Without Words

3- Past and Present

"Hi, I heard what you did to Stacey and Ashley." A pink haired girl appeared as I stuffed my new books to my locker.

"I didn't know it was a momentous occasion to be talked about." I shrugged then placed the last book inside and slammed my locker shut.

"You probably don't remember me but we hung out when we were kids." Pink girl said and that got my attention. I turned and examined her closely.

"Katelyn?" I asked, unsure. I have a close group of friends when I was a kid but none of them had pink hair. But I did remember a blonde kid who would give me a basket of fresh mini blueberry muffins her mom would bake and just like that, we have been friends. Simpler times.

She squealed and jumped up and down. This was definitely Katelyn. The brightness and enthusiasm hasn't dimmed, not one bit. "You remembered me!"

"Those baskets of muffins won't just be forgotten." I smiled and to be honest, it was the most genuine one I had in a while. My mom and my brother were the only ones I met here and all mention of the past puts them in a somber mood and they would stare accusingly at me. As if they wanted to remove all traces of the past and that the old and new me are completely different people. It's nice to meet someone in my past that doesn't make me feel like crap.

"Awww." She hugged me tightly. Her long wavy pastel pink hair was suddenly in my eyes and mouth. She pulled back and patted me lightly on the head. "It has been so long. I am so sorry for your loss."

I was about to say something when she interrupted me.

"Mom told me about the accident. To be honest, I think it has something to do with the cars in the UK. Why does the steering wheel have to be on that side anyways? Why can't we have a universal position so every car in the world is the same. No to discrimination and boundaries. Not that I blame Mr. Charles of course because well, he died." She babbled and to be honest, it was too amusing for me to be upset of. "Don't get me started on how they just forced you to go here. My dad left us when I was eight, you remember that right? You even drew me a picture so I wouldn't be sad anymore. I was inconsolable. It was only after a year that I accepted it and not throw muffins at his face whenever he visited. Of course, you got mad at me because I wasted the muffins so you replaced it with water balloons that you and your brother helpfully supplied to my mom's dismay. My dad was pretty upset too but I didn't care about what he felt at that time, only that I wanted him to suffer too. My mom wants to meet you again by the way and she shares the same opinion as me. Anyway, my point is..." She stopped and grinned brightly, staring at me as if I'm her new best friend. "We will make a basket of muffins later after school and we will talk about anything you want. Welcome back, Elle."

....................

"So you're the sister" Tabitha eyed me suspiciously. Katelyn helpfully informed me that Tabitha hates my brother and his friends. They are loud, arrogant and the epitome of toxic masculinity and, the girls that fawn over them needs a month long lecture of independence, feminism and self- appreciation.

"Unfortunately." I muttered as I took a large bite of my sandwich. "We haven't talked for years so I won't throttle you for bad mouthing him."

"You couldn't take me." She scoffed and her brown eyes twinkled mischievously. I can throw a good punch and I've been told I have the perfect right hook. But she's right, I don't think I can take her. It would be fun though and it looks like we are going to be good friends as well. She held out her hand and offered it to me. "You're not racist though, right? I have to put up with some low lives here that are and I don't think I can handle it if Katelyn decided to invite one to our circle."

I laughed and gladly shook her hand. "Nice to meet you Tabitha and nope, most definitely not racist. In fact, I should ask you the names of those that are. Now, I'm sure I can take them on."

"You are the better Forbes, Eliza." She said solemnly and I bit back a grin.

"Call me Elle."

"Then call me Tabi."

"I knew you would hit it off. You both are the most amazing persons I know." Katelyn suddenly appeared between us and brought our drinks. "The good barrista is out so these are just lattes."

"As long as it has caffeine." Tabi took hers. I nodded at her appreciatively, she knows her priorities.

"We're going to hang out at my house later to make muffins. You want to join us?" Katelyn invited.

"Nope, I have a date with Simon."

"Oooo, things are getting serious."

"It's the second date, Katelyn."

"As if, you have ridiculously high standards."

I chuckled lightly and Tabi snapped her gaze at me. I raised my hands in surrender. "Five minutes of talking to you and I know she speaks the truth."

Katelyn and I high fived and just like that, I felt more at home for the first time since stepping here in Boston. We talked for a while then said our goodbyes as we headed back to class. Tabi and I have the same period so we left together.

"It looks like Luca would join your tea party later." She mentioned as she placed her phone in her bag. "You would love him. He's the male version of Katelyn, only gayer."

I stopped then gripped my stomach hard as I laughed loud, people in the hallway started looking at us. "Please tell me it's not Luca Bianchi. I am begging you."

"It is him. Why?" She looked at me confused.

I shook my head as I reminisced my childhood. "I was probably eight when they arrived at our neighborhood from Italy. He told me he has a crush on me."

"Nooo." Tabi couldn't stop from grinning.

"He told me I was too young so he'll just be my boyfriend when we get older. After that, he always pops around the house when my brother and our friends were there."

"That slut." It was now Tabi's turn to laugh. "Who were your friends at that time? Anyone here in school."

"We were sort of the troublemakers in the neighborhood during that time. There was Matt, Noah, Daniel and Violet. The five of us were close in age and are always together."

Tabi stopped short and looked at me confusedly. "Daniel? You mean Daniel Monroe?"

I gulped as the name I haven't heard for so long was spoken. Apart from my family, he was the second person I was most afraid to meet again. "Yes. Why? Is he in school here?"

Tabi studied me, no doubt noticing my reaction. "Yes but I didn't know he was friends with Matt. They aren't really on best terms."

It was my turn to be confused. "What do you mean? They're best friends, practically inseparable. I have to wrestle my brother away from him just so I could spend time with him."

"No idea. They're not into a fight or anything but they just don't go along well. It's a well-known fact in school that they don't like each other. You are either in Matt's or Dan's group, not in between."