In Another Life

The Point of Divergence: Where two worlds formed

School gave Lily a place to feel in control. Here she could choose who to be and where to go. Lily often didn't consider the possibility of other people wanting to be her friends. It had been a hard lesson for her that most people's opinions of her were lowly. In middle school, Kalvin had invited Lily to be his girlfriend. She was surprised by the notion, seeing as she had just found out her old friend had a crush on her. All eyes in the classroom stared at her, deeply interested in what she would say. 

Looking back, it made sense that everyone was so interested. They likely bet on whether or not she, "the ugliest girl in school", would reject their friend. Lily was oblivious to bullies. She often just ignored her classmates and focused intently on studying. Besides, no bully could break her heart like her own family, but that was another story completely.

"Yeah, sure." Lily shrugged and sat hastily in her chair.

Kalvin glanced around, "So would you like to go with me after Math club to get ice cream?"

Lily knew her mother wouldn't approve. "I can't, my mom doesn't let me go out."

"Ummm, ok?"

A few weeks went by, and Kalvin had dinner at Lily's house. Lily's dad liked him. Her mom was proud of her for finding such a cute boy. It seemed fine. Kalvin left, and Lily wondered if they would fall in love.

At school the next day, Lily and Kalvin were eating lunch when Kalvin handed Lily a box.

"Happy Easter, Lily," Kalvin half smiled. He watched closely as Lily opened the dainty box.

"Thank you, Kalvin! You're so sweet. I am sorry that I don't have anything sweet for you, just a little key charm," Lily remarked as she deposited a thin chain holding a journal key into Kalvin's hand.

Lily helped Kalvin put it on. "Now we match!" She showed him her journal lock on her neck. He looked odd, expectant. Lily felt shy as she ate the chocolate from Kalvin's gift.

"Do you want some?" Lily offered. 

Kalvin declined and said, "I want to introduce you to some friends of mine."

Lily and Kalvin walked together across the cafeteria to another table full of boys Lily had seen around school. One boy, Henry asked Kalvin odd questions about Lily's eating the chocolates.

"When she eats it, how's it like? Is is like, s****l? Or, normal?" Henry glanced at Lily as he spoke.

Kalvin shrugged, "Normal?" He seemed as uncomfortable with the questions as Lily.

Lily tried to pretend she wasn't there, like Henry didn't just suggest she should be seductive in eating chocolates.

For a couple of weeks, this continued. Kalvin and Henry seemed to be trying to find out what kind of girl Lily was. It turned out that Henry and some of his friends had hoped that Lily would seduce Kalvin. A few other kids in the class had bet that Kalvin couldn't make it with even the ugliest girl in school. Of course, Lily had no idea. She had just thought the kids were all weird. It was not surprising though when Kalvin broke up with Lily. 

Yet, Lily was surprised that she was hurt by it. On the bus ride home, her throat tightened and tears filled her eyes. Why should it bother her? She didn't normally get involved with other students. She was alone, isolated from them by a severe parentage. That would never change.