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Lanna's Date
The next morning at around 10:00 am, Lanna decides to pay Mark's farm another visit. She plans to first apologize to Mark for how she acted the day before. Then afterwards, ask Mark to accompany her to the Fireworks Festival. As she approaches the farm, she begins to get butterflies in her stomach. It's not often that she goes to his farm, but she feels awkward about going to his farm today. Almost like when she goes on stage in a concert, and she feels nervous about singing before an audience.
As she walks to the farm, she wonders why the sudden change. Last time she went to his farm to ask him out, she was full of confidence. Now she's nervous about what Mark will tell her. She wonders if maybe it's because of what she said yesterday that makes her feel this way this time around. But just like in a concert, she roots for herself, tell herself that she can do it, and goes ahead with the show.
She finds Mark watering the tomato crops hoping for another harvest before the end of the season. The weather has been fair all season long with little rainfall, and enough sunlight for a healthy harvest. As she watches him from just outside the farm, she hesitates to go inside. But after taking a deep breath, she marches inside without showing any of the nervous feelings that she has.
“Hello Mark.” she greets as she gets close to him.
Mark turns his attention to Lanna, and smiles for her. “Hello Lanna, I'm glad you came by.”
From only a few feet away, Lanna looks down to her toes. She has recited the lines she wanted to say over and over before she arrived. But for some odd reason, she has a hard time letting them out. She takes another deep breath before saying “Listen Mark, I have something to say. . .”
“I have something to say too.” replied Mark. Before allowing her to say anything to her, Mark bows before Lanna, and says, “I'm sorry Lanna.”
Lanna jumps back an inch. The last thing she would expect Mark to do is apologize to her. “W-what are you apologizing for? You didn't do anything wrong.” she said nervously.
“It's because I said something yesterday that made you upset at me. I didn't mean to make you mad, I just. . . I'm sorry.”
Mark continues to bow and apologize to Lanna. She is speechless, she had planned to apologize to him. Apologizing to him at this point would make her feel awkward. She crosses her arms, and looks at Mark with a loss for words. She sighs deeply and says, “Okay, fine. I forgive you. Just quit apologizing already, you're embarrassing yourself.”
Mark stands back up, and says, “Really? You'll forgive me? So. . . We can still be friends?”
“Of course we can still be friends.” nodded Lanna.
Mark smiles cheerfully. His golden smile under the warm morning sun's rays makes her heart skip a beat. She tries her best to hide how she feels, she wants to run away, and hide in her home for a while. But she is determined to at least thank him for the lunches he goes out of his way and makes for her.
“So, I guess I'll see you later at the usual time?” asked Mark.
“Actually, I want to ask you something.” said Lanna. Mark stands by waiting patiently for Lanna's question. But since Mark ruined her plan for an apology, she needs to come up with a new plan to ask Mark to the Fireworks Festival. Luckily as a pop idol, she has been in situation where things didn't go as planned, so she can at least wing it.
“Mark, I'm thinking about going to the Fireworks Festival tomorrow. But I don't feel comfortable going by myself. . . So I was wondering if you could take me to the festival tomorrow.”
Mark is very surprised. In the two years that Mark has lived in the island, not once did he notice her in any festivals. She always said that she was too busy to attend any festivals, so he never bothered to ask her. But Lanna has come to his farm asking him to accompany her to the Fireworks Festival held the next day.
“Lanna. . . Are you asking me out on a date?” asked Mark curiously.
Lanna recrossed her arms and looks away saying, “No, I am not asking you out on a date. This is just me saying 'thanks' for all the delicious food you bring me.”
“I see. . .” said Mark disappointed by her answer.
She then turns around, and pouts while saying, “I thought it would make you happy to have the honor of escorting your favorite idol to the festival. But if you don't want to take me, that's fine. I can just ask someone else.”
Mark takes a step towards her. Hearing him get closer makes her heart race. As she turns to look at him, now inches away, she can't help but blush seeing him so close. With a gentle smile on his face, he responds, “Lanna, I'd be happy to be your escort to the Fireworks Festival.”
Seeing Mark's face again so close turns her face completely red. She looks away again to hide her face behind her long golden hair. She couldn't believe how Mark's answer is making her feel. Her heart is beating so quickly, she feels that it could burst. She then holds her chest hoping that Mark does not notice and says, “Okay. . . I'll wait for you at my house tomorrow. . . Pick me up at six. . . Don't be late. . .”
Without waiting for his reply, Lanna walks out of the farm quickly, almost as fast as a light jog. She doesn't want Mark to see her this way. As soon as she gets out of sight, she stops and holds her chest trying to calm her frantic heart beat. As she tries her best to calm herself, she whispers to herself, “Why do I feel this way today? All I'm doing is asking Mark to accompany me to the festival. I didn't feel this way when I asked him to treat me to lunch. . . Could it be that I'm in. . . No, it can't be. . . I don't want to go through this again. . .”
After a few minutes of breathing deeply, she finally is able to calm down. She then lightly slaps her cheeks and reminds herself, “That's right. I am a pop idol, and Mark is a fan of mine. We are only friends, two completely different people from two different worlds. I don't have any time for any romances right now, I'm just going with him as a close friend, that's all.”
With that decided, Lanna goes back home, and tries to get some work done. But as she sits on her desk, concentrating on writing lyrics become increasingly difficult. All she can write about is Mark. Every single time the word “mark” appears on paper, even if it's not referring to her friend Mark, She tears up the page, and starts over. After several Hours, she grows tired, and takes the day off to rest herself.
The next day, Lanna spends the entire day trying to figure out what to wear to the festival. She is in her bedroom with a pile of clothing on her bed. As she stares at the clothing, she sighs deeply. Not once while she has been living on the island, she had done so much preparation for going out.
She picks up a red frilly dress, and goes over to the mirror to check it out. After staring at it for a few minutes, she says “Would this be good for going to a festival? . . . No, I think this dress is too flashy.”
She then picks up a light blue shirt, and jeans, and wears them. She then takes another look at the mirror, but sighs and says, No, no, no. This doesn't look like me at all.”
She then tries the white blouse, and a long red skirt. As she looks in the mirror, she smiles at how attractive she looks. But trying to imagine how she would look with Mark next to her, she shakes her head no, and tries on a different dress. Hour after hour, Lanna tries on all types of dress, from fancy to casual, elegant to conservative, flashy to plain. Seeing that time is running out, she sighs, and opens up her closet filled with copies of her aqua green dress with the black frills.
She then takes out a clean pressed aqua green dress and says, “Looks like I'm wearing this today. But just to be different, I'll leave the barret home.” After deciding what dress to wear, she goes off to take a shower. She then combs her hair, and wears some make up. A light tan blush to give her skin some color, and some glossy lipstick for a cute charm.
After getting ready, she looks at the clock, and sees that it's almost time for Mark to pick her up. But as she looks in the mirror, she begins to wonder why is she doing so much preparation for the festival. She keeps telling herself that she's not going on a date, but the more time that passes, the more that she feels like she's preparing for one.
About a few minutes past six, Mark knocks on the door. Lanna only takes a moment to open the door. Like Lanna, Mark does not wear anything special, although he was tempted to. Just a clean set of his usual clothes. But as he gazes at Lanna that evening, his heart couldn't help but skip a beat. She is wearing the same dress as she usually does, but without the barret. But he can notice something different about her. Glowing skin, glossy lips, flower scented perfume. To him, it feels more like a date than just escorting her.
“Are you ready to go?” asked Lanna, kicking Mark out of his trance.
“Um. . . Yes. I'm ready.” said Mark. They then walk out of the village together, and head over to the beach were the festival is held.
In the beach, many of the villagers have set up stands to keep everyone entertained until the firework are lit several hours later. As Mark and Lanna walk together at the festival, Lanna keeps looking around, but pays little attention to the stalls. Mark notices her act strangely, she almost looks like if she's looking for something.
“Is anything wrong Lanna? You look tense.” asked Mark.
Lanna looks at Mark and says, “Nothing really. I just can't help the feeling that someone is going to jump out at me, and take my picture or something. Every time I go to festivals, people typically don't leave me alone, and keep asking for my autograph.”
“It's not going to happen, because just about everyone is used to you living on the island. There's no point in asking for one now, they can ask you anytime.” Mark whispered to himself.
Lanna then thinks for a moment and says, “I also can't shake the feeling that I am being watched. It may be that I am not used to being left alone during a festival, but still. . .”
Lanna continues to look around for reporters and fans. But as she looks around, a candy stall catches her eye. In the stall, some cotton candy on a stick is shown on display. At this moment, Lanna's love for sweets takes over. She clasps her hands together, and her eyes glow with delight as she stares at the sweet treat in the candy stand.
She can't help herself but to separate herself from Mark, and run to the candy stand. Mark scratches his head, and cheerfully laughs at her. This is the first time that he has seen Lanna act more like a little girl, rather than a busy pop idol. He finds it rather cute and charming.
Lanna approaches the stand, and reaches out for the cotton candy. But before she touches it, she pulls her hand away. She tilts her head down in shame, knowing full well that she has an image to maintain. But the pink ball of cotton on a stick looks so good, she has a hard time not looking at it. Using as much will power, she turns away so that she doesn't look at it.
Mark on the other hand, takes the cotton candy, and pays for it. He then shows it to her and says, “Here, have some cotton candy.”
Lanna looks away and says, “I don't want it.”
“Why not? It looks really good!”
Lanna takes another look it the cotton candy. The more Mark offers it to her, the harder it is to resist. But she looks away again and says, “Because I am on a diet. All of my fans would be upset if I gained weight before I finish my work.”
“Oh come on, it's a festival today. It's okay to treat yourself on a day like this. Go on, have some!” Mark continued to offer.
Lanna takes another look at the cotton candy. She knows that she really wants it, she has loved cotton candy ever since she was a child. If she was alone, she could avoid it. But having Mark talking her into having some cotton candy just makes it far too difficult.
Lanna slowly reaches out for the sick of fluffy cotton candy, and accepts it. Before she starts to enjoy it, she says, “Fine, since you went to the trouble of buying it, I'll accept it this time. But if I gain weight, I'll hold you responsible.” She then takes the first bite of the fluffy sweet. Once again, her eyes glow like crystals under the moonlight, and loses control of herself. Mark just can't help but smile at how happy Lanna looks as she is enjoying the cotton candy.
As the festival continues, Lanna continues to visit different stalls to try out other sweets she had missed for years. Some of her favorites are shaved ice, funnel cakes, ice cream, moon cakes, and various other sweets. Lanna has also visited other stalls to play some mini games. Mark also plays some games to win Lanna a cute prize. After playing several games, he is able to win Lanna a cute stuffed animal.
Later that night, mark and Lanna are sitting on top of a large boulder that is in the sands of the beach. At this time, Lanna is finishing a candy apple that they had just bought. While they were enjoying the festival, Lanna had completely forgot about any worries of reporters, fans, or possible strangers watching her from a distance.
“Did you have fun?” asked Mark just after Lanna finishes her candy apple.
She then wipes her face with a moist towelette, and says, “Yes, I admit I had fun. As a pop idol, it can get hard to enjoy a festival when you have fans chasing you everywhere. This is the first time in years that I was able to enjoy a festival in peace.”
“Well, everyone is just used to seeing you around. There is no point in bothering you now if they can do it anytime.” said Mark.
“What's that supposed to mean?! Are you saying that I am not special anymore?!” snapped Lanna.
Mark sweats nervously , and says, “That's not what I meant. I'm just saying that you have become a part of this island. Everyone here knows you, and. . .” Mark then sighs and continues, “I guess I'm not making any sense, right?”
Lanna then looks up at the sparkling stars, and says, “I think I know what you mean. When I first arrived in the island, so many people started to crowd around me just begging for an autograph. After two years, it doesn't happen anymore, but I still have so many fans on this island. But after I'm done with my second alum, things will get crazy once again. I should relax, and enjoy the peace while it lasts.”
Mark then nods. Seeing that Lanna has been enjoying the festival rather than worrying about fans makes him feel happy. He then takes a moment to think back a moment. For a while, he has wished to go on a single date with Lanna. His reasons are not because she's a famous pop idol, he has a more special reason why. For a long time, even before he has met her in person, he has always felt thankful to her. Now that they are alone at the beach, he feels that it may be a good time to tell her.
“Look! The fireworks are starting!” yelled Lanna. Mark then looks up, and watches the many different fireworks shoot up into the air. Blue, green, red, white, all different beautiful colors in many different patterns light the dark sky. They both are completely breath taken by the beauty of the fireworks.
The fireworks lasts for a full half hour. Afterwards, the festival ends, and Mark has to bring Lanna home. On the way home, they both discuss how wonderful the fireworks look over the beach. Lanna almost feels ashamed that she missed out on the earlier fireworks show on the island. But she will do her best not to miss anymore.
Their conversation cuts short as soon as Lanna arrives home. She turns around, waves goodbye saying, “I had a wonderful time tonight Mark.”
“I'm glad you did. . . Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow.” replied Mark.
At that point, they part ways. Mark goes home back at the farm. But as he leaves, he realizes that he completely forgot about telling her what he wanted to say. But he feels that there will be another chance to tell her, so he goes home.
Meanwhile, Lanna stands in front of her door watching Mark vanish into the night. As soon as he is out of sight, she places a hand on her chin, and says, “You know, Mark is a really nice guy. He's kind, and sweet. If only I wasn't a pop idol, I wonder if we could. . .”
Without finishing her thought, she opens her door and goes home to rest for the evening. But as soon as she enters her home, she gasps learning that she is not alone. She finds three middle aged men sitting inside her home. A man in his late thirties in a business suit smoking a cigar, and two bodyguards.
“Hello Lanna, it's been a while hasn't it?” said the man in the business suit.
“Good evening. . . Manager.” Lanna said nervously as she bows respectfully.
The manager points at an empty seat nearby and says, “Sit down, we need to talk.” Lanna then nervously takes a seat across from where her manager is sitting. For a minute, things remain silent. She wants to offer him some tea or something, but she is too nervous about what he is going to say.
“That was a pretty nice boy you were with tonight.” said the manager.
“You were following me?” asked Lanna.
The manager takes a puff of his cigar, and says, “I came here earlier, but the house was empty. I asked a local where would I find you, so he directed me to the beach. I didn't want to interrupt your little date, so I waited for you here.”
Lanna trembles. She knows that there is only one reason why her manager would want to visit her in the island. The manager then puts out his cigar, and says, “Well, since you have the time to go out, lets get to the point. You know why I am here, do you?”
Lanna nods and responds nervously, “Yes sir. . . You want the lyrics to my next album. . .”
He then opens his hands in front of her and says, “Well, lets have them. It's been 2 years already, that's more than enough time to finish.”
Lanna's heart begins to beat rapidly, this time she is terrified beyond reason. She has been working hard for 2 years, but she has not completed a single song yet. Breaking the news to him will be tough for her, but giving him no answer will only upset him. So she swallows her fear, and says, “I'm sorry manager. . . But I'm not done yet. . . I still need some more time. . .”
Her manager frowns, which makes her feel even more worried than before. He then stands up, and walks to the nearest window looking out into the dark night sky. He finally takes a deep breath, and says, “Lanna, I'm trying to be fair with you. I let you live on this island because I sympathize with you about what happened. But I thought you had gotten over it already, and is ready to work.”
“I'm sorry. . . I'll try harder, I promise.” said Lanna.
Her manager then looks at her, and says in a stern serious tone, “Do you have any idea what's going on outside this island? The next pop idol is rising, and people are starting to forget about you. The record companies are laughing at me, because I am too soft on my employees. You know how much I hate being laughed at, right?”
Lana nods, but says nothing. She feels that if she dares say anything, she'll only make him more upset than he already is. Her manager then looks out the window once again, and says in a more milder tone, “I'm afraid I have no other choice but to give you a deadline. I'm going to leave you here, and be back in one week. Have the lyrics done by then, or you can consider this island your permanent residence.”
“What? One week?” asked Lanna in a worried tone. “But that won't be enough time. Please manager, can't you give me at least another month?”
Lanna quickly silences herself as soon as the manager pulls a very familiar piece of paper from his jacket pocket. “I'm sure you know what this is, don't you?” he asked.
“Yes. . . It's my contract.” answered Lanna.
The manager then tears the top of the contract slightly, causing Lanna to scream with panic. “Oops, my hand must have slipped.” said the manager in a sarcastic tone. He then continues to tear the contract little by little causing Lanna to panic just a bit more with every tiny rip. “You know what will make my hand stop slipping, am I right?”
“Okay! I'll have the work done in a week!” yelled Lanna. Upon hearing that, her manager stops tearing the contract, and returns it to his jacket pocket. With that decided, he leaves with his men saying, “Remember, one week. I know you won't let me down. I have faith in you.”
The door closes, and Lanna falls on her knees. She then looks at her desk with nothing but rejected ideas and crumpled paper. She has no idea how is she going to complete her lyrics in one week. After two years, she has nothing done. But rather than doing nothing, she quickly goes to her desk, and starts working. She can only hope for the best after a week.
To be continued.