Red ✔

Candy Apples

“I just wished I knew what was wrong, then I can help her,” Clive’s voice echoes in my head on my way to school.

I had a terrible nightmare last night. It was about Clive. It was like I was in his flashback. On Saturday, at first, I had an abstract book in my hands. It looked very familiar. In a snap, I went into the book. I was in a white blank world. Everything was white, until I heard a voice speaking. “Dear Diary…” a male voice spoke. I looked up and saw giant Clive looking down at me. Suddenly, I heard a scribbling of a pencil.  A large pencil was following toward me. I ran for my life. I reached the margin of the book, so I sat on the page. I heard his voice speaking again, “Name: Clive McNeil; Age: 9; School: Madison Elementary; Favourite Colour: Green; Family: Mom, Dad (only child). Okay, this is my first time writing in a diary. I told my mom I wanted a notebook to be manlier. But I actually wanted one so I can express whatever I am feeling and what I did during the day. I have never done this so I guess I have to get used this. Sincerely, Clive McNeil ” I remember that passage when I went to Clive’s house for the History project and sneaked a peek at his diary.

The next day, I have a similar dream; once again, his voice rumbles. “Wednesday, September 6th, 2006. Dear Diary, I argued with the girl of my dreams. She is nice and cute from other girls. Her name is Scarlet Moore.  I knew her since kindergarten when I flushed her pink backpack in the toilet. I was not thinking.  I thought all girls were crazy and had cooties. I regret that day and I can never take it away, but I can only change it. I tried to be nice to her but she seemed so mean nowadays. She got mad for no apparent reason. When I tried to calm her down once, she shouted at me. Because of that, I talked back. I just wished I knew what was wrong, then I can help her. It is too late for that now.” Before I knew it, his giant hand flipped the page, almost crushing me. I wake up with a sudden jerk.

Can that really been an entry from Clive’s diary? Can I really be the girl of his dreams back then? I am being silly. He does not like me, he likes Victoria. He seemed to really enjoy the kiss.  I guess if you are caught in a witch's curse, you think of all sorts of crazy things. 

Valentine's Day may have passed but the deocrations were still up, haunting me.  There were heart decorations hanging along the ceilings of the halls.  Posters of cheesy quotes were plasted on the walls throughout the hallways.  Some of the classroom doors had some hearts and cupid's arrow and other crappy things like that. It was all sappy and heartwarming for the ones who actually have a partner.  When I was younger, I actually enjoyed Valentine's Day with the nice red, white, and pink decorations.  I used to give out candy lollipops or Kisses to bring out the Valentine's Day spirit.  I loved dressing up for it, too, since it used my favourte colour, red. Now, all I want to do is dump everyone's Valentine cards and treats in the trashcan. Clive was at school, also haunting me.  He tried to smile at me caringly or to help me with my heavy books, but I kept shunning his kind gestures.  I did not want to get so close to him or have any contact with him, or I would start having stronger feelings for him. When I got home, I watched some television to distract me.  It was very distracting when they had these bizillion romanctic movies and shows.  I would throw a pillow at the television screen and yell, "Lies! All of them!"  

“Daydreaming Scarlet?” Nicole interrupts my thoughts. “A penny for your thoughts.”

“Clive. Dream. Diary,” I list.

We are sitting in the bus.  I am staring out the window, thinking about Clive's diary and the weird dreams I am having.  I keep thinking the entries in my dreams are real, but, on the other hand, it is only a dream.  It cannot be real...right?

Nicole chews on her lunch. “This cannot last forever.” The back of her hand wipes the crumps off her face. 

As the bus settles at our school, we get off the bus and go to our locker. I am unlocking my locker, but my eyes unconciously swivel to the locker beside me. There is no Clive, anywhere near me. Good. A part of me does feel disappointed. I am hoping he will give me an apology show.  He most likely gave up on me.