By Ehaghalo Osaiyuwu
Note from the editor:
This is the first part of a story that the Observer will be posting over 3 issues. To continue the story, make sure to come back for the next issue of the Observer !!!
Charming Gals: Act I
Camellia always thought of herself as an optimist. However, now she felt failure was a more apt description of her. To any outsider, this would seem like a harsh assessment. Camellia did well academically, not perfect but well; was on her way to a safe medical career, not extraordinary but safe; and was an okay person, not benevolent but okay. A completely normal life was ahead of her, not bad, not good, normal. Even so, something still felt wrong, and she had yet to figure it out. If it feels wrong, she must be doing it wrong; that was the thought that polluted her mind. A deep sigh escaped her as she toiled over this conundrum. There was no point in thinking about it now; it’s not like she could solve all her problems by moping anyway; she needed a different focus.
In front of her, colorful stained-glass windows decorated the airport hallway. Just a bunch of abstract shapes, nothing more. She stared intently at the window, as if expecting a scene to pop up and entertain her. Soon enough, her wishes would be answered. Impressions of characters and drama escaped the glass and put on a show: a cunning royal looking for revenge, two young lovers unable to be together, and chaos born from unknown identities. A little smile fell upon her face, for a moment, just a moment. It felt like everything made sense.
This cherished calmness was soon interrupted by a shy, unsure tap on her shoulder. Camellia jumps as her eyes dart to examine the figure, trying to get her attention. A young girl, about eighteen years old, stands behind her with a nervous look in her eyes. Long, black box braids adorn her head like a cloak, and she is dressed in a black band’s hoodie much too big for her. The brightest thing about her is some light blue denim shorts. Despite her tall and slim stature, she is practically hunched over, as if trying to make herself as small as possible.
“C-Camellia?” She stuttered out. She seemed to want to ask more but was unable to.
“Oh! Rose! I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you!” Camellia exclaimed.
She was quite embarrassed. How could she forget the reason she was in the airport in the first place? Tasked by her aunt and uncle, Camellia was supposed to take care of Rose during her first year of college. Since Rose was going to be attending the same school where Camellia already studied, it made perfect sense. Enough time to acclimate a new environment with a familiar face to help along the way. Although not that familiar, Camellia thought. The last time the two had met was before Rose could even spout out a full sentence.
To make up for her ignorance, Camellia quickly grabbed one of the pieces of luggage Rose dragged behind her. The girl had only brought two pieces of luggage and clung desperately to one of them. Camellia chalked it up to some important or personal belongings inside and took the less valuable bag. They walked silently next to each other, neither able to come up with a conversation topic. Then, once the trunk of Camellia’s car had been loaded, they sat in the driver’s and passenger seats, respectively. Camellia’s eyes once again darted to the black-haired girl next to her, trying to get a read on her. All she found, though, was more of what she already knew: Rose was a shy, unconfident girl.
Thoughts of what to do to get rid of this awkwardness raced through Camellia’s mind. Then, like a flash of lightning, she rushed for her bag and dug through it haphazardly. Camellia praised her own intuition as she remembered the book of quotes; she bought a gift shop while waiting for Rose. She originally got it thinking it would be rude not to get a person new to the city as a gift, and now this very gift may be the solution to the weird silence between them! If only she could find it! Rose looked in confusion, not sure if her cousin had lost her keys or just enjoyed making jumpy movements. She looked even more confused when Camellia pulled out a book from her bag like it was the holy grail.
“Here, I got this for you. I wasn’t sure what you would like, but I’m sure this will be helpful for your first year.” Camellia said with the friendliest smile she could muster.
“Thank…you,” Rose answered, still unsure of the importance of this book.
Reading the cover gave her a bit more context; it was titled Quotes to Get You Through Life by an author most certainly using a pseudonym. She opened the book to a random page, landing on page 143. A single quote in the biggest font imaginable was planted on it, “’Be yourself; everyone else is already taken’—Oscar Wilde”. Rose put on a halfhearted smile, trying to show she was grateful for the gift, although unsure what to do with it. Camellia saw right through it, though, in her mind chastising herself. Who wants a book of quotes? What was she, some out-of-touch grandparents? If the embarrassment and awkwardness from earlier didn’t kill her, this surely will.
The car ride home was so quiet that it made the soft raindrops seem deafening. Camellia lived in an okay—not good, not bad, but okay—apartment. It was enough to sleep in, and that’s all that really mattered to her. Although finding where she would put this extra guest was a difficult challenge. Ultimately, she decided she would give her room to Rose and sleep in the living room. This arrangement was only for a year. She thought it would be fine, and her room was as barren as the day she moved in, so it’s not like any personal possessions of hers would need to be there.
“You can stay in my room. I’ll just take the living room.” Camellia expressed, sounding like the eternally gracious host she hoped to be.
Rose, however, looked like the unthinkable had been suggested and quickly scrambled for the couch.
“I wouldn’t want to put you out! This is fine! I’m fine here!” she exclaimed in panic.
Not wishing to make the situation weirder by pushing the topic, Camellia allowed it and grabbed all the pillows and blankets she could find to make the space more comfortable. The two of them carried on with their nightly routines without so much as uttering a single word to each other. Camellia sat on her bed that night, feeling as though she had completely failed to connect with her cousin. She peeked through her door to see Rose on the couch flipping through the book she had given her, before drawing something in what seemed to be her sketchbook, and going to sleep.
“New…this is all going to be very…new,” uttered Camellia, feeling a different word would better suit the situation.
But she was an optimist, at least she liked to think, and such words had no place in her vocabulary, at least they shouldn’t.
To be continued…