PART
The weather was getting better and brighter each day, and Lily could almost smell the approaching end of the school year. The previous year, she had had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, holidays were a good time and supposed to be fun because there was no pressure to study and write assignments. On the other hand, thought, she would be far from her friends and the fun moments they could have together. The previous year, Lily was reluctant to go home, for she did not feel her sister mature enough for the kind of fun she was having with Germina and the others. And, of course, football practice was the best routine Lily had at school and she hated to interrupt it.
This year, however, things were even more complicated. Lily had thought that nothing could be more so after last year. Yet, it turned out it was possible. She still did not want to go home. Her parents would not be there and everything around the house would remind her of them. Yet, she wanted to spend some time with Orange. She could feel her sister was not the strange baby she had regarded her so far, but was a nice girl and rather smart, too. Lily still deeply regretted what she had written in the "Easter" letter, as she used to call it. She could not think of an adequate way to apologize. There was something else, as well. Mark would graduate that year, the ceremony was due in a couple of weeks and she hated the thought of the school without him. The two had not found a proper cause to quarrel yet, as she had secretly hoped, and it seemed to her that their mutual dependence and affection to each other increased by each day. How would she survive after that? Erin was trying to be supportive, telling stories about Eric and Daisy, who had had some history of separation before they finally decided to get married. Those stories, however, were ill-taken by Germina who apparently had not got over him. True, they all saw Germina talk to Antony and laugh with him more and more often, yet it seemed it was still Eric she was thinking of.
To be honest, and by the way Erin shared that opinion one day when Germina was not around, Antony and Germina looked and sounded born for each other. The new goal-keeper, who did great at the post, was a lover of jokes of all kinds. The two managed together to play prands on more people in a short time, than anyone could imagine.
"Maybe that infatuation with Eric is just because she couldn't have him. Nothing happened and Germina sees it as a wasted opportunity." said Lily to her friends one day at the dinner table when everybody else had left.
"I believe it is," agreed Simona. "After all, how much did she KNOW Eric?"
Erin pursed her lips, "Not much. We just went to lunch and it was so normal that I hardly remember anything."
"Yeah, but still," said Lily looking around to see if there was anybody in the dining room. "He is a MAN. I mean, he is older. He isn't just another teenage boy we have so many at school." Lily was worried that her own fancy towards Professor Suthern might show, but she still wanted to put that point across and see her friends' reactions.
They were unanimously silent. Finally, Simona smiled, "That's true."
Veronica, who had been silent so far, said, "Then, why is she always in the company of Antony? Not only is he a boy, but also younger than her."
"Perhaps in a way of protection." said Simona. Lily was suddenly glad she did not need to say anything. She caught herself thinking of Suthern over and over again. And then she heard Erin's disbelief, "What do you mean, Simona? What protection? From whom?"
"Oh, Erin, I'm surprised you don't see it. You are always the one searching second meanings and hidden messages." laughed Violet. "I think the same way. Germina is doing it just because she's afraid someone might think she liked older boys, or men, to use Lily's word."
"What do you mean, 'Lily's word'? I didn't make the word up." said Lily irritated.
"Lily, why are you so annoyed? It was just an expression." Violet tried to calm things down. Before Lily could accept it, though, Veronica interjected, "Wait a minute! I really think that Germina likes Antony and they make a great couple. Maybe she doesn't know it, maybe she has chosen him exactly for that reason, yet she has fallen for him. That much is certain."
Then, considering for a while, Erin said slowly, "If that is so, we need to show Germina that she isn't in love with Eric, but with Antony and do it as soon as possible."
They decided to go to the library and do their thinking there, because Veronica was not allowed to their House's lounge.
"OK," started Lily when they had taken a whole table at the quietest corner of the library where there was nobody. "Here's what I think. The graduation ceremony is due very soon. I hope the school will need some cool decoration. Apart from the Artists' Club who we know normally do that, we may suggest that something magical is done, as well, just as a reminder what kind of school they finish. Germina, Antony and Juliet are the best there is in that field. So, they will have one more chance to spend time together and do what they both like. What do you think?"
"I think it's great." said Veronica.
"And," added Erin, her eyes shining, "I will invite Eric and Daisy to the ceremony as visitors. Then, Germina will be able to compare."
Lily said, "Maybe that's too risky. We may ruin all."
Veronica agreed with Erin, "Why? I believe that if Germina's in love with Antony, she won't find Eric attractive anymore. Not in that way, at least." she said, fearing not to offend Erin. Erin, however, just nodded in understanding. "She will see Eric as a settled family man, one of whose greatest ambition is to make as cheap a house repair as possible." She looked towards Erin again and Erin nodded again. Finally Veronica added, "I thought I'd highlight it a bit." Erin smiled, "Don't worry. That's exactly what I'm hoping."
Lily was still in doubt. "Yeah, but imagine that Eric still appears more attractive namely because of the status he's got – he's free from school, free to be married, free to drive his own car and spend his own money. Well, you know – all those things we envy adults for. Then what?"
Simona said, "Then she doesn't love Antony."
"She doesn't?" Lily was shocked. She was thinking of Mark, Professor Suthern and herself.
"She doesn't. That will be sure." agreed both Violet and Erin. Veronica just nodded.
"But then," said Lily slowly and quietly, "we may break her heart."
"WE cannot do that much, I hope." said Veronica, "But she will be very confused."
Anyway, the girls agreed to do that and Lily and Veronica were to speak to Professor Baramova first thing next morning and raise the issue of the "magical theme" at the ceremony. Traditionally, it was Professor Baramova who hosted those ceremonies and all organization issues went to her.
Later that evening, in her bedroom, long after Violet had fallen asleep (yes, they had got back together), Lily got deep into thinking. If, upon comparison, she did not automatically choose Mark, then perhaps it meant she did not love him. She searched her heart. She did love him! She searched her feelings. Then, she searched again. Surely, she had a soft spot for Mark. She loved him. Yet, she was not so sure she wanted to compare him to anyone. "Well," she thought in desperation, "after all, Mark is adult now. He has practically finished school and is about to do all nice things real adults do." So, did she love him? Or, did she crave a chance with the professor? "Not now, of course," she hurried to think. Later, when she finishes school, when she would be adult herself. Then, if she had so much time (two years, to be precise), why couldn't she enjoy the company of other nice boys, or nice men?
Lily was not able to reach an agreement on that before she fell asleep. Her dreams were fragmentary and hectic, she had a general feeling of discomfort and pressure.