Chapter Text
I stretched up high on my tip toes with both of my arms in the air. Hearing the slight pop in my spin I groaned in satisfaction before lowering myself down on to my mat. I sat Indian style looking out on the ocean clearing my thoughts with deep breathes.
Once I was ready I turned my body and lifted up into my downwards facing dog.
Doing yoga greatly calmed me. It was the only thing that did besides my anxiety medicine. I was prone to panic and anxiety attacks. Which made it so I had to take my medicine everywhere.
Moving to Beach City was one of the most daring things I've done. When I was younger I was a sheltered child. I never wanted to go out into the world which fit perfectly with my parents desperation to shield me. Because of that I'm a introvert mostly. Between school and work I never really did much anyway. I am 22 years old going to the University in the next town over. It was only a 20-30 minute ride by bus so it wasn't too bad.
I had already lived here for a year and a half and didn't know much about the residents that lived in this small town like me. I minded my busy and kept to myself for the most part.
Pulling up into full cobra I took a deep breath.
I flinched as my phone started to vibrate loudly from the tote bag that sat near me. I frowned as I return to my seated position before grabbing it. I tensed as I saw who was calling...
"Hello mother..." I mumbled quietly.
"Camellia, how are you sweetheart?" She said.
I gave a breathless sigh as I started to pack my things..
"I'm fine mother. You do know this is my second year right? I think I've gotten things figured out by now." I gave a small reluctant laugh.
"I know. I know...I just..I worry you know? Do you have enough food? Is your job paying you enough?" And here we go...
"If not I can send you some money by tomorrow...do you need the money?" She said.
"......." I frowned as her words started to blur together and my ears filled with the sound of my racing heart. I had a extremely difficult time telling people no, especially my parents. I froze mid step as I started searching my bag for my medicine.
"...Sweatheart?....You know it's nothing to be ashamed of if you do. I know you're a responsible adult. I ju-"
My search became more frantic as my hands began trembling as I felt a panic attack settling in.
"Y-yea...yea mom that's fine. Thanks. Do you mind if I call you back in 10 though?" I rushed out.
My tote hit the boardwalk floor as soon as I grasped my medicine and shakingly opened it. Popping a pill I fell to my knees as my surrounds started to feel unreal and distant.
"Yea..no of course, call me-"
I couldn't wait for her to finish as I hung up the phone and tried focusing on the things around me attempting to calm down.
I took deep calming breaths as I held my trembling hands.
I hadn't noticed the flipflop covered feet gathering my things that had tumbled out of my bag.
As my senses slowly started to come back to me I heard talking.
"are.....ok?.....uh....can....hear me?...Miss?"
As I took another deep breath I looked up to search for the voice. I was surprised to see a half balding older gentleman with long brown hair and a mean tan looking down at me. It took me a moment to gain my speech back as I stared at him in shock trying to process the things he was saying.
".....can....hear me Miss?" He repeated.
He was holding my tote in one hand while the other was reaching out to me.
Slowly I grabbed his hand allowing him to help me up.
"W-what? Yea..I'm okay...sorry about that.." I said sheepishly as he passed me my tote.
"It's okay. No need to say sorry...do you..need some water or anything?" He pressed awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
My eyes widened as I blushed in embarrassment. I didn't like having attacks in public for exactly this reason.
~I shouldn't have answered her call..~ I mentally scolded myself as I felt the medicine kicking in fully, calming me.
"I...I'm sorry....but I guess some water does sound good.." I murmured looking up at him.
Leaving my family home had jump started my anxiety and it was something I never told my parents I was going though. They worry enough with me completely fine. Telling them would land me a one way ticket back home and it was hard enough getting out here.
I watched as the stranger headed into a restaurant..
"Fish Stu Pizza.." I read. It sounded odd but who was I to judge?
Looking down at my phone I saw that it was just hitting noon, so lunch time. I had to leave soon.
With my morning routine ruined I wouldn't have time to squeeze in my grocery shopping today. I had a rather strict schedule on the weekends that I had set myself to keep myself busy and productive.
Balancing work and school was hard and requires some type of order to my life.
"Here you go."
Looking up from the phone I stared at the little boy holding a bottle of water out to me.
Confused, I paused and my eyes traveled up further to find the older gentleman with the tan.
He was holding two boxes of pizza and a smile.
" Sorry for the wait. Oh! By the way, my name's Greg Universe and this here is my son, Steven." He introduced.
"Oh r-right! Camellia Denver. It's nice to meet you both." I stood and shook Greg's hand before accepting the bottle from Steven with a smile.
"I've seen you around here a few times. Are you new to the area?" Greg asked.
"Well....actually I've lived here for about a year and a half now. I didn't get out much my first year here." I said sheepishly scratching my head. "I go to the university in the next town over." I explained.
"Univeristy? That's like school right? What are you planning to be?" Steven asked surprising me again.
Smiling I crouched down to his level and patting his head.
"I'm studying to be a scientist one day." I said kindly.
The little boys face lite up.
"What kind of scientist!?"
"Hmm...I don't know yet... I'm thinking a Geologist." I said as I stood.
"Whoa that sounds cool."
I giggled as Greg ruffled the child's head.
"Thank you both for all of your help but I really must be going now." I said politely as I put the water into my tote. I still had to call my mother back.
"Wait Camellia! Will we get to see you again?" Steven spoke up.
My eyes widened as I looked at the boy.
"S-sure..." I said unsure as I glanced at his dad for a moment. "...but I don't know when that will be.."
Steven seem to be in thought for a moment before he pulled out a marker from his short's pocket and gestured to my hand.
Hesitantly I held my hand out in wonder.
Opening the marker he quickly writes something on the inside of my palm before scurrying away with his dad.
"Bye Camellia!" He called as he and his dad waved as they walked away.
I looked down at my hand.
"Is this really okay?" I whispered to myself.
On my palm was scribbling handwriting.
It was Steven's name and a number.
....
Somehow I had become friends with a 10 year old and his dad...by having a panic attack.
----------
I groaned as I read my essay again. It just didn't sound right to me still but I had been sitting in front of my laptop for way too long. I could feel the itch of restlessness behind my eyes, with a sigh I glanced at the clock.
"Whoa...it's that late already?"
My clock read 10:47pm. I had work and class tomorrow. My weekend was over. I had got the shopping done, cleaned the whole apartment, started my essay and did all the laundry. This was how my introvert life was.
I didn't very much mind and I didn't really have many friends to go hang out with, plus the fact that most people found me boring.
If someone asked me if I was lonely I'd say no, but I honestly didn't know if that was true or not. Being alone is something I was just used to but I didn't know if that that somehow changed if I'd feel differently about it.
Closing my laptop I sighed again in frustration. I'd dream about the stupid essay if I didn't just put it away. Heading to the bathroom I started my night routine.
-----
Throughout the week I had seen Steven a few times in town on the days I had no choice but to leave my apartment, whether it was for work or to run errands.
It was Thursday afternoon. I worked in a little vintage antique shop just near the end of the boardwalk. It was a small shop with a rather cliche name, "Ye Olde Antiques". We didn't get very many customers, which made it the perfect job for me.
Most of our customers ordered things off the store floors from the website. It was low key, smelled nice, and was quiet.
My boss was a kind older gentleman that had needed my help with heavier orders that was just too much for his poor back. It wasn't too bad, especially the pay. He never needed me to carry anything too heavy. The bigger stuff his son, Simon and me would deliver with his truck. I had been working here pretty much since I moved to Beach City.
I frowned in concentration as I started on polishing the next set of pocket watches from my position behind the counter. These watches were Mr.Daniel's, my boss, specialities. He loved fixing them the most out of anything in the shop and he was good at it.
It was funny to watch a shipment of broken and discarded watches come in. The old man would have a spring to his step and a giggle in his voice as he'd scurried to meet the delivery man every Thursday.
And this Thursday was no different.
Hearing the over head door bell to the store meant someone came in, it made me smile.
~Right on time~
On cue Mr. Daniel sure enough spring out of his workshop door that stood right next to the clerk counter, to get the delivery of today. Use to this display I didn't turn to see a customer walk in with the mailman so I jumped when I heard my name.
"Camellia?" He said.
I placed my hand to my chest as I whipped around to see Steven and a young dark skinned girl, about his age, beside him.
"G-Gosh!...Steven..you surprised me." I said with a small smile.
He smiled as he turned to his friend.
"Connie this is my friend Camellia. Camellia this is Connie." He introduced.
Picking the watch I dropped off the floor I carefully inspected it before holding me hand out hesitantly to Connie.
~For some reason this feels a little awkward.~ I thought as we shook hands.
"It's nice to meet you Camellia. Steven talks about you and how you want to be a scientist a lot." She said in a giggle.
My eyes widened as Steven blushed. I hadn't known I had made such a good first impression for him to speak about me.
"Camellia, I see you met Greg's boy!" Daniel shouted as he ruffled Steven's hair from behind.
"He's a good kid! I don't just let any kid into my shop, you know?"
I blinked as I was trying to catch up to the conversation.
"Y-yea I meant him and Mr. Universe the other day."
Mr.Daniel smiled and said,
"I know I don't need to tell you Steven but you two behave in my shop and treat Ms. Camei here with the utmost respect, she's the one that will help you find whatever it is you may be looking for here today. Okay? Okay!" The old man scurried back into his workshop before either kid or me could say anything in reply.
I hadn't even registered that he had called me by my nickname until Steven questioned it.
"Camei?"
I laughed as I scratched my neck. "Yea...that's what he started calling me. What can I help you guys with?"
Steven lite up as if he just remembered something. Out of his pocket he pulled an envelope.
"In this envelope is one of the most exciting things of all exciting things!"
I raised my eyebrow.
"And I need your help to help me prepare for this exciting event." He was down right giddy causing Connie to laugh.
"Steven I still really wish I can go." She said a little disappointed.
"Yeah..I know, I wish you could go too."
I blinked as I watched the two.
"Okay....um where are you going and how can I help?" I said disbelieving I'd be about to help him in anyway.
"In this envelope is three tickets. Because there are three tickets I need three masks and because I need three masks you have to guess what these tickets are for." He said trying to sound suspenseful.
Connie covered her mouth trying to hold in laughter again.
I mentally sighed as I reached for my pulse to take my medicine.
"Okay....umm" I walked out from behind the counter heading towards our costume section.
"Well...it's nowhere near October so it can't be a halloween event..."
~Obviously he's not going to any type of Bachelor Party..~ I thought.
"Hmmm...that leaves..."
I pulled up a elegant face mask that only covered your eyes when wore. It was black and gold with elaborate detailing. It was stronger then any cheap plastic mask you'd get from a party store because Daniel's excellent hands restructured it to it's actual glory.
".....let's see..a Masquerade Ball." I said, showing Steven the mask, but this mask was nothing compared to the more fancier ones lining the wall.
Steven's and Connie's jaws dropped as they look at all the different types, shapes, and colors of masks.
-------
I smiled as I kicked my shoes off and I closed the door to my apartment.
It was good to be home.
I stretched and threw my mail on to the counter as I went into my kitchen and poured myself a cup of water. Sitting at the small dinner table I checked my emails on my phone as I picked at dinner, a fruit cup and half a pbj sandwich.
Seeing no important emails I was about to turn off my phone when it suddenly vibrated.
It's Dad.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sweetpea! How was your day?"
It was a little easier talking to my dad then it was to talk to my mom.
"Oh..hey dad. It...It was good. It was interesting.." I said as I smiled at the memory of Steven and Connie trying on masks for the rest of my shift.
"Listen, I know you're going off to bed soon because of class tomorrow. I just wanted to call to wish you good night and to see if you got the tickets yet?"
I paused in confusion.
"...Tickets?" I questioned.
"Oh no..Camellia...please don't tell me you forgot? The tickets I sent in the mail for the Masquerade Party?....you said you'd go with me this year.."
I jumped up out of my seat almost knocking the chair to the floor.
"T-Tickets? O-oh! Oh yeah! T-those tickets!" I said rushing over to the mail I sat on the counter.
~Please tell me they got lost in the mail..Please tell me they got lost in the mail!~ I thought as I looked through the pile one by one.
"No no I didn't f-forget dad! T-there...right..here...." I finished in faked excitement. "I got them t-today. Thankfully.." I said in dread as I picked up the envelope with my name and apartment address and my home address on it as the return address..
"...I..I know school gets busy..so if you can't make it..." He started.
I held my breath willing myself to tell him 'no I can't make it' but hearing the slight disappointed tone in his voice I bit my tongue in a last ditch effort to force myself to say no.
Yeah I couldn't do this. I'm just going to tell him no. He'll understand he's my dad. I'll just tell him I have anxiety issues and depression and he'll totally get it. He's my dad. It's okay I'll just tell him no.
"No no...i-it's fine. I can totally make it!" I pressed my face against the frig wanting it to just fall on me for not sticking to my plan to tell him no.
"Oh..are you sure? That..that great! I'll send some money to your account so you can buy a dress and whatever else you need. I can't wait. I'll see you next weekend! Night Sweetheart."
"Y-yeah...sure..night dad.."
.....
I slide to the floor as he hung up looking at the ticket in the envelope.
"...My life hates me..." I said dramatically from the floor.