Cool Invite

[IVY TANNER]

Her cries fell on deaf ears. To Ivy Tanner, she could lift the hospital from the ground, walk with it and return it with ease if that meant the nurse shouldn't call Marina. Too late, they already did. Gloomily, she lay on the hospital bed as if waiting for the doctor to announce her time of death.

What was worse? Her parents coming or Marina? If there was an option, she would prefer to head home by foot and forget that she was in a freaky small accident turned into a big deal by the nurses. She was one lucky lady as her brother worshipped the ground she stepped on while her parents would kill anyone if they dared even touch a strand of hair on her head.

"She knows, she will be here soon."

Before she could do a stupid face at the nurse, she managed a tiny nod. Clearly, the nurse was aware of what was the best for her. Minutes passed and two nurses came in, "thank you, I would love to leave now."

Oh, how wrong she was. The same nurse as before informed her, "sorry, ma'am. Your friend asked us to move you to a comfortable bed. Also, she mentioned tasing you if you opened your mouth."

"That is illegal." Ivy pouted. Covering herself, she placed her feet on the ground and then motioned at the nurse to show her the way ignoring the way she stared at her, certainly, wanted to help her. The other nurse carried her belongings to an 'exquisite room' as per Marina's command.

Ivy faced the window, not overthinking about Marina and her doings as it was better to agree with whatever she wanted, when she arrived, she would assure her she was fine, and they would head home. Bored, she searched for her phone in her handbag only to find it not there. As a way to get her mind off the worry about Marina's car, and her parents, her mind switched to when they first met.

**

[PAST]

Ivy Tanner's surrogate mother left after her birth. Learning this at the age of five had been heartbreaking. She wasn't ungrateful to have parents who adored her but really wanted to meet the woman who carried her for nine months.

A year later, her mother gave birth to her brother. If anyone doubted brotherly love, what Ivy had with her brother was a perfect example that indeed, brotherly love existed and it was real. With their parents' regular travels, they grew closer. By the time their parents halted their travels and started their company, they were all grown and ready to go to college.

It was painful for Ivy but she had to since it has been her dream to join a college abroad. Upon arriving, reality slapped her harder than she anticipated. With homesickness and clueless about how to form friendships, she had trouble settling in the new town, new country far away from home.

One morning, her brother advised her on the phone to get a hobby, and sad and lonely Ivy Tanner agreed. She spent the entire day thinking about what she should do, painting, drawing, writing, and all sort of things came into her mind. However, none of the above was suitable for her, Ivy Tanner loved being on her foot, and there was no way in hell she was going to draw while walking.

She wasn't that crazy much, yet!

Her legs carried her to the school gym facility to burn some steam. "Sorry, the gym is fully booked." The trainer told her while apologizing profusely. She waved him off and went to the beach. A smile sat on her face as her legs hit the sand, she removed her sandals smiling, not even scared of how the beach was silent.

She stepped on a shellfish, Ivy bent while mumbling how sorry she was for doing so, when she stared at the poor shellfish, "I am no expert, so, let me ask, why are you here?"

Someone giggled, making Ivy look up. She found the most beautiful lady she has ever seen in her life. What pulled her in more was how the lady stared deeply into her eyes, literally, she felt the stare in her spinal cord.

"Here, they look good on you." The lady said, her voice sweet.

Ivy's mouth stayed open. "Uh?"

"Now, now, my beta, it is just beads, waist beads, your beautiful waist called me from a far distance, you are beautiful, come, let me help you, wait, no. Now, that is rude of me, I can't touch a stranger." The lady in front of Ivy ranted.

Studying the lady, Ivy was unsure whether she should run for her dear life or ask the lady to stop staring at her as if she was some kind of a meal.

"Hi. So, will you accept my humble gift, my beta?"

"I am Ivy," Ivy said.

"Oh, Ivy?" Marina asked, her eyes glued to Ivy's waist. Honestly, the waist beads went well with Ivy's figure.

Taking a step forward, Ivy wondered what the term 'beta' meant. Shrugging it off, she explained, "yes, I am Ivy, Ivy like a flower."

"Oh? Okay. I am Marina, Marie like a Marie?"

Ivy couldn't help but laugh while looking around the beach, and upon facing Marina, she jumped and then relaxed. Marina was standing close to her, breathing lowly, tapping her hand on her chin, the beads on her palm clacking together, releasing a sweet sound. Disturbed, and not because of how Marina was staring at her but rather how comfortable she felt with Marina that close, Ivy swallowed again.

Slowly, Marina pulled Ivy into her, "why?"

Ivy swallowed, "uh?"

"Why are you scared?"

"I am not."

Marina dropped her hands to her side, "you are lying." A sad smile played on her lips, "here, it will look good on you."

Staggering, Ivy placed the beads around her waist, her hands shaking a little bit. Marina's eyebrows furrowed, "hey, hey, look here."

"Sorry…" Ivy paused.

"Do you want to go to my room and make some cool beads?" Marina asked, the look on her face morphing from sad to gleeful.

Ivy could hear her brother's voice in her head, "don't. That is how serial killers lure people into their homes." She should be scared because Marina was a stranger, yet, Ivy thanked Marina for the beads and accepted the invitation.