Oh Mickey, You're So Fine Solo Completed

Date: Date: Spring Term Holiday - Second Week of January
Laction: Merthyr Tydfil, Wales

Lifting her and her sisters luggage out of the trunk of their fathers car Adlai grips them tightly in her hands and begins to start up the pathway to her home. Adlai and Dorothy always go home for breaks, her mother would never allow them to sign up for a camp of any sort to keep her daughters away from her any longer than they had to be. Nonetheless, Dorothy and her hadn’t been back home since winter break and frankly they were itching to sleep in their own beds again, regardless of how cramped they were. According to their mother their youngest sister, Johanna, had been sleeping in bed with her and their farther since they had left for school again. The three sisters were used to sharing a room, that’s how they had been since the beginning of time so it made since that Johanna would find it difficult to sleep in her own room after her elder sisters had left home once again.

Throwing their suitcases down into their bedroom floor Adlai rushed down the staircase and back out the front door to get the final bag, her school bag. A bag she would not touch for a whole week and that she was grateful for. Yes, she loved her school but every now and then a person needs a break. Too much learning has to eventually become bad for you after all, right?

It wasn’t long before her family was sat together at the dinner table, which sat square in the middle of the kitchen. Her mother had made a favorite meal shared amongst them, Nasi Gudeg. As they ate they all laughed and shared stories of the few weeks they had spent apart after winter break. They were a family again, they were whole.

“Adlai, I know tomorrow will be you’re first official day of break but I was wondering if you might want to help me out at the shop tomorrow afternoon? Sidney won’t be there like usual because she’ll be celebrating her anniversary with her boyfriend.” Her mother said, as she refilled her cup with a pitcher full of water. “Yeah, I don’t mind. I wanted to go with you anyways since I still need to return a library book.”

“Library book? Adlai what did I say about checking out books before you go back to school! You either leave them on the counter top so I can take it back or take it back before you leave! You’ll have at least a 16 pound fee!” The woman scolded her, swatting her hand at her eldest daughter causing the rest of the table occupants to laugh.

—

Clients cycled and in and out that day. Others coming in for a quick button fix, some coming in to pick up or drop off garments for more drastic alterations. It wasn’t a bad gig, manning the counter and fetching whatever materials her mother needed. Especially on busy days like today, it kept Adlai occupied and moving. Hearing the bell of the shops front door open Adlai called out from behind the front counter “Good afternoon!” while she scribbled something about the seam of a pair of pants onto a note pad for her mother. “What can we help you with today?” She asked before she lifted her head and saw her. They seemed to be the same height so her eyes weren’t easy to miss. They were deep set and a perfect shade of dark brown, they were also every so complimented by her seemingly perfectly shaped eyebrows. “I’m here for a fitting.” Said the girl, her hands clutching the strap of the bag that was slung over her shoulders. “Right, are you scheduled for an appointment?” Adlai asked, her hands wandering to a clipboard on the right side of the counter, of which knocked over a cup of pens when she pulled it over.

“Oh!” Exclaimed the girl who elegantly sunk to the floor and pick up the few pens that fell over on her side. Her side… Adlai cursed the counter that stood between them. How could she function in a situation if she wasn’t right next to her. “Sorry.” Adlai sighed out. “It’s alright.” The other girl said as she brought herself back up and placed the pens back into the cup that Adlai had lifted from it’s side.

One second, two seconds… “Um, I was scheduled for an appointment, yes.” Said the girl who shifted to the left on her feet. “Yes, the appointment. What name should it be under?” Adlai Asked. “Mickey Ávila.”
“Is that your moms name or-”
“It’s my name.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Mickey.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, stranger.”
“Stranger? Oh, I’m Adlai.”
“Then it’s nice meet you too, Adlai.”

One second, two seconds… “Anyways! Please, allow me.” Adlai said before shuffling out from behind the counter and into the a makeshift room created by clothing racks. “Appointment for a Ms. Mickey Ávila.” Adlai hummed as her mother stood up from a hunched over position. “Right on time!” She said, pulling out a container from under one of the clothing racks. “We’re working of this dress right? Just to see if any alterations need to be made?” She asked. “Yes.” Mickey answered before Adlai’s mother ushered her into the shop’s bathroom to get changed.

When Mickey finally emerged she was in a fantastical sag green gown which glittered and shined even in their stores fluorescent lighting. “Lovely.” Her mother said, holding her hand out to guide her onto a wooden podium in the center of the make shift room. “Adlai, get me some pins while I measure.” She instructed as she looked Mickey up and down while circling her like a vulture. “Of course!” Adlai said as she ushered back into the front room and began to rummage through several drawers for a box of pins.

Standing in the threshold of two racks, with a box of pins in hand Adlai was in awe. Mickey was standing there on the podium her hands masterfully raised high above her head, her eye lashes batting as she lowered and outstretched them upon her mother’s command. The podium was a place where she belonged so that she may be admired like the piece of art she was. Adlai wanted to be near her, test the line of space she had made for herself and inch ever so closer. “Hi.”

“Hi.” The other girl breathed out as she bended the left elbow her mother to measure, apparently it had something to do with the sleeve not quite hugging her arm right. “Adlai…the pins?” her mother mused, outstretching her hands as a gesture of hurry up. “Right.” She said as she handed over the box and then stepped back, watching as her mother fastened every piece of fabric into the perfect place.
“Adlai.” Her mother said.
“Yes?”
“You’re hovering.”
“Oh, sorry…” She said before scurrying back to the front desk.

For the next forty minutes Adlai would continue steal glances of Mickey. She's too perfect - she thought. How could a girl like her exist? How could I have never seen her before? Looking over to the reflection of the mirror Adlai found those brown eyes looking back at her, those big beautiful brown eyes. Feeling the blood rush to her cheeks she sucked in a breathe and darting her eyes back down to a piece of paper on the counter top and acted as if she was busy. Being caught staring was all too embarrassing.

Once Mickey’s fitting was finished Adlai’s mother told her when the dress should be ready and to stop by at the same time she did today and that they would make anymore alterations that needed to be done if something didn’t look done when she put on the dress again. “Thank you Mrs. Rod.” Mickey said as she handed her mother a wad of cash from her bag. “It’s no problem at all, I know I’ll have it done in time for the wedding.” With that they exchanged goodbyes and soon after the work day ended.

—

Adlai was thinking about Mickey. She was just too perfect. She thought about how she might have known her if she hadn’t gone to school at Hogwarts. She thought about how they could have been close friends, how they could have had sleep overs and gone to the movies, how they could have maybe even held hands. Friends hold hands, especially if they find one another to be beautiful right?

When her father came by the store front with the car Adlai’s mother climbed into the front passenger seat and Adlai jumped into the back seat. As they rolled down the winding damp street home Adlai still thought about Mickey. She couldn’t help it and she knew deep know that she wouldn’t stop. Not for the rest of the night or maybe even the rest of the week at least. This was the first time she had ever wanted to be friends with someone so badly.

Oh Mickey, you’re so fine.