It was Monday morning, and I was thrilled I’d be doing a scene with him later on that day. The few but fabulous memories I had of our last couple of encounters were playing on a constant loop in my brain. The feather, the piano, the forehead kiss. Bizzy was begging for me to strap a discreet butterfly on her for the school day, but I got too nervous. I mean, what if the class fell silent and heard a faint buzzing from the front of the room? I could always blame it on my cell phone, I guess.
Then again, I didn’t keep my cell phone on my crotch. On second thought, better not. Instead, I just kept checking for texts and scrolling through pictures I had taken of him.
“Talking to your boyfriend?” one of the students asked accusingly. Bobby, I think his name was.
“Excuse me?” I asked, eyebrows vaulting toward my hairline.
A few of the boys laughed. “You’re turning red and smirking and biting your lip.”
I slid my phone back in my pocket discreetly. “I read a funny headline,” I bluffed.
“One that made you blush?” a little nugget of a freshman chimed in.
“How about this,” I answered, “if you guys stop asking about my personal life and finish your homework in the next ten minutes, we can play Pictionary on the board? Maybe listen to some tunes?”
They applauded—especially my punk kids—while I checked repeatedly for William’s lunchtime e-mail.
When I got it, I could say I was more than pleased. He was going to do well with today’s scene—geisha and servant.
From: William Gentry
Subject: Confession
Date: May 9, 2012
To: Cerise Norrel
Dearest Cherry Blossom,
I humble myself before you now, and beg for your forgiveness in advance.
I know I am but a lowly servant, and should never have done something to offend any geisha, let alone the most celebrated one in all Kyoto.
I have become fixated on you to the point of obsession. When I was cleaning your chamber last night, I stole a drop of your perfume. I put it on a handkerchief so that I may inhale your intoxicating scent while you are gone.
It was wrong of me, and I await my penance. I will serve you your tea today, as usual, and you may punish me as you see fit.
Please forgive this unworthy yet enamored heart.
Sincerely,
William
I let out a long sigh. Thank goodness class had just left. This man was going to be my undoing, and I was going to love every minute of it.
Erin’s chastisement yesterday was a faint memory as I ran my hands over the sumptuous fabric of the black and purple kimono hanging in my bathroom. Unreal, I thought to myself while I unraveled each complex piece of the ensemble. I had done my homework on kimono-wearing during my free period earlier that day. There was the obi, the mae-ita, and the obijime, all finally wrapped around my waist. My outfit was now complete. Instead of putting my hair in a geisha-style bun, I decided to flat-iron it so it fell in long sheets around my face. I used my “winter complexion” pressed powder, clipped in a few black extensions, and put on some matte red lipstick to complete the look.
Look out, Kyoto.
I smoothed my clothing and walked as steadily as I could in the high platform sandals William provided. He had put on quite a show the past few scenes, so I knew I would have to hide my shock at whatever he had done this time.
But no amount of preparation could have possibly kept the shock and awe from my expression when I walked into my bedroom.