Infatuation

Warner, Connecticut. Population of 80, 673. It’s a small town. But one morning, everything changed. Our town suddenly didn’t so small anymore. The adventure begins at the break of dawn, when two tiny fists were hammering at Alexandra Clearwater’s chest.

“Wake up, wake up, wake up!”

Alexandra groaned, shoving her little sister off the edge of the bed. She falls with a startled squeal and loud thud. Alexandra raises her head and instantly flinches, momentarily blinded by the sun. “What time is it?”

“It’s past ten,” Talia exclaims, bouncing to her feet. She wears a silly grin and intricate white dress. She’s too tired to ask about the dress. “Now WAKE UP already!!”

A hand is lazily waved in dismissal. “Fine. I’m already awake anyways, just get out.”

Her sister leaves with a skip in her step and her pigtails aloft. Despite what everyone thinks, Talia is more annoying than cute.

Alexandra crawls out of bed, nearly falling flat on her face. Ugh, she hates mornings. The splash of cold water certainly gave her a shock (once, you know, she managed to get her lazy ass out of bed). It is only then that she remembers one important detail; today is her eighteenth birthday.

As of today, Alexandra is officially an adult. She’s finally able to get her own place and – Oh man. She’ll be going to college in September. That’s only - what? One, maybe two weeks away?

For years she has dreamed of attending WCM, Warner College of Music. Delia Kingston herself graduated there! Delia is only the best violinist there is! WCM is where every renowned musician graduates.

Silent and light-footed, Alexandra trots downstairs. The scent of something sweet, maybe chocolate, wafts in the air... “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”

“Ah!!” She jumps ten feet in the air, crashing right into the wall. The photo frames rattle with the impact. “Geez, tone it down,” she mumbles, rubbing the back of her head.

Vulnerably lying on the dining table is a grand platter of chocolate crepes. The joyous bakers grin helplessly. Their happiness is contagious. She starts to smile herself.

“Happy birthday.” Alexandra doesn’t miss the catch in her father’s voice. “A breakfast fit for my little girl,” he says, pulling out a chair.

“I’m not a little girl anymore.” To your dismay, were the unspoken words.

As she ate, her father never moved from his spot. He watched her with a wistful expression. It was rather creepy to be honest. Although the delicacies should have been savored, Alexandra quickly tried to wrap it up.

He perked up the moment her dish were free of crumbs. Sort of like a statue coming to life. “Hurry up, now. We’re late!”

She blinks. “Wha - What?” She sputters, “We’re leaving? I just finished eating!” Then she notices his fine two piece suit. “Why are you all dressed up?”

“It’s a surprise.” He winked. “I left something upstairs in your wardrobe.”

Curiosity piqued, Alexandra runs upstairs and peers into the ornate wardrobe. Sure enough, there is a massive box wrapped in red ribbon. She wrenches off the lid and gasps, her hands gingerly reaching out to hold up the gorgeous dress.

It might as well have been spun from pure gold and sequined with glittering white stars. There were layers upon layers of smooth, silky cloth. Her family is certainly rich but this... This must have truly cost a fortune.

Alexandra made no haste to envelope herself in it. It hugs her curves as if made specially for her. Gazing into the mirror, she would have gasped if not so short of breathe already. Her long locks of curls appear darker if possible. The colors compliment her scrutinizing golden eyes.

She looked like a princess.

The theater is packed. Then again, it isn’t too big of a theater. It is, however, a fine place of impeccable character.

Pass the gleaming ticket window and cross the elegant foyer. Next enter the double doors on the right. Not the left, that would lead to a cross between the male and female washrooms, but to the right. If you had, you would have found the most stunning stage with thick, heavy curtains pulled apart. Rows upon rows of bloody red seats gather before the stage.

Are you intrigued? Wait until you hear the music.

Once every two weeks, an orchestra performs on this very stage. Although without their singer Cadence Grace, the symphony would be like any other. Cadence’s silvery voice reckons something remarkable. If Alexandra thought the dress was haunting, the performance was even more so. By the final note, hot tears were streaming down her face.

“Alexandra?” She whips her head to Talia. “Are you alright?”

She swallows, realizing the lights have turned on. Alexandra hastily wipes her wet cheeks for fear her father would notice. “I’m fine, it’s just - Well, you know how I am with music.”

Talia suffocates a laugh. It is ridiculous. Blushing madly, she exits into the foyer. Her steps falter nearby the concession stand.

“I’ll be but a minute,” she tells her father. He nods.

Alexandra really wants one of those strawberry cupcakes at the concession stand, they’re as big as her head! Fortunately nobody is in line. The cashier greets her with a bright smile and compliments on her dress.

“Thank you. It’s a birthday present. In fact, all of this -” She waves a hand. “Is a birthday present.”

“Oh, you must be wealthy then. The tickets alone cost a pretty penny.” Indeed. One ticket costs at least fifty dollars.

A girl little younger than Talia appears out of the blue, ogling at her dress with the widest eyes. The girl exclaims, “You look like a princess!”

The cashier chuckles. “This is my daughter, Holly.”

“She’s Anastasia, mamma!”

She furrows her brow, asking, “Who’s Anastasia?”

“Just a princess from a fairy tale. You look a lot like her in the books. Now, what would you like?”

Alexandra practiced her violin that evening. She poured all her soul into her music, the bow in her hand never ceasing to falter. She never even noticed the stone that struck her window. The second one, however, caught her attention.

Gingerly setting down her violin, she hurries to open the window. The brisk night air hits her like a slap to the face. Alexandra relishes in it, breathing in the fresh air. Then she notices the cute boy standing in her backyard. A smile instantly blooms. “Knock next time, would you?”

Nolan cups two hands around his mouth and shouts, “Nah, it’s alright. Come down here!”

Alexandra runs outside (through the front door, mind you) and it is only when she approaches Nolan that her dress is perceived. She hadn’t wanted to change earlier because of her love for the dress but now... When Nolan let out a low whistle, all she felt was embarrassment.

“Wow,” he murmurs.

“It’s a gift from my father,” she rambles, “It’s too much, isn’t it? I’m sorry, I forgot to take it off, I can go change now if you -”

“Don’t!” He clears his throat and edges forward, saying in a calmer manner, “Please don’t. You look...” His hungry gaze rakes over her willowy figure. “You look like a princess.”

And you’re my prince, Alexandra silently thinks. Although he appears far less groomed. His straight tawny hair is disheveled as if he just got out of bed. His clothes are terribly crumpled, a good ironing needed right away. Yet she still finds herself swooning. “Those exact same words were uttered by a little girl at the theater today.”

“Oh?” Nolan’s lips brushes her collarbone and trails up her neck. Alexandra bites back a moan.

“Uh-huh. But I would rather not be a princess,” she gasps out.

“Why not?” More kisses.

“I don’t like being pampered. I want to experience something...” She struggles to grasp the proper word. ”Mischievous."

He lets out a breathy chuckle, his warm breath making her shiver in the chilling cold. Then he raised his head and their faces were only inches apart. They were a torch against the darkness of the night, burning as bright as the sun itself. In that moment, all other matters of the world turned gray because all that mattered was them. Only them.

She isn’t sure how long they stood there, making love. Eons perhaps. At some point, Nolan pulled away and dragged her towards the edge of town. Alexandra giggled as she realized this was his plan all along. Her home isn’t too far from the border - if anything, she lives right next to it. Which means Deadman’s Woodland is only a few paces away.

As they move through the underbrush, she can’t help but wonder, “Why is it called Deadman’s Woodland?”

“Well,” Nolan says in a low dramatic voice, “Legend has it that a deranged man kidnapped all the people he loath most and hung them from trees.”

A shudder creeps up her spine. “How does that even work?”

“It doesn’t because it’s not true.” He pauses, noticing my discomfort. “Your Majesty, you need not worry. I would die protecting you.”

She slaps him, ducking under a tree branch. “Shut up and kiss me.”

So he did.