July 28, 2008 | Book One, Book Stuff, DA Series, Draven Atreides
I had started Miss Snitch Mondays in order to introduce the public to the Draven Atreides series. I began posting the unedited version of Book One in May in honor of its release in April 2009. However, after recently attending a writing class, I realize I still have a lot to learn about writing and being a good writer. I’ll be enrolling in a writing program in September that will take 1-1/2-2yrs to complete. I want the series to be a success and I believe that taking this program will help me to achieve that goal. In light of this recent decision, I’ve pushed back the release date of Book One to April 2010. I still plan to post excerpts (which will end around this time next year) and you will still be able to sign up on the Pre-Order Notification List.
We follow Marla past the steam showers and the jacuzzi. Turning the corner, we see two rows of lockers with comfy bright blue benches in front of them.
“Your belongings will be safe in these lockers. Did you get your keys from the front desk?”
We both nod.
Marla glances at the key tags then looks at me. “You are here. And you three doors down,” she says to Poe.
I unlock the door, secure my tote bag and slip the phone cord key ring around my wrist. We then follow Marla through the doorway.
“This is the waiting area. You will relax here between each of your treatments. Your estheticians will come get you when they are ready. Outside the double doors is the Zen Garden. Feel free to step outside and take a look. It’s quite peaceful. Would you like some water or tea?” Marla asks.
“I’m fine for now,” I say.
“Me too.”
“We encourage you to drink plenty of water in between treatments so you do not get dehydrated. Enjoy your time here,” Marla says, then leaves the room.
“Holy Mother of Saint Bubble Gum,” Poe whispers in awe. “This place is freakin’ amazing.”
“I’ll second that,” I agree, pausing near the door to take it all in.
The room is beautifully decorated in Asian accents with modern art on the wall. Three dark brown bamboo-type chaise lounges are situated in front of windows covered with sheer curtains. A little alcove sectioned off by short stone walls houses an overstuffed couch with matching ottoman and chairs. To my left, in the corner, is an oak cabinet with its doors open to reveal an assortment of juices, iced tea and bottled water. A teapot squats on a hot plate warmer, surrounded by teacups and saucers, packets of tea and a hot water dispenser. Poe’s gasp draws my attention across the room. She has unlocked the double doors and thrown them wide open.
“Check out this Zen Garden, Dray, it’s off the hook,” she crows in delight.
I walk closer, crossing my arms over my chest to ward off the chill. Even with the sun out, it’s still a bit cool. I step up beside my riend and scan the Garden. This is like no garden I’ve ever seen. Not a flower in sight, but plenty of different types of bushes. On one side of the stone bridge is a large pond filled with rocks and a funky-looking iron sculpture. On the other side of the bridge is a hot tub sized rock pond built into the stone deck, being fed a steady stream of water from a rock filled chute connected to another hot tub sized fountain.
“Do you think that chute has gold in it?” Poe inquires.
I laugh and shake my head.
“I don’t think so. Although it seems like it would, huh?”
“Yeah. It’s pretty cool. It’s like we’re at a spa in China or something. But without the wooden shoes. Those things look uncomfortable.”
“That would be Japan, Poe. China’s the place where they they wear the kung-fu slipper.”
Poe nudges me with an elbow. “Thanks for the geography lesson, smarty pants. My Mom would love this place.”
“Maybe Rune can get you another invitation and you can bring her here,” I suggest, walking backward until I hit the chaise lounge.
Poe whips her head around and quickly scans the room.
“Geez, say that a little bit louder, why don’t you,” she hisses, then closes the doors with a dramatic swoop.
I turn on my side, tuck my legs closer to my body and watch the sheer curtains settle back into place.
“Don’t panic, girlio. We’re alone. And even if we weren’t, no one would pay attention to us anyway.”
Poe drops down on the lounge to my right, pulls her knees up to her chest and covers them with her robe. “Well, you never know who’s listening,” Poe says grudgingly.
“Is Rune popular with the high society crowd?” I ask suddenly.
Poe looks over at me, eyes wide. “No,” she answers quickly. “At least, not that I know of.”
“I mean, he got you the invitation for this thing. Something like that would be pretty hard to get unless you had connections,” I say.
Poe turns her head and gazes out the window. “I guess. Rune has a lot of friends. The majority of whom I haven’t met. He likes to keep to himself.”
“Yeah, so I’ve heard.”
Poe leans her head back with an audible thunk and sighs. “Look, Draven—“
“You don’t have to tell me anything,” I interject quickly, holding my hand up, palm out. “We just…Ricky and I, we just…worry about you. A little. That’s all. No big deal.”
I shift, look down at my lap and watch as I wrap the belt around my fingers.
Poe remains silent.
“Look, I wasn’t trying to fish for information or anything.” Liar, liar, pants on fire. “I was just saying. He got us this invitation. He knows people. Maybe he can get another one for your Mom. She could really use a break.” I pause.
Poe slowly turns her head until she’s looking at me. She stares at me a moment, eyes unblinking, before a corner of her mouth quirks up in a small smile.
“Maybe I’ll ask him,” she says.
A door to the right opens and we turn to see a woman dressed in a black Asian-inspired shirt and pants, step into the room. Her jet black hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, with bangs cut straight across her forehead. Equally dark eyebrows hovered over clear blue eyes and small, berry-colored lips creased into a serene smile.
“Poe Danziger?”
Poe swings her legs to the floor and bounces off the chaise lounge. “That would be me.”
The woman laughs and holds out her hand. “I’m Luna and I’m going to be your esthetician today. Ready to go on back?”
“I’m ready. See you later, Dray,” Poe says with a wave.
“See ya,” I reply, watching my friend practically skip out of the room.
Moments later, before I can think about my stupidity in bringing up the subject of Rune, the door opens again. This female is in all black as well, her short blonde hair held back on one side with a small barrette to reveal deep purple eyes.
“Draven…” she pauses with a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry, I don’t want to mangle your last name.”
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just a girl says:
Good on you, Celise! It’s great that you know you still have much to learn (as I am learning about myself), as “the fool thinks he knows everything, but the wise man knows he has much to learn.” The day you think you know everything, you stop learning. Good luck with the classes.
Now I got to catch me up on this story!
x
JAG