c.17

Silence echoed the entire car as Ethan rejected Arianna...

"Looks like we're here."

Mel watched the park as she remembered her childhood. It was the same park the friends used to play in as kids. All stepped out, with Mel the only one with excitement pumping through her.

"There's something familiar with this park, but I can't put my finger around it."

"Come on girls, I even brought my guitar and I'm actually inviting some friends over. They should be here any time now."

"Wow, Ethan thought this was a bonding experience."

"Is it Mel?"

"And didn't Mom take your guitar away? How did you get it back?"

"I just did. Enough talking, let's have some fun."

"Anjalie, isn't there something familiar with this park?"

"Look, I don't know and I don't care. I shouldn't have even come here. Why did I even come? How did all of you drag me into this like, how... Deep down, Anjalie felt something inside of her."

"How are we even supposed to enjoy this?"

"Anjalie, have you never played hopscotch? It's like you just jilted the memories out of your head."

"Big brother!!! Come off that swing and let's play some hopscotch together. Stop being so lonesome. You're so strange."

"Because I like playing guitar. I'm sure you can convince people that I am now. Go play with your friends. My friends are coming over as well, so let's just be in separate groups and do our own thing. Perhaps we could join and play together, but last I checked you can't play guitar or any band instrument. If honesty is rude, then I'm the rudest person ever. Now let me have some peace of mind."

"Brother, you do make a point and I'll guess I should practice the piano."

"That's a good idea actually. Piano suits you. Maybe if we add some piano beats into our rhythm then perhaps it will be fantastic. But still, Melly, go over and play with your friends. Seriously, you're disturbing me."

"Ugh, fine. I never saw someone play guitar in the park. Maybe I'll tell Mom about your affairs when we go home. I'm going over to my friends now, thanks for reminding me."

"Mel, wait.... Whatever, maybe it's just me, but it's just guitar and the entire problem was because of a chemistry assignment. I literally don't even know. They don't praise me when I'm going after science and actually doing stuff that I like, but my grandfather is clinched on the fact that I'm gay and I'm clinched on the fact that he isn't my grandfather...."

"Girls, what are you arguing about? Melly, thank God. An judge, tell me, do you think Anjalie remembers how to play hopscotch?"

....Breathes in, breathes out.... Calm mind, calm soul....

"Girls, let's face the fact that Anjalie is a phone-addicted psycho and let's accept the fact that she doesn't want to be here. And if she does remember how to play hopscotch, she doesn't. Let's accept and keep going forward."

...I have to motivate these girls into stopping arguing, that's really something. Well, I have to add meditation on my friends, add that to the list.....

"I think motivating Anjalie is a waste of time, Melly."

"What you say? I'm drained anyways."

"Girls, girls, let's go play hopscotch!"

"I'm not going. I'll just exist here without any purpose...."