78. Lilac Scent

Paul - At home
The house I grew up in was always a little too quiet for my liking. Now, the same house is shifting from a place of memories into a cradle for Laura and me.
She has brought most of her things to the house. Unwrapping the last of the boxes, she stares at a small album. She opens it and pulls out a picture.
I wrap my arms around her from behind, resting my chin on her shoulder. Out of habit, I sniff her hair, inhaling her scent.
“Why do you keep smelling my hair?” she asks, still looking at the photo.
I lightly touch my lips to the spot where her neck meets her collarbone.
“It is said that when two people are fated mates, their scent is like a fingerprint, a unique signature only the other can notice.” I pause to take another sniff. “For me, you smell like lilac flowers in the spring, and it’s driving me crazy.”
I nuzzle her neck, breathing in her scent and letting it fill my lungs.
Laura doesn’t answer. She sighs, and her fingers shake over a black and white photograph. Two little girls in matching dresses smile at the camera while their parents hold them up.
She turns the picture over and reads the caption, “Laura and Beatrice, 1955.”
Tightening my arms around her, I ask, “How old were you when this picture was taken?”
“About ten.” Her fingers trace the faces of her parents. “Now everyone in this photo is dead, except me. Or maybe I was the first one to die.”
As I pull her closer, I know I must tell her something. I should not let her draw out her pain and sadness. I’m here by her side to show her how beautiful life can be.
Even if it will sound forceful, I must redirect her thoughts and change her mood.
“Laura,” I begin, but she interrupts me.
“No, Paul, please don’t, I—”
“Is that a school uniform?” My hand joins hers on the photo, my finger pointing to her clothes.
Laura nods, still staring at the picture.
I chuckle softly. “Unfortunately, a middle school uniform won’t fit you anymore, but I bet you look cute in a high school one.”
“I’ve been through high school several times,” she answers. “There’s where I blend in the best because of my unchanging looks. I have come to hate high school already.”
“Hmm.” An idea strikes me.
I take out my phone and call Dan.
“Dan, I need something urgently. Order me a high school uniform, Laura’s size.” Scratching my chin, I continue, “You know what? Why stop at one? Order several models.”
Maybe Dan is baffled by my request since nothing comes through from his side of the line.
“Hey! Hello? Dan?”
The first thing I hear is the sound of a beep announcing he has ended the call.
When I turn back to Laura, she is staring at me in a way I find hard to ignore.
“What? A man can have his fantasies, right?”
She rolls her eyes and waves for me to come closer. “Help me finish unpacking.”
***
I am stunned when I open the door and see Dan standing there. The gigantic package he is holding reminds me of my peculiar order.
He pushes the door open with his foot and steps inside. After giving me a long look, he sets the package on the floor and walks away. I guess he’s too embarrassed to say anything.
Without waiting for a second longer, I open the package with shaking hands, eager to see what is inside. As I pull out the first piece of clothing, the intense smell of new fabric hits me. It’s a navy blue blazer with the school’s emblem on the pocket. I can’t help but feel a little bit too excited as I imagine Laura wearing it.
There’s also a simple, navy blue skirt that would reach Laura’s knees if I’m not mistaken. The white blouse is a little loose, but I’m sure she will look good in it. I also find a pair of black stockings and a red tie. Dan sure knows how to over-deliver.
“What are you doing here?” Laura asks, staring at the stockings in my hands. “Did you really order those uniforms? I can’t believe it.”
“Hehe.” I can’t stop myself from chuckling. “Yes. Though I must confess, I had my doubts that Dan would actually follow through with the order.”
Laura comes next to me and stares at the clothes. She leans over the box and picks up the red tie. Her mischievous smile and sparkling eyes are too much for me to resist.
Gulping, I drop the stockings on the floor.
“This color is perfect for you,” she says and wraps the tie around my neck, pulling me toward her. “I’ll not be playing dress-up all by myself. You got to do your part too!”
“Of course, I’ll do anything you like.”
Still holding the tie with one hand, she takes my hand and presses my fingers on her chest.
“You have to help me undress,” she whispers.
“You know… I think I might like this.”
Without adding anything else, I obediently start unbuttoning her blouse. Her skin is soft and cold under my fingertips.
After I unfasten the first button, she takes my hand away from her chest and tugs me toward her. She raises on her toes and licks my lips. I groan when her tongue touches mine.
“Not so fast, Paul. I’ll let you continue this soon enough. But first, let me see how you look wearing just this tie.”
Grinning, I start undressing, my eyes locked on hers, waiting for the moment she'll drop her gaze and look at my body.
When she breaks eye contact, I’m unable to contain myself anymore. I grab her and press our bodies close together, my hands sliding under her skirt. I push her back against the wall and wrap her legs around me.
She moans, and I entirely forget about the uniforms and my plan. I want her too badly to have time for anything else.