That evening, I tried everything I could to not get affected by what Tiffany said, I bite a matchstick while cutting onions and mix it with eggs. Andrea was upstairs, unpacking from the huge room painted with a lot of colors, I know that she doesn't like it, I could give her my room instead but she insisted on taking it even though the colors was an eyesore. "It's okay, i'll take it, I'm just going to occupy some space, rent-free." I'm quite amazed by the growth she has, I almost saw her in a different light if only I didn't caught the same blinding lights that was in my front door, I noticed my balcony wall has the same.I wonder how much watts were there in those lights, they're so bright, I swore when they fade away I'd moths were gonna vanished. "Harriet I forgot my toothbrush there, you have a spare one?" She stormed to the stairs and sad that out in one breathing. Seems like Andrea forgot what she said to me that she's going to have a share with the expenses of the house.
I started on myself in the mirror, I forgot how much I skipped meals to be able to lose weight like this, my uniform was terrible, I wore a tight-fitting skirt and I have to tuck in my black blouse with yellow lining because that’s the requirement. I don’t have a choice but to follow if I wanted a job that can’t recognize me because people couldn’t care less about who their waitresses were, then I have no choice but to accept the farthest job from town possible. “I would’ve let you borrow my make-ups if you and your friend didn’t make me cry the other night.” Andrea sauntered toward me with her arms crossed and looking glumly at me as always. I straightened my skirt with my palms, still my eyes on the mirror, inspecting and criticizing every inch of my uniform. It's fortunate for Andrea that hers was just black pants and a checkered blouse with puff sleeves, she’s working at a carnival, I should've applied there first before her. But just like she said, I made her cry the other nig
My shift ended when George closed the restaurant and I cleaned the last dirt off my assigned table at exactly ten p.m on the dot.I put my coat on and change into my comfortable slippers, we said goodbye to one another and we head out, my coworkers and I parted ways, each having their night appointments to do, some were going to a bar, partying, drinking, or just visiting the night market, while some were going home. I’m one of the few that would go straight home. Because the restaurant was too far from where I lived, I need to catch the last bus for the night, I’m about to sprint off when suddenly, a hooded man in a maroon sweater showed up in front of me. “Harriet, I thought you forgot about me.” I scowled when Arnold’s face got brightened by the street lights and I recognized him. “Aren’t you going to sleep on your uncle’s place tonight?” I mean, this was a long ride to the town.“Of course not, I’m going to ride the bus with you.” He pulled me closer and put his hand over
“You two seem close.” I hugged myself and sniffed hard, I have a runny nose and I keep on sneezing, so I have to close the balcony and have a hard time locating tissue paper in the living room. Andrea was laying on the sofa with her pajamas and a banana. "Who, we?” I sank onto the one-sitter sofa and glumly stared at her, I know she knew who I’m talking about. “Tyler and I just met, I don’t think we can be that close.” Andrea peeled the banana and took a slow painful bite while looking at me as if implying what she said was the opposite. “Tyler’s so kind, he showed me his wolf form and it added more to his coolness.” I remember hiding a tissue roll below the coffee table, but I couldn’t get myself to have it because I was too stunned by what she said. What? It took me months before I saw his bestial form, then I found out that the moment they first met, he transformed. why did he show it so quickly on Andrea?Andrea jumped and sit on the sofa, obvious that she was enjoying more
The next thing I heard was the sound of the ambulance taking Arnold away because apparently, his scar opened and he’s stubborn because he just let it be until he can’t bear the pain anymore and blood soaked the plaster that was on it, based on the medic that took him to the nearest hospital.“What a douchebag,” Andrea commented, showing like a mushroom on my side, I almost jump to my place. “Who would leave his date like that?” I gave her a frown and turned to the exit of the carnival, the food he bought got wasted because he stumbled on the floor, and a huge regret blow down my chest because of that. And of course, on Arnold because he lied to me when he said he doesn’t remember his assault on the forest, when he told me he was just on the side of the road having a night jog but end up in the forest, he said he don’t know if his attacker was an animal or a human: He said he didn’t get attacked, he lied. I came home fuming mad and I threw my bag anywhere in my room before I lay on
I step back and the crackle and crunch of the dry grass was the only sound I heard aside from the buzz of moths around in the night. “Harriet, you’re hurting me.” I close my eyes and his words whispered in my ears, each pack stabbed into my chest. “I haven’t done anything,” I mumbled, taking the courage to stare back at him coldly, the corners of my eyes crinkled and I gripped the tray tightly. “That’s the point, you haven’t done anything but you’re already hurting me, what if you've done things already? Do you know how much pain that causes?” he retorted, his eyes fuming and I don’t know what to say back. I fought back my tears as my shoulders tensed and I have to purse my lips to stop myself from bawling, this was why I hate being attached to people, I don’t like them getting angry at me because I would break down easily, and I would get scared, and run.. or hide… or avoid them like they have infected by a plague or something. But should I be feeling like this? Should I let my
That same day, I was walking down the hallway of my school, feeling a little groggy and holding a can of soda in my hand when suddenly a hand snaked on my shoulder knocking me off and taking me down to the ground. “Harriet! Shit, I’m sorry.” I identify the voice to be Arnold, he stood in front of me while saying sorry, but I’m too hazy and lightheaded to stay focused. I will myself to stand up, a lot of students also passed by us, it’s amazing how I suddenly became invisible again once Tyler and Blake stop coming to school, they also didn’t know he existed but Hayley and Arnold stayed beside me and Ira and Danisha got out of my way. It feels like I got to go to a different school but same classmates still. “It’s okay,” I replied after a little while. “Why do you suddenly feel like that? The morning classes haven’t started yet.” That’s what I’m asking myself also after I had a conversation with Lukas, I prepared myself and get to school but then I suddenly feel lightheaded and agi
At work, I saw Arnold in a different light. He doesn’t know Ira talked to me and told me his secret, now I know why he came running to the woods that night, it wasn’t to find me, it was to run away from the responsibility. If only glare could burn, he would be turning to ash right now. “Why are you looking at him like he took something precious to you?” I almost jump and let the stick of the mop I’m holding hit the floor when Uncle George suddenly showed up behind me. “Why are you here, Uncle George?” Uncle George was just the same height as me, he has black hair and round eyes that weren’t big but also not small, his charming smile makes the ladies in this town go back to his restaurant. I also thought he put lip gloss from time to time and that’s cool, he made it so the ladies won’t be dismayed when they saw him get out of the kitchen and go to their tables to ask them for some feedback. “Why? Am I not allowed to walk around and just stayed in the kitchen? But this is my restau