The best time of the day to do some leisure activities at Mchalmmond High was after lunch. During that time, some frisbees and soccer balls would occupy the field. Others would fly some kites, while some students would sit and watch on the benches. The girls would braid their hair and paint their nails, introducing some cosmetics to their peers. Elsie's agenda at that moment was to spend her time in the library. She brought her copy of the school magazine with her.
There were only a few students in the library. Some freshmen boys were sitting in the last row. The books were covering their faces. They were pretending to read when in reality, they were playing games on their phones. Elsie looked at them, then at the CCTV camera. She shook her head. The boys didn't know that they were caught in action. Sooner, their phones would get confiscated.
One senior high student was sleeping on the sofa, wrapping her body in a huge newspaper. Elsie sat on the floor and leaned her back against the bookshelf. She was studying the cover page of the school magazine where Stan, Cade, and Dexter's faces were showcased. It was stunning, but Stan's photo particularly stupefied her. She looked at him like an unreachable star.
After admiring his face, and reminiscing about the good times with him (drama rehearsals, lunch dates, and his comforting words), Elsie tore his photo and removed it from the page. She checked the cameras, and after securing that no one was spying on her, she planted a kiss on his photo.
"Who's that?" A voice startled Elsie.
"Holy crap," Elsie blurted. Lily was behind her. Her eyes were in between the little corners of the books on Elsie's back. Elsie immediately put the photo in her pocket.
"You scared me to death," Elsie said.
Lily narrowed her eyes. "What are you afraid of? Who were you kissing?"
"Kissing? You need a new pair of glasses."
"No. I definitely saw you pouting like this," Lily said and imitated Elsie's actions.
"Yuck. Why would I do that?"
"Exactly. Why would you?"
"Because I didn't do it. I think you need to upgrade your lenses. You might get in trouble if you assume things in front of other people. I am your friend, so I understand. But other people might get offended and think of you negatively. If you know what I'm saying."
"Really?" Lily looked worried. She removed her glasses and cleaned the lenses using her skirt. Lily caught a glimpse of Cade's image in the magazine.
"His glasses look nice," Lily said.
Elsie followed her sight. "Curt's glasses? It seems big for his eyes. I mean he looks like a dork with that."
"But he isn't a dork," Lily replied. "He is intelligent, cold but caring, harsh but sweet, bitter but hot..." Lily was engrossing herself in an illusion that Cade was shimmering and smiling at her.
"Hey. Lily?"
Lily snapped out of her fantasy when Elsie pinched her side.
"Are you okay? What were you thinking?"
"Oh. Nothing."
"Do you like Curtis?"
Lily flinched. "Definitely not."
"Why not?" Elsie said in a teasing voice.
"Be-because he always annoys me. He is so mean. He's a bully to me!" Lily said and bolted out.
Elsie laughed. Lily was the most transparent person she knew.
"Paging all the drama club members, please proceed to the theatre right now for your rehearsal. Again, paging all the drama club members, please proceed to the theatre right now for your rehearsal."
As Elsie was walking towards the theatre, she passed by the archery club. She heard loud noises one after another. Elsie got curious and stepped back. She slowly opened the door and peeked through the crack. Stan was all alone inside the room. There was a large rack in front of him. Hanging from it were fifteen empty cans of different heights on the floor.
Stan was covered in sweat. His biceps shimmered and his hair was already wet. He positioned his bow and arrow and fixed his eyes on the target. In a matter of five seconds, the arrow darted straight to the can. Stan loaded another arrow and shot each can every ten seconds. He was like a machine, indefatigable and excellent.
Stan brushed up his hair with his fingers and glimpsed at the door. Elsie instantly hid and ran away to her original destination.
"Ms. Elsie Lynch, you are late," Mason Moore, the director, said.
Elsie was panting. "Am I? I'm sorry."
"Just because you are the lead actress doesn't mean you have the right to be late."
The director of the play was a junior student. He had blue highlights on his hair and was openly homosexual. Mason loved wearing a pink scarf and a scowl on his face.
Elsie read the script once more and performed a breathing exercise before going out on stage. The leading man, Jayden Clark, was drinking a bottle of water. He was on the same grade level as her.
"Let's start!" Mason said. One call from his pitchy voice and everyone was in their positions.
The first scene they rehearsed was when the princess of Rotopia went out of the palace in secret. She was wearing a white cloak and ran into the village where the Heart's Festival was held. They believed that on that special day, they would meet the person fated for them to love. Though the princess was forbidden to roam outside the palace, especially near the villagers and peasants, she was so intrigued by the myth. Princess Eowyn wished to find her true love on that day.
She explored the village and talked to the vendors. They were so fond of her sweet smile and lovely voice. The princess had an empty pocket, so the vendors gave her fruits and delicacies for free.
Princess Eowyn walked towards the pond. It was filled with water lilies and lotus. She paused in the middle of the bridge, feeling the warm wind on her face. The princess heard the stroking sound of the water. Not far away, a young man was in a boat, slowly paddling. When the sunlight hit him, he beamed like the finest jewelry in the palace.
The princess gazed dreamily at him. And like a magnet, his eyes drifted to her. He had the purest look of enchantment. The man thought she gave him a glimpse of paradise in her eyes. He was in awe of her glamor. But when he saw the blue ring she was wearing, the man looked away and continue to paddle under the bridge. He recognized the symbol of the royal family.
Princess Eowyn was worried that she might not see him again. She peeked under the bridge and said, "Hey! What's your name?" A refined lady must maintain a soft voice, but she cared less about the rules at that moment. The man looked at her and was about to speak, but the royal guards came running in her direction.
"Cut!" Mason yelled. "Alright. Very good, Jayden Clark." Mason turned to Elsie. "And you, Elsie. I need more emotion. It's love at first sight. We must feel that you are attracted to him the moment you see him."
Mason put his right hand on his waist. "You know what? If only we can swap our roles in this play, I should've done it before. You are so lucky to have the spotlight and be paired with a handsome guy like Jayden, girl. Don't make my jealousy go to waste."
"I'm sorry," Elsie replied.
"We must feel the love. You don't have a boyfriend, do you?"
Elsie shook her head.
"It's so obvious! You are a wilted flower. But this is acting, so fool yourself if you must. Pretend you like Jayden. But don't catch real feelings or I'll rip your eyes," he said while pointing his finger at her. "Ugh. Whatever. There's no use in explaining. I wonder what made you qualified for this role." Mason gave her a judgmental look from head to foot.
When everybody went home, Elsie took her time practicing her role alone in the theatre. It was already dark when she hit the road using her motorbike.
Elsie noticed a black car behind her. It was at her back for quite a long time. When she came across two directions, she went to the right. The car was still behind her, so she sped up and tightened her grip. Her phone suddenly rang. She pulled it from her jacket and answered the call without knowing who it was.
"Elsie... I'm sorry for how I acted last time."
"Curtis."
"I want to make it up to you. Can we—"
"Shit."
"What?"
"Someone's chasing after me."
"Where are you?"
"I turned on the GPS. Track me. Make it fast. I don't know how long I can play with them."
The motorbike's meter was going up when Elsie passed through the market. Elsie tried not to hit the people on the sidewalk.
"Excuse me."
"I'm sorry."
"Excuse me."
"That was close."
The people frowned at her.
"You bitch!"
"Get away from here!"
Elsie drove through the stairs, and the car would always find its way behind her on the street. She stepped on the brake when another car halted ahead of her. Her wheels slid, and she fell to the ground. Elsie's body ached as she tried to move. Some men came out of the car and looked down at her.
"Found you."