Page 2 of Set the Moment
Sighing, I drop my dance bag on the ground as I make my way inside, locking the door behind me and putting a door stopper up that my uncle Clef bought me.
He’s a serious security nut, and me moving away from my parents’ home in California to New York by myself only upped his anxiety.
“Oscar, we’ve gotta get out of here…I can’t do it anymore. What do you think?” I ask the white ferret, pausing momentarily for him to speak.
Is this what my life has come to? Communicating with a Mustelid?
Maybe those girls were right. I haven’t seen my mom or dad since they started touring in the UK last year. I have zero friends, the social life of a guinea pig, and I’m a twenty-year-old virgin who likes to read spicy books more than have human interactions. The only exceptions to that last one being my family and my cousin Cleo’s two friends, Jace and Georgia.
As a kid, I would spend summers in their hometown, Summerfield, Maryland. They would go to my dance recitals in Maryland, we’d play games, and if we were lucky, we got to go on small trips together. In the winter, I’d spend the first week of winter break there, too. My uncle would try to teach us how to ice skate—Cleo and Jace were naturals, but Georgia, my cousin Ryan, and I were horrible.
I miss Summerfield. I miss the person that I was before life dealt me its shittiest hand at age ten.
Stepping into my bathroom, I discard my clothes, leave on my bra and underwear, and connect my phone to my waterproof speaker, preparing myself for the next hour I’ll spend in here.
I need to wash away all the trauma I’ve dealt with this past decade, starting with an everything shower.
Getting my body scrubs and Nair hair removal ready, I apply the remover to my pits and legs ,then wait. Soft R&B plays in the background as I look in the mirror and take myself in.
My hair is dull and lifeless from throwing it into a bun for dance, and my skin has lost its glow.
I need to reset everything, starting with my look.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I type the number of my favorite travel stylist in the city and call her, asking for the Reset Special, which includes a wash, blow dry, color, trim, and silk press. I haven’t straightened my hair in months, and I usually don’t in the summer or spring. But considering the circumstances, I think it’ll be okay.
My stylist, Ranae, responds quickly, saying that she’ll be at my place within two hours.
Quickly turning on my favorite songs by the band Twisted Vipers, I hop in the shower. The water is hot against my skin as I wash off the Nair, exfoliate my entire body, and perform a one-woman show in forty-five minutes.
By the time I’m done showering, steam fills both the bathroom and my bedroom. I’m quicker than the speed of sound as I moisturize my body, dancing naked in the mirror.
There’s something freeing about allowing myself to justbewhen I’m alone.
After letting Oscar out, I make my way into the living room. After my appointment, I’ll have the entire day to do whatever I want, and I know just where to start.
I’m getting the hell out of New York, but where can I go? I refuse to go home—California may be known as the Golden state, but my life was dim. The only company around were staff and my endless flow of nannies.
Pass.
I could always go to Georgia and live with my grandparents. Papa would love to have one of his grandbabies back home to play music for, but he’d also make me eat black eyed peas every day.
Pass.
My phone dings, pulling me from my thoughts. I pick it up and raise a brow.
Cleo
Can’t do it anymore, Si Si
I’m going home.
What the hell? Home? Last time Cleo and I talked, she seemed to be having the time of her life…Is she moving back to Summerfield? If she is, maybe I could move there too. I mean, some of my best memories were there.
He’s there.
Could I?
My phone dings again.
