A Letter Away From You

Chapter 6

A habit that I have which others probably don't is that I like to read through the contents of the post-credits in a movie. 

Unusual, right? 

Well, since I was a tear-jerking baby, I was taught that everything comes to an end. 

Movies.  

My favorite nursery rhyme, London Bridge is Falling Down. 

Lives, I miss Dad. Relationships. 

And eventually, friendships.  

I'm not sure myself if they even considered me as a friend, but I know one thing for sure. I resented them.

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One year ago

 Cruising through the traffic in the heart of New York was anyone's college dream. And here I am, riding in the backseat of Plebby's convertible Bentley. 

While soaring in the gusts of New York's 11 mph winds, a succulent aroma quickly enveloped the four corners of the open-air car. 

 "Do you want to go back?" Plebby raised a question for the group, but we were too marveled to exchange a reply. "I don't know. 

Don't you think the line's too long?" I answered. 

I could make out a 5 meter queue waiting in line for the store's infamous potato buns through my two round lenses. 

"Don't worry too much." Jillian erased the frown from my face. "We'll handle that." She added. 

"I'll take a U-turn at the next block." Plebby caressed the brakes, narrowing the car into a 180-degree turn for the U-turn spot.  Nearing the local shop, hints of red clouded my eyes as I removed my glasses for wiping. I'd be rushing if it were to be blood, but it turns out it was just the figures of the people in line.  

"Are those NYU students?" I zoomed in on the busy queue, forming my curiosity into words. 

"Of course they are." Zeira stood despite the moving gears of the car, presenting her almost perfect build. 

Oh, of course, no one other than our university wears red on Fridays.  

Just the thought of sinking my teeth into the airy yet luscious pork buns had me dribbling in my seat. Although my patience will be tested in this endeavor, the reward still is worth it.  

After leaving the slim yellow cabriolet beside the curb, the rattle from the engine startled the students from afar. A harrowing look was what their faces yelled.  

Were they amazed by the car? I mean, who doesn't. It's a limited edition Bentley, after all. 

Gradually, the line dissipated.  As seconds passed, each student began to step out of the line as if forming a red carpet for someone. 

For someone? 

I took a glance behind us, and to no avail, found no trace of celebrities or movie stars. 

Are they reserving the line for us? 

My thoughts blended. The idea that this situation is out of the ordinary haunted me. My schoolmates wore bright red shirts and flashing denim jeans, but in their eyes, what I could see was pure darkness—bending their heads, as if they were afraid of something, someone?  

I glimpsed at the girls walking with me. Compared to the odd look I had, they were different. Just as though this was an everyday situation for them. 

"Don't you think it's weird?" My voice shattered the silence. I could distinguish a confident but directive Zeira looking at me.  

"Don't sweat about it Faye." Jill just chuckled at my strange face.  

That's right, I don't know too much about these people I'm with.  

My pondering got the better of me, but I chose to ignore it. After all, I'm still new in this school. 

"Just walk straight." A wink from Plebby asserted me. "No need to look sidewards or behind." 

"Uhm, okay." I replied. 

The path to the counter was as dry as the Sahara Desert. The lengthy queue I saw just a while ago vanished into thin air. Boom, just gone. I felt bad about those who were waiting, but my ears heard no signs of complaining and the such.  

Marching towards the cashier to order, a lone student was standing—someone who was unfazed as opposed to those behind us. I wasn't as affected; it wouldn't hurt to wait for a bit, right? 

"Are you blind, lady?" Zeira initiated a conversation with the girl in front of us. That I don't know if it will remain a conversation or an argument. 

"Oh no, sadly I'm not." The unknown student turned her head close to us. "Can't you clearly see the sign up there?"

 She pointed her finger towards the small billboard above the menu, saying, "Wait in Line." 

"Okay, so you're answering back." Plebby let off a snare. 

Why are they fighting unnecessarily? Is it too much to ask to wait? 

"It's okay guys, we can just wait for a bit." I broke their transition to an argument. 

Zeira grinned, almost as if I said something wrong. "No, we need to put this girl in his place." 

Their egos were pounded.  Why do they feel like it's the end of the world? Just because of a stupid line. 

I didn't want to doubt my friends, they were the ones who approached me first when I was lonely. When no one had any intention to befriend me, they did. Just a bad day for them, maybe? 

"Don't you know who we are, lady?" Zeira continued assaulting the student, backing her off as much as possible.

"Yeah yeah, you're the ones they're afraid of." In a seemingly jest tone, she mocked Zeira. 

"I don't get why they need to clean up for your mess, treat you like some high-class queens and princesses." She continued. "And now, just because of you and your witch group," 

A look was what she gave us, inspecting each nook and corner of our faces. "We need to step out of the line we've waited so long for?" 

"I don't give any care about this line of yours, step out." Plebby convexed a stone gaze to the arrogant lady. 

 I didn't know how to act, who to defend, what to do. A part of me knew the girl was in the right, and I knew Zeira went over a little too much.  

Why was this such a big deal? 

"I've waited for a couple of hours, 1 hour and a half." The student grabbed the pork buns she fought so hard for and took a step out.  

"Here you go my highness; the store's all yours." She exerted her attitude before leaving the premises. 

Afterward, they acted like it was nothing—just a typical day for them. 

"You didn't have to go that far." I fainted a whisper at Zeira. 

Just when I thought my words could maybe calm her or wake her up. Zeira replied.  

A reply I didn't want to hear.  

A reply I wanted to avoid if I could. 

"Shut your mouth, this is none of your business."