Perfect Fit

“I love this town! I love this house!” Eomma exclaimed, fluttering through the blue door of their new white Victorian home.

        Alyssa lifted her auburn eyebrows in fake excitement. “Yeah, my favorite thing is how the blue door matches the blue shutters. Can we leave now?”

        "Alyssa!" Cynthia slapped her sister's arm.  

        "Ouch! It was just a question." Alyssa mumbled, following them into the grand royal blue living room.

        "Some question," Cynthia argued. "Appa didn't just decide to move here for fun."

        "I am more than happy for dad's promotion. I just wish it didn't include moving us where we are surrounded by complete strangers!" Alyssa complained plopping down in the gray couch which sat across from the stone fireplace.

        Thankfully, their mom, Eomma in Korean, had arrived in Covington Point, Pennsylvania yesterday to get everything unpacked and settled. Everything in its new place and Alyssa couldn't stand it.

        "SooKyung!" The uncommon sharpness of her voice paired with Alyssa’s Korean name, immediately got both girls' attention. "We have just arrived. I know you miss your friends, but you may make some great friends here as well. You may find you actually like it. I grew up not too far from here, as you know, and at first it was hard not living in South Korea but I soon learned this is a lovely state! Just give it a fair chance."

        Alyssa managed to squeeze out a small smile with a slight nod but couldn’t help how she felt. "How about fat chance," she muttered under her breath, only to feel the sting of Cynthia's slap once again. "Cynthia!" she exclaimed with a glare before responding. "I will not make any promises, but I will try to have a better outlook."

        With sparkling eyes of happiness, her mother lightly patted her leg. "That's what I wanted to hear. Run along and finish unpacking your things."

        Cynthia dragged Alyssa out into the stone tiled foyer, stopping at the double staircase.

        "Race you to the top! You take the right stairs and I will take the left. If you win, you can complain all you want. If you lose, you won't complain about anything ever again."

        "A little harsh isn't it, Cynthia?" Alysa dryly asked.

        Cynthia tilted her head and smirked, "Only if you’re too slow." 

        "Fine, but that also means if I win, you will do all my laundry, forever."

        “Agreed,” Cynthia smiled as she got in runner position. “Ready set, go!”

        Alyssa ran as fast as she could up the grand mahogany steps, hoping that sheer determination was enough to beat Cynthia, the family athlete. It was neck and neck until Cynthia booted ahead and cleared the top while she was two steps behind. Their dad, Appa, was walking out of his room just as she made it.  

        "I want a rematch!" Alyssa demanded.

        "Isn't fifteen too old for being a sore loser?" 

        "Appa!"

        "Alyssa, don't forget your bet." Cynthia reminded in a sing-song voice.

        "And seventeen is too old for teasing." 

        “Ne, Appa,” Cynthia agreed soberly.

        Alyssa sighed. "Which room is mine?"

        "Yours is the one next to the attic stairs." He pointed to the door she was already standing next to, as Cynthia walked to the door closest to their parent’s room. "You both have access to the bathroom from your rooms as well as from out here."

        “Appa, what's in the attic?" Cynthia asked, staring at the spiral staircase.

        "A couple of old boxes from the previous owners. Girls, we are going on a trip to the grocery store shortly."

        "When you say “we” you mean, you and mom right?" Alyssa asked with wishful eyes.

        "I mean all of us." He clarified.

        Alyssa walked into her room and sat in the bay window seat stretching out her legs looking into the oak trees of the woods. There was a gentle breeze swaying the leaves as sun beams streamed through in a welcoming way. There were woods behind her house in Palo Alto as well, but "It isn't the same," she finished aloud. Sighing, she looked around at the white walls. Painting was the one thing she wanted to do. Since her father had indicated that this should be called a home, she would complete her masterpiece a little at a time. That way she had some kind of happiness to hold onto while she was there. Soon she found herself reminiscing all faces and fun moments with her friends but especially William Bailey. His golden hair, sea green eyes, the soft way he laughed. She knew if they hadn’t moved, things could have progressed between them. He liked me. I know he did! He just didn't have the chance to say anything! She thought in anguish.

        "Alyssa, didn't you hear? We’re ready to go." Cynthia opened her door pushing her head through, long dark hair falling over her shoulder. “I suggest changing first.”

        Alyssa frowned, looking down at her favorite faded jeans, short sleeved t-shirt and hoodie. “What's wrong with what I am wearing?”

        “Alyssa, this is a small town, you know. You want to make a good first impression,” Cynthia insisted, letting herself in and straight to the closet. "You didn't put your clothes away yet? What have you been doing for the last hour? Never mind, I will just help myself to your luggage. Here! Wear this. Then we'll both look cute."

        Alyssa stared at the short sleeve teal romper Cynthia was wearing, then to the black one in her hand. "When did we decide to become twins?"

        "We will get noticed. Now hurry up and change," Cynthia replied, tossing the romper to her sister. "And brush out your hair, we'll really stand out."

        "Of course, I will with this flaming auburn hair of mine. I wonder how many Asians around here have hair this red?" Alyssa asked sarcastically as she changed.

        “We're in America, Alyssa. Let's not forget that. Once people get to know you, it won't even matter," Cynthia reassured her. "It was like that in Palo Alto so have some hope for the people here."

        Alyssa smiled but something deep inside warned her that this place was nothing like Palo Alto.

             Of course, Appa had to insist we enjoy lunch from a diner called Rocket Ship! Oddly enough, not a single thing inside this place has anything to do with rockets or astronauts. Alyssa thought to herself well, at least the waitresses' red uniforms and the blue seats were added to complement the red and blue flashing sign on the exterior. 

        "Sandwiches and fries, not even the menu has anything to do with space." She muttered before placing her order after long deliberation. The only thing she knew for sure was that Brenda, their waitress, couldn't stop staring at her hair even after she brought their meals. Have some hope for the people here? Isn't that what Cynthia had said? Alyssa thought while sipping her vanilla milkshake. How about prayer instead. Lots and lots of it, at that. They had been out walking the town for the last hour but while trying to admire the mom and pop stores and cobblestone streets of downtown, everyone they passed was staring directly at her. Not only was it uncomfortable, but it was stirring up feelings and memories of her life in South Korea from when she was little.

        Cynthia nudged Alyssa's elbow, pointing at her cheeks to indicate her hands should be off her face and elbows off the table. "This place is kind of nice."

        "Yes, it does have an old charm to it. I do wonder how it got its name." Eomma said offhandedly.

        "The story behind the name of the restaurant," Brenda began while re-filling their water glasses, causing Cynthia and Alyssa to exchange exasperated looks "has to do with the man that originally opened it. Michael Winters was fascinated when Neil Armstrong went to the moon. The original name was Winters Diner."

        "Well, that explains it," Eomma said with a matter of fact smile, as though the story agreed with her previous statement.

        "Certainly does," Alyssa agreed with subtle sarcasm, taking a sip of her drink again.

        "I just love this place so much, honey!" She continued giving Appa a quick squeeze on his arm.

        Alyssa was successfully tuning out her parents' babbling sounds of excitement as they finished their meal when she noticed the couple walking through the door. She was tall as a model, pale with flowing white blonde hair, ice cold blue eyes which seemed to be looking everywhere and yet nowhere. Her outfit was a simple yet phenomenal animal print halter, skinny jeans and leather strap platform heels that were to die for.  As beautiful as she was though, he was simply - "Breath-taking," she whispered.  A soft smile touched his lips as their eyes met. If it was possible for time to actually stand still, this would be the one moment to wish it into reality. Alyssa, could hear her heart beating faster as he leaned over to whisper in his partner's ear, while his grey eyes were still looking directly at her.

        “Alyssa!" Cynthia whispered sharply, snapping her out of his gaze. "What are you doing staring like that? You're blushing, too!"

        "I know," Alyssa replied, leaning forward so her hair covered her face. No, I don't know. Even with William I never had this feeling. What am I saying? He walked in here with that model. So, what if he was staring at me! It was probably because I was staring at him. Ugh! Alyssa, pull yourself together! She scolded silently. "Are we done here? I really want to get home and finish unpacking."

        "Yes, we're all done here." Appa answered motioning for Brenda to come over.

        "But we still didn't make it to the grocery store." Eomma reminded them.

        "Ah, that's right. How could I forget?" Alyssa stood up and felt heat burning down her back. Slowly she took a deep breath, glancing over her shoulder and found her eyes meeting with his once again before quickly rushing out of the diner.

"I can honestly say, Jenny, I have never seen anyone like that before. He was just-it's not that he was-" she stopped. How can I explain and make sense at the same time? "He was..."

        "So, he was like that!" Jenny giggled lightly bouncing up and down at her desk. "Details, I want details! What was he wearing? What did his hair look like?"

        Alyssa smiled gazing at the ceiling then looked directly into the camera. Thank goodness for modern technology! She couldn't have simply told her this over the phone. This information had to be given as close to in person as possible. "He has brown chestnut hair, piercing gray eyes." Alyssa could see them now as though he was standing right in front of her.

         "Alyssa!" Jenny squealed.

        "Oh, right. Sorry," she apologized before continuing. "His hair was in layers and waves just touching his shoulders."

        "So, the model, we'll call her Ice, so Ice was looking sharp and he was looking casual?" Jenny confirmed.

        "Yes. Exactly! Boy in jeans and button-down shirt. Ice could be on the cover of Teen Magazine. Not to say that he couldn’t. I mean he very well could maybe.”

        Jenny shook her finger, "They're not dating. It wouldn't make any sense. Besides, he was looking at you."

        "Yes, he was but maybe for the very same reasons everyone in town was staring at me."

        Jenny pushed up her glasses and crinkled her nose. "I don't know about that. But I can tell you something about William Bailey."

        Alyssa immediately perked up, "Really? What about William?"

        "He's been asking about you. Not only that but he said he had wanted to ask for your cell number before you left."

        "Oh my gosh! I was right? I was right! Why did we have to move! I knew he liked me, Jenny! So, did you give it to him?"

        "Did you want me to?"

        “Of course, yes!”

        Jenny smiled brightly, pushing an ash brown curl that escaped her ponytail out of her eyes. "Alright then I will. So, what about, Pierce?"

        "Pierce?"

        “Yes, Ices’ escort.”

        Alyssa chuckled. Making names for strangers had always been one of Jenny's many talents. "He's just a guy that I will probably see around and nothing more."

        "Is that Alyssa on the webcam?" Jenny's little brother Tucker asked, suddenly popping his dark curly head in front of the camera. “Hi, Alyssa,”

        Alyssa smiled and waved. "Alyssa is on the cam?" She heard Jenny’s mother Molly ask.

        “Yes mom!" Tucker replied pointing at the screen.

        Alyssa giggled as Jenny rolled her eyes.

        "Alyssa! How are things over there? Is it nice?" A disheveled Molly asked as she too came into Jenny's room. Her hair was a mess and she was still wearing her smock. Jenny really took after her mother mostly in looks. 

        "Yeah, everything’s fine here. I am using my bedroom as my canvas."

        "Wonderful! Art is a great way to express how you feel, as you already know. I have to wash up sweetie, I miss you already."

        “Me too!” Tucker added before leaving.

        Jenny shook her head. "Love 'em or leave 'em."

        "I would never choose the latter. I love you all so much. Well, I better get going. I will keep you posted," Alyssa said with a smile.

        "You had better. I won't forget to give him your number." Jenny looked away. "I miss you but at least this way it almost feels like you're still around."

        "I wish I was, Jenny. Talk to ya later." Closing the computer, she took a deep breath. It was nice seeing her best friend even though they had only parted yesterday. They had been inseparable since the fourth grade when she moved to Palo Alto. All of the children stared at her, afraid to speak but Jenny came over and said she looked like a fairy princess her mother painted a picture of. That very same day they arranged to for Alyssa to come over on the weekend. Jenny’s parents treated her like she was part of their family the very moment she walked through the door.

        The knocking at her door brought her out of her thoughts

        "Alyssa? May I come in?" Eomma soft voice soothed her just a little.

        "Of course, you can."

        Sitting beside her on the bed, she began to braid her hair. "I know today must have been a hard day for you. Be strong. Tomorrow is your first day at school. Start the morning with a smile and things will be fine."

        "Allaseo," (okay in Korean)

        Eomma lightly kissed her head when she was done. "Good. Now get some sleep.” she 

        She's right, Alyssa thought, walking over to her window to stare at the shining stars of moonlit sky. If I start tomorrow with a positive outlook, things will be fine.

~~~~~~~

                He could see her standing at her window in her pattern pajama pants and t-shirt. Her red hair pulled into a braid which lay down her slender back. Even from here he could smell her sweet scent. “Intoxicating,” he whispered softly. When he stared into her hazel eyes earlier, a feeling came over him that he hadn't had since, Jane. He wasn't worried at all about being seen; the trees hid him well. He was very tempted to let her see him for a moment and hear the fast pounding of her heart as she realized it was him. The corner of his mouth pulled into a smirk. For once he looked forward to going to school in the morning.