordinated with my hands and feet.”

“If you don’t mind then, I’ll just go and have a quick dance.” Angela smoothly sauntered towards the dance floor with her date, a boy who was in Alison’s English class and Alison observed as they adapted swiftly to the song and was soon one of the graceful couples spiraling in the room.

Alison felt a little silly just standing there. Besides, her dress was attracting way too much attention as it is. She slinked off to the refreshments table and realized Alex had disappeared. Sighing, she sat on one of the benches, feeling a little awkward and out of place. She shouldn’t have come. Abandoned by her date and best friend, she toyed with the idea of just going home now. Besides, no one else would ask her to dance anyway.

“Waiting for me?” A low voice by her ear made her jump. She looked up and frowned. A boy who was wearing a retro hat lowered over his face was talking to her. Alison couldn’t even see his face because the hat was in the way and furthermore, all the guys were wearing tuxedo so there was no way to differentiate who was who.

“Who are you? Is it Alex? Are you playing a prank on me? ” Alison stood up quickly and almost tripped because kimonos were very tricky to walk in. The boy’s hands instantly stretched out to steady her and she inhaled his scent of aftershave. She knew who he was.

“Edward?” she asked happily and he lifted his hat, revealing his beautiful face. Alison felt like smacking him but she was just too happy to be in his arms.

“What’s the hat for? Are you pretending to be Michael Jackson? ” she teased.

“To cover my face. I’m not even supposed to be here,” Edward murmured. “I was supposed to be standing guard outside with the other teachers but, for the one person I love, I just had to escape.”

“They didn’t notice you?” Her heart fluttered when she heard his words.

“I pretended I had a stomachache.” His soft lips touched her forehead. “Besides, if I’m not wrong, Mr Vichy and the rest just started a game of poker and it was so very easy for me to slip away….”

Alison didn’t even hear the rest of his words as she leant forward eagerly to kiss him. His hands held her securely at the back and she sighed with satisfaction. After a brief period of snogging, she placed her head against his chest and closed her eyes, feeling very uncomfortable.

“Where’s Alex? I thought he was your date.” Alison wasn’t positive but…was Edward jealous? He seemed a little irritated when he mentioned his brother.

“The little glutton went off to polish more snacks, I guess,” she mumbled good-naturedly.

“That boy.” Edward shook his head. “I was getting a little jealous when I saw you two together.”

“Jealous?” Alison lifted her head and her brown eyes searched his face. “Why should you be? He’s like my best friend and your brother, by the way..”

“I haven’t forgotten about that. Though I’m afraid he doesn’t think in the same way,” Edward muttered in a low voice- so low that Alison wasn’t sure that she had heard him correctly.

“I like it when you’re jealous.” Alison resisted smiling. She didn’t want to tell him that she felt safe when Edward worried about other guys liking her. This meant that she mattered to him- so much so that he didn’t like it when a possible love rival wanted to covet her. The again, where did he get the ludicrous idea of Alex being a possible love interest? To Alison, he was a good platonic friend and he’ll always be just that. This status would never change. Perhaps Edward was just worrying obsessively as usual.

“I suppose you would. Now, shall we dance? ” he whispered seductively as he tugged her arm towards the dance floor and lowered his hat.

As much as Alison didn’t like dancing, she was willing to do it so long Edward was there to guide her. They waltzed gracefully around the dance floor. Although her kimono wasn’t suitable for such an occasion, Edward’s proficiency at dancing and strong grip prevented her from falling. The soft music flowed through their ears and both of them were silent, relishing in this private moment.

 Alison caught sight of Angela staring at her and Edward with a puzzled look. She felt a little worried because Edward’s build was large and he looked too tall to be mistaken as Alex. Angela gave her a friendly little wave and Alison lowered her eyes guiltily.

 “I think Angela suspects you aren’t Alex,” she muttered hurriedly.

“Shut up, and just dance.” He grinned. He didn’t seem perturbed at all.

They moved in little rhythmic steps in synchronization and Alison felt so at ease there, she was starting to relax and enjoy herself. Surely nothing can get better than this…..

Suddenly, someone tugged her silk sleeve. Alison looked up and was horrified to see Alex standing there with a bemused expression on his face.

“Al..Alex?” she croaked and flicked a glance at Edward. Edward instinctively pulled the cap down his face and disappeared immediately into the throngs of people.

“Who’s that?” Alex was still staring at the spot where Edward had disappeared from. His forehead creased into crinkles. “He looks sort of familiar…”

“Erm, no, he’s in my Psychology class,” Alison rambled. Hurry, change the topic! “Where were you anyway?”

“Sorry, I disappeared off to chat with Josh,” Alex grinned. “By the way, do you know they have awesome mango cocktails? The strawberry one are only half as good.”

“Well, I haven’t tried…”

“You should.” Alex looked around. “By the way, what are we supposed to do now?”

“Dance?” Alison mumbled feebly. “It’s the school’s annual dance, you know?” Sometimes, she thought Alex was really clueless.

“Yea, so we…dance.” Alex looked uncomfortable as he placed his arm around Alison awkwardly. She flinched at the close proximity. As they took carefully danced at a snail’s pace, Alison didn’t dare to look at Alex. It felt strange to be in another boy’s arms- almost as if it was an act of betrayal to Edward.

“Alison?” Alex mumbled as the DJ changed the song.

“What?” She looked up alertly. Her best friend suddenly sounded so serious.

“Are you dating anyone now?”

“That’s a funny joke!” She gave a shrill, nervous laughter. “Obviously I’m not dating anyone…” She wanted to tell Alex about his brother but Edward and she had struck a pact to keep it secret and it was going to stay that way.

“Look, Alison, I have something to tell you.” Alex released his hold on her and he stepped back while nervously tugging his tuxedo jacket.

“Huh?” She blinked under the glare of the bright laser lights. The atmosphere had suddenly turned too…intimate. It felt strange to talk to Alex like this.

“I don’t know how to say this. You know me, I’m not used to…” he mumbled.

“Used to what?” Alison glared at him. “Alex Kingston, will you please make your intentions a little clearer?”

“I like you, Alison,” he said quickly.

 His words hit her like a gush of cold water on a hot summer day. She tried opening her mouth to speak but she was simply too….shocked. There was no other word to describe her reaction. Watching Alex look sheepish, she realized with a sinking heart that he was not lying \.

 “Say what?” Alison gulped. “You’re…..joking right? Please say it’s just a joke.” She was almost pleading by now. If his words were just for fun, it would have been regarded as going overboard but she would gladly take it so long as he didn’t mean everything he had just said.

 But no…

 “I’m not joking, Alison.” He flicked his gaze away from her. “I really do like you.”

“As a friend? As a friend, right? ” She felt slightly hysterical and tears started streaming down her face, messing up with the makeup she took hours to put on.

 Looking slightly alarmed at her outburst, Alex took a step forward and muttered, “Are you okay?”

“What’s going on?” An angry and reproachful voice jolted Alison from her senses. She looked up and found Edward there, only he had removed his hat and was wearing a teacher’s pass now. He must have seen, witnessed and heard their exchange. Alison realized with a sinking heart. He knew what was going on between Alex and her.

“Look, brother, go away, okay? It’s none of your business.” Alex straightened himself and grabbed Alison’s shoulders. “I’m just going to talk to Alison for a moment.”

“You’ll take your hands off her.” Edward shoved Alex and he nearly knocked into a waiter who was juggling a tray of glasses. Alison felt startled. Was a fight going to break out?

“Why are you interfering?” Alex sounded annoyed. Meanwhile, Alison held her breath. Was Edward going to reveal their relationship? As much as she hated that to happen, she would definitely feel much happier if the cat was out of the bag. After all, she didn’t like lying to people.

 Edward narrowed his eyes. His tall imposing figure made Alex cower a little even though he was his brother. “It’s my duty as a teacher-in-charge to prevent harassment to any students,” his voice was menacing and dangerously soft. Even Alison felt her knees buckle. Edward’s presence had attracted attention from a few people and they were whispering to each other and pointing at them. Suddenly, Angela pushed her way through the crowd and arrived next to Alison.

“What’s going on?” Angela demanded as she squeezed Alison’s hand comfortingly. “Alex, did you bully Alison?”

“Obviously not,”  Alex muttered distastefully. “I was having a very private conversation with Alison until my know-it-all-brother butted in.”

“What private conversation?” Angela looked interested and Alison rolled her eyes in spite of the seriousness of the situation.

“Erm…” Alex looked reluctant. Finally, Edward snapped into his businesslike mode, “Okay, Miss Weber, can you be responsible for taking Alison to the restroom and I’ll speak to Mr Kingston here.” His gaze turned soft and lingered on Alison for half a second before he snapped his head up and pushed Alex to one corner of the room. Everyone was silent, almost in awe at the scene until a new song started up and everyone drifted back to their individual activities,

“Let’s talk,” Angela whispered.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t say that,” Alison groaned.