Chapter 8: First Immpressions

The birds twittered cheerfully as Sari entered the peaceful courtyard. She walked slowly towards a Dojo, in the center of the courtyard as she looked around. She turned around to see Benny casually enter the door of the dojo as if it was his own. Sari took one last glance around the gorgeous courtyard before stepping up to the door of the courtyard. She held her breath as she put her hand up to the doorknob. She lightly grasped the doorknob, and held her hand there. She let her breath out in a whoosh, and turned the doorknob, letting herself in without another thought.

Inside the dojo was a great living room. Full with a couch and fireplace. A doorway to the right revealed voices whispering in a different language. Spanish, it sounded like. Sari walked slowly over to the door way, and peered around it. The talking stopped abruptly as soon as the people saw Sari's face. Sari felt herself blushed and immediately wished that she could disappear. She wished she could melt into the ground, turn invisible; anything to escape from the torturing stares of the people. But it was too late.

Sari stared back. There were four people in the room: Benny, two boys, a girl, and a woman. She studied their intent faces. The two boys looked similar, they both had the same dark brown wavy hair and intense hazel eyes. The woman could be their mother, she thought, smiling. Benny was just; well, Benny. The girl glanced her way, but as soon as Sari met her eyes; she looked away. Sari immediately felt a feeling of dislike radiate towards her from the girl. Sari stared at the girl's head, her turned back. The girl had black hair, like her, she looked about 10 years old judging from her height. Both had black hair, and both were long, but the girl's hair was put up neatly in a braid, which flowed down her back. Sari felt herself reach up to touch her own hair; which had grown out too, but was dry, and caked with dirt and mud.

Envy felt its way up into Sari's face, making her blush uncontrollably. She tried to keep her envy in control, but it got the best of her. She furiously tried to comb all the dirt and mud away from her tangled hair. Everyone stared at her except for the girl, whose back was still turned.

Sari suddenly realized how silly she looked and her hands dropped to her sides. Sari steadied her gaze on the bare feet. She saw the clumps of mud and dirt she had scrubbed off on the ground. Sari felt guilty, she felt like an intruder to have come in this woman's beautiful house, with dirty clothes and no shoes. She had forgotten her manners. Please, thank you, excuse me; all the words of politeness came flowing back to her. But it was too late. The damage was done.

Sari peered at the mother, hoping that she would see "sorry" written all over her face. But when Sari looked up, the mother was smiling at her. It was a kind smile. Real, not fake. That's when Sari put her chin up, and smiled back.