Sacrificed

Pick up someone's book

The next morning, Fay was no where in sight. She probably left for work early like always. Our conversation last night was still on my mind. "What possibly can she do?" I thought. The way she looked at me was definitely a look of determination. In all my life, I've never actually seen Fay fail. It is definitely unheard of for her to fail at anything. I shrugged as I wore my tattered clothes that weren't flattering, but I don't live to dress to impress. I scooped up my backpack and headed out my room.

As I entered the kitchen, I was surprised to encounter a note that said "Read Me". I was rather confused at what Fay meant by this note:-

"To my dearest Flo,
  Our conversation last night really will take a turn this semester. I only hope the best for you so that you can find happiness with or without me. This concept maybe somewhat weird but, I truly think that you'll have a change of heart. If you bump into someone or notice someone in a rush and their books fell and scattered to the ground, please don't hesitate to help them."

With all my love,
Fay

"Pick up someone's book?" I thought. How peculiar. I started to think how 'picking up someone's book' will help me get through this semester. Just thinking about this is literally driving me insane.

I arrived at school and headed into class. I stayed low and avoided anyone who is anyone that I could possibly avoid. Christina and her friends or 'worshippers' or even slaves gave me the most disgusting and annoyed looks just as I entered the class. I walked cautiously so that I won't 'trip' over something again. Ignoring any drama or hate, I continued the whole class quietly thinking about what Fay actually meant by 'Pick up someone's book'.

Once we were able to leave the class for break, I dashed out of the class so that I didn't have to deal with anyone. I carefully walked to the cafeteria, trying to seem unnoticeable. Then, I couldn't believe my right mind what just happened. A girl who was carrying stacks of books trips on her loose shoelace and plummets to the ground. Her face was overlooked with embarrassment as she saw all her books scattered on the ground.

"If you bump into someone or notice someone in a rush and their books fell and scattered to the ground, please don't hesitate to help them."

Those words literally haunts me. Literally.

"How did she-, How did she know?" I thought to myself.

I don't think students drop their books everyday. But how did she know, of all days, that someone would randomly trip and drop their books. Looking at her, her facial expression definitely showed a sign of distress and embarrassment. I decided to lend a hand by collecting the books that were scattered all over a hallway filled with students.

"Thanks. I'm just such in a hurry and don't really have enough hands for all these books." she said, warmly.

"I-uh, can help you.... If you'd like." I said, sheepishly.

"Yes, please yes! Please, help me carry these books to the library." she said, expressing her enthusiasm.

I followed to the schools library which was a stunning, small, quiet place. Definitely an ideal place to unwind. We stacked the books all on the table and let out a heavy sigh. Boy, those books DID NOT weigh the mass of an ant.

"Thanks again. I'm Lori, by the way." Lori said, smiling sincerely.

"Florencia. And, you can call me Flo." I said, shyly.

"So Flo, looks like we're already friends!" she said, jovially.

School ended and I scampered home immediately.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about what Lori said.

Friends?
Friends??
Friends?!!

What did she mean by 'Friends'?! Are we acquaintances that can barely recognise each others faces without looking twice or are we those kind of friends that creates our own sacred handshakes and have sleepovers and our trust levels are so high that we trust each other with our deepest, darkest secret?!

Thanks a lot, Lori. Thanks for making me go completely insane.

Honestly, my head is a whirlwind of thoughts that may be completely true or completely wrong.

As my head is still trapped in a tornado plus tsunami, I was suddenly brought back to reality with a single vibrate caused by my phone.

Text messages:-

Unknown: "Hey, is this Flo? Its me, Lori."

Flo            : "Hey, Lori. Yeah, it's me."

Oh shoot, how could I completely forget that I handed her my number. Oh god, I handed her my number. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Will she criticise me for having a cheap blip phone or will she not even notice? I never thought having friends can be that difficult. Then again, I've never actually had a friend other than my sister. It would be a no brainer why I'm acting so frantic. I've never experienced such a thing.

Lori: "Anyway, have you finished Mr Hillington's homework?"

Flo  : "Wait, Mr who?"

Lori: "Mr Hillington, our Geometry teacher?"

My heart started pacing. I completely forgot about today's homework.

Flo: "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I completely forgotten Mr Hillington's homework."

Lori: "I'm glad to help, If you'd wish."

Flo  : "You'd want to help me? But why?"

Lori: "Because we're friends. Plus, you did help me with the books just now."

Flo : "Um-sure, if you say so."

She mentioned the word 'friends' again. My head's still chiming to process the information I've just received. Over all, we spent the whole afternoon texting, thinking and laughing. We were problem solving together and were laughing our throats out to all my idiotic questions. Without realising, we have spent 5 hours not only completing our homework, but also getting to know each other. I was quite shock to finally realise that there is someone else besides Fay that is trustworthy. Is Lori truly a friend? Why do I feel so happy and free whenever I'm talking to her? This feeling of a friendship blooming just overcame me. I just can't help but smile.

Fay returned home looking so unlively. Her job is nowhere near 'easy'. Her tedious job requires a lot of energy but she still somehow have energy for me.

"Knock, knock." I hear her, beaming outside the door.

"Come in!" I said, letting out a small laugh.

"Since when did you ever knock on my door before coming in?" I ask, mockingly.

"Don't ask me that as if I don't have manners." She said, bitterly mocking me.

"Anyway-" She began.

"How was school today?"

I started relating the whole ordeal on what happened from the moment I saw the Read Me note on the table till what happened at school.

"So, you helped Lori pick up her books?" she asked.

"Yes, which caused into a whole whirlwind of me thinking what she actually meant by us being 'friends'." I replied.

"So, you spent the whole afternoon texting her?" she asked again.

"Surprisingly yes. I never found someone that made me laugh and help me learn at the same time. Well, other than you. The fact that I became so open with her, actually made me feel like we were friends." I said.

Fay started smiling brighter than any glimmer of sunshine. She stared at me which felt like forever just looking into my eyes.

I finally broke the silence and asked:-

"Fay, are you alright? Y-"

Before I could even finish, she stopped me and said:-

"Reason 1, Friends."