Liza: Meeting Joan

Liza : 13 years

After the traumatising incident regarding my father, I rarely spoke to my friends or anyone else for that matter. I wanted to be left alone. Therefore I immersed myself in books, movies and music, keeping myself busy all the time. I was afraid of my own demonic thoughts looking for an opportunity to annihilate me.

It had been two days since school commenced. I skipped the first two days since I was sick, running a fever.

"I'll come pick you up in the evening. Have fun honey. Fighting!!!" shouts mom from the car, her sweet voice trying to fight its way through the irritating noise created by the traffic.

"Bye Ma. Love You." I shout back.

I walk upto the entrance gateway. I see happy faces of students in navy blue uniforms. I see friends running to hug each other. Suddenly it the clouds turned grey. Rain drops fell from the sky in a steady motion. Everyone ran to take shelter from the rain. Some put on their rain coats. Some opened their umbrellas.

"Hey you're getting soaked. Are you lost? I'll help you out, come on", uttered a sweet voice. I turn to look at her. It was Joan.

I first met Joan at the church. Emma introduced me to her. I'm was not that bright when it came to recalling names but somehow I still remembered hers. I don't know why I did that. Maybe the way she gazed at me that day at the church, when we locked eyes, felt unusually sweet yet uncomfortable at the same time. No one had made me feel that way before, especially a girl, but she made my heart beat a little bit faster than normal. I spent my days wondering why I felt that way.

"Lets go over there. Come on". Joan grabbed hold of my hands in an attempt to run for shelter. My body gave in to her command. I felt as though my body was programmed to do so. I held her hands and we ran like two kites drifting through the way in perfect harmony. We take shelter under the old proud mango tree situated at the center of school ground.

" Oh God, you're soaked. You better change your uniform or you'll get sick. " Jo says frantically after viewing me from top to bottom.

Bell rings.

"Yeah, I guess so. You better hurry up.Thank you for your help." I tell her.

"Yeah. Are you sure you'll be okay? Do you want me to assist you?" She asks in a worried voice.

"No, I'm okay. Please hurry or you'll be late."

She runs off saying, "Oh okay. Bye. Take care of yourself."

I was wearing a face mask. Maybe that was the reason she couldn't recognise me. After changing, I walk to the notice board to check which class I was assigned to. Class 8B. I walk towards the classroom and found an empty seat in the last row. I wanted some peace and quiet, away from all the chaos. I see new faces and some old ones. They smile at me and I return the same. Sometime later, a girl came and sat near me. To my surprise it was, Joan.