ADDA WAS walking by the park, lost in her own thoughts and shame. No matter how much she tried locking those awkward memories away, they always came back to haunt her provoking her the urge to scream and disappear into oblivion. The wet grass brushed her worn out boots gently and sparked drops of water everywhere with every distracted movement she made. But deep as she was in that purgatory created in her chaotic mind, her skin was left insensible to the cold, or so It appeared.
Then, she stood still, her green forest orbs fixed on something far away. Her partly closed eyes suddenly opened wide as two full moons when she recognized the sinuous figure of the girl reclined on a bulky tree with dark brown bark and a colorful leafy crown that casted shadows over her. This time, she was dressed with a jet-black tank top and dress pants the color of the abyss. She was distracted with her phone and the music her white airpods played only for the owner to hear.
Adda's mind had escaped her control and was racing frantically, her fight or flight response activated. She restarted her walk anxious, her feet barely touched the ground and the pale girl started to feel dizzy, with the fear that she could be spotted.
Shit, shit, shit, shit, SHIT!
Hey, Adda!
A voice shouted.
Her soul petrified, wishing to be buried alive. The young girl didn't dare to look back, sweat started running down her face, her verdly eyes moving hysterically.
Adda, didn't you hear me?
Now the slightly deep voice grew louder, as his possessor approached her.
Calm down.
She told herself, scratching her left hand and recomposing back.
She doesn't know your name so she won't be looking this way. I hope she cannot hear me...
Adda.
The strong footsteps announced the arrival of the boy who had been calling her in the distance. With a deep breath and a relaxed facade, she turned face to face to his football mate and asked for the reason behind his shouts.
Are you gonna come play football today?
Sure.
She replied, her mind focused on another subject, one that made her skin thrill. Then, without taking her eyes off the soft rounded face of the teenage girl, tuned around and backed away, slowly.
• • •
The cold water that laid on the underground made her tremble every time It reached her reflective skin, interrupting the thoughts that flowed with the music on her airpods. Her eye bags weighed like two stones, forcing her eyelids to blind the penetrant dark brown sight she had. That way, she nearly tripped and faced the muddy ground several times, but her involuntary reflexes were still quick enough to prevent It.
She paced around until a spot under a tree called her to rest. Quickly she began to notice how the water spread through the fabric until reaching her underwear.
Ugh, what a day to wear decently new trousers...At least they are black so It won't stand out too much.
Tania thought, hoping this was not a warning for the embarrassing scene she would have to endure once the sun started to drown in the horizon and it was time for her to go home.
Finally, she listened to the prayers her chocolate eyes had been sending her since she had woken up that turbulent dawn and immersed herself in the melodies whispered in her ears like a gentle breeze, until she fell asleep and to the side of the robust tree she was leaning on.
She could feel a warming aura embracing her like a soft blanket, but suddenly her skin turned cold, her articulations were stiff and her four extremities and neck felt numb. Immediately, after that comforting feeling left, she heard someone shouting, and tried to ignore It, in hopes she could go back to where she was. Quickly she realized the screams came from a source just a few meters away from where she stood, but no image crossed her mind until her eyes were opened, revealing the situation of the real world.
A long-haired ginger girl was scolding a group of teenagers a few years younger than Tania was while they laughed and threw fingers at her. One of them was waving a large mobile phone with the gallery open. She squinted her eyes before fully opening them with the sudden realization that she was the one in the picture. The kids left shortly after, running away from the ragging white girl that kept shouting and shaking her arms aggressively.
Before Tania could respond, the other girl turned around and with a soft and awkward smile, offering her hand to her.
She's cute.
Tania told herself, with a subtle warm reaching her cheeks.
Are you okay?
Those familiar words made her dizziness fade out and recall who that pretty and thin girl was:
She's the one who hit me with the ball last time!
Uh, yeah. I...
Her words faded out, and her mind went blank, without realizing she was staring at her for too long. Luckily she didn't seem to realize, agitated as she was.
I can't believe those idiots could stand so low to do that! And they even laughed It off like It was nothing, NOTHING!!!
She skewed, huffing, while her face started to resemble a tomato, as red as she was.
Do you know who they are?
Inquired the brown girl.
With an offended tone that made Tania recoil and all her resting fuming rage, the long-haired girl made her know that they were completely strangers to her, and that she would never in all eternity associate with such despicable beings. As she finished shouting, the adolescent realized how rude she had been, and with a softened look, apologized nervously, with a hint of anxiety caught in her thin voice.
Tania had no words in her mind, so they both stood in an absolute and odd silence that was more hypnotizing than uncomfortable. Tania was left lost inside the infinity of a savage and sharp emerald forest that shone bright as the reflection of the piercing sun on the waves of the crystalline sea. A place that awakened her curiosity and at the same time filled her with insecurity and uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the fear Adda had to frazzle her time fought to overpower the attraction of the deep waterfall of chocolate she was absorbed in. One than invited her to close her eyes and submerge in, swimming, careless of the world around her. Then a horrendous scenario stabbed her, getting her off the trance while her muscles twitch with an involuntary movement triggered by fear; the fear her mother would find out.
She started stammering, and the ashen-black-haired girl blinked frantically and deviated her gaze to her black shoes with white soles now covered in mud and grass. Then, before Adda collapsed in front of her, with her heart pumping harshly, Tania spoke up, leaving the white girl feeling somewhat relieved.
So, your name is...?
A-Adda.
Replied, faster than her thoughts, almost shouting It.
Oh, It's a pretty name.
While those last words left her lips, Tania realized her mistake, opening her eyes wide, but quickly enough for Adda to process, she drew the attention to something else.
I'm Tania, and, uh, thanks for all n' stuff.
Then, she turned back and left, even if she knew her path home was in the opposite direction. At the moment, it was a much greater priority to banish from that nightmarish situation.
Wait!
A hopeless call reached Tania's hears but her legs refused to stop.
See you later! I mean bye! Ah...
But the black girl was already far gone with no intention of turning her head back.
• • •
The night after that, Adda could be found suffocating in her own large pillow while trying, desperate, to convince herself that Tania hadn't heard her say anything stupid.
I had finally made amends with her, and she even told me her name, and now!... Guess I'll have to stick with those idiots that have air instead of brain!
Those citracal thoughts did their job by distracting her from the worst and torturous feelings; embarrassment.
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