Wisdom ~ Chapter 4

A typewriter given to Kaitlin by her grandmother is more than what it seems.

CHAPTER 4

“What happened last night?” Naomi asked, sitting down next to Kaitlin under a big oak tree in front of their school. “I thought we were going dress shopping.”

Kaitlin avoided her eyes. “I’m sorry, last night was crazy. I completely forgot.”

“When you didn’t call, my mom decided she wanted to take me shopping and have some girl time. I mean, what teenage girl wants to go dress shopping with her mother?”

Kaitlin forced a smile. “Yeah, sounds horrible.”

I would give anything for my mother to want to spend some time with me. Sometimes I feel like she doesn’t even know I exist.

“So what’s your dress like?” Kaitlin asked.

Naomi pulled out her phone, showing Kaitlin a picture of her in a gorgeous sparkling gold dress. It was form-fitting and reached her feet, with a slit up the side that reached just above the knee. It emphasized Naomi’s sleek curves and looked stunning against her caramel skin and jet black hair. It reminded Kaitlin of something an actress would wear to the Oscars.

“Wow, Naomi, you look fabulous!”

“I’m going for the Beyoncé look,” Naomi said. “I’m thinking of dying my hair a golden blonde tonight. Why don’t you come over and we’ll try some updos on you for the dance?”

Kaitlin gave a half smile. “Sounds like fun.”

“Great! You can come home with me after school if your parents don’t mind.”

Kaitlin looked away so Naomi wouldn’t see the pain in her eyes. “They won’t mind.”

I could probably move in and they wouldn’t even know I was gone.

Naomi’s family lived in a nice four-bedroom house in a quiet suburb of Calgary. Kaitlin often dreamed about what it would be like to live in a picture-perfect neighborhood like Naomi’s, with lush green lawns and the sound of children laughing and playing in the streets rather than the wailing of sirens.

Kaitlin looked in Naomi’s dresser mirror at her reflection and was happy with what she saw. Naomi had curled her hair and piled it up on her head. A few loose curls hung softly around her face.

“You totally have to do my hair like this tomorrow! I love it!”

Naomi laughed. “I’ll do your makeup too. Ethan is going to be speechless.”
If I can find a way to get a dress.

Kaitlin helped Naomi dye her hair, and was surprised how much she really did look like Beyoncé when they were finished.

“So when are you getting your dress?” Naomi asked as they lay on their backs on her queen-sized cherrywood sleigh bed.

“My mom is taking me tonight,” Kaitlin lied. She knew what she had to do.



Kaitlin stood in front of her mirror admiring the image looking back at her. It was Saturday afternoon and Naomi would be there soon to help her get ready for the dance.

On her bed was a page from a magazine. Beside it was the typewriter, and typed on the paper were the words:

THE DRESS FROM THE PICTURE APPEARS ON KAITLIN’S BED IN HER SIZE

Kaitlin ran her hands over the soft fabric.

The dress was strapless with a blue crushed velvet bodice. The skirt was knee length and full with soft layers of red, purple, and blue chiffon.

The door to the trailer slammed as her parents left for another party. Kaitlin was relieved. The last thing she wanted to do right now was try to explain to them where she got the dress.

Removing her glasses, she squinted at the blurry image in the mirror.

If only I had contact lenses.

A smile crossed her face. She turned to the typewriter and typed:

KAITLIN HAS PERFECT VISION

Instantly everything around her was sharp and clear. Kaitlin squealed in delight and looked in the mirror at her reflection. She couldn’t wait to see what she looked like when her hair and makeup was done.

Glancing at the clock, she quickly locked the suitcase, slid it back under her bed, and put the key back in the jewelry box.

Shortly after, Kaitlin heard a knock followed by Naomi’s cheerful voice.

“Anyone home?”

Kaitlin ran out to meet her.

“Wow, Kate, you look amazing! That dress must have cost a fortune!”

Kaitlin tried not to meet Naomi’s eyes. “My parents used some of their inheritance money to get it for me.”

Naomi smiled. “Your grandmother would be so happy to know that.”

Kaitlin quickly changed the subject. “We better hurry. The guys will be here in just over an hour.”

She led Naomi to her room, and Naomi emptied her bag on Kaitlin’s bed.

“Wow! That’s enough makeup and hair products for the Miss Universe pageant!”

Naomi laughed. “Hey, beauty doesn’t come cheap.”

Naomi spent the next hour doing Kaitlin’s and her own hair and makeup. After she was finished, Kaitlin looked in the mirror and couldn’t believe her eyes. She didn’t recognize the girl—no, the woman—staring back at her.

Naomi had done Kaitlin’s hair like she had the day before and sprayed something in it that made it shine. She did her eye makeup so that her brown eyes sparkled, and her cheeks and full lips were a soft rose color. For the first time in her life she felt truly beautiful.

When she turned around, Naomi was standing there in her dress. She looked so elegant. Her shimmering blonde hair hung in waves over her shoulders. Her dress, hugging all of her curves, sparkled in the light.

“Naomi, you look like a star!”

“So do you! I’ve never seen you look so beautiful! Wait… how can you see me without your glasses? Did you finally get contacts?”

“Yes,” Kaitlin responded a little too quickly. “My parents finally gave in.”

“That’s great! I always thought it was a waste to hide those gorgeous eyes.”

Moments later, the doorbell rang. The girls squealed in excitement. They took one last look in the mirror and ran to the door.

Kaitlin opened the door and let Ethan and Aaron in.

Both boys looked very handsome in their black tuxes, but Kaitlin couldn’t take her eyes off of Ethan. His blonde hair was freshly cut and brushed back from his face. She hadn’t noticed until now, but he stood at least two inches taller than her in her silver heels.

Both boys stared at them in awe.

“Wow, Kaitlin!” Ethan said. “You look amazing! I‘ve never seen you without your glasses.”

Kaitlin blushed. “Thank you.”

Aaron was still standing with his mouth gaping open as he looked Naomi up and down. His dark hair was short and spiked.

“Aaron, stop staring at me like I’m a piece of meat and say something.”

“You look hot!” he said, his eyes glued to her chest.

“Aaron, you’re a pig! Look me in the eyes or we’re not going anywhere!”

“I’m okay staying right here,” he said with a wink.

Naomi rolled her eyes. “Dream on. Is that corsage for me or what?”

Aaron slid a corsage of yellow and white roses on her wrist. “Not as beautiful as you, my lady, but what is?”

“The answer is still no,” Naomi said, rolling her eyes. But Kaitlin could see her eyes soften when she looked at him.

Ethan laughed and turned his attention back to Kaitlin. “I promise to be a better gentleman than my friend here.” He reached out, took her hand, and slid a corsage of red and blue roses on her wrist. Kaitlin felt tingles run up her arm and through her entire body at his touch.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Ethan and Aaron led the girls out to the waiting limo. Kaitlin had never been in a limo before. The leather seats felt soft against her skin.

When they arrived at the school, Ethan helped Kaitlin out of the limo, linked his arm through hers, and led her into the tall brick building.

The gymnasium was decorated with flowers made from glittering tissue paper. Some were taped to the walls while others hung from the ceiling, spinning around and catching the light in the soft breeze of the air conditioning.

Hundreds of students in multi-colored dresses and tuxes danced to the beat of a popular dance song.
“Can I get you some punch?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, thank you,” Kaitlin replied shyly.

She looked out on the dance floor to see Aaron and Naomi already dancing and laughing.

Ethan returned with her punch. “I can’t wait for a slow song,” he said, looking deeply into her eyes. “I’ve been dreaming of holding you in my arms all day.”

Kaitlin’s body came alive with electricity at his words. She had to admit, she had thought of little else that day as well.

The spell was shattered when she looked over Ethan’s shoulder to see Hannah glaring at her. The hatred in her eyes sent chills deep into her core.

Ethan turned to follow her gaze. “Don’t worry about her. She’s just jealous. She’ll get over it.”

Kaitlin was overcome with a deep sense of foreboding. Her hand shook, causing punch to spill over the edge of her cup.

“Come here,” Ethan said, putting his arm around her. “Let’s dance.” He set their cups of punch down on the table, wrote their names on them with a black marker, and led her onto the dance floor.

A slow song began to play. He took her in his arms and looked deeply into her eyes. Kaitlin instantly forgot about Hannah and got lost in his soft stare. She felt so small and delicate in his arms. Before she knew it, the song was over and an upbeat song had begun.

They walked back to the table and picked up their punch.

“Want to get something to eat?” he asked.

“Sure, I’m starving!”

They walked over to the buffet table and filled their plates with a variety of deli meats, cheeses, and vegetables before finding a spot at a nearby table. The music thumped  from the gym as laughter and chatter echoed all around them. Kaitlin took a sip of her punch, smiling shyly at Ethan across the table. The dancing had made her thirsty. She finished her punch and put a piece of cheese on a cracker.

But before she could take a bite, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through her stomach. She froze, her fork clattering onto her plate. The pain twisted tighter, like invisible claws digging into her insides.

“Kaitlin?” Ethan’s voice cut through the noise, his brow creased in worry. “Are you okay?”

She doubled over, clutching her stomach. A soft whimper escaped before she could stop it. “I don’t feel so good,” she whispered, her voice tight with panic.

“I’ll get help—” Ethan started, but Kaitlin shook her head frantically.

“No… I’ll be right back.” Her voice cracked.

She pushed herself up, her legs trembling beneath her, and stumbled into the hallway. The music dimmed behind her as the harsh fluorescent lights above flickered against the lockers. Her breath came in short gasps, sweat dampening her temples.

She shoved open the door to the washroom and staggered inside. The first stall—locked. She rattled the door, desperation rising. The second—also locked. Her stomach cramped violently, her body betraying her.

“No, no, no…” she whimpered, moving quickly down the row, but each stall door resisted her frantic pushes.

Panic clawed at her throat. She backed away, clutching her stomach as another wave of pain nearly doubled her over. The world blurred with tears as she stumbled out into the hallway again, searching desperately for another washroom sign.

“Kaitlin…”

The voice rang sharp and mocking, echoing down the empty corridor.

She spun around, her chest heaving. Hannah stood just a few feet away, her arms crossed, a cruel smile spreading across her painted lips.

“What’s wrong?” Hannah purred, tilting her head. “Tummy troubles?”

Kaitlin’s stomach twisted again, harder, as if her body itself recoiled from Hannah’s venom. She staggered back, shaking her head, hot tears spilling down her cheeks.

“What did you do?,” she gasped.

But Hannah only laughed cruelly, the sound slicing through Kaitlin’s panic like broken glass.

Kaitlin bolted, shoving past her, her vision swimming. The cool night air hit her as she burst through the school doors, but her body was no longer her own. Each step felt like dragging heavy chains; each breath was fire in her lungs.

“No, no, not here,” she pleaded to herself, clenching every muscle, trying to hold on, trying to make it off school property, anywhere but here!
Another brutal wave of pain wracked her body. Her legs buckled. She collapsed to the ground, her vision tunneling into darkness as her sobs caught in her throat.

The last thing she saw was Hannah’s shadow stretching across the pavement, still watching.
And then—nothing.