UnEnchanted

by Hahn, Chanda

  Jared knew time was running short. The pack was gathering.

  Chapter 21

  Jared made himself scarce. He didn’t attend classes the rest of the week. It was as if he too, could feel what was coming. When Mina did see him, he always seemed to be walking a fine line between barely controlling his anger and being completely aloof.

  Surprisingly he appeared Thursday during lunch. He slid onto the bench next to Nan, ignoring Mina as he asked her best friend Nan Taylor to the dance.

  Mina waited for him to look at her, to glance her way, acknowledge her with a self-satisfied smirk or even a frown. She needed confirmation from Jared that she wasn't in this alone, that he had her back or was there to help her. She waited for Jared to bait her with a snide comment or joke. He didn't.

  When Nan accepted his offer to go to the dance, Jared squeezed her hand and told her he would call her. He exited the table as silently as he appeared, without a backward glance at Mina.

  Mina was crushed. She felt utterly lost and a sense of foreboding hopelessness consumed her. Without Jared's help Mina knew she couldn't finish the tale. Brody's weight on the bench snapped Mina out of her depression.

  “What's going on?” he asked Nan.

  Nan positively glowed with excitement and told Brody about her date. Brody's smile turned into a frown as Nan spent the rest of her lunch hour talking about dress ideas and costumes.

  Chapter 22

  When Mina told her mother about the dance theme, Sara wisely didn’t say anything but gave her daughter a wary look. She had even helped pick out Mina’s costume. The costume shop was dimly lit, cramped and smelled like a cross between a school locker room and sterilizer.

  “It smells like old people.” she whispered to her mom, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

  Sara tried not to laugh. “It’s the moth balls honey. There are a lot of old clothes here. They are vintage after all.”

  Mina did her best to put on a smile. To Sara, vintage means cheaper than the mall and one step up from a thrift store. Mina tried to look enthusiastic when a sales lady greeted them. She hoped the dresses didn’t smell like the store, but with her luck they probably would. But her mom was a queen at cleaning, so hopefully she would be able to air it out.

  Just for fun, Mina had tried on various renaissance gowns and princess costumes, probably castoffs from a school play or theater, but every costume had the same problem: it didn’t fit with what the Story wanted. It seemed as if the Story was controlling even Mina's dance attire. Every dress had a fault or wouldn't fit.

  “This would be a great Cinderella gown.” Sara grunted as she pulled and fumbled with zipper. “It must be caught on something.” Sara tried and tried but could not get the zipper to cooperate. Even when Mina explained that the Story wouldn’t let her go as another character other than Red Riding Hood, Sara seemed determined to try and change the story’s mind.

  “Try this one instead.” Sara held up a sapphire blue dress with delicate long sleeve. “You could be sleeping beauty. That tale doesn’t have any wolves.” She smiled hopefully but Mina detected the stress that was ticking under her mother’s left eye. When the dress refused to budge and zip up, Sara was awash in tears of frustration. A store seamstress, Molly, came over and tried to help, but neither one could get the zipper to work.

  “That is so strange.” The seamstress commented wryly. She fumbled with the zipper and could find no cloth or string hindering the teeth. She tried a different dress and tested the zipper before asking Mina to step into it. “Let’s try a larger dress.”

  Mina rolled her eyes and stepped into the next size up and blew her bangs out of her eyes. She was exhausted from trying on dresses. Yes, she did have her heart set on the blue Cinderella gown but she knew better than to get her hopes up.

  “It’s stuck!” Molly gasped out. She tugged and tugged on the zipper that had worked perfectly only minutes ago. “I don’t know what to tell you. I was sure that it would work.” She was flustered and didn’t know how to appease Sara who was by now moved to tears of frustration.

  “Oh, my poor girl!” Sara cried and blew her nose on a tissue from her purse. She knew what the signs meant as well as Mina. Sara wept because she didn’t want her daughter to have to face a wolf anymore then Mina did.

  Mina was never the kind of girl to enjoy dress shopping, or shopping in general which was why she usually let her mother pick out her clothes, but this was getting ridiculous. Mina scanned the rack of dresses and her eye stopped on a deep red one.

  “That one.” Mina pointed to the rack and Molly jumped up and pushed the dresses to the side and pulled out a beautiful red dress that flowed out in billows from the petite corseted waste. Most of the fabric was gathered and pleated down the back in a late Victorian style. The corset was a deep red and made from many different fabrics that sparkled and twinkled with the lights.

  The dress was gorgeous and took Mina’s breath away. This is the one she would have chosen, if it hadn’t been red.

  “I didn’t even know we had this one,” the seamstress gushed over the dress and looked at Mina’s petite figure skeptically. “It looks like it’s too small.”

  “It will fit.” Mina knew it would deep down. She knew that this was the dress she was supposed to wear.

  Sara helped Mina into the dress and her hands shook as she went to try the zipper. “I can’t.” Sara backed away from the dress to sit on a small pink padded stool by the mirror. She held her hand to her mouth fearfully.

  Molly stepped forward and pulled the zipper up with ease and hooked the top eyelet. “Well, I’ll be. I would have thought it was two sizes too small but it fits you like it was made for you.”

  Mina’s eye went wide when she saw her reflection. Molly began cinching the back of the corset and tugging the ribbons and arraying them. Mina had to actually pinch herself, to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

  She looked different: older, more mature, and beautiful. She couldn’t remember ever looking this stunning in her whole life. Her dark brown hair flowed down her back and was lost among the ribbons of the corset. Her eyes looked huge and her lips looked red and full. Her nose that she always thought was too small for her face looked straight and perfect. She gave the sleeve a cursory sniff and sighed in relief when it smelled like cinnamon and honey instead of mothballs.

  Molly stood back to admire Mina. “Wow, you look like something out of a fairy tale.”

  Sara cried harder.

  Mina spun around and looked at the dress from every angle in the multiple mirrors. It was better than any princess dress she had tried on so far. The only worry that Mina had was the layers and layers of material in the back. It would make it very difficult to run in, if it came down to that.

  “We’ll take it,” Mina told the girl, not even bothering to ask what the price was. If the Story wanted her to wear the dress then the Story better provide the money for it.

  It seemed to want Mina to own it because Molly had to check twice on the price of the tag, it was so low. “I can’t believe it, I didn’t know we sold any dresses for that price but I’ve checked with the manager. It seems you have yourself a dress.” She clapped and presses her hands together in excitement.

  Mina was about to get down off of the dress platform when Molly held up something that had been hidden by the folds of Mina’s dress. “Oh look, it comes with a cape and hood.”

  Of course it would, Mina thought dryly.

  Chapter 23

  Mina couldn’t stop pacing in the small carpeted living room, waiting for Brody to pick her up. Charlie sat in the window seat, nose pressed firmly to the glass, fogging it up with every breath he took. He was more excited than his sister.

  Sara had been unusually quiet and had become more withdrawn as the time of the dance drew nearer. She did her motherly duty and helped her daughter do her hair. She made all the appropriate comments and oohed and aahed when necessary, but nothing could get her excited about this evening knowing that the tale was
heading toward its final climax.

  This was one of the tales that had secretly haunted Sara as a child. When her grandmother had read the story to her when she was eight, she woke up with nightmares about a wolf attacking her in her bed. She feared that a wolf was after her grandma.

  When she had married James and learned of the curse, Sara had been truly devastated, for her biggest fear was that specific tale coming to life. And now here she was, sixteen years later on the day of her daughter’s birthday, her fear finally coming to life.

  Mina looked over at her mother and could see how tense she was. The morning had started out peaceful enough. Sara had made Mina a two-tiered white frosted birthday cake with light pink flowers. Inside was her favorite strawberry cream cheese filling. Of course, the party wouldn’t be complete without including her best friend and the Wongs. The Wongs had decorated a section of their restaurant with bright pink and blue streamers, something that looked like it was left over from a baby shower.

  The Wongs sang Mina "Happy Birthday" off key, while Nan and Charlie made faces during the whole song. Nan went so far as to even add the verses "you look like a monkey and smell like one too." She knew any eight year old boy would, and just because Charlie didn’t talk, didn’t mean he didn’t think like any normal eight year old.

  Charlie looked at Nan and was smitten. From that moment on, Mina knew Nan had won Charlie over. The boy had the biggest kid crush on her best friend.

  The Wongs gave Mina her birthday gift in a Chinese takeout box, which included a gift card to the mall. Nan’s gift was a new pair of cute black flats that she promptly asked to borrow next week after Mina had worn them. Charlie had given her a new stationary set and journal, which was a very thoughtful gift for a boy.

  Mina was surprised when the restaurant door opened and Brody walked in. She thought he was going to wait and give her his present later that evening. Mina’s hand went to her hair in distress. She was wearing plaid pajama bottoms an overlarge red sweatshirt and her hair was in a sloppy ponytail. She wasn’t expecting anyone other than family.

  Brody looked handsome as ever with a white button-up shirt, dark distressed jeans, probably his family’s own label, and black shoes. His hair touched the collar of his shirt and it looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days. But the whole look was very pleasing to the eye. Mina immediately stepped behind Nan to hide her pajama shorts.

  “Hey,” Mina called out, embarrassed.

  “Hey you.” Brody smiled at her awkwardness and Mina immediately felt like an idiot. She knew that Brody didn’t really care what she wore.

  She stepped closer and whispered, “What are you doing here? I didn’t think you...” She didn’t get to finish.

  “Well I heard a rumor that you were having a birthday party this morning. I wonder why you would fail to mention that detail to me.” Brody looked past Mina to Nan.

  Mina spun to look at Nan and glared at her. “Oh, I see, let me clarify. I bet a little birdy tweeted you the exact location and time of my birthday party.” Nan whistled and found one of the red and gold paper lanterns in the restaurant particularly interesting.

  Brody turned to Mina and handed her a beautifully wrapped present. The paper was pristine white and a simple red velvet ribbon accented the box. Mina’s fingers shook as she pulled the ribbon and opened the lid to reveal a red LG phone.

  “What? Brody, we can’t afford this?” Mina panicked and looked at her mother in surprise. Cell phone plans alone tended to be expensive and now you needed data and texting plans. “I can’t accept it.” She handed the box back to Brody who held up his hands and backed away.

  “Can’t return it. Besides it’s been added to our plan with how many phones we have, it wasn’t anything for our family to add one more.” Brody had tried to make Mina feel less guilty but it was doing the opposite. She was feeling worse.

  Mina looked toward her mother for help. Sara stepped forward. “Brody it’s a wonderful gift but I don’t know if I feel comfortable with your family paying for a cell phone for my daughter. Maybe next year we can afford one but not right now.”

  “I understand Sara, and I wouldn’t normally offer this kind of gift, but I felt that you would understand the necessity of Mina being able to call us in case of an emergency. If she was ever in trouble or needed help, I would feel much safer if she had a cell phone to call for help. For my own peace of mind, and so I can sleep at night, I hope that you will let her keep the gift.” Brody was smooth and had almost won Sara over. She was about to counter again but he was too quick. “And by next year if you want to take over the plan we can arrange it.”

  Sara seemed relieved and nodded her head in agreement. Mina felt a hint of panic and turned to Brody, worry etched in her face. “But what if we should…or you decide that you no longer…” Mina couldn’t even speak it. What if they broke up, would he take the phone away?

  “It doesn’t matter, my offer still stands. Besides, I’ve already programed my cell number, your mother’s, and the fire department. I think you’re covered.” He took the red phone out of the box and handed it to Mina.

  The phone felt light and delicate. Mina knew for sure that she was destined to drop it and break it into a thousand little pieces. How could she possibly not lose the device, unless she stapled it to her forehead?

  “Well you seem to have missed one VERY important number.” Nan stepped forward and took the phone from Mina. “What? You programmed your number as 2. We will have to change that. After the emergency department should definitely be her BEST FRIEND.” Nan held the phone away from Brody as he tried to snatch it back from her. They both then visibly and audibly argued over who’s number should be 2 on the speed dial.

  “Too late, mine's already there. You will have to take 4.”

  “As if! You take 4. You’ve only known Mina a few weeks. I’ve been her best friend for two years, see…2. I should be 2.”

  Mina looked at her mom and saw a slight grin. Maybe, just maybe everything would turn out alright.

  Brody left shortly after he arm wrestled Nan and won, for the right to be the number 2 spot on her speed dial. By winning, he conceded to give Nan and Jared a ride to the dance as well, as a consolation prize. Brody gave Mina a small peck on the lips, whispered Happy Birthday to her and told her he would see her soon. That was eight hours ago.

  Now Mina had only been wearing heels for an hour and already she was ready to kick them off and go in her bare feet. She could never understand women’s obsession with them. Sure they may make you look taller and thighs slimmer but was it worth it to have to limp around the whole night from blisters? Mina didn’t think so.

  Just as she was about to find a pair of flip flops from her closet, Charlie started knocking on the glass and waving. Mina looked down into the street and was surprised to see a stretch SUV limo and a familiar blonde head poking out of the sun roof top. Nan was waving and the dark head of Jared appeared next to her, looking somber as ever.

  From the angle of the window, Mina saw a limo door open and close and knew that Brody was on his way up the stairs.

  “Mom! How do I look?” Mina called out in a last minute effort to fix any stray curls that had come lose from their bobby pins.

  “You look beautiful,” Sara came over and gave her daughter a kiss on her cheek. “Please Mina, be careful tonight.”

  “I will.” Mina knew her mother was worried and she was herself. That’s why Mina was grateful that the Grimoire was so slim because she was able to tuck it between her body and the corset. It was cinched in tight that no one would discern the outline and she would never be without help if needed. She had whispered and coaxed the book into an even smaller slimmer form with no spiral to fit in her bodice. A knock came at the door and Charlie ran to open it. His mouth dropped in shock and he backed away pulling the door open so Brody could step through. Mina froze mid-step as his tall form entered the kitchen. Brody looked deadly. He wore leather bracers, leather vest and brown pants tucked into tall le
ather boots. Strapped to his chest was a belt of knives and on his back an actual bow and arrow. Brody was literally armed to the teeth and he looked hot.

  Brody stumbled when he caught sight of Mina in her red dress. He couldn’t believe she was able to find something that covered so much but still looked sexy. He felt his heart skip a beat and his mouth go dry. Never again would he be able to look at another girl the same. He had thought her beautiful before, but now that word seemed boring and watered down in comparison to the vision she was at this moment. He was going to have a problem keeping the other guys from her, he was just lucky that Mina didn’t see how special and beautiful she really was.

  “Are they real?” Mina asked reaching out to touch the daggers in the bandolier and was a little disappointed when they bent easily.

  “No, I wouldn't be able to get real ones past security,” he chuckled.

  Mina felt another familiar tingling sensation that spread throughout her body letting her know that tonight was definitely going to be a storybook ending one way or another.

  When Brody and Mina were on the landing and had shut the door, he stopped to admire her.

  “Why did you stop?” She was holding onto Brody’s arm and her other was gripping layers of her dress so she wouldn’t trip going down the stairs.

  “I wanted a moment with you alone.”

  “Is something wrong?” she asked. Worried that he knew something was coming as much as she did.

  Brody reached up and caressed her face. “No, nothing’s wrong, everything is perfect. But with the way Nan talks, this may be our only quiet moment together the rest of the night. Even if we have to suffer Jared’s presence.”