Chapter 7: The Moon Festival

POV  AKIRA SELENA

I admit how skeptical I can be about everything involving Skyfall, but on one thing, if not the last thing, not even the greatest among skeptics would remain indifferent. 

From living here so much, I know, that only something very magical would make everyone work hard before nine in the morning. Because the day does not go well with skyfallers, and even less so when the sky gives clear signs that today will not offer us its usual gray, but a splendid blue that has changed in such a short time.

How did it happen? I wouldn't be able to explain, and frankly, no one is interested when there is so much to do for the party right at dusk. Men, women, old people and children all get together to make the preparations for the big day. 

In the decoration, many colors are mixed and apparently emotions too. This is how I feel when my gaze has just met Alfred's in the middle of the crowd. His strong arms are carrying tree trunks that will serve as firewood and seats around the bonfire. And this time, he is carrying nothing on top, this sight being better than I imagined, and I have to look away if I don't want to be mistaken for the next red feather to be placed on the collars.

" Hi, Sel!"

Alfred says hello, and my attempt to pass myself off as unnoticed by him fails. He always moves so fast that I begin to believe he is a spirit. And the only way to prove myself otherwise, would be to touch him, I think maliciously.

" Do you want to touch me, Sel?"

He questions in a cheeky way and I can feel his wicked intentions barely hidden behind that phrase.

" Don't be conceited!"

I tap his arm where the skin, as well as his body's, is luminous from the sweat earned from physical exertion.

And I hold myself back from asking him how he read my thoughts when they should be mine alone.

"It's not being cocky, Sel. It's your eyes, your trembling hands, and your teeth digging into your soft lips that confess to me your desires..." 

What an idiot! I knew that being with him in these last 48h, would make him irresistibly unbearable. 

" Feel!"

He not only says it with conviction but takes the initiative to hold my free hand. 

My fingers stop obeying me, to let themselves be guided by Alfred's big, strong hand, which makes them slide from his chest towards a place I never imagined.

My eyes are wide open, and I don't know which of my senses, sight or smell, will be more shocked that we are just inches from the center of his pants.  However, when we were so close to getting there, the direction of our hands, is shifted to the side until we reach his pocket.

"I have a gift for you. Take it."

Alfred says and my mind wavers as to which part of his body I feel like taking.

The time is approaching and getting ready for the moon festival, or rather, to be with Alfredo, is much simpler than I imagined. My mind is not haunted by a multitude of fears about how I should behave or talk because at the slightest slip or imperfect detail, everything would fall apart, so that I would be just the odd girl from Skyfall again, as happened at the dinner at the Rockfellers' mansion.

Meanwhile, this girl has rediscovered herself radiant in her traditional brownish dress and adornments around her feet and hands.  It is the gleam in my eye returned by my reflection that says it, and I dare not dispute it. And to finish, there is only one detail missing that I cannot forget: my earring.

" You look beautiful, my child!"

My mother's calm and unmistakable voice breaks the silence of the environment.  

Her appearances are always like that, like Alfred's, in a blink of an eye they take you by surprise.

"Thank you, Mom. I may be rebellious about everything important to Skyfall, but this is still my place. "

I mention the subject she'll be talking about soon enough, and I'm ready to admit that she was right about almost everything.

"Have the Rockefellers become that uninteresting? You really are like the moon, Akira Selena. So many faces in such a short time."

She stares at me through the mirror which, though old, still reflects our reflections together.

"I hope this is not a momentary decision, Akira. It is true that life are made of moments and we can change our minds all the time. However, choices, they always carry consequences that we will have to bear, even if the future gives us a chance to rewrite our story one day..."

She advises and honestly none of those words make sense to me yet. But I will not forget them because they sound like a prophecy about the future...

What will be the destiny for my life and my heart?