Shades of Pink

by 33 authors

  So who? No signature had been left. Was it the man that had appeared outside the house on my way home? Feeling unsure of what to expect next I grabbed the conveniently nearby vase from the corner of my dresser. Better safe than sorry I figured.

  Next I grabbed a set of towels and rushed towards the bathroom, turning every light on as I strolled down the hall. If anyone else was here with me, I was sure to see him or her before being caught by complete surprise. Turning the bathroom light on, I pushed the door shut behind me and turned the lock. Just in case…

  I pulled the shower curtain lightly and started the water. As the water began to steam I pulled my clothes off and continued pondering the possibilities on my surprise this early morning. Perhaps Alex had sent someone over. Who else could leave such a touching note, talking about being far apart and yet close at heart? Distance had never been an issue for one another, just a complication we managed to get past until the end of Alex’s commitment to the Marines.

  But Alex knew very few people and wouldn’t dare ask someone to endanger themselves by sneaking into my bedroom. Would he? Shoving the thoughts aside I climbed out of the soothing water reluctantly and pulled a pink towel around my body. Slight goose bumps appeared as the cooling air fell upon my skin.

  As I dried my hair with the other towel I opened the door to the bathroom and outside the door sat a new pink, silk pajama set. Another note sat on top. “Who’s out there?” I called out frantically. A breeze suddenly pushed in, pulling my attention to the newly opened window. I could hear scuffling on top of the roof.

  Stepping over the pajama set I ran towards the open window, ignoring the wet hair slapping my neck and cheek. I slammed the window shut and locked it like I had done for my bedroom window. I continued running, trying my best to avoid the slip and slide I was creating from my wet footprints. As I ran past each window I ensured each one was locked, and that I was all alone.

  Whoever was here was scaring me, but I didn’t feel threatened. Now that he or she was out of the house I felt even more relieved, and didn’t see the urge to wake the neighbors. Calling the police was not an option either. Not with having left my cell phone at the club.

  Grabbing the new pajama set and note I headed towards my bed. Don’t get me wrong, I fumed that someone had been in my house and was briefly scaring the crap out of me. But that didn’t stop me from feeling like a school girl finding a note in her locker from the boy she had been crushing on for the longest time. I unfolded the second note and began reading what it read.

  It may start a bad day that I can try to pass over,

  And I dread as each second passes in the past.

  Feeling lost to the world I don’t know where to turn,

  Until there is misery that can no longer last.

  When there’s no light to be seen as the day goes on,

  And hope appears to be lost and always will be.

  I’ll change my mind set to thoughts of you,

  Imagining you are there with me.

  Desiring for your love to be there inside,

  Immediately my day changes for the better.

  Even when you aren’t there you are in my heart,

  As I read over every single bit of love in each letter.

  A bad day it may have started once as,

  With you it always changes with good ways.

  It may start a bad day…

  With you they turn to lovely days.

  Again I caught myself playing my hands along the now two gifts I had received: a pink bouquet of beautiful flowers and a pink pajama set. I gathered the flowers up and placed them in the vase I held threateningly earlier. After brushing my hair and filling the vase with water I picked up the silk pajama set that were so graciously left for me.

  Although the pajamas were from a mystery visit, and it was awkward to wear clothes from someone I didn’t know, I had to admit they were super comfy from the touch. Yanking my thoughts back to reality I set the pajamas next to the flowers in the vase and dressed myself in my normal bedroom attire, a blue and pink tank top with matching shorts. I turned the ceiling fan on, doubting that opening my window would be a wise idea after the strange visitor. Pulling the cool sheets over my body I fell into a deep sleep as I thought to myself about who left the gifts for me and the poems of such deep confession. The whole time I also worried that Alex may be jealous over such an event having taken place.

  My eyes opened, slowly adjusting to the bright sunlight beaming through the small crack between the curtains. I glanced over at the clock to see that it was nearly eleven a.m. already. The club would be opening shortly, making it possible to obtain my cell phone back.

  Pulling the covers away I slowly stood up and stretched outwards towards the ceiling. I saw the flowers and was instantly reminded of the mischievous events. After dressing quickly into a short blue skort and white tank top I headed downstairs towards the kitchen while brushing through my tangled hair. As I grabbed a blueberry muffin I headed outdoors to be on my way to the club.

  As I jogged towards the club I stayed focused on the path, ensuring no one was stalking me in the background. I didn’t dare chance anything knowing that someone was interested in a romantic encounter with me, especially with me being unsure. I walked through the opened door to the club and walked up to the bartender, the nearest associate.

  “Hi… I left my cell phone here last night. Who should I speak to about possibly finding it?”

  The bartender reached under the counter and pulled out a basket of items. “Is this it?” he asked as he pulled out a cell phone wrapped in a blue and pink case.

  “Yes!” I squealed excitedly. “Yes, yes it is. Thank you.”

  “We were going to try to find out whom it belonged to, but the battery had died. Sorry about that.”

  “No problem at all! Glad it was found. Thanks for your help Adam.” I informed as I read the nametag off his right shirt pocket.

  “Glad to help.” Adam replied back. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  Shaking my head I answered, “Nope, that’s it. See you again sometime.” As I turned to leave Adam waved a hand goodbye and I returned the polite gesture before heading back home.

  Approaching the house I opened up the mailbox and pulled out a few envelopes. Bill, bill, bill… I thought to myself as I shifted through. But one was addressed with just Savannah. No return address, no stamp… This had definitely not been sent through the post office. Someone had to have set it in there. I set the other envelopes on the counter and opened up the envelope addressed directly to me. Opening up the envelope I began to read what was handwritten.

  Savannah,

  You weren’t home when I stopped by. There was no answer to your cell either. Call me when you get this… I want to talk about last night.

  735-4123

  I recognized the number, but was unsure of whose exactly it was. After plugging in my phone I scrolled down through the contacts and found the number. It was Jess’s number, the neighbor. Jess had feelings for me? Confusion hit me as I pondered the thought of a relationship between the two of us. It just didn’t feel right thinking about being with Jess when Alex was away from home.

  The voicemail button lit up, making my phone chime twice. Plugging in the passcode information I awaited the message to load. It was Alex…

  “Hey honey, give me a call when you get the chance. I will only be available this evening since we are being relocated in the morning. I want to talk to you about a few things before I leave. I love you sweetheart and hope to talk to you soon.”

  As if my mind wasn’t clouded enough with confusion from Jess, now I was receiving voice calls from Alex. Ugh! I wanted to call Alex, and let him know what was going on, but I knew he wouldn’t be able to answer while being deported to his new location. Might as well call Jess and set things straight. Easier said than done…

  Picking up the phone I scrolled through my contact list once more and hit the call button. It was ringing… “Hello?”


  “Hey Jess, it’s Savannah. I received your letter. What’d you want to talk about?”

  “Can we talk in person?”

  “I really don’t think that’s a good idea Jess… I have a boyfriend. Alex, remember?”

  There was a slight pause at the other end. “Yeah, I know you do. And I’m sorry if I scared you last night-”

  “You really shouldn’t have done that Jess. You scared the crap out of me. And I would have called the police had I not left my phone at the club. You need to let this go Jess.” I needed to stay strong. If I was going to be with Alex I needed to be devoted, and giving mixed signals to Jess sure wasn’t going to help.

  “I know, I know… Just give me five minutes of your time and I will let it go. Just hear me out first.”

  Reluctantly I agreed. “Five minutes. That’s it.”

  “Great. Meet me at the park in ten minutes?”

  “Yeah. That’ll work.” A public place sounded better than meeting here or at his place. It also made me feel less guilty that something could technically happen between the two of us. In public there would be an audience, and less pressure from being alone with one another.

  “Ok. See you there.” Jess hung up on the other end without another word. I unplugged my barely charged phone and began to head my way to the park two blocks down.

  I stood by the entrance waiting for Jess to show. A few minutes later my well-formed, shirtless neighbor appeared with his hair pulled back from his navy colored headband. “Thanks for meeting me.”

  “Yeah.” I replied quietly, taking in the view silently to myself. “What’d you want to talk about?”

  “I didn’t. It’s what he wanted to talk about.” Jess replied as he gestured towards someone behind me.

  I turned around, confused as I glanced around trying to find out who Jess was talking about. And then I saw him. Alex.

  He began walking towards me in his uniform, a single pink rose similar to the one I obtained last night in his hand. “What are you doing here?” I asked as I wrapped my arms around him.

  “I’m home. I was relocated to the base over here. Just got here earlier this afternoon.”

  I kissed him passionately, pulling his lips upon mine. “Well, welcome home.” I answered with a smile.

  I then turned to Jess, and said, “Jess… I know you meant no harm by those gifts you gave me last night, and I appreciate your affection, but I am with Alex.”

  Jess laughed quietly to himself. Before he could respond Alex jumped in. “Jess, thank you for delivering those kind gifts to my sweetheart last night. I would have loved to have delivered them myself, but unfortunately my flight was postponed.”

  Turning sharply back to Alex I asked, “Those were from you?”

  “Of course. I wanted you to know our anniversary was to be special. I couldn’t wait until I got here to give you your gifts. I love you honey.”

  “I love you too…” I felt foolish inside thinking that Jess and I had an emotional connection, but loved that Alex would do so much to ensure I was happy. Even when he wasn’t here. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. “You’re here now though.” I added happily as I nestled my head into his chest.

  “Yes… Yes I am.” He pulled lightly away a few seconds later. “And this could wait until I was home.”

  “Savannah… Will you marry me?” Alex asked as he stooped down to one knee and opened up his hand. Inside the box lay a white gold ring, with a blue sapphire in the middle surrounded by tiny pink gems. My two favorite colors in the world…

  Speechless I jumped into his arms and we tumbled to the ground. “Of course… I love you Alex.” I wrapped my arms around him as he wrapped his own around mine. He placed the ring on my left hand as he nested his lips upon my awaiting lips, giving a vibrant kiss in return.

  ~~~

  Matthew Welch is a writer of Young Adult Novels. He has also written Searching High, and is in the works of two other stories currently. Matthew enjoys construction, reading, and of course writing. When not enjoying his hobbies, he is spending time with his very supportive wife and loving little ones.

  Matthew Welch's Novels

  PINK ROSE

  Perci T. Brooks

  Kyan was a popular High Schooler, the Queen of the School. Then everything changed once she learned she had breast cancer. Now, unsure and feeling different, she thinks love is just a song she’ll never sing. Until Pays Kwak confesses she has always been the Queen of his Heart.

  ~~~

  Kyan Overton looked at herself in the full length mirror that was across from her bed. She stared at the image hard and still couldn’t believe it. She had beaten it yes, but look at the cost.

  “Kyan.” Her mother called from the door just as she knocked.

  “Just a minute.” She grabbed her dark pink flannel robe and threw it on. “Come in, mother.”

  The older woman smiled. “Look at you. You’re looking so much better.” She set two pills beside the bed with a glass of apple juice. “So beautiful you are.”

  “How is that possible?” Kyan plopped down on the edge of her bed beside her nightstand, taking the pills with the amber looking liquid.

  Shirley looked at her youngest child. “Whatever do you mean, sweetheart?”

  Kyan’s eyes looked down at her chest. “I’m a freak, mom. How many women do you know who have only one boob?”

  The long haired woman sat beside her little girl placing an arm around her and pulling her close. “Sweetie. It had to be done and you know that.”

  She wiped some tears away. “I feel like I deserve it though.”

  “Why do you say that, Kyan?”

  “Because at school I’m popular and I would bully the other students around for years and now look at me?” she paused to hold back any sobs. “I’m hideous.”

  “Baby, listen. This didn’t happen because you deserve it. It happens to anyone. We tried chemo and it wasn’t working so we went the next step. There are other options for you. You can stuff your bra like others or get breast implants.” She rubbed her arm.

  “Aunty Sally had it and her boob didn’t have to be taken?” Then again the treatment worked for her. “I’m tired mom.”

  Letting go of her teenage daughter, Shirley kissed her forehead. “Get some rest. You go back to school soon.” She helped her into bed and brushed strands of brown back. “Remember you didn’t deserve this, but take this time to think about everything.”

  The young girl felt another kiss then heard the soft sound of her bedroom door closing.

  * * *

  The following day, Kyan sat at her desk chair in front of her mirror as her older sister stood behind her. Both of them listening to the TV for noise and she stared hard at her now oddly formed chest. Tomorrow she would go back to school and wouldn’t be the same popular girl everyone knew. She had a lot of time to think over the weeks since recovering from her surgery to have her left breast removed.

  “All done, sister love.” Jani stepped back. “Thank you for letting me do your hair.”

  “You’re welcome.” She sighed.

  Jani squatted down in front of her and took her younger sibling’s hands. “Hey, listen. Mom told me you’re having trouble with this and well, I’m here for you, Kyan. Remember that. Okay?”

  Tears stung her eyes as she locked eyes with her sister. “Yeah.” She nodded.

  “That color needs to stay on for at least twenty-five minutes. I’ll be back to check on it.” Jani gathered all the hair supplies and left the room.

  Jani was a popular hairstylist in Anaheim, who owned her own salon. Everyone loved her place of work and Kyan idolized her, wishing she had Jani’s self-confidence. No matter what the family has told her, she thought the other way.

  The girl found herself in front of her mirror again. Blue eyes staring at the color on top of her head and then they followed her reflection down to her chest. They lingered on her breasts or rather breast. She couldn’t stop staring as she placed her
own hands over her chest. It still felt weird to touch and the school knew she was coming back soon.

  This whole thing had changed her. She wasn’t the same high-schooler she once was. Kyan turned to the side, her left side now facing the full length mirror and saw the difference in her once again. How was anyone going to like her? Would they see her as a freak? Could she hide herself?

  All these and more questions ran through her mind and before she knew it there was a knock at her door and Jani peeked her head in and came into the room and stood behind her little sister.

  “Twenty-five minutes is up. Time to wash your hair.”

  Sighing, the girl left the mirror without a word and went into her bathroom. Jani just shook her head and left her sister alone. The family has done a lot to make Kyan feel better about herself, but apparently nothing was working. As she heard the shower turn on, Jani decided to leave. She knew her little sister didn’t like anyone sticking around.

  * * *

  Slender fingers went under the water and felt it warming up. It was nice to the touch and she loved her shower head. The water looked like a waterfall coming down. What bliss. Removing her robe, she set it aside and started removing her pajamas. Her eyes didn’t even look at the mirror. She dumped the clothes onto the floor and got inside the warmness of her shower. Placing her head under that water and shortly began watching what the hair dye had left behind. Watched as it went over her right breast and then saw it go down the smooth side where her left one had been.

  Once finished she wrapped all that long hair in a towel and dried off. After rubbing strawberry lotion into her skin, she slipped back into her robe. She was alone, which was nice. Grabbing her laptop, she sat on her bed, turned on the TV and signed into one of her instant messengers to see her bestie had left her something.

  Ana_knowz_you: Ky, you there?