Sweet Enchantment

That Girl, Dazed

September 10, 2007

 

I disliked boys, and this hate grew more and more after grade school had started. I just can’t stand them! They’re violent, noisy and uncivilized in general. But, in their midst is Quen from the next section.

Whenever I walked in the hallway and spotted him, I felt drawn to him somehow, like the red strings of fate were bringing me closer to him. He felt different from the rest.

He had a lean body and his voice, filled with icy calmness, was as clear as glass and was as melodic as a girl's voice. I found it amazing, beautiful and cute, all at the same time. I guess that’s why…

I’m okay with him.

 

Amber

✦✦✦

When the first week of school had started, I was determined to study hard as a third grader.

After school, as I walked on the schoolyard, nearing the open entrance gate, I put up with Blaire Vauquelin, the bubbly, dark brown-haired girl, who prompted my best friend Keiko Katō to purchase one of her best-selling, three-in-one ‘magic’ pen.

"Ya-halloo Kei! Wanna buy a magic pen?" asked Blaire. "It can write whatever color you want!"

She went ahead of us without awaiting any response and settled down in the middle of the empty road, and searched through her backpack like it was the most natural thing she had done. Wait... In the middle of the road?

It was hard to be sure. School had just started two days ago, so I had not poked around the area yet. But I was partly sure the school buses come and go through there and if one were to appear right now, I don’t think it would notice a kid as small as Blaire. As busy as I was, thinking this through, Keiko acted swiftly, and appeared right next to her.

Keiko pulled Blaire, along with her stuff. "That looks nice Blaire.” She spoke with fear in her voice. “Maybe some other time, now let’s go back to the sidewalk before the school bus pass by.”

"If you can't pay it in one go then... What's that word?" Blaire snapped her fingers repeatedly. "Ah, installment!"

“What does that even mean?” Keiko muttered. Her thin brows, creased with worry, and it made her eyes look like it was closed.

I sighed aloud, thinking that Blaire Vauquelin was a hopeless case of air headedness, while waiting for them to rejoin me.

Keiko was an easy target. She was too kind that it was unhealthy. Which was why everyone took advantage of her, but I didn't and she knew it. On top of all that, she was too plump that she perspired an awful lot like someone had dumped a bucket of water on her, but don't let that appearance fool you. You should see her sprint during PE; she’d leave everyone in class to eat her dust.

Anyway, as we resumed walking, Blaire continued to persuade her. I tried to stay calm, but the next thing I knew, I found myself saying: "Q-quit it Blaire, Keiko d-doesn't want any."

"Whoa, Amber is on fire!" she joked, seemingly unaffected. "Hmm... at least let me join you guys, we're in the same neighborhood anyway."

Like I need to be reminded, I thought as I remembered waking up this morning to the sound of horrible singing from the house next to mine. Peeking from my window, (which, to my surprise had not shattered to pieces yet.) I saw her singing, using a comb as a microphone.