by Megan Rose
“I guess they do.” He hugged her and held her tight.
“But wait…how did you remember all of the facts?”
“Well, the first few I had to look up to make sure I remembered them correctly. Then I had started collecting the caps, and I was going to make you a book with all of them in it…then I thought of this.”
“And that would be why you put that Snapple cap in your pocket,” she said. “Very sneaky.” Lacey smiled and truly felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Meanwhile, Lana was standing out the window with a scowl on her face. “Oh, hold on,” she said to Mark. She walked inside the salon and over to Lana.
“Lana,” she said, “I want to end this war we have going on between us.” Lana just stared. “I ran into Billy Gibbs the other day.” Lana’s face changed from uninterested to suspicious. “He’s going to stop by here later today to take you on a date.” Lana started to smile but still looked suspicious. “Honestly, he can’t wait to see you.”
She squirmed a little bit, as if she wanted to say something mean but couldn’t bring herself to do it. “Thanks,” she said reluctantly. She looked around awkwardly and glanced down at Lacey’s hand. “Nice rock,” she said and slithered away, to the back of the salon.
Yes, Lacey had run into Billy Gibbs the other day. Turned out he was “flasher man.” He lived with his mom, owned a bike as his mode of transportation, and worked at a factory that manufactured cardboard boxes. Lacey wondered if Lana would still be interested.
Lacey called, “I’m taking the day off!” and ran outside to Mark. Mayra made her way down from the top of the store and they began their squealing.
“There’s one more thing,” said Mark.
“More?” Lacey gaped. “There can’t be more!”
“Come with me.” He held out his hand and she took it and followed him across the street to his store. They went inside and it looked like someone had ransacked the place. There were cardboard boxes everywhere and the shelves were mostly empty.
“Mark, what happened?” And then Lacey noticed a banner hanging in the back of the store that read Princess Lacey’s Palace. “What are you...?”
“You don’t have to name it that, of course,” he said. “Whatever you want. That’s just what I thought of.”
“Mark, what’s going on?”
“I’m giving you the store. Now you can open your own children’s salon, like you’ve always wanted. Host birthday parties, you know.”
“Mark, I can’t possibly take your whole store,” she said with a laugh. “That’s crazy! And what are you doing with all of your products?”
“Selling them all. That’s why a bunch of this stuff is packed up. I’ve started an online store. Once all this stuff gets out of here you can start your renovations.”
“Well, what do I have to pay you? I don’t have that much money.”
“You don’t have to pay me,” he said.
He was about to continue when Lacey said, “Yes I do! Just because I’m your fiancé,” she smiled at the word, “doesn’t mean you can just give me a store and pay for it all yourself. That’s not fair.”
“Lacey, my uncle gave me the store and the gym. I didn’t pay a penny for either. And he left me a good amount of money as well. How do you think I’ve been taking care of you and ignoring my business all this time?”
“Oh…” she said. “I guess I didn’t think of that. Well, are you sure I don’t have to pay you? I will. I just have to wait til I get some money first…”
“No, Lacey, of course not. I want you to be happy. And you’re not going to be happy over there with the Demon, and you’ve always dreamed of doing this. I want you to do it.”
Just then, Natalie came through the back door and ran over to Lacey, her arms outstretched.
“Lacey! I’m so happy for you guys! I’m so happy for us!” Even smiling, Natalie still looked sad. She had lost her husband and her best friend, and it wasn’t likely that she’d get over that any time soon. But Lacey was happy that she could help make Natalie’s life a little better by becoming partners and opening up the salon.
“Okay, let’s go celebrate with Princess at the park. I know you just announced you were taking the day off, but I cleared it with Lana first anyway, so don’t worry about work,” Mark said.
“You’re great, you know that?” Lacey said as they stepped outside.
“Yeah,” Mark said, jokingly. He put his arm around her and they strode down the street toward Lacey’s apartment, Natalie and Mayra in tow. Lacey wondered what Princess would think of their engagement. Her guess was that she would yip.
As Lacey strolled down the street with her new fiancé and her friends, she became aware that at this moment in time she wasn’t a bird or a walrus. For the first time in a long time, Lacey felt like herself. Lacey was just a person.
Epilogue
Dear Dean Cumberland,
I have recently discovered that a group of students have been seen providing alcohol to underage students. The group consists of Marty Beck, Kevin Holston, Claudia Raven, and Joe Mills. If you need proof of them selling alcohol to underage students, I have attached a page with screenshots of their Facebook profiles, in which they discuss how much they will charge and how they will use the money they make buying alcohol for other students.
Thank you for your disciplinary actions in advance,
A concerned student
About The Author
Megan Rose
Megan Rose is a first-time author who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 19-years-old. She spent four years couch-bound in her mom's house as she tried and adjusted many medications before she found a combination that worked for her. During her "couch period" she began writing as a way to pass the time and find joy in something. She decided to write what she knew.
Megan's hope in sharing this novel is to provide a positive and lighthearted read for people who have dealt with mental illness. She also hopes to show those who have no experience with mental illness that those suffering from mental disorders are dynamic, compassionate, complex people with real lives, real stories, and real relationships outside of their illness.