BILLY combed his hair with his fingers while leaning against the wall. He was with his friends while Enid sat in the canteen watching him. When he turned to look at Enid, both didn’t smile. They were like strangers, not that it was mandatory for any one of them to interact with one another.
One of Billy’s friends punched him lightly and asked if he was into Enid. Enid didn’t have to be near to hear those words because she could read lips. Billy said something, and all of them went into a laughing fit.
“You still have your eyes on Billy?” Alice asked when she joined Enid. Enid shook her head and closed the book she was reading. Unlike most students, Enid didn’t eat during recess because she didn’t bother queuing up or making a snack for herself from home.
Students were still queuing up to buy food although they didn’t have much time left. Some had already left the canteen and headed to the classroom. “So did you hear about the party tonight?” Alice asked. “Should I? I don’t even exist in this school.” “That is not true.” “I am transparent,” Enid stated. “Anyway, everyone in our form has been invited to the party tonight,” Alice sounded excited.
“We can go too.” “Really?” Enid sat right up. “What’s the occasion?” “Parents not at home, I think?” Alice showed the pink flyer to Enid. “That is the neighbourhood after yours, right?” “A few minutes’ walk,” Enid studied the address.
“So are you going? We have to go because never in a million years would we be invited. This is our chance,” Alice explained. “Please tell me you are going?” “I guess we can go, but if I don’t like it, I will go home.” “Yup,” Alice snapped her fingers. The school bell rang when Alice folded the flyer and stuffed it into her pinafore. “I’ll call you when I go home.”
“Talk to you later,” End waved as they walked their separate ways back to their own classroom. Many times Enid wished they were in the same class, but Alice was smarter than Enid. Enid walked past Billy and his friends, and it didn’t take long for them to start laughing again. That night, Enid wore a stripy blouse and a plain skirt to the party.
When she reached the bungalow not too far from her house, she knew she was at the right place. Teenagers were entering and exiting that house while a few groups of people hung outside. By looking at the house and the people around her, she was sure the party had no adult supervision.
Just by how noisy it was, Enid thought the party might end badly with the police showing up or the sudden appearance of the host’s parents. When Enid walked into the house, everyone stared at her as if she was from another planet. The music was loud, but she heard something nasty being said about her. Unfortunately, this wasn’t something new for her.
Enid wanted to look for Alice but didn’t know if she made it. She didn’t know where to go, left or right, up or down or just go home. All the sudden, she felt dizzy, and the trashy music in the background didn’t help her. Older boys, possibly college students blew smoke in her face making her chocked. She had no choice but decided to leave the house.
“Already going home?” someone asked Enid when she bent down to tie her shoes. “Why do you care?” she became defensive. “I don’t. I was just curious,” Enid turned around to find Billy standing on the lawn with a tin of soft drink in his hand. “I…I…I didn’t know it was you,” Enid blushed as the boy she had a crush on was talking to her. “Alice didn’t show up.”
“I saw Alice earlier on,” Billy said when Enid walked towards him. “Maybe you should stay a little longer.” “I just want to go home,” Enid smiled. “Why are you not in there with your friends?” “I need some fresh air, also I am done with this party,” Billy replied. “Can we walk home together? After all, my house is a few doors away.”
“Sure, if you want to,” Enid was confused at Billy’s offer. “I know I’ve been mean and foolish. I wanted to show my friends that I am a man just like them. I wanted to be part of their group. It is not a good reason, and I am so sorry for treating you that way.
Through all of it, why do you still care about me? “You were that boy who stuck up for me when I was bullied. You were that same boy who offered me your food when I forgot mine,” Enid explained.
“You are a good person, Billy. You shouldn’t change who you are for others. They probably aren’t very good friends if they can’t accept you.” When they were far away from the party, they stopped under a tree. Billy turned to look at Enid and offered his hand. Very slowly, she took it.
They continued walking hand in hand during their walk home in silence. Carina Lim bears different messages through her fiction. These messages could be useful in life. She can be contacted at mermaidgal03@ yahoo.com
