Two sixteen-year-old girls huddled together outside the billowing silk tent, beneath a sign that read ‘Fortune Teller.’
Kathryn, the young auburn haired girl, was nearly bursting with curiosity and anticipation. “Come on Ally, it’s just a bit of fun.”
Kathryn giggled and dragged the other girl, Alessandra closer to the tent. Alessandra hesitated and flashed Kathryn a wary glance.
“Besides what’s the worst that could happen?” Kathryn asked and shrugged.
Ally cringed. Nothing good ever happened when someone said that.
“Famous last words, Kathryn.” She took her arm back from her friend and looked around the Fair for something else that might interest Kat, but she came up empty.
“Oh would you stop being so serious!” Kathryn cried in frustration. “I know you’re a brunette and all but sheesh!” Ally had to stifle back a giggle despite her current feelings. Kathryn in a huff reminded her of a child having a temper tantrum, and Ally was almost waiting for her friend’s feet to start stomping in protest.
She looked around once more, just in case by some miracle, another stall had opened that would be intriguing enough to distract Kathryn’s attention from the Fortune Teller’s tent. However, it was not to be.
Going to see a Fortune Teller might have been just a bit of fun for most people, but they gave Ally the creeps. There was something unnatural about knowing one’s future. It seemed to defeat the purpose of getting up each day and never knowing what might happen. Life is what you make it, she thought to herself.
Ally shook her head in resignation after seeing the determination on her best friend’s face. Once Kathryn got an idea in her head, nothing could stop her, except maybe another brilliant idea. More often than not, it was easier to give in rather than trying to fight what was tantamount to an avalanche.
“Alright, we’ll go. But don’t blame me when your famous last words get us into trouble.”
Kathryn flashed her friend a dazzling smile, followed by what could only be described as an excited squeal. She then proceeded to drag her best friend into the tent looming before them.
Ally caught her breath as she entered. The air permeated with the scent of jasmine, cinnamon and something else exotic she couldn’t quite name. It was an altogether intoxicating smell. She stopped and looked around the scene before her. White candles were scattered around in candelabras and on tables, with an incredibly comfortable looking pair of oversized cushions covered with an exquisite Indian silk. A large ottoman was in the middle of the space, serving as a table, with a crystal ball in the centre. The woman sitting on the other side of the ottoman, presumably the Fortune Teller in question, appeared to be from some far away exotic land. She was one of the most beautiful women Ally had ever seen. Thick black hair flowed freely with a delicate headdress made of crystals and fine chains hung across her forehead. Ally wouldn’t have been surprised if she had been wearing a belly dancer costume. The headdress reminded her of images that she had seen of Arabian harems.
No doubt every aspect, the woman included, was designed to put the clients at ease. Luring them into feeling like they were somewhere exotic, instead of an over-the-top tent in the middle of a fair. Ally admitted to herself that it was impressive, but still there was something unearthly and not quite right about the woman before her or this place. Ally rolled her eyes at the thought. Her flare for over-dramatizing was taking over again.
The Fortune Teller stood up and beckoned to them to come forward. “Welcome girls.” She smiled warmly at them. “I am Madame Isabella. Please sit down and get comfortable.”
She lit the incense on the table that Ally instantly recognized as sandalwood. Not sure what to do next, Ally and Kat looked at each other briefly. Ally shrugged and turned her attention to the mysterious Madame Isabella.
Madame Isabella opened her bright violet eyes and looked right at Ally, who was taken aback by the intensity of those eyes staring at her. “Ally, I have a reading for you.”
She cocked her head to one side ever so slightly, as she did when she was trying to process something. “H-how do you know my name?”
Madame Isabella laughed softly, and gestured to nothing in particular. “I’m a Fortune Teller, Ally. It's what I do.”
Ally looked to her friend with one raised eyebrow that said, “I told