2 years ago
We were the best of friends ever since our first year in Saint Weden High School,
alongside a little side street of Florida City.
At times, we hanged out with a group of geniuses from our class; Zena as the pro in
Calculas, without any difficulty in solving the toughest equations; Alison with her
ability to conduct exotic science experiments and studies of the chromosones; Keane
as the outstanding astrologist; and lastly; Mick with the unique interest of studying
humans and civilisations, an anthropologist.
Efferet and I were the only two most ordinary students in the group. Occasionally,
they would tend to use jargons which totally outcast us in the group, and we would
start having our own conversation between the both of us. That was when we started
to become closer and more intimate, sometimes we couldn't explain if we were even
friends.
We would spend most of our times together almost every day. We would pop by each
other's house to get a quick glance of each other whenever there's a chance.
Sneaking out at night would be a routine for both of us, especially when there were
night party invitations at any of our friends' houses or just to even relax by ourselves
at the nearest stream in the forest, outlying from the center streets.
This wasn't just any simple tasks given by the school or even my parents, with the risk
of having to be grounded or worst of all, to be sent away to Granny Ann's house, a
spooky and creepy place in Oklahoma city, for a few months!
I would always make a pact with my brother, Jamien Kurt. So we came up with crazy
and insane ideas to get me out of the house without being caught.On a Friday night to
celebrate Zena's 17th birthday at a ball, we've saved some recordings of my soundly
asleep snores which my brother insisted on, and a small conversation in case my dad
wants to check out on me.
We have this connecting door between Jamien's and my room but we'll leave it open
only when necessary, especially in this case.
So he would be very sensitive and alert whenever dad comes into my room any point
of time during my absence, to play the recorder placed under my bed with the
handheld controller in his hands.
"So what's the deal this time round?" Jamien gave a smirk.
"What do you want? I'm warning you, not any stuff concerning the hole in my
pocket!" I whispered harshly.
"Alright, could you bring me some Magaritas back from your party? At least, if you
don't, a little wine?" He looked as if he was pleading.
"No way, that's underage drinking! You'll be caught and I'll be dead if dad finds out!
Can you please be more understanding?!" I sneered.
"Fine! Then there's no deal! I'll report this to dad!" He threatened.
"Alright! Alright! But make sure you don't be caught! I'll be back by three."
I sighed while running to the window, and climbed down clumsily with the help of a
ladder rope, without even having a glance of the expression on Jamien's face.
Efferet was already waiting impatiently for me. The moment I touched the ground, he
held me up with his arms as if I don't carry any weight. He put me down gently on the
right side of his newly bought glossy champagne-coloured Pontiac convertible.
Lights were lined up side by side from the streets that led us to this huge red building
isolating itself from the rest of the houses. Full drapes were hanging from the top to
the bottom.
When we approached, we could see crowds queuing from inside the building, many
were familiar faces.
"Oh my god! Is this a mega event or what?! Efferet exclaimed.
"I guess she must have been popular in school." I said, trying to calm myself from the
huge crowd.
Not to mention the fact that Zena is a beautiful and elegant blonde lady with well
functioning brain, the crowd was beyond expectation.
"Hi, Eliza!" Someone from the inside crowd shouted my name. I turned towards from
where the voice came from and saw a shadowy blurred figure waving crazily to me.
"Oh hi, Zena! Happy 17th Birthday!" I cried, pulling Efferet along with me. Squishing
through the crowd to where Zena was standing.
And at the same time, I felt so glad and relieved to be able to find her from the
hundreds.
"Happy Birthday, Zena," Efferet spoke in a low tone, with his hands still meddling
with his hair, afraid that it had gone out of shape after the squish.
"Thank you so much! I'm so glad both of you came! Please, make yourself at home!
I'll be with you guys in a while's time." She disappeared so fast that I didn't know
which direction she left after she made her speech.
(To be continued)
*Written by Samantha Ng*