Porcelain Doll

Chapter One

     Amaris strolled down the sidewalk, her school skirt fluttering in the breeze as she cheerily hummed a song to herself. Today was the perfect Monday afternoon. The sun shone brightly in the sky, the cherry blossoms scattering around her in the light and warm spring breeze. Amaris inhaled a deep breath of the floral scented air. She would never get bored of the sights and the smells of South Korea. Even if a small part of her heart still missed her home back in Australia, over the past three years of living In Seoul, she’d grown happy. Her Korean was excellent, and she felt more in touch with her father’s Korean roots the longer she was here. “Hey Amaris! No piano practice today?” Amaris turned to see a girl with shoulder length straight black hair wearing an identical uniform to her own, jogging her way. Amaris smiled at her friend, Mae Woong. “No, not today. My little sister’s birthday is tomorrow, and I wanted to stop by this doll shop I saw the other day to pick up a gift for her.” Mae Woong nodded as she cradled her school books to her chest. “Oh I see, so you won't be there today then?” Amaris shook her head. “No, I won’t.” Mae Woong dipped her chin once more. “Okay then, I hope to see you at practice tomorrow. 내일 봐요.” (see you tomorrow) 

“내일 봐요.” (see you tomorrow) Amaris replied. She bowed politely to her friend with a bright smile, and turned to continue her walk, adjusting the weighted school bag draped over her shoulder. Two days ago when she had been walking a different route home from school, Amaris stumbled across a rather intriguing looking doll shop. She’d remembered there was a large display window decorated with various types of dolls. They looked to be exquisitely made. Amaris had saved up every single penny of the paychecks she’d been receiving from her part time job at the convenience store. She had well over enough money to get her sister something nice that she would love. Her sister had just turned eight, Amaris felt her sister was at a good age to be trusted with her first porcelain doll. 

Amaris turned down the small alleyway she had taken the last time she passed the doll shop. Her padded footsteps echoed throughout the narrow alley as she hummed quietly to herself.  The past few weeks she had been learning to play Bethoven’s Sonata No.17 Tempest 3rd Movement. She adored this particular piece and the way the beautiful notes flowed into the melody. She’d catch herself humming it during all of her spare time alone when she wasn’t hunched over a piano practicing it. The large display window came into view at the end of the street. A small, well kept building with a small sign hanging above the door that read, “도자기 인형.” (The Porcelain Doll) Not the most creative name in the world she thought, but to be honest she wouldn’t be able to come up with anything better herself. 

The door screeched lightly as she tugged it open and stepped inside. A small woman was hunched over a small laptop resting on a counter. Amaris offered the woman a polite bow as she browsed the shop. There was a large display room with various dolls decorating shelves mounted to the walls. There were dolls the size of her fist, and others stood as tall as she did. There were four glass cases mounted in the center of the shop. Each glass case contained a different doll. The doll closest to her, to her left was dressed in a gothic style. She had long black curled hair and resting atop her head was a black lace bonet. Her dress was black and trimmed patterns of red lace. The doll’s porcelain skin was pale white, her lips painted a bright, deep red. And her eyes were a matching deep red to match her lips. Amaris had a deep appreciation for the gothic style. However, her sister didn’t have the same thoughts.

The doll to the right was a stark contrast, She had straight blonde hair, and a silk white ribbon had been laced into it. Her dress was white and puffy, made with several layers of fabric. Blue sapphire shone elegantly in the doll's eyes, her lips were painted a lite shade of pink. Amaris thought this one might be the perfect choice, but she wanted to check the others first.The next doll she inspected was the one directly across from the doll she had just been inspecting. This doll had hair the color of snow, tied into two small buns with purple ribbon atop her head.  The dress she wore was a midnight purple layered with milky white highlights. Her eyes shone the color of amethyst, her lips painted a shade of lavender. Amaris appreciated the purple color used for this doll, however she didn’t feel it was within her sister's particular tastes.