Reflections

Part I-Chapter II

~Zia Meadows~

This morning, I woke up to the sound of pounding thunder. I didn't feel the urge to get up, but eventually I forced myself up. I caught my reflection and saw that my thick, wavy hair looked like a porcupine's quills spiked up because of being frightened by a predator. I also noticed dried tears on my cheeks.

Yesterday was not one of the best days in my remembrance. I had gotten into a fight with a friend who I've known for years. It wasn't a regular fight either, but rather the final battle to an ongoing war that had lasted centuries. We were so close, almost like soul sisters. To everyone else, we seemed like the perfect pair. The kind of friends that would have recurrent sleepovers, talk on the phone for hours and help each other when something was wrong. At first, we were just like that. We'd go to the park near our old elementary school every week, we'd try doing random projects together and go ice-skating frequently. Though recently, it's taken an unexpected dark turn.

I stared at our picture taken on the day we became friends years ago. I remembered that day, she was shy and awkward, but me, I was hyperactive.

"Hey! Watch-ya up to?" I popped from behind her and startled her.

She moved to a different part of the classroom, but at that age, I didn't care. I followed her and asked why she moved. A sight with sore eyes, she was. Jokingly, she moved yet again. I followed her once more and asked,

"What gives! Did I say something wrong?"

She laid on the carpet and giggled so much that tears were coming out. I looked at her puzzled. What was so funny? Finally, she relaxed, and said,

"Sorry, I'm not used to people approaching me."

I could relate, I approached others because no one would for me. She gave me a heartwarming smile that enhanced a sensation that she accepted my random presence.

"What's your name?" I eagerly questioned.

"Diana. And you are?"

"The name's Zia." I quickly replied to her.

She nodded, then we spent the rest of the day watching a movie set up by our teacher.

Now, Diana is different. She has become possessive and even manipulative. For months, I've been arguing and trying to get the old Diana back, but all my attempts were failures.

Don't you dare hangout with Ace without me or else. Don't think you can cry to Ace for help because he won't listen to you. Stay out of my relationship. Don't go hanging out with other people just because you can't fit into this group. You just want sympathy, you just want attention.

Those were the words she's been repeating for months. I don't even have those attractions for Ace. Sure, I've been friends with him since elementary school, but he's just a good friend and nothing else. He's also made it clear that he doesn't have any of those feelings too. What gives her the right to say all these threats? I would understand if I liked Ace in that way, but I don't. Even if I did, I wouldn't force or ask him to reciprocate.

Diana, I have no intention of getting between your relationship. You, by now should know I would never think of doing those deceitful actions. You know, I feel left out all the time because of you. You barely let me speak to Ace alone and despise when I try to hangout with other friends. I've had enough of your threats, enough of your misery, enough of this pain! Bon débarras and stay clear from me!

Yesterday, I concluded the war that I had been fighting for quite some time. All those battles have left wounds all over. Yet, I know deep down this is not over because one war does not always end the issue.

Everyday, I became less alive than the next. I've become quiet and observant. I'm no longer the hyper and happy Zia that I was a few months ago. All my smiles to my other friends were fake. They were not aware of what was going on with Diana, and I felt no desire to tell them either. Today was going to be a rough day.

I looked at my clock and realized I was late, so I quickly dressed and departed the house. My Father and Aunt were still asleep somehow, so I didn't greet them in the morning. Of course, I had forgotten that it was raining, so I had to accept getting soaked.

A few minutes later, I arrived at the stop. My hair was already filled with water droplets making it less thick. I stared down at the concrete waiting for the bus to come. It's typically late, especially on rainy days. Lightning would blaze and thunder would follow.

My anxiety started to kick in. I was nervous about how things were going to turn out with Diana. She does have the ability to convince others that her perspective is the one that should be perceived. Uncertainty stabbed me in the stomach. What if she manages to turn everyone against me? Could she do that, and more importantly, would she?

In the distance, I saw someone running in my direction. He looked tall, had an envy green shirt on, and short, puff brown hair. He looked so familiar, but out of the ordinary. I thought for a moment, who had that appearance? Wait! Victor! Wait, Victor? Wasn't he a little shorter and had long hair with bangs? The hair is understandable, but the height? Is it possible for someone to grow that much in one day? Perhaps, I was overthinking it, so I let it go.

Finally, he was in front of me. He gave me a confident grin, one that I had never seen. He looked at me for a moment and seemed to notice the tears on my face.

"Why are you crying?" He asked in a concerned manner. "I noticed you were down yesterday too."

I remembered when he looked at me, then turned away. Come on, if he's trying to throw more shade to someone who's already dwelling in the deep, he's doing a magnificent job.

"Yeah, I saw you looking at me. Did you seeing me vulnerable satisfy you in any way?" I threw in apathetically.

Victor looked like he had a hard time finding the write words say. Did I upset him? Suddenly, I saw him smile like that question didn't affect him at all.

"If something's wrong and I know there is, you can tell me if you want."

How is it that he can be sweet and cocky at the same time? Now that I think about it, that's not the Victor I usually hear about. I usually hear that he's bashful, but intelligent. I thought for a moment, would it be bad telling him? No, it's best to wait. Not now, not here.

"I appreciate your effort, but I'd rather not."

He nodded, then proceeded to give me a hug. It wasn't a tight one, but rather a hug in which his hands met at my back. Given our height difference, his head was directly above mine. I felt my blood rush a bit.

Finally, he let go, then he gave me his umbrella.

"You look beautiful when you're hair is wet, but you need to dry out before the bus comes." He said then gave the same sweet yet vain smile.

"Oh my God, Victor, you're something out of this world!" I laughed and jokingly hit him.

All the fright I felt in the morning somehow disappeared, it just vanished into thin air. There was no sinking sensation in my stomach, but rather butterflies. What the hell was I feeling?

Looking at Victor again, I noticed that his eyes weren't hazel, they were darker. How was that possible? Then again, I had only closely looked at him merely a few times. He always seemed so shy, like he's eternally afraid of everything. Now, he's so calm, collected and slightly arrogant. I honestly had no clue what to make out of it.

"Zia, is something else troubling you?" He asked in a strange tone.

I wasn't sure whether he was being sarcastic or genuine, but nonetheless, I shook my head and smiled. The rain was still pouring and Victor was terribly drowsed in water. I tiptoed and moved the umbrella closer to him, so he would have shade from the showers.

"There, now this is fair." I gazed at him.

He giggled and said,

"Zia, you're so funny."

"Likewise, I'm sure" I replied with obvious annoyance.

Finally, the bus came around the corner meaning that it was time to face school and Diana, but at least Victor doesn't know. I think it's best to leave it that way. I can't trust anyone because look where that's got me.