The Special Package

It was a nice summer day afternoon on July 6th. There were two high school students- Izumi and her girlfriend, Helen. Izumi is staying at Helen’s place for a week. They are studying history, chemistry, and biology for the summer exams during their summer school. It’s only two weeks. They were outside on the patio with nice shade and very comfy furniture so they could relax and enjoy the cool summer breeze. The wind blows. The birds are singing. They were listening to lo-if tunes, which also have the chill vibe music. It helps for studying, napping, stretching after a workout, and of course, meditating.

Izumi is a witty, outgoing, and confident tomboy. She is also a class clown. Izumi wears a Led Zeppelin t-shirt and denim shorts. She looked like some spunky character. She may look like Tracer from Overwatch or Allenby from Mobile Fighter G Gundam because she has spiky short hair. Izumi isn't looking forward to the exams. She never likes the tests or exams. She is passionate about comedies, comics, video games, and music. Helen is a charming, studious, creative, and friendly gal. She is also a brilliant student. She dressed like a cottage core artist with a decent striped tank top that looked like it was from the seventies and adorable embodiment flowers on the right side of the jeans. On the other hand, Helen is also a great tutor for Izumi. Izumi felt grateful that she has a best friend who never disappointing her.

DING! Izumi’s phone rang-but it was a text. It's a text message from one of her elder sisters, Hinata. It says, ‘No Goofing Off, sis! Keep studying!’ Izumi looked irritated. Then, she complained. She lay down on the couch and leaned her head back. “God, sis. Aarrgghh. Every time I get those texts from her. This is ridiculous! I’m not a baby. Jeez!” “She just wants you to do your best in summer school, that’s all,” said Helen. “She’s our History teacher, you know.” Izumi sighed. “I know.”

DING DONG! The doorbell rang-just one ring. Izumi shrieked. She turned her head at the door. “What was that?” Izumi asked. “It's just a doorbell, silly,” Helen replied and giggled. They walk down to the living room. They open the door. There’s no one there. They looked down at the doorway. There was a package on the doormat. It has the size of a big shoebox. It was wrapped in an old brown paper-like from an old school lunch bag. They looked suspicious but curious. “Hmmm… there’s no name on it. Wait, there’s no address either.” Izumi picks up the package. She shakes it. It sounds like small pebbles and wooden blocks. There was a mark on top of the package; unfortunately, the ink was completely smudged. “What do you think we should do?” Helen is concerned. “Mmm-I don’t know. Maybe take it in, I guess,” Izumi shrugs her shoulders. So it’s Helen’s. “Who knows.” They went back inside with the package. Then, they closed the door.

After they went back inside, They put the package on the small table in the living room. They went back to the patio and started studying again. Hours later, it’s now 4 pm. The lo-fi tunes are still playing. They start to get hungry from all their hard work. They start to order a pizza for dinner- two small boxes, Veggie and Spicy supreme. It will arrive in at least 10 minutes.

While they’re still studying and waiting for their dinner, they turn their heads and look at the strange package. But, they cannot get distracted too much. They have to keep the focus on their exams. Izumi, however, her eyes turned gently, directly at the box. She was thinking something. Does she wonder if it’s a special box from her sisters or a prank box from those kids in the neighborhood? Her eyes turn back gently and keep reading. Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Their pizza has arrived. They grab the lavender sparkling water bottles and the baby carrots from the fridge.

Izumi and Helen were just giggling and chit-chatting while they’re eating pizza and baby carrots. “Hey Helen, I wonder what’s in the package?” Izumi asked. “What package? Oh, that,” Helen answered. “What do you think we should do?” “I think we should open it and see what it is?” Izumi stood up from the couch, then Helen grabbed her arm to stop her. “No, wait! It could be a prank or a trap!” Helen felt alarmed. She looks nervous. “I hope not.” She looks suspicious, but Izumi has no fear. “Nah. It’s gotta be the self-care stuff that my sisters made, there's no way they would prank me.” They decide to open the package.

They are holding the package. Their hearts are pounding. They feel shaky as they are about to tear up the brown paper from the package. This brown package is….. A self-care box. It has face spa masks, aromatherapy candles, stress relief bath soap, and calm and focus herbal tea bags. They felt relief. Just then, the phone rings. Izumi answered the phone. “Hello?” “Hi Izumi, this is Ran!” Ran is one of Izumi’s older sisters. “I was calling to see if you got the package yet so that way you two have nice anxiety relief before the exam.” Izumi smiled. “Thanks, Ran-we appreciate it.” “No worries. Don’t study too hard, ok.” “We won’t,” Izumi giggled. “Night, sis.” “Night night.”

Helen picks up a couple of the focused herbal tea bags. “Hey, do you want me to fix you some tea?” “Sure, that would be great,” Izumi accepted. “Now remember, we’ve only got a few more hours to study, and then we can get some rest,” said Helen. “All right.” Izumi agrees. And so, they are continuing to study with these delightful herbal hot teas and some delicious cookies before their bedtime.