A Letter Away From You

Chapter 5

After such a long time, I’ve taught myself to accept the fact that you can’t please everyone. There will always be people who will drag you down despite the things you’ve done for them. 

“I said, do you want a ride?” Her voice does pinch my skin; it irritates me down to my bone. 

Jasmine takes hold of the situation. “Let’s just walk, Faye.” She grabs my hand, insisting on going by foot. It’s practically impossible to get there in time without riding the school bus.

“Oh, the silent treatment I see.” One girl in the bus babbled, rolling her flimsy eyes at us. 

The annoying timbre of their nonsense gossip still resounded even with the bus doors and windows closed. Riding there with them would be an existing nightmare. I know we’re brave ourselves, but they would still eat us alive. We’d be lions swimming in a lake packed with crocodiles.

The rustling sound of the engine starting began to disturb me. At the time, I didn’t know what was more critical, my pride or my grades. This kind of decision was like the ones from the books I have read in the past. Decisions that would portray a significant role in how the story will play out.

I had to decide quickly. “Wait!” I yelled at the vehicle lurching away from us. 

“What are you doing Faye?!” Sorry Jas, I chose the latter. “You realize what will happen once we get on that bus, right?” Jasmine scrapes the little dirt she had in her hair strands, it may be out of frustration. 

“You’re going to be okay, trust me.” I cheered Jasmine on, assuring her with a bubbly look on my face. 

“Of course, I’m going to be okay.” She sneered at me. “It’s not me that I’m worried about, but you.” 

After all, the people sitting in the cushioned seats inside the school bus were the true mean girls. 

When I first met them, they were also the perfect stereotypes of the circle of friends you’d want to hang out with within the library and cafeteria. The type of peers who’d pass you their answer sheets. Even though I wouldn’t need them. Share their drinks and chips with you. Invite you to their houses and watch movies together.

They were like that, at first. But the same principle I did with Jasmine also applied to them. Don’t judge the book by its cover.

“Oh, so you changed your mind, nerd.” Zeira presented her swirly figure before the bus door. 

"We don't want any trouble Zeira." The running and leaping from before wore my voice out. I didn't want to make this day more dreadful than it already is. I turned my head sidewards, only to discover Jasmine clenching her hands into fists ready for punching.

"I'm sure those girls are great punching bags, but let's just calm down Jas." I slanted myself into her ears, whispering a reminder that we're only riding the bus to reach our class in time.

"Okay." Jasmine loosed her hands. One twenty-eight.

I hooked Jasmine's hands with mine and scrammed ourselves to the back seats. Their eyes preyed on us, along with their weird giggling. 

"So, how's our lover girl?" Plebby whirled her luscious blonde hair around, revealing her piercings which aren't even allowed on campus. Still, telling on her does no good. Money does a lot these days. 

"Shh! Don't tease her, she might end up telling her long-distanced fiancé." Jill responded to Plebby. "Oh sorry, I forgot. He already ghosted her."

I just revolved my head towards the left window pane. I was in no position to defend myself. Because every word I'll say, they would still have something to reply against me.

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One year ago

"At ours, after school?" Zeira suggested her place as our destination for this day. I never expected to be a part of this group. I was practically living my best school life ever. Great friends, good grades, I don't even need to ask for more. 

When I look at them, I see nothing but wholesome people. 

Plebby, the art junkie of the group. I heard she drew the class picture hanging on the school's bulletin board. I wonder how a pretty mediocre drawing would get that great of a recognition by the school. I'm not a great critic when it comes to art, but I can say her craving and interest in painting are what permeates the rest of her talent. Even still, her bubbly personality is what energizes us.

Jillian, our mini librarian. I only have the slightest of an idea why they call her that. It may be because she's Miss Hudgens' daughter? But she cooks very well. Her baked macarons always put the icing on top during every meal.

Then there's Zeira. Her name sounds like a queen, walks like a queen, and even talks like a queen. She'd act the "Queen Bee" role perfectly if she were to be in a show. But I don't know if her personality suits the role well. She's charming, genuine, and most of all, a genius. They're perfect. Not just perfect, they are one of a kind.

Anyway, I don't understand the number of stares I get every day, every time I am with them. I could only discern sorrow in their eyeballs. It's unclear what they're pointing out, or maybe I have something lingering on my face all this time. 

"Jill, do I have something on my face?" I asked Jill.

After examining every corner of my hooplike face, she replied. 

"Nothing dear, you're fine--"

"What if we go to your place instead, Faye?" Plebby inserted in our conversation. 

"Yeah, let's try going to yours." Zeira joined.

It's been only two weeks since I've moved here. This is a great opportunity. The last time I had friends come over was like a century ago. 

"I'm fine with that." I chuckled at them. They might have felt how lonely I am.

"So, after school then?" Zeira stood and wore the strands of her bag over her shoulder.

I just gave them a nod. Right before leaving, a clumsy underclassmen dashed from the next table up to ours. 

"Your stories are so great, Faye!" His eyes marveled at me. I wasn't an actress, or someone famous. I was just a writer.

"At this point, you're going to win first place and beat Zeira." He continued.

"You're wrong, none of us is going to win." I gave him a pat in the shoulder. "We already agreed to split the first place if either one of us win it and the other, the second place." I assured him.

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Or so I thought.