Delicate Pulse | Violentine

Giving and Receiving

A week flew by fast. Before I knew it, it was that time of year again.

There were banners everywhere. Outside, in the halls and in every classroom. You couldn't escape it. Giving Day was here to suffocate us all with friendship and harmony. Some students were buzzing with excitement. Some were painted in disgust. For the first time in six years, I wasn't dreading it at all.

We were all making our way to the spot, a secluded picnic bench stranded in the depths of the school. We travelled from all directions to meet up. I was escorting Clementine. Coincidentally we were in the same place at the same time and decided to arrive together.

I usually see Clem dressed sportswear. Today was different.

She was wearing a bright striped turtleneck shirt and a pair of full-length overalls. Small sunflowers were embroidered on them in patches. Her hair was out too, instead of being tied back into two ponytails. I've never seen it like that. It's definitely grown, sweeping against her toned shoulders.

She had asked me my opinion on her look back at the dorm.

She was brushing through her coils softly, shaping and styling them. "It's not too much, is it?"

"No, it's cool," I said to the floor. She was memorising.

She was also wearing this necklace. It was made out of tiny beads of crystals. They were iridescent and each time it revealed itself to the sun, it reflected many different colours at once. It was as if she was wearing a rainbow halo around her neck.

I, on the other hand, looked the same. I just threw on the first thing I found in the closet. Dark colours. Plain. Boring. I didn't give a shit about how I looked but I did envy the girl next to me. I wished I looked good in clothes like her.

We were both carrying our gifts. Mine was tiny. I had it wrapped in some scrapbook paper I stole from the art room. It was old paper, worn and partially torn. I tied a green satin bow around it to hide the imperfections.

I had made Louis a pin. He has been begging me to make him one for years. I guess I can't tease him about it anymore. I was generous, painting a nice 'design' on it but I still had fun with it. I just know he's never going to let this down. He won't just wear it every day, he'll take a picture and frame it in his dorm. He's such a fucking nerd.

I figured the gift Clem had scavenged was in the paper bag she was holding. I had never seen it. I have no clue what's inside. She was very sneaky with the preparation. It seemed fragile though. Her grip was secure but delicate around it like she was cradling a baby.

As we grew closer to the others. A slight skip built in her step.

I smirk. "Excited?"

"More like shitting my pants nervous," she says with a shaky giggle. "I've never done anything like this."

"Giving presents?"

"No, friend stuff," she smiles sheepishly. I knew what she meant. It took me a long ass time to get used to having company too.

The breeze nudges us the rest of the way. We encounter Sophie first. She's flicking a long sheet into the air. "Hey! I thought we could sit in a circle on the grass! The weather is fantastic."

"Need any help?" Clem asks.

"I've got it," interjects Omar. He rescues the loose corners flickering within the air. Once the blanket meets the ground, the rest of us space out and sit on it. Our weight keeps it down.

Everyone is here. Everyone except Minnie.

"She's not happy," utters Soph, low enough for only me to hear.