Chapter Fifteen
Differences
‘Marvellous.’ Lennie sighed for the fifth time, grinning at me. ‘I knew they’d be beautiful, but I was still unprepared.’
‘I’m just glad it’s over and I can get back to work. I’m fed up of feeling sick.’ I said, trying to hide my pleasure at his words.
A lot of the locals are still terrified by me, but the tourists seemed in awe, viewing me as ‘exotic’ and buying from the stall just to get a closer look. Lennie’s business had never done so well. He focused on serving the regulars and doing deliveries while I attracted and entertained the tourists. During the hottest part of the day we closed, my new skin unable to bear it.
‘I’m glad to see you happy again.’ Lennie admitted. ‘I worried this would break your spirit…or that you’d never forgive me.’
‘Why? I already knew you were, you know.’ I said, glancing nervously around at the crowds nearby. ‘Knowing your real name just means I can trust you now.’
Lennie’s smile was genuine, but sad.
‘And I will not betray that trust, no matter what. You have my word, young Firo.’
I blinked in surprise at the name, but felt myself slowly grinning.
I’ll try to make her proud, I thought, my attention turning back to the crowd…
…and landing on Iris and her mother, staring open mouthed at me.
I froze, unable to move or think. Eventually Marge snapped out of her shock and pulled Iris away. She didn’t try to resist.
I hid in my room when the two of them called at the house later that night. Their voices started out cheerful, with Marge’s delightful voice proclaiming, ‘My little Iris is now a woman!’
Even in my room I hid my face in embarrassment, now knowing what that meant thanks to Lance.
‘Is Tempit really as big as they say?’ Mum asked.
‘Bigger, Lily! You can’t even imagine! The buildings and shops are so different there, the structure…I’ve brought back gifts. You wouldn’t believe the clothes they had! So elegant.’
Iris’ voice interrupted. ‘Um, Mrs. Leav, what happened to Dimi?’
There was a deadly silence after her words, then low voices as Mum began to explain. I gritted my teeth, climbing under the bed, trying to drown out the world around me.
Why did she have to come back? I was finally starting to accept this.
The slow creaking of my bedroom door opening froze my thoughts. I didn’t even dare breathe.
‘Dimi?’ Iris asked, hesitating only a moment before stepping boldly into the room, closing the door behind her.
‘You shouldn’t do that,’ I said automatically, wincing but unable to change it now. ‘You’re considered a woman now, so being alone in a bedroom together…’
I faltered as her face appeared next to mine, bending down to look under the bed.
‘Is that all you ever think about, Dimitri Leav?’ She teased, her easy smile not once faltering at the sight of me. ‘Perhaps you only worry about it because you dream of stealing my virtue.’
My face heated up and I scrambled backwards, coming out from under the bed and crouching next to it. Iris did the same on the opposite side, the bed between us.
‘Has someone given you the talk then?’ she asked, her voice no longer teasing but kind. I felt tears well up in my eyes.
‘Yes, but what does it matter anymore?’ I choked out, embarrassed that sobs were already escaping me but unable to stop them. ‘Nothing like that could ever happen now.’
Her face morphed to concern as she stood. I shot up too, backing away into the corner of the room, as far away as I could get.
‘Don’t! Don’t pretend this doesn’t change what we have! I saw you before; you couldn’t stand the sight of me!’
‘That isn’t true!’ Iris burst out, a little angry now. ‘I was just shocked, Dimi! We had no idea things had changed here. I left because so many people were around, and I know you don’t like strangers hearing about your life, that’s all. Nothing between us is different! I still care for you. In fact, I think they’re beautiful.’
To prove it, she quickly crossed the room, touching my face with both hands and smiling, no trace of doubt on her face.
‘I love you, Dimitri,’ she whispered, ‘Can’t you see that?’
My answer was another sob, and she gently held me as I cried in her arms.
I don’t understand.
‘Everything will be okay, Dimi.’ She soothed, ‘You’ll see.’
Iris came by everyday, determined to prove her feelings hadn’t changed. I was starting to believe her, but I still couldn’t see us ever being the way we once were.
‘Is it the virtue thing?’ Iris teased, ‘Because we’re still too young for you to worry about that. Plus I thought your people didn’t believe in sex before marriage.’
My face heated at her blatant use of the word, I didn’t know if she could tell I was blushing with my scales now.
‘Anellan people are only with one person their whole life, so s-, it’s the equivalent of a wedding.’
‘Oh, okay,’ she said, her teasing tone fading. ‘Does that mean they don’t have a ceremony?’
‘Some do, afterwards,’ I said. ‘Mum and Father did.’
The thought of Father sobered me, the memory of his reaction to me so different from Mum’s, Annie’s, Aaron’s and Iris’.
How could he despise his own child so much?
‘I really did miss you, Dimi.’ Iris whispered, leaning in closer.
‘No woman will ever want to touch you.’
I jerked back, panic making my breathing uneven.
‘Shush,’ Iris soothed. ‘I’m sorry. We can wait until you’re ready for kissing again. There’s no rush.’
Her smile was genuine, patient and loving.
But with Father’s words ringing in my head, I couldn’t bring myself to believe it.
Scribbled Thoughts 