‘Check out your tie,’ I laugh, ‘Purple polka dots.’ I spot the gap between his pants and shoes, two mismatched socks, blue and green. ‘You have guts, Oliver.’
‘No,’ he says, ‘You’re the one with the guts, chicken guts.’ Which makes me laugh again.
Then he half bows, all cheesy. ‘WildRider would like to ask VeggieGirl to dance.’
‘She is delighted to accept,’ I say.
Oliver leads me towards the music, weaving through the moving bodies, trying not to spill their drinks.
Then he turns to say something but I can’t hear,
‘What?’ I shout.
He stops to whisper in my ear, so close I can feel his breath. Of course, I break into goosebumps.
‘You look really pretty,’ he says.
‘Thanks,’ I say, feeling my cheeks grow warm. At least it’s dark so he won’t see my tomato face.
He takes my hand and we keep moving, his hand is strong and I can feel the calluses from the woodwork.
Oliver and I find a spot between some Year Nines and he puts both hands on my shoulders. Too scared to look into his eyes, I watch the others move around the floor. I try to relax, swing my hips and feel the music, hoping I’m not embarrassing myself. It’s been a long time since I danced. I catch a glimpse of Lucy and the Landcare boy. She’s giggling as he tries to figure out where to put his hands.
‘You’ve got pretty good moves,’ I tell Oliver, finally succumbing to the beat.
‘You too,’ he says. Our eyes meet.
The music changes and Oliver, Lucy, Landcare boy and I dance in a circle, laughing and jumping around like maniacs. We stop a few times to drink, quickly returning to the dance floor.
‘Fresh air?’ Oliver asks as I stop to rub my blister. I feel the Band-Aid has slipped.
As I crouch down to stick it back in place, a figure looms over me. I look up to see Marissa.
‘I went inside,’ she shouts over the music.
‘What?’ I stand up.
‘The farm,’ she says into my ear. ‘You were right.’
I’m stunned. So, that’s why Greg did a turnaround. His Cupcake convinced him.
‘The smell was so gross,’ she says, visibly shuddering. ‘Princess started coughing, I had to rush out and give her water and I nearly fainted.’
‘Me too!’ I tell her. ‘I nearly threw up.’
She takes my elbow. ‘Daddy didn’t understand, he’s all obsessed with numbers, processes and ticking boxes. But now he does.’
Andrew appears beside Marissa, slipping his hand around her waist. I’m hoping he doesn’t have a stash of rubber bands.
I don’t know what this will mean for the chickens, but now’s not the time to find out. I’m just grateful she’s been open-minded and seen it for herself. Jules was right; deep down Marissa can be kind.
‘Thank you, again,’ I say, ‘and sorry about the scratch and everything.’ I look at her neck, which has nearly healed.
‘Mum bought some cover-up for my casting, no biggie,’ she says, touching it.
‘See you in the summer?’ I say, hoping our friendship is back on track. Although I will insist Lucy is included, too.
‘We’re still not friends, Sky,’ she swivels on her heels, adding, ‘but you can wear the bracelet if you want,’ and disappears into the crowd.
It doesn’t bother me as much as I thought. I have made my choices, and I’m fine with them.
I look at Oliver and can’t believe how lucky I am. No matter what happens between us, I’m with him tonight and spending the summer hanging with Lucy, Bella and Chirp. It feels like a wonderful dream.
Chapter 26
Oliver and I walk outside and find a quiet spot away from the parent escorts.
‘Look at the sky,’ Oliver says.
We watch the fading summer light and the drifting clouds streaked with pastels. There’s a cool wind and I shiver a little in my dress. Oliver takes off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders just like a gentleman from an old movie.
‘Hold on,’ he says, reaching into his jacket pocket. ‘I found this for you.’
He takes out a little velvet bag. Inside is a small brooch, a panda.
‘Saw it at the little antique store, and you know …’ he smiles, suddenly shy.
‘It’s beautiful,’ I pin it on my dress. ‘Thank you.’
Our first kiss? Will it happen, can I do it, what if I’m terrible? I bite my lip. I’m starting to freak out. Seriously.
‘Want to see Chirp?’ I ask. ‘I mean, now that she’s relaxed and normal and not flying around like a crazy bird?’
Can’t believe I suggested something so stupid. Take your potential boyfriend on the most romantic night of the year to see a lame chicken. Great thinking, Sky.
‘I mean, it will be nice to take a walk. I think there’s a full moon tonight and we can see it better away from all the bright lights.’
‘Brilliant idea!’ Oliver laughs. ‘You’re a true romantic, Sky Lawson.’
I laugh, slightly hysterically, from relief.
‘But before I forget again,’ he adds. ‘I was late because I made Mum turn around to get this. Miss Higgins gave me a little sapling when I was packing up the workshop yesterday. She said it was yours. It’s here, thought you could take it back home with you tonight.’
I remember my first Landcare group when Miss Higgins suggested I plant a tree in memory of Mum. I had been angry at the time, but now everything is different.
I run inside to tell Lucy what we’re doing. She’s having a great time dancing with the Landcare boy. I text Paula and Dave too. How responsible am I?
Carrying my shoes I walk barefoot alongside Oliver, who’s holding the potted sapling. My feet are scratched but anything’s better than heels, kitten or not. Lucy’s place is only a twenty-minute walk and it’s a beautiful night.
‘So,’ Oliver starts, ‘how’s your last couple of months been?’
‘Oh, you know, the usual,’ I joke.
‘Really,’ he says. ‘I want to know.’
The darkness relaxes me and I find myself talking, telling him all about Paula getting pregnant, how at first I freaked, but now feel happy; about never knowing my father, and finally learning about him. I leave out the bit about Melody and Paula and the sleeping around, that’s probably way too much information.
Oliver’s a good listener and he tells me about his family too. His parents divorced a few years ago and he doesn’t see his dad much. His little sister still misses him so much that she cries in her sleep. It makes me think of how we all have our stories to tell, even someone as perfect and confident as Oliver. You never know what’s happened to someone until you ask. And even then, people are full of secrets.
‘My little sis,’ Oliver says, ‘is having a concert. It’s kind of a big deal for her; her ballet class has been practising for months and she basically lives in her tutu.’
‘You sound like an awesome big brother,’ I say.
‘She kinda idolises me,’ he says. ‘And with everything that’s happened, I don’t want to disappoint her. Do you want to come with me?’
‘I’d love to.’
Oliver takes my hand as we walk up a hill. We get to the top, overlooking the valley. It’s a beautiful spot and the moon is hanging over us like a lantern. Will he kiss me? I’m nervous. What if I wreck the moment again?
‘I want to kiss you,’ I should say, but instead, I ask, ‘do you mind if we plant the tree quickly? I know it’s not the perfect moment, we’re all dressed up, and it’s our gala, and …’ I take a breath and continue, ‘but the tree was meant to be for my mum, in memory of her, and I don’t know why, I just feel like it’s right to do it now.’
‘It is the perfect moment,’ Oliver hands me the pot. ‘I’ll dig a hole,’ he looks around for a stick and begins.
My dress gets filthy as we dig with sticks and, finally, our hands. I put the tree inside, patting down the fresh earth.
As I remove the
small plastic label attached to its thin trunk, I see it’s a scribbly-bark. Somehow, Miss Higgins guessed Mum’s favourite.
We stand up and admire our work.
‘Do you want to say something?’ Oliver asks, ‘In honour?’
‘I can’t think of the right words,’ I say.
Oliver puts his arm around me.
‘I didn’t know her,’ he says, ‘but I could try?’
‘Okay,’ I say.
‘Umm, let me think,’ he pauses, ‘I don’t know. Maybe it’s not a good idea.’
‘No, it is. Say whatever, anything is good.’
Oliver stands quietly, thinking.
‘This tree,’ he touches a leaf, ‘is for Sky’s mum. She was loved greatly. And will be missed terribly. And tonight I honour her for raising a brave daughter who spoke up for the voiceless. And also happens to have two different coloured eyes which is pretty damn awesome.’ I look at him, and his expression is totally genuine. He finishes, ‘Well done, Sky’s mum. Well done.’
‘Thanks,’ I croak and turn to hug him, wiping a tear from my cheek.
I clear my throat and look around and make a mental note of our location so I can return with Bella. I’ll come often. I’ll watch this tree grow and I will remember, always.
‘I was thinking of getting a tattoo,’ I say. ‘But maybe this tree is better. A mark on the earth, rather than my body, that will be here forever.’
‘Trees give oxygen, and food and shelter to wildlife,’ he adds. ‘That’s pretty special.’
‘Mum would like this tree, this place,’ I touch my stomach and it seems to agree.
We finally get to Lucy’s house and open the side gate. Mark’s turned on the porch lights so the garden’s lit up. Chirp is surprised to hear my whistle and is all warm and cuddly when I pick her up.
‘Can I?’ Oliver asks.
‘Of course,’ I say. ‘Chirp, I’d like to introduce you to Oliver, and Oliver, this is Miss Chirp.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ Oliver says, proving himself a natural with Chirp. The three of us sit by the bottle-brush tree in the shadows at the back of the garden, talking softly. I take my hair out, put the flower behind my ear like a Hawaiian princess, and don’t think twice about the frizz.
Our conversation slowly fades, but it’s not awkward. Instead of speaking, we stroke Chirp.
Soon our hands touch again and Oliver leans in close. I’m not scared anymore.
I forget everything as I feel his lips. They’re exactly like I’d imagined. I want to run my hand through his shaggy hair, touch the freckle by his left eye, and feel his smooth skin. But I don’t have the guts to. Yet.
Instead, I rest my head on his shoulder and soon Chirp falls asleep.
‘I think this is going to be a great summer,’ Oliver says, kissing me again.
‘Me too,’ I put my arms around his neck, draw myself closer and kiss him back. Again and again, we kiss. Hours pass, or maybe minutes. We’re folded into each other’s arms.
Time, space, nothing has meaning anymore, there’s only us.
Epilogue
‘Are you sure you can’t come over for dinner, Sky?’ Oliver’s mum, Diana, asks as we pull up at my house.
Oliver is driving as Diana offers occasional tips and directions from the passenger seat. Oliver’s five-year-old sister, Sabine, sits next to me in the back. She’s beyond adorable with a fairy-floss pink tutu and braided golden hair woven with ribbons.
‘Wish I could,’ I pout, ‘but Paula’s been cooking all afternoon and she’d be devastated if I wasn’t home to tell her how amazing the food is.’
‘What’s she making? Is she using the organic coconut cream she bought at my store last week? She’s got about a dozen cans!’
‘Probably, she’s been putting it in pretty much everything since she gave up chicken and started reading that superfood blog. Coconut tofu curry. Coconut black bean noodles. Coconut ice cream. I have coconuts coming out of my ears.’
Diana laughs. ‘It’s just a stage. She’ll expand her vegan repertoire soon.’
‘And I’m starting to help with the cooking too,’ I say. ‘Thanks again for the recipe book you lent me.’
‘Keep it. I’ve got loads more.’
‘Thanks for the lift, too,’ I say.
‘It was all Oliver’s expert driving, he’s not too bad is he, for just a few weeks of lessons? Who’s a good boy?’ Diana ruffles his hair.
‘Mum, stop it!’ Oliver smiles at me, embarrassed.
‘Sabine,’ I say, ‘you were awesome at the concert, the best.’
‘No, I wasn’t!’ she protests, trying to hide her smile. ‘Really?’
‘You were! You’re definitely going to be a professional ballet dancer.’ I open the car door.
‘Oh, and Sky, I’ll email you the pictures,’ Diana says. ‘That one of you and Oliver holding Sabine on your shoulders is going to be a beauty. So glad I brought my proper camera, phone pics just don’t cut it.’
‘Can’t wait to see,’ I walk around the front of the car to Oliver’s side.
‘Speak later,’ I lean through the car window. Our lips meet for just a second, but it’s goosebumps, as always. If I could kiss him all day, every day, sign me up. But unfortunately, he’s helping in his mum’s shop during the school holidays and 24/7 kissing isn’t in his job description. Luckily, we are still getting a lot of practice since we first kissed four weeks ago after the gala.
I open the front door feeling happy. Bella greets me with her usual jump and lick, her tail wagging furiously. Who would have thought a few months ago that I’d be where I am today? With a boyfriend who’s the cutest guy in my class, no, in the school, actually, the world. And that I’d love his family and they’d love me. And I’d have an awesome BFF in Lucy and feel totally at home with Paula and Dave, knowing they have my back, always.
The last month has been great. Every Friday Bella and I walk to the scribbly bark sapling I planted in memory of Mum, touching its soft green new shoots. Chirp’s defied all expectation and seems happy again. Lucy, Oliver and I get to hang out with her heaps, taking turns to sit her on our laps and stroke her feathers. She is still on a serious diet so there are no more high-calorie snacks. And I’m about to start helping Dave on a landscaping job – it’s not big bucks but I’ll earn a little extra money to have some fun with during the holidays. I’m going to have that manicure I’d missed out on and shout Lucy one, too.
‘Hi Paula, I’m home,’ I call out. I put my bag at the entrance, expecting to be hit by a waft of coconut from the kitchen.
‘I’m in here.’
I follow her voice towards the kitchen, Bella at my heels.
Paula is sitting at the kitchen table and the first thing I see is her worried expression, which makes me panic for a second. But then a wave of long red hair fills my vision as Melody jumps from her seat and runs towards me.
‘Sky! Oh, Sky!’ She wraps her arms around me.
Lots of feelings compete for attention as Melody squeezes me hard. I’m glad to see her, but … There are a thousand buts.
She pulls away and holds me at arm’s length, staring into my eyes. ‘How are you? You look awesome. I want to hear everything that’s happened in the last few months, every detail, don’t leave a single thing out.’
‘That will be hard,’ I say coolly, ‘a lot’s happened.’
‘I know, I missed everything! Why do you look so shocked? I messaged you I was coming.’
‘Yeah, you did, I just didn’t believe it because you’ve promised, like, a million times already. Where have you been?’
Melody takes my hands, clasping them in hers. ‘I needed to process, grieve and work through all my emotions. It was important for me to just be, not do. To be completely present to myself, you know? Look inside and not turn away from any of the pain.’ Her voice is as sweet as honey and it is making me sick.
I let go of her hands. ‘I’m glad you’re enlightened and all that, but did you forget I was
in pain, too, and it may have been a tiny bit helpful to have you around, or at least call me occasionally? Like, my entire world exploded and to add to that moving to some random country town, no offence.’ I smile weakly at Paula. ‘And starting a new school. Plus, a whole lot of other really hard stuff. Maybe you could have remembered that for a second while you were levitating and chanting in your commune or wherever. Or did the incense make you high?’ My cheeks are hot.
‘Oh, love, I’m hearing hurt in your voice,’ Melody says gently, tucking a loose wisp of hair behind my ear as she always used to. Ages ago it used to soothe me, but now it’s doing the opposite.
‘Your hearing is remarkable,’ I say pulling away. ‘I’m actually super pissed off – and not only about that.’
I walk past her, turning my back as I put on the kettle.
‘Okay, girls,’ Paula says. ‘Sky. Let’s all sit down together. Come to the lounge room and I’ll make the tea. Your usual, sweetie?’
‘Thanks, Paula,’ I say, happy that she is there to break the tension. I leave the kettle to plonk myself on the couch in the lounge. Every bit of happiness I felt minutes ago has been replaced with resentment and anger.
Melody joins me on the couch, folding her legs into a cross-legged yoga pose. Can’t she sit like a normal human being?
‘Your mum’s bracelets,’ she touches my wrist.
‘Yep, I found them, and discovered a whole lot more, too.’
Paula calls from the kitchen. ‘Hold on, I’m coming now.’ We wait as Paula sits herself down in the armchair next to me. Bella’s on my feet as usual.
‘Melody has something to tell you,’ Paula says.
‘What’s it about … my father?’ I ask.
‘Did you tell her already?’ Melody looks at Paula accusingly.
‘No; she just got here, how could I?’ Paula says.
‘What are you talking about? I know what you did, Melody, I know you slept with him.’ My voice is sharp.
‘Oh, that, Paula told me she told you. I did want to talk about that too but …’
‘That? Hello? Who does that to their best friend?’ My voice has become louder. ‘You lied to Mum for years.’
Sky Page 17
