Chapter 1 - The Beginning
By the time my alarm rang I had already bathed and dressed. I don’t even know why I used it anymore because I was always ready way before normal teenagers got up. But there was nothing I could do because my habit of being an early bird stuck. So since I was major early, I decided to finish up the potrait I was drawing, which was looking pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
It was for my best friend as a thank you for all she did. I had drawn a picture of her all-time favorite game character, Ahri, the nine tailed fox, who stood next to Annie, the dark child, who was my favorite.
Yes. These are characters from League of Legends.
Yes. I love the game and that’s actually how we met.
I was tired of playing on my own and decided to be daring for once in my life and sent a multi-player request to the most appealing username.
@chubbypark
This one stood out because I’m overweight and obviously a chubby girl.
Park is my favorite Korean surname after discovering my undying love for singer/actor/ all-time cutie Park Chanyeol.
I sigh dreamily as I imagine my life as his wife with our 3 black-Asian babies. Living in a big family house while playing outside with our golden retriever.
Living the dream.
And that’s all it will ever be. A dream. I say to myself as I drop back to reality. Either way I’m getting married to a Park. Thandeka Park. It has a good ring to it. Mrs Park. Oh how I…..
Snap out of it. I scolded myself as I finished up my drawing.
It was a sort of representation of our friendship. My temporary bravery pushed me to send her a request and we have hit it off ever since day 1. Why not just draw a picture of her? Because I actually don’t even know what she looks like. The only reason I know it’s a girl is because we chat a lot while gaming and if that is truly a guy I fear for his life if he has to live with a voice of a woman.
How are you even friends? I know it seems weird, but we agreed not to share personal details. There is no way I can explain this but through a quote by Carlos Ruiz Zafon from his book titled The Shadow of the Wind.
“Sometimes it’s easier to talk to a stranger than someone you know. Why is that?”
“Probably because a stranger sees us the way we are, not as they wish us to be.”
We know each other by our usernames.
Mine is @deekapark.
Yes. I’m practicing using my future surname. If you have a problem, the door is right there. Use it. Anyway where was I? Oh yes. My friendship drawing. I hope she likes it. Who am I kidding, she’s going to love it. She is already a fan of my art and loves everything I draw or paint. She actually encouraged me to turn it into a business. She set up my online store and everything to sell my talent. She was even my first customer.
She’s awesome. And has helped me so much in my life and this picture isn’t enough this is why I’m putting my whole heart into it.
I was able to complete my drawing, have breakfast and make it to school an hour before first period.
After returning books to the school library and collecting new ones for study, I headed to my locker.
“Hey Thatheka”.
I was highly disappointed when my biggest tormentor approached me along with her minions.
“It’s Thandeka”, I retorted annoyed but soon regretted when I remembered what happened when I usually gave her attitude.
When nothing seemed to happen, I turned around to see Megan Collins give me the creepiest smile I have ever seen. I was petrified.
I know you’re all thinking. “Why would a smile scare you?”
Well you all don’t know Megan like I do and I have a whole list to support me.
She tells me I’m fat and ugly and totally unattractive on a daily basis. She thinks it’s funny to stack trash in my locker (I’m too afraid to ask how she even gets it open). She once stuck glue on my chair and guess whose skirt ripped when she stood up. She once put laxative in my juice. Worst week of my life. I’m always the target of all her balls during gym class. She told me I’m too fat and take too much space that should be used by students who actually deserve to be in this school. (I’m on a scholarship and she uses that information to prove how unworthy I am for being in such a prestigious school).
All in all she is pure evil and has made my life a living hell ever since the first day we met which was my first day in high school. I had had bullies before this, but she takes the devils spawn to a whole new level. I first wondered why she wasn’t in hell with daddy tormenting lost souls but then I realized the devil wouldn’t like any competition and so he sent her here, to ruin the lives of mortals.
Megan has never genuinely smiled at me. She smiled at handsome boys in an attempt to flirt, and at teachers when she put on a fake persona to fool them into believing she was a good person. The most I got was a smirk when she was enjoying the torment she was putting me through.
Because of her I had no friends. No one wanted to be at the bad end of her stick and so they chose to ignore me like I didn’t exist.
She could beat me up with her friends and everyone would pass by as if nothing was happening.
Too many cruel memories I would rather not recall or remember. The inspiration of my nightmares which are deeply scarred into my existence. If you could call this existing.
I’m not crazy. I don’t trust her I don’t trust her smile. No matter how natural or genuine it looks.
“Oh Thandeka. I’m sorry about that.”
I was taken back by her apology.
Okay now I’m sure this is a prank. Did Megan Miller just apologize to me? They must be hidden cameras somewhere here. I even looked around to make sure before staring back at her creepy smile.
“What… WhWhat do you want?” I stuttered afraid and uncomfortable with everything happening.
“I came…I came to apologize to you. I know right now you’re thinking this is a prank and I’m crazy. I have made most of your High-school life a living hell and I have never said anything remotely nice to you. But I want you to know I’m being genuine right now”, she said before turning to her friends and asking them to give us some privacy.
I was still suspicious of this whole situation. They had to be a catch. Oh my gosh is she going to stab me to death. I knew the day would come but I prayed and hoped it would not be in the hands of the devils spawn.
She turned back to me with a shy smile as she brushed her long chestnut blond out of her face. Megan was an extremely beautiful Caucasian girl. She had a tall slim models body and could also afford to dress like one.
She was definitely the stereotype of the perfect woman being shoved down our throats by social media.
“My parents put me through therapy because of my anger issues and a lot of things…. have come to light in my life. I have problems and I’m now dealing with them. I couldn’t handle my own depression and let it out on you to make myself feel better. I’m so sorry for that and I know there is nothing I can say to make you believe me but I’m being genuine right now. I also wanted to invite you to my birthday party this weekend”, she said as she passed me a card.
“Next year is our final year of high school and I was hoping we could start it on a clean slate. I’m willing to put the effort to correct the wrongs I did to you. I hope you come. That would be the best present knowing you’re willing to forgive me or at least allow me to try to earn your forgiveness.”she said before walking away.
I stood there looking like a deer caught in headlights.
