|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
I
walked into the college campus. Walking as I usually do, not bothering to look
around for I knew it by heart. Yet, today was different. People were staring at
my then whispering something to their friends and burst out laughing. I got
nervous. With a trembling hand I smoothed my hair. Why are they looking at
me? I had little sleep, that’s true. But I am used to that. My hand
slipped behind me to check that everything was fine in the hindquarters. The
slight movement evoked tremendous laughter from the other students. What the
hell is going on! I made a detour to the rest room. What ever is
happening it was getting out of control! Entering, a group of girls stopped
talking. Soon, one said something that sent the whole group in such titter that
I was on the edge of crying. With
my best nonchalant act I closed the door behind me. In the solitude of the small
room I looked at my hair, face, clothes and shoes. It was the epitome of
normality. True, a little worn out but still acceptable for I never bothered
much with my clothes. Even if I had a pretty dress on, my size would make a
silly garment out of it. Now, I wished that I had taken more care in choosing
them. In my solitude, I heard the girls leave and the place grew silent. Reluctantly,
I got out. As I stepped out I stepped on a piece of paper. I shook my foot for
the darn thing stuck to me like glue. Must be gum! Dirty girls! I had to
take it of by hand when something caught my eye, a picture of a Romeo bending
down on an Angel as if to kiss her. There was another larger one under it. It
was a picture of Justin and me the other day at the parking lot. O my God! So
this was why people were laughing! Oh SHIT! They KNOW! This can’t be true! I
looked again at the picture. Someone must have taken our picture without us
knowing, perhaps using a night cam. I
rushed out to get to my lecture. I couldn’t afford to be late. In my hurry, I
bumped into some one. I stepped back to see it was Justin. -“
Oh Justin, I…” he cut me off. -“
What the hell is this!” he threw at me a copy of the same paper I saw at the
bathroom. “I trusted you, Suzie!” he shouted. -“
No Justin you don’t understand! …” -“
I do! You were laughing at me the whole time! You and your sweet talk!
You almost fooled me!” he accused. The tears I had fought before came to cool
my hot cheeks. -“
I didn’t! I swear!” I protested. -“ You’re a slut like the rest of them! Only you’re more hideous!” he turned to walk away ending this horrid chat. I couldn’t believe this! But I had no time to mull over this; I had a lecture to catch. With unsteady steps I dragged my self to where my lecture was being held. As
I reached the retched hall, the professor was there and had started her lecture.
I silently swore everything I could name. I felt every one there looking at me.
The professor took her time to acknowledge me. -“
Miss Michles, winning The Cutest Couple Award does not give you
any license to start the lecture at your fancy.” The place roared with
laughter. I managed to mumble something and she nodded. “Very well, no use of
wasting time. Take a seat.” I
went to the direction where my friends usually sit at. I spotted them and when I
got to them. I saw their angry eyes. -“
Sorry, this seat is taken!” Bessie hissed. I was shocked. Of all my friends,
never have I thought that Bessie would be the first to turn her back to me. I
passed my glance at the rest of my friends. Nancy and Rebecca looked away. Figures,
they were always too nice to say no to their enemies. A forsaken friend would be
of no difference. I got the hint and went to find an empty seat. A
guy found it hysterical to make me stumble over his foot.
I was on the ground. Everyone was laughing even the professor! No! No!
This is not funny! Stop! Stop! I
woke up. I
woke up sweating. It was only a dream. A nightmare. I corrected my self.
I looked at my hands still trembling from shock. I swallowed hard. It was so
real! My breathing went back to normal. I closed my eyes but the image of people
laughing at me in my dream haunted me. I was too scared to sleep again. I
sat up in my bed and looked around my room. It was dark. The only light came
from the open window. I walked towards it. The cool night air felt good against
my face. I looked around the neighborhood. It was quiet. I glanced at the Elroy
residence. Justin’s car was there in front of it. A light came from one of the
house’s windows. And I wondered if it was Justin’s room. Justin
was in his last year and needed a lot of time to study. I felt a guilt pang. I
wasted his time doing particularly nothing. I cast a look over my own books. I
too needed to work my brain. Grimacing, I opened the biggest one. The light was
faint but I could read the headlines. As it happened, I did not like what I read
so I closed the book and headed towards the kitchen hoping that some food would
make me drowsy enough to continue my sleep. And hopefully brave enough…
Rubbing my eye, I entered the Great Hall where my friends and I hang out when we are between lectures. It was not by any means a COOL gesture but I never cared. Spotting my friends I went to sit with them. Soon enough a sweet substance was placed in my greedy palm. Rebecca’s treat is nothing I miss. Smiling I wondered how could I even doubt my friends even in a dream. Bessie saw my miserable shape and said that I looked as she felt. I chuckled. -“
And what makes you feel so?” I asked. -“
I want to die!” she cried out halfheartedly. -“
I suggest sleeping pills, dear. But you can always use a gun but point it
directly to your brain.” I advised. -“
Thanks for the wisdom of the day.” She grumbled. I put my hand on her knee and
waited until she looked at me. -“
I’m your friend, Bessie.” I said seriously. -“
Yeah, I …” I stopped her with my hand. -“
And being your friend, I ALWAYS want what’s best for you. I guess your
facing a financial problem? Money problems?” I asked. -“
Who doesn’t?” she answered and the entire group nodded in approval. -“
Well then! I guess it’s my job to help you all!” I smiled watching the
confused girls trying to make sense of my statement. -“
Did you win the lottery or something?” Maria asked amused. I ignored her. -“
Girls! I am your loyal friend! I will take away all your problems. So,” I
extended my hand saying this. “Please feel free to give me all your money as to get rid
of all your problems!” before I finished my hand was full but not with money
but all sorts of unworthy things. I acted offended. -“
Is that a way to thank your LOYAL friend?” I pouted. -“
Give me all your money problems, Suzie, and you’ll just see how loyal I am.”
Replied Nancy. I smirked. -“
Honey I would just LOVE to give you all my problems!” I smiled
wickedly. Opening her hand to receive her share of my problems, I continued. “
Unfortunately, I have none concerning that area but I would love to give you all
my FAT!” I eyed her skinny form hopefully. -“
I don’t mind having fat in the right places but there is no way to relieve you
of that problem.” She acted sad. I patted her shoulder. -“
Don’t worry, Nancy. There WILL be another time.” I promised winking. Having
little of sleep leaves me in a weird state, forgetful, sarcastic and sometimes
just plain gloomy. For some reason, I was very angry, angry with my self. How
dare I think of silly Justin and miss my precious sleep. He was a new friend, a
new book to read. Sure, I was excited but I should not let it control me. I
was snapped out of my thoughts by a tug from Bessie. I looked at her
quizzically. She nodded towards the entrance of the hall where Amy was talking
to Mickey. I forced my self not say his full silly name. There was something not
quite right with that guy but I could not put my finger on in so I decided to
shut up. The happy couple advanced our way. In our group, it was very rare to
have a guy actually sitting with us. Besides Ken, Jennie’s boy friend, it was
Amy’s friends who sat with us. Sometimes
I wonder why does Amy bother with sitting with us since she had so many friends
but I push this idea aside as soon as I see her. Amy belongs to us. I do not
know how but we each complete each other. Her other friends are mere
acquaintances, even her boy friends. She does not take them seriously. She only
likes to have them around like loyal dogs. Rarely do they last longer than a
month. But we… we are her ROCK. -“
Hey guys!” Amy greeted quite happy while Mickey nodded his. -“
Hi Amy. Looking happy today.” Maria observed. I tapped the seat beside me
signaling Amy to sit. Only what happened was that Mickey sat there then he
seated her between his legs. It was a gesture lovers used frequently. My eyes
shot open. Amy never did this, at least not in our company. I looked at her from
the corner of my eye. She looked content in her place. He was not forcing this
on her. She WANTED this! I
shifted my gaze towards Bessie hoping to find an answer. Bessie pressed her lips
together, which she did only when something bothered her but she could not do
anything about it. I looked at Nancy and Rebecca. Nancy shifted in her seat
uncomfortably while Rebecca tried not to look at their direction. Those girls
did not know how to conceal their feelings. In a last try I looked at Jennie and
Maria who were doing all the talking by now. Maria did not even flinch while
Jennie was more interested than bothered by this show of affection. I
scolded my self. It was not our business what she and her boy friend did
together. For all it was, the gesture was common enough between lovers on
campus. At least they weren’t kissing, I muttered to my self. -“
So what do you think, Suzie?” Amy asked smiling. -“
Y-yeah sure.” I had no idea what she asked me but whatever it is, it
couldn’t be that bad. -“
Who will be your date?” Amy questioned. Date? Think! -“
I don’t have one.” I said flatly. I could play the slow thinker. -“
So why did you say that you’ll come!” she asked quizzically. -“
I said the idea was good. I didn’t say that I’d come.” Then I looked at
the other to dismiss this mistake. The time passed and I half listened to what
have been said and half wondering if Amy was serious this time. If Nancy or
Rebecca had a new boy friend, I wouldn’t have been this worried. It was not
that Amy did not know how to deal with guys but she … I do not know. She is
used to have the upper hand with them and love is not like that, at least love
as I heard of it. And having her love to be Mickey was not a soothing idea. He
had a weird look in his face when he talks to her. All together, it was not my
business but I could not help keep my mind of it.
I was in my room lying down later on that afternoon. A closed book lay beside me. I just finished reading it and felt empty. I haven’t planned an entertainment that evening. I usually like to plan my day. Unfortunately, I finished the book much earlier than what I expected. Of course I could take a nap. I could sleep anywhere and anytime but I did not feel like sleeping. With
heavy feet, I dragged my self to the window. People should watch their windows
more often. One could learn a lot from observing. And besides it is a way to
waste time as TV only it shows real things. And it currently showed a busy
Justin washing his car. This Justin was too busy to notice two figures sneaking
behind him to get to the water hose. Both Pedro and his other sister, the one I
saw at the supermarket, had a bucket and were filling it with water. I smiled. I
knew what they were up to. Two could play that game. I
looked around me for something small to throw. I found some beads that were left
from an old necklace. I threw once and missed. The second one fell in Justin’s
bucket but he didn’t notice. The third time I hit him on the head. He looked
around startled. I waved my hand and he spotted me. He started to say some thing
but I signaled him to hush and pointed towards his other siblings. He got what I
meant and nodded. He carried his bucket and headed towards the young schemers.
Since they were busy, they had not notice his stealthy approach. I chuckled and
felt sorry for the unlucky brats. And as for them, they were splashed with cold
foamy water from head to toes. They shirked and squealed in surprise and in rage
they threw at him their half full buckets. The
massacre ended with three soaked wet people and a dripping window, my window.
After minutes of the clash of water, Justin has given away the information about
his spy’s identity. Soon, I was number one target in their training field. The
first splash caught me by surprise but the second one crashed on glass of my
window. No harm in little sprinkle of water in hot day. Some
minutes passed and the trio gathered around but soon the little ones went away
sulking. Their big brother patiently watched them disappear in their house. When
everything went quiet, he advanced towards me. -“
Suzie! Come out cost clear!” he cried. I nodded. Heading out I smoothed my
hair, sure that it curled again to form an aura around my head. I looked down at
my clothes, little damp but whom was he to judge? He was soaked wet! Smiling
I got out to meet him. Although I have spent little time with him, I was very
relaxed with him. His personality was very pleasant. Only I have noticed that he
does not know when I tease and when I am serious. So I had to be very careful
what I tease about, which is difficult since I like teasing him. However, I
could not wipe a triumphant smirk of my face as I crossed the short path towards
the gate. -“
Hey Justin. Did it rain?” I teased. -“
Apparently.” He nodded smiling. -“
I hope you finished cleaning your car.” I looked at the polished car. -“
It’ll do.” By
now, I was standing next to him totally exposed to any skilled sniper who wished
to get me and who at the moment lurked in waiting. With two throws I was hit
with two water balloons. I gasped in terror. I haven’t been hit like this
since… since I do not know when! The water was so icy cold that sent my teeth
into chatter. The third one missed. I had no intention of staying in the open
for long. I soon took a hostage, Justin. Hiding behind him gave a degree of
security. Being in the middle of a
shooting zone, my hostage worked as a diplomat and asked for a truce. My sniper
paused for a second but soon continued the rain of water balloons. My poor
hostage got almost all of them and the rest missed. However, they did him no
harm considering that he was already soaked. -“
Stop and Suzie will buy you ice cream!” my presumed powerless hostage shouted.
A cheer came from two figures hiding in the garage of Justin’s house. -“
I never said that!” I hissed at him. He chuckled. -“
Ok. I’ll go tell them that you backed away from your promise.” He threatened
and started moving. -“
No wait.” I paused and he waited patiently as he did with his younger
brothers, as if he had all the time in the world. I took a deep breath and
released it in a heavy sigh. I was not used to defeat and the idea of being with
people I do not know scared me a little. “ I’ll do it.” I guess my face
was a clear screen to what I was thinking because he smiled encouragingly. -“
Don’t worry, Suzie. They like you and wont hurt you… well at least only your
wallet.” His hair was dripping as well as his clothes. I turned to face his
siblings and yelled: -“
Ok guys! Take five to change clothes but after five minutes sharp we’ll meet
here and whoever is late wont come!” I saw Pedro racing to the house while the
sister tried her best not to appear eager. I turned to see Justin. “ You too
amigo!” then I headed to my own room. My time was running out. What
have I gotten my self into this time?
I wonder if I was born with a special capacity to fall into troubles.
As it turned out, it was quite a nice day. Justin’s family was at ease with me as if we have been friends all our lives. Later, we spoke Spanish since Pedro was not that good with English but he would rather die than admit it. He was ten but being the last child made his brother and sister treat him as a baby, which of course infuriated him a lot.Abby, his sister was as old as Sid. Moreover, she knows him. Apparently, he did not waste time to judge her and declared her public enemy number one in school. -“
But I stood up to the challenge.” She commented. “I have my own friends
where he has very few. The kids fear him ‘cause he is so strange and can say
the nastiest thing to hurt every one.” She looked at me skeptically. “You
don’t look like him but you have his nose.” She concluded blushing. -“
You actually looked at his nose?” I replied half joking and half astonished
that any girl would look at him, not that he was ugly. He was cute but alas
never bothers with impressing any one but himself. Girls were something god made
to torture him, as if it was not the other way around. -“
Yes I look at him when I win.” -“
Win?” I frowned. -“
Yes,” Pedro interrupted. “ At the Arcade Center. He is good but Abby is
better. She is the first one to beat him there.” He said proudly. If the
boy’s chest did not stop swelling, I doubted his ability to get out of the
door. The
reason for Sid’s vengeance was as clear as the sun. We both did the same to
him. We both beat him at his own game! Bits and pieces of memories flashed
through my mind. I was always better than him in video games. What he does in a
weak I finish in two days. I don’t know when I stopped playing but it was not
because I grew older. No, I stopped because I wanted to spend less time with him
after he started nick naming me Godzilla the earth shaker in public. I
smiled sympathetically at Abby. She was a soft girl, much like me when I was her
age but with more self-confidence. She was plum but in a nice way. Her eyes were
like her brothers black and expressive. Her skin was nicely tanned. She left her
hair to its natural curl sliding to the middle of her back. Silently, I shouted
in victory. Sid has found his worthy opponent. -“
Suzie!” Pedro shouted to attract my attention. Startled, I looked at him.
“How do you know the people working here?” he asked after a waitress greeted
me. -“
I work here as a part time job.” I smiled back at him. The three of them
seemed shocked. “What?” I asked. “Can’t a girl work here?” -“
No.” Justin answered. “ We didn’t think you worked when…” he stopped
abruptly and looked at his sister. This was very interesting, not only HE
thought but also THEY thought as well. They thought whither or not I
worked. -“
When what?” I looked suspiciously at them. They looked like the some kid who
stole a cookie from the cookie jar. One by one I looked at them but no one
volunteered to answer. “ Well? Cat caught your tongue?” I saw an elbow fight
going on under the table. I sighed and finished what was left of my ice cream. -“
Ok, guys. I have to go now. My shift begins after five minutes.” Having paid
for the ice cream I had nothing else to do. So, I headed towards the counter and
quickly I put on the uniform, which were only a hat and an apron. I pinned my
nametag on my left pocket and headed towards the manager’s office where I
signed my attendance and greeted my employer. My
first customer was a regular, a grumpy man who was never satisfied with anything
but kept coming anyhow. -“
Hello, Mr. Hudson. What will it be today?” I did not suggest anything. Here
was a man who knew exactly what he wants, too exactly. -“
Coffee, black and no sugar!” he spat at me. I gave him an automatic smile and
left him to bring him his order. As I passed I noticed the trio hazard were
still there. They were discussing something which was annoying young Pedro very
much. He was shaking his head very hard. By then, the coffee was ready and I
took it to Mr. Hudson. When I turned back they were gone. The
rest of the day went smoothly. It was a weekday and the only people who came
were kids hanging out and by the end of my shift men and women came for a drink
before heading home. As I was heading out one of my coworkers came to give me a
neat bag. -“
For me?” I was surprised for this guy never seemed the generous type. -“ Yep, but not from me.” He smirked. “A kid brought it. I see that you finally got about going out with guys. Though I must tell you, he is too young.” He winked. I pressed my lips. Angry, I left pacing my way home. After a while, I got tired and got my self a cab. I have been on my feet for three hours. I gave up to my curious nature as I settled into a cab and looked into the bag. It contained a white rose and a letter. I grimaced and wondered if it was a practical joke and decided to leave everything until I was safe in my room. -“ Don’t be so harsh on your friend.” The cab driver commented. “Boys still think that roses are more a symbol of love than fancy dresses or jewelry. Give him time. He will learn.” I was wondering whether to tell him to mind his own business or ask him if he really thought that someday a guy might actually want to buy me a rose since this was obviously not from my friend. I concluded into silence and the cab driver did not utter a word after that.
I did not need to scurry to my room to hide my bag. The house was big enough to get in and out without anyone noticing. As I trudged towards my room, I wondered at what kind of prank was being played upon me. Perhaps the guys wanted to see how I’d react as they do in Candid Camera. Did I have a kick me sign on me? Why would people do this to me! Even if they did not care an aught about me, it was inhuman to torture me about something I had no control upon. I threw the bag on the bed and started changing into my nightgown that was an old cotton affair so worn out that you can use it to scrub floors but I wouldn’t part with it for the world! It was so comfortable. It has taken my shape through the years of rough handling. I tell you, they don’t make them like they used to. I picked up the bag and flung over the bed, feet over the pillows to rest them. I picked out the rose and put it a way while I fumbled with the letter. At last, I got it opened. It had been written by a child and contained lots of mistakes. It looked like it had been written in a hurry. “
Dear We
are very sorry to have played this We
also We
hope you’re not angry with us.
Pedro,
Abby and Justin Elroy P.S Abby
says that she is sorry to say mean things about Sid.” I smiled. It was a prank after all. Not the kind that I expected but still a prank. However, having passed anything has compensated for any other feeling of anger. I was actually flattered! I passed without knowing that I was being tested! How wonderful! I grabbed the bag and rose to put them the way they were before but I was surprised to find a piece of paper slipped in as if it was hiding. I picked it up. It was of a different material than the letter but the same handwriting with an equivalent amount of mistakes. It looked as if it was torn out in a hurry for the edges were not even. I stopped playing Sherlock Holms and began reading the slip. “Suzie, It’s
all a lie! They made me write it! They planned every thing! I just It
was me who I
liked playing water balloons with you And
Justin said that you would like a flower and an I
wrote this in your If
you were angry, don’t be on me I had nothing to do with it. Yours, Pedro P.S Abby
is not sorry but Justin told her to be I smiled. How cute. Nothing can be as sincere more than a child. I felt how he felt oppressed from his older siblings. I also felt how they felt and why they made Pedro write it. Somehow, kids make mistakes seem less horrible. I turned and looked at the window. Justin seems to know a lot how girls react. Must be from his worldly experience. All in all, they were a good lot. They are much nicer than our other neighbors who believed that neighbors were nothing more than strangers and preferably stayed that way. Having rested my feet, I slipped out of my bed and went to my desk. I had to study but that was not easy and having had quite a day did not help either. Rarely was I affected with pleasant things such as the Elroys. I had a sense about people and Justin was proving its efficiency. He was a good guy and now that I was sure of it, I had to introduce him to the gang. Yes sure Amy knew him but she knew half the people on campus so I don’t expect her to bring him around. I felt awkward. I never brought a guy to them. They wont stop teasing me about him. They wont understand that I was matchmaking one of them to him. I had no chance with him. I had no chance with any one but I wasn’t selfish. He is too good to waste. He was not a drop dead handsome but he was caring and thoughtful. The problem is how to bring him about without them suspecting anything between him and me or they’d rather die before taking him from me. Perhaps I can manipulate Amy to introduce him. Or I’ll bump into him … or something. When I introduce him to them who are more likely to take him? Of course they’ll take him or he will pick one of them. My friends are the best! He wont find any body half as good as they are. Lets see, not Jenny she has someone already. And not Maria she is too bossy. Rebecca? No. She swore never to marry any one or have an affair until she’s 25 but she will like his sense of humor. Perhaps he will make her change her beliefs about men. Rebecca has a general for a father, an old fashion man who believes that men rule and women obey. She trusts that all men are more or less the same type. Hmmm how about Nancy and Bessie? Yes, more likely he will take one of them. Nancy is very old for her age and would make a wise companion. Bessie is as fresh as the morning dew; always ready to start something and nothing can discourage her. I shook my head and tried to focus on the darn book but in vain. My thoughts drifted towards the same direction. I tried to under line the important information but I ended with a complete set of cartoon characters drawn neatly and not so neatly on the margins. I sighed and closed the book. I had better leave the book before I transform it into a comic book. Soon, I heard my mom calling me for supper. Weird. I never missed a meal. In fact, I was the one who waited impatiently for them. Hence, my weight increases. Gees! Already I’m forgetting meals to think of him and he is only a friend! What if he was more? What will happen? I stopped my self of thinking this. It was useless and depressing to think of such things! I better go and eat before I think of… something really awful. |
|
I Hope you enjoyed your visit! HOME - WHO'S WHO - 1ST CHAPTER |
