1st April

As i stepped out of the house, i could hear crickets chirping in the background and lizards crawling about in the bushes. I still couldn't believe that Ruth, my best friend had attempted to harm someone at school. My mind was in a total haze and this sudden news definitely shook me to the ground. Well i didn't believe it at first, not until Suzan invited me to her house earlier on that evening. Not once in a blue moon did she ever talk to me. She was a windbag and trusting her was the hardest thing i could ever do. She was oddly very welcoming and i was offered to take a seat while she paced about in the living room, admiring her art work. "Elsie," she chanted, "you've arrived pretty early..." "Why did you call me here?" i asked, "i have tons of homework to complete." "Did you hear about the huge fight?"she asked. I immediately shot a scornful look back at her. Had she really called me for gossip? Suzan was such a chatterbox and believe me, i wasn't even surprised at all. I angrily stood up and attempted to leave. "I have way more important things to do than just sitting around and chatting," i snapped. "Ruth tried to kill Vera," she cried after I'd taken about four steps. I turned around, pretty much perplexed. Yes, rumors were going around that there had been a huge fight at school, but i didn't bother getting into details. Ruth was my best friend, and i knew her inside out, well that's what i thought. She was the jewel of her family and a charming little fella. As soon as Suzan saw my reaction, she started laughing wickedly. "Ruth could never harm anyone!" i cried. She then suddenly fell down to the floor and continued laughing. In a way, she was clearly mocking me. I felt butterflies in my stomach. Fighting at school could get anyone expelled. Later on, she finally stood up and put on a serious face. "Sorry about that," she chuckled, "it's just your expression. It was hilarious!" "Why in the world would she fight? And with Vera, of all people?" i stated. "They fought over a boy," Suzan continued. This statement was niggling. My heart was now beating like the West African drums. I didn't know about this boy, and Ruth would never do such a thing, unless she was abetted to! "I don't know the boy's name, but she might get suspended or even expelled for such a hideous case!" I left Suzan's house, eyes almost teary. What would i do without Ruth. She was my best friend, the only friend i had at school just to be clear. That night, i decided to rush over and check in on Ruth, but no one was home. I lazily got out of bed the next day. I didn't feel like having breakfast and my mother continuously yelled that I'd be late in the background of my thoughts. I was actually peeved at Ruth. Why would she fight over a boy she hadn't even talked to me about. I'll have to agree that we weren't as close as we were like the previous term but still, this was no excuse! I trudged through the hall, making sure there was no possible eye contact with anyone, incase they had questions for me to answer. Surprisingly, she looked happy, vibrant and alarmingly normal! She even passed by me and mussed up my curly hair. "Ruth," i called out, "what happened?" She turned around and asked me the same question. I then blurted out everything and she seemed even more shocked than i was before. For a few seconds, we both stood there, quiet and gazing into each other's eyes. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she gave a silly laugh. "Elsie!" she scoffed, "yesterday was Fool's day!"