[ FLASHBACK ]
She lurked in the dark alley. Her hands resting on her lap still trembled regardless of how many times she shook them off. It must be due to the anxiety of waiting.
The trauma of her first visit in a community tempts her to crawl back to the wretched townhouse that kept her safe and at the same time imprisoned. However, her feet won't move. Her resolve deep down stands stronger than anything. She will bid farewell to a friend who accepted her while everyone else rejected her.
Upon spotting Ramses passing by, she was engulfed by relief. She grabbed the young boy's collar, almost strangling him through her bear hug. He resisted assuming he was being kidnapped. The rumors of abductors running wild in town did feed his fear.
"Ram-ram, it's me." she whispered immediately, halting his squirming.
"Why are you here? It's dangerous!" he berated yet returned the heartwarming embrace.
After moments of silence, they let go to face each other.
"Nu-uh, I already learned my lesson." she assured, undressing the black veil that covered her face.
Are there words that make a goodbye less painful?
Truth be told, there was none.
But how does one help it become bearable?
A lot of people might suggest: "See you again."
In her case, unfortunately, it is not an option. Her departure demands no coming back. When she goes, she leaves everything behind. Thus she told him, "Listen carefully. Thank you for being my friend. Don't ya climb up hill or climb our gates or look for---"
"What gibberish you talkin'?" he cuts her off.
Her eyes started to water. She could even feel the urge to cry because of the worsening thorns on her throat.
"Lemme finish first, Ram-ram! Create a wonderful life. Please, please take care! You gotta stop wandering in the woods, too."
"Hey, hey, wait! Are you moving? Why?! Your parents finally came? Where are they?"
She smiled at him filled with misery accumulated from many years of abandonment.
"Ram-ram… They'll never come nor will anyone so don't keep getting a beating from your father for me. I'm tied to my brokenness but you're different! Think of me as an imaginary friend. Forgotten, someday... I will not be missed."
She squeezed his hand, gesturing it was okay that she knew all along --- how Ramses was physically abused by his Papa for stubbornly venturing to the hills. He hid it well so she won't take the blame but guess what?
She had long accepted her existence as a sin. Another guilt burden was nothing new.
"Ram, where are you at? Ram!" a boy from nearby shouted.
"That's Eliseo. I need to show up before he sees you. Promise I'd be back quick!" he said then left in a hurry.
There's no next time, she thought yet nodded anyway.
"Bye-bye, my friend." she murmured letting the wind carry her words along.
Even with the sound of her heart breaking, she fled as fast as she could… liberated from the chains, free from her parents who never acted like parents, away from that cruel life!
[ END OF FLASHBACK ]
"What? Ramses is what!?" Mandy pressed, instantly pulling her back to reality.
"You're the last reminder of my past. I cannot cling to you nor would you want me, too. Let's be strangers like how it should be." she inwardly declared as she imagined Ramses standing in front of her before she gave Mandy the answer, "I mean, Ramses Cooper is our previous gardener's son. He's simply like that to me."
"Really! People were saying you were friends or perhaps, lovers."
This wench just won't stop implying, she thought.
"As expected of rumors. Cooper is exactly what I said he is. Nothing more, nothing less." she countered adding certainty.
"Enough, enough! Keep your nosy nose, Mands. It would've been more interesting to know more about the guy Care has her eyes on instead of discussing a delusional criminal who was obviously insignificant to a Caress Aragon, right-y?" Alder chimed in.
She forced a smile at best because she does not have the heart to agree. Stranger or not, she preferred not slandering Ramses in any way. It seemed easy to deny him with words whereas her feelings shall stay true until who knows when.
"Go, get your block, Mands." Alder urged.
She was about to step back when Mandy declared, "Yippee! Kiss a Friend!"
The rule states it must be on lips regardless if smack, French or what. Duration or with who does not matter.
"I volunteer as tribute!" Alder shouted, raising a hand.
"You're very thoughtful but... El!" Mandy outright called.
"He's here?!" Care mumbled, proceeding swiftly to search for him in the sea of people.
At a fair distance, he perched on a high bar stool with an unreadable expression as usual. He was alone, possibly just attended to observe how the party was going.
"El, if you wouldn't mind? I'd really, really feel comfortable if it's you!" Mandy pleaded, holding a microphone she stole from the pervy host.
Because more and more pips turned their attention to him, he rose from seat and placed down his fedora hat. Some girls gasped recognizing him as the SC(Student Council) president.
"Hah, what a big fat lie." Care grumbled under her breath.
How she ached to stomp her feet on Mandy!
Eli strides his way to the makeshift stage. He glanced at her which made her abruptly avert her gaze. For some reason, his pair of black orb eyes bore intensity tonight she seemed to melt for.
"I do mind if you feel forced. I can chug up a drink at your place. You don't have to kiss anyone. Right, Alder?" Eli offered with a serious baritone.
"Aw, y-yass! If you say so." Alder stammered.
Care relished the satisfaction of watching the prick lose composure for a split-second.
"See, his charisma is on another level!" she inwardly praised.
"Eeh, Eli! All the girls did their dares. I don't wanna be the one who passes. Pretty please!"
"Go ahead."
Care stiffened, slow to process what his words meant.
Go... ahead?!
On the other hand, Mandy's eyes lit up too much; they outshine Sirius at the skies said to be the brightest star. In all honesty, what she did was a gamble between his chivalry and reservations.
Will he allow Mandy to be shamed upon the on-the-spot rejection or indulge her whim like a perfect gentleman that he is?
"Really!?" she exclaimed.
Her ulterior motive is as clear as crystal. Nevertheless, he casually nodded which earned noisy hoots from the crowd. Mandy wasted not a moment, tiptoeing in order to meet his lips.
Witnessing this live, Care fisted her knuckle ready to swing a punch to the wench. A fraction of second before their lips crashed, the enraged lady moved her elbow unkowningly. It knocked the middle portion of Jenga stacks behind them, resulting in a sudden domino effect to the hundreds of blocks above her. She stayed frozen while her eyes were transfixed on the Jenga blocks about to bury her alive!
"Oh no! The Jenga tower is collapsing!" somebody shouted.
.