THE SPARKLE ENCOUNTER

Chapter one - Warm meet you

The morning was fresh and warm with the cold breeze from the beautiful sunrise, it's blue and dark clouds on it's lower part of the world.

Maisie came downstairs with her pink school bag that had the silver chain around, hanging beneath the ends.

Her hair was tied smartly, with the tiny pink princess ribbon so colourful like the rainbow. Her oval eyes were pure white like the long pair of stockings she had, with dark eyelids as her hair. Her school uniform, black round short skirt that was above the knees, a white long sleeved shirt, and a one buttoned black coat.

She looked smart, exactly like a true student of Roden international.

As she moved her eyes around the house, she placed them on the dining table. Three platters were placed, and a sudden feeling aroused in her throat. It felt heavy to lift as if something had shocked her. She now knew her dad had already left, and the platters were for her, and her brother and mom.

She almost whispered: another emergency, but she didn't.

She glanced miserably at her fists as if to comfort her or promise herself everything will be fine.

Mrs.Valets slopped towards her daughter's side, exactly where she was standing. She stared at her for a minute without saying anything, and Maisie had not noticed her mother was right beside her.

After a moment, she moved and let her know she was there. Giving a fake smile, she let her kiss the both of her cheeks.

"Good morning, sweetie" Mrs.Valets said, taking a seat on the dining.

"Morning, Mom" Maisie replied, her voice flat and low.

Mrs Valets wasn't surprised about her daughter's attitude, it was her fault she didn't convince her husband to stay behind and attend the school function.

Besides, this was the last school meeting in the term, clearly the day parents had to show up and congratulate their daughters and sons for the good marks in their first year, term at Roden international school.

The best student was going to be awarded, and Mrs Valets had confidence her daughter was to be the best. But how will she appear alone on the stage without her dad?

"Is Dad coming?" Maisie asked already aware of the answer.

She took the last sip of the tea and stood.

"Maisie . . ." her mom called, and then paused after a second, wiped her lips and went on, "he has an important client today. So he won't _" Maisie cut her short.

" Come." Maisie held the bag with both her hands on the two handles. "I see. You won't come either?" She asked over seeing her Mom dressed in a white suit and black high heeled shoes, ready for work.

Her hair was tied the same way as her daughter's, but with no pink hair band. Mrs Valets almost smiled.

"Ofcourse not. I'm just dropping by the mall. How can i miss my baby's event." She touched her cheeks, her eyes looking straight into her daughter's.

She suddenly saw that youthful look of hers in Maisie's face, exactly the beauty that had attracted Dr Tonio into marrying her.

All of a sudden, Maisie's anger disappeared as if she had never been mad at all, like she had not felt her throat hurt and heavy to lift. Her face flooded with relief even though she knew her dad won't be there, at school.

"You're still here?"

They both heard Todd shout from the stairs, starring at her sister furiously, like he wanted to jump straight to her throat.