The Lavender Butterfly

Chapter 30

Another morning, another bright-eyed, cheerful Meredith. I’ve honestly never been a morning person. You’d think that Meredith’s lively and sparkling energy in the morning would incense me while I struggle to get out of bed in the morning, however I have always loved her optimistic outlook every morning. She’s so energetic and peculiar in the morning. It’s one of those quirks about her that has made me love her even more. Ever since I became a teenage girl, I’ve somehow embraced it even more. Now, instead of observing her getting ready in the morning, I’ve become an active participant in her quirky morning routine. Once again, we were dancing to the music playing from my Bluetooth speaker, singing into our hairbrushes and laughing as we got ready for the day. I had already started to get used to brushing my hair and doing my makeup. But then again, I learned from the best. Meredith and I both got dressed for the day and packed our luggage in preparation for our departure. “Let’s do a quick sleep through the room before we leave, and make sure we’re not leaving anything behind,” Meredith said, as she was shaking out the bedsheets. “I think we’ve got everything,” I replied. “Okay let’s head down to the lobby and check out!” Meredith said, as we began to wheel our luggage to the elevator. “What time does the shuttle pick us up?” I asked as we stepped into the elevator. “Next shuttle is scheduled to arrive at 10:30,” Meredith replied. I was suddenly overjoyed and excited at the prospect of going home. We’d been on vacation, but I was actually excited to go back to a new normal, as I can start my life as a new girl, living out the prime of my life. Above all, what I was looking forward to most was seeing Evan again. I’d grown to love him very much, and I longed to be near him. We were only apart for a day, but I was already missing him. Missing his smile, missing his embrace, missing his kiss, and missing the butterflies I felt while hearing his voice. I began to think about what we would do once I got back. “Hi, we’re checking out for the day,” Meredith said to the front desk clerk as she slid the room keys across the counter. “Okay, I’ll take care of that,” the clerk said as she took the key cards and began typing on her keyboard. “Meredith Parker,” she said quietly as she continued to type on the computer. “Meredith, I’d like to offer my condolences,” she replied. “Huh?” Meredith replied, as she momentarily forgot about the loss of Chris. “I saw the crews working out back last night, and I saw the story on the news last night. I….know it's not much, but we’d like to comp your room for your stay. It’s the least we can do for you,” the clerk said. I was shocked. Meredith’s face lit up with gratitude. “Oh, you didn’t have to,” Meredith said. “I really appreciate your kindness.” “Anything we can do to help,” the clerk said. “You’re all set,” the clerk continued. “Do take care, Meredith. We’ll be thinking of you!” she said to Meredith. “Thanks again!” Meredith said as we turned our luggage to the door. The automatic doors swung open as the shuttle was waiting for us outside. The driver opened the rear door and loaded up our luggage in the back of the van. We got in and buckled up, as the driver got back into the van and started to drive off.  “What do you plan to do when we get back?” Meredith said to me. “I don’t know, I guess I haven’t thought about it much,” I replied. I knew what I really wanted to do when I got back. All I could think about was seeing Evan again. However, I opted not to divulge my love for Evan to Meredith. My heart felt it was right, but I know it would only feel awkward and uncomfortable for Meredith. I felt awkward and uncomfortable just thinking about the inevitability of when I would eventually have to tell her. I wasn’t particularly worried about it at the moment, however. “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do when I get back,” Meredith said. “I’m due for some R&R. It’s been a stressful few days. The first thing I want to do when I get home is to draw a nice warm bubble bath and just melt in the tub,” she continued, sighing at the thought of that warm bath. “That sounds wonderful,” I replied. “You know, we’re going to have to get you enrolled in school not long after we get back,” Meredith said. “You’ll be going into…. eighth grade I believe?” I thought about it for a moment. “I’m thirteen, so I think I’d be going into eighth grade,” I said. The driver of the shuttle laughed. “I think you’re going to be in trouble if you’re thirteen and you’re already forgetting what grade you’re in,” the driver said jokingly. Meredith and I gave the driver a dismayed look. “I’m sorry, I’ll…… just get back to driving,” the driver continued. Speaking of school, I thought school starting in the fall, and getting a fresh start. Knowing everything I know from living through several years of adulthood, I felt that I should be able to ace my classes. I began to think about extracurricular activities. I’d like to get into girls’ fast pitch softball next year. With my experience playing baseball, I should excel at that. Maybe I would get into competitive dance like Chloe. I thought about all the friends I would meet. I needed to make some friends, so I would at least have a social life. I was essentially going to be a new girl at a new school, even though I attended the same junior high school growing up. I would be starting fresh, knowing nobody in the school, and no friends from the past, as well as having no past to bring up in conversation whatever new friends I were to meet. The shuttle pulled up to the busy airport. “Here’s our stop,” the driver said as he got out of the car and went to the back to get our luggage out of the van. “Have a safe trip home!” the driver said to us as we walked up to the airport entrance.