I was in a weird mood.
Anyway, this is still in the past.
The usernames are fictious, so if it really exists,
I apologise to that person, but I'm still using it,
Because it fits with the story
Merry Christmas, dudes!
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“Nathaniel, there’s mail for you.”
I reached over the kitchen counter and took the cream coloured envelope from the outstretched hand. “Thanks mom.”
It was from the administrative office of Velentia High. Grabbing the letter opener, I sliced the envelope open and fished out the contents. “Congratu-”, that was as far as I read before I tossed the thin sheet of paper aside, where it landed in the bread basket with the custard croissants.
“Nathaniel!” My mother chided.
“Sorry mom, I don’t want to be late for school. See you later.” I slung my backpack over my shoulder and quickly pecked my mother on the cheek before exiting the house.
“Love you.” I called out to my mother before closing the door.
“I love you too. Have a nice day!”
***
The prey was offering itself to its predator.
“So… Haverley huh?” It was so obvious she was fighting hard to suppress her grin.
To surprise, or not to surprise. Ah well, I already another surprise in store, might as well spill the beans. “I know you can’t wait to get rid of me,” She wasn’t the only one trying to hold back a smile, I could feel the corners of my mouth slowly lifting up. “But don’t go partying and popping champagne just yet, Keyes.”
No response. I decided to break the silence first.
“Who knows what strange reason could compel to me to even apply for Haverley in the first place. So I applied for a transfer to Velentia High,” She knew I wasn’t done talking and I couldn’t help but chuckle as she sharply sucked in air. She can be so comical sometimes, without even realising it. “And they accepted.”
It took every ounce of my willpower to stop me from bursting into laughter at her priceless reaction at my words. Remain clam, don’t ruin it. Remain calm. Remember: casual nonchalance.
“See you after summer, Piano.” Whistling a random chirpy tune, I walked off, my last memory of her face being one with her lower jaw dropping onto the floor. After a few corners turned, I let myself go and doubled up in fits of hysterical laughter.
I am so looking forward to high school.
***
Oh happy day. The last day of junior high, the last day with Nathaniel what’s-his-surname. Believe or not, till now his surname was a mystery to me, but it was none of my business. I would probably never see him again. Life is great.
Target sighted. In his usual irritating swagger, Nathaniel approached me, but I boldly took the initiative and started the conversation for once.
“So… Haverley huh?” I did not know how much longer I could contain my glee.
“I know you can’t wait to get rid of me,” A smirk was forming on his face and his green eyes twinkled with unexplained mirth. “But don’t go partying and popping champagne just yet, Keyes.”
I remained expressionless and mute. Something wasn’t right.
“Who knows what strange reason could compel to me to even apply for Haverley in the first place. So I applied for a transfer to Velentia High,” I couldn’t helping sucking in my breath. No, no, no. This can’t be happening, please don’t be-
“And they accepted.” Damn, why did lady luck always have to frown upon me.
His composure was too calm to be natural and I could see the laughter in his eyes. Even though I had suspected something, it did not prevent me from gaping at the news.
“See you after summer, Piano.” With that, he strolled off, whistling a happy tune and leaving me staring after him with my mouth hanging open in a most unattractive fashion.
Save me. Please.
***
“Aren’t you psyched? Summer break is finally here!”
“I guess so.”
“You don’t seem very pumped up about it, honey. What’s bothering you?”
“I just found out that HE will be attending Velentia High.”
“That boy, Nathaniel? Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, but I’m not sending you to Haverley, dear.
“I know, I know.”
“Look at it this way darling, the chances of you and him ending up as classmates aren’t high. After all, you’re smarter than him, right? You had all ‘A’s.”
“That’s the thing, mom. I don’t know. I was never in any of his classes. He just picks on me whenever I’m in his line of sight.”
“Poor dear. Why you, I wonder. Anyway, your father and I have been thinking that you ought to get a job this summer. The experience would be great for you, plus it’s a chance to earn some money for college. You could ask Jessica to get a job with you.”
“Huh? Jess- oh right, Jessica. Uhh… she’s going away to visit her grandparents in umm… Idaho. For the entire summer.”
Jessica Twidley was a figment of my imagination and the best friend my parents thought I had. I’m sure they would react strongly if I told them I was a loner in school. Seeing as Jessica was a non-existent being, I had to come up with an excuse when my parents started insisting that they meet her. I told them that the previous two parents she met caused her to faint, presumably due to a nervous breakdown. Thus, her parents forbade such encounters in concern of her health. To appease them, on an occasion when they dropped me off to school, I pointed out ‘Jessica’ from a distance, who was actually some random girl I had never laid eyes on before.
“Oh, well that’s too bad. Maybe next time. But you’re still getting a job, Melody.”
“Sure, sure.”
I needed to calm down. I was still seething in rage that Nathaniel would be bugging me for another four years. I couldn’t play the piano, I would destroy the keys in my fury. I couldn’t doodle and sketch, I would snap my pencils in half. The only other way for me to cool down, was to write, and that’s just what I did.
I stomped into my room and booted up the laptop after changing out of my uniform. I logged into the Young Writers Society and checked my inbox.
“You have 1 new message”
I clicked the link, it was from one of my YWS friends, TheClosetPoet.
Hey xMxPxKx, just wanted to inform you (as you have requested for me to keep you updated) that I’ve posted my latest poem. Cheers
-TheClosetPoet
Once again, his outstanding work blew me away. After reviewing, okay, praising his work, I started churning out ideas for a new story.
Perhaps in future I’ll be the New York Times best selling author for a book entitled “1001 ways to murder the idiot who is picking on you”.
