[STORY] Amanda (Episode 1)

Episode 1

The evening breeze danced along with the trees as they swayed to the windy rhythm, another day had come and gone, but tonight would be different, tonight the stars would dance on her face, tonight she would taste the wanton side of life.

‘Are you sure you want to do this Mandy’? Her mother said to her.

‘Mum? I am not twelve, I can take care of myself’ the blue eyed blonde replied.

‘Honey, parties could get complicated, I don’t want anything bad to happen’ the woman expressed her fears.

‘Mum, come on, stop doing this. I am an adult besides it’s not like I am going for the party, I am just paid to usher there; I hear it’s organized by some really rich folks’ Amanda replied.

‘Okay…is Alex coming with you’?

‘Sure, she is, we are riding in her car’ Amanda replied.

‘You don’t have to worry , I know you’re scared but nothing bad is really going to happen, you know how much this would help; I need the money, okay’? Amanda rushed and planted a sweet kiss on her mother’s cheek.

‘You know, sometimes I really wish I could do something to help you, I feel so bad that I am pulling you back; I am drowning your efforts’ the woman groaned.

‘Mum…stop’ Amanda began to shake her head.

‘No, it is my fault that we are living like this’ tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled the events that had led to her being crippled.

She had gotten married to the love of her life, Amanda’s father; the marriage was a youthful one, her parents and friends had not been in support of it, but she was too blinded by love to hearken to their words.

Her husband turned abusive and pushed her off the balcony, one year after Amanda’s birth and that was how she lost her legs.

‘It is not your fault, you fell in love with a man; falling in love is not bad’ Amanda had heard the story over a hundred times.

‘No, falling in love is a good thing, but it is better to walk out of it when you see the signs that love is gone forever. I knew he was crazy but I still stayed; I thought I loved him, but he ruined my life’ she cried.

‘Mum, it’s been twenty something years this happened, you need to move on. I know it’s hard for me to get and keep jobs so I can take care of us both, but I am not complaining. Everything would work out eventually’ Amanda offered her another kiss.

‘Thanks Mandy, you’re so smart and intelligent; you’re a hardworking woman and I wish I were half what you are when I was your age’ she smiled proudly at her daughter.

‘Thanks, Ma, now, I think I need to go’ Amanda peered out the window of their tiny bungalow.

Alex had arrived in her convertible; she announced her arrival with the blasting of the horn, very loudly.

‘Are you trying to turn deaf or something’? Amanda shouted.

‘No, something better, I am practicing Studio’ Alex grinned.

‘Crazy girl’ Amanda smiled and rushed towards the door.

‘Promise me one thing’ her mother’s words halted her.

‘What mum’? She swirled round.

‘Promise me you will never fall in love with the wrong person’ she returned.

‘Heart on my chest, I promise’ Amanda smiled and rushed out of the house.

She thought her mother’s behavior really weird but could she really blame the woman? Her mother had been terribly broken, physically and emotionally by the man she loved; she didn’t want the same thing for her and she clearly understood that.

‘Don’t worry mother, I don’t plan to fall in love anytime soon’ Amanda sighed as she reached the car.

Amanda Atkins was a twenty five year old student of Humboldt State University where she majored in “Business management” with the hopes of getting an internship with one of those high flying firms in New York.

She was in her third year in school; her grades were doing fine, the only problem was her financial power, it was really weak and that was why she needed a job.

Like this one she was paid to do, ushering at a party.

She was too engrossed in bettering her life to engage in anything romantic; she never had a boyfriend, she didn’t have time for one.

‘Hey come on, don’t tell me that’s what you’re wearing for a party’? Alex’s face feel as her friend moved closer to her.

‘Seriously? This took me great effort’ Amanda rolled her eyes and joined her friend in the car.

Alexandra was her best friend; they hit off at an event two years before and remained close ever since; she was out spoken and kind hearted and she always looked out for Amanda.

‘Who wears a T-shirt and worn out denim for a party? Girl, step out and go get yourself a short dress’ Alex snorted.

‘Hey, I am waitressing not partying. I wanna feel comfortable’ Amanda replied.

‘Comfortable my dear, is totally boring. You never know who you would meet, we still got time’ Alex stared at her designer’s watch.

‘I am fine really. Let’s go’ Amanda said.

Unlike her, Alexander came from a wealthy home but she made sure this did not affect their friendship.

How could she tell Amanda that the clothes she’d put on were her very best clothes? She couldn’t afford designer wears or accessories, so she made do with what she had.

‘And your hair? You could have fixed it up Mandy; your curls are wild. You are one sexy girl who actually has no inkling on how to pull sexy off’ Alex scanned her briefly.

‘At least I wore lipstick, see’? Amanda pouted her lips hoping her friend would talk about something else.

‘Suit yourself, I intend to get a man for myself tonight. You know what I mean’? Alex winked at her friend.

‘Alex! You just broke up with Bellamy last week, gosh! You should be taking it easy’ Amanda stared at her friend in bewilderment.

‘Honey, life is too short to stick to one man. Since it didn’t work out with Bellamy, I shouldn’t beat myself up about it. That’s the difference between me and you. I am a river; ruthless and always moving but you? You’re a pond. And ponds are boring’ Alex sighed.

‘Now that really hurts’ Amanda said.

‘Sorry’ Alex gave her hands a squeeze.

‘Um, you should probably get a boyfriend tonight; fall in love; have sex and do wild things with him’ Alex chuckled.

‘Alex! Focus, we don’t wanna get involved in car crash, do we’? Amanda scoffed.

‘I’m focused’ Alex muttered and focused on the high way.

They listened and sang along as they headed towards the Rocky spur where it was going down that night. It was an architectural masterpiece surrounded artifacts and flowers. Lights surrounded the walk way.

Amanda felt nervous as she took in the sheer magnificence of the building. She had never seen such beauty in her life. The night was about to come alive. Already she could see scantily clad females troop in, some with their partners and others with their girlfriends.

TO BE CONTINUED…………

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