Amy Claire was regretting a lot of things as she followed Zoeira down the trail that morning.
How many minutes could she have saved herself if she skipped doing her makeup in the bathroom and returned to the dorm earlier?
And then there was the real killer, her heels. She had forgotten the dips and bends in the road. What a miserable start to her day!
She glared at the back of Zoeira’s head.
Why didn’t she tell her last night? To begin with this was all her fault!
How was she able to walk so fast? No matter how fast she tried to go, it was impossible to catch up.
Zoeira raised her nose to the air.
“It smells like rain up ahead.” She sighed. “Aaaand the umbrellas are back at the dorm.”
What was she a hound?
“You can smell rain?”
“…”
It really did rain or rather it was raining up ahead.
She preferred to look on the bright side. Now she didn’t have to worry about smelling from sweat! but now her heels was having a hard time gripping onto the ground, she used her suitcase as a crutch.
When they found the gate locked, Amy Claire felt her heart drop.
She looked to Zoeira bracing herself for a verbal slew of blame and curse words but Zoeira climbed up and over the fence in seconds.
It was clear this was probably not the first time she had done this.
“Um…please don’t leave me.”
Zoeira blinked at her.
“Are you just gonna stand there?”
“I’m wearing heels!”
“You can literally use the gate as a step, if not that your suitcase.”
“But then how will I pull up my suitcase?”
Zoeira looked to the cloudy sky.
She climbed back over the fence, weaving both her ankles into the square rungs of the gate and held out her hand.
“Come on.”
“?”
“Use your suit case as a stepping stone.”
“But it’ll get muddy!”
A spark of irritance flickered in Zoeira’s cerise red irises.
“You can clean it. Later.”
Amy Claire was reluctant. She bought this suitcase with her Aunt and Grandmother in Singapore, the designer was an old classmate of her Grandmother’s and someone Amy Claire deeply respected, it was such an honor to have them personally make one for her! But more importantly the process of working together with her loved ones to pick out the pattern …
After the steps’ invasion, most of her family defected leaving her with few pleasant memories of family bonding. Only her Grandmother and Aunt Selena stayed on her side. But once her Grandmother disappeared from the plane crash, her Aunt moved to Canada when her husband got transferred leaving her all alone against the steps.
She lifted a foot up only for it to hover in the air.
For her wet heels to step on this…it didn’t feel right, it was as if she was trampling their good will and intentions.
“I can’t …!”
Little did she know the kindling in Zoeira’s gaze had only grew fiercer by the second watching her hesitate.
“I’m RISKING my vagina for YOU! either lift the suitcase so I can pick it up or step on it and climb over! The gate is locked which means the warning Bell has already rung! Hurry up!”
Amy Claire huffed remembering the bell, she gingerly lifted the suitcase up. It took a while for it to leave the ground and when it finally reached the area of Zoeira’s reach she hefted it up and over with ease.
Zoeira’s brows wrinkled after setting it down, she looked at Amy Claire as if to say something but instead huffed again. “Hurry up, Princess.”
Once Amy Claire climbed over, nearly slipping in the process, Zoeira whisked her suitcase away.
“Hey!”
She hurried after Zoeira only to find it difficult.
Were there motors in her legs? Seriously how was she able to walk so fast?
Finally Zoeira stopped walking when they reached the courtyard. Other stragglers we’re also making their way to school.
They cheered at the sight of the food stalls as did Zoeira.
“Alright! We’re having udon for winter this year-
“Give it back!”
Neither expected either’s reaction at that moment.
As Amy Claire caught up and lunged for her suitcase Zoeira released her grip on it.
Question marks hung over the heads of students a the sound of a loud WHUMP! They noticed an ownerless suitcase rolling past, so naturally their attention gravitated to behind them to behold the view of a brunette lying face first on the ground and a red head face palming, both umbrella-less in the rain.
Amy Claire’s hands balled into fists at the sound of snickers. She lifted her head to glare at Zoeira.
“You did that on purpose!”
“What? Why the hell- Don’t blame me for that cause that was all you!”
“Why did you let go?!”
Why lunge for it?”
“Because you took my suitcase!” Amy Claire stood, swatting at the dirt on her knees and elbows. It was a lucky thing her uniform was all black… “Damn thief! Don’t go stealing my things!”
Questions signs hung over Zoeira’s head. “I didn’t and what does that have to do with you – you know what? Forget it.” She threw up her hands.
Amy Claire scowled at her. She felt so wronged and humiliated! And she had the audacity to act like she wasn’t in the wrong! Thankfully there weren’t that many people outside to witness it. Otherwise she wouldn’t be able to recover.
“Pfffft. Poor things.”
Behind them Rooster appeared holding an umbrella, shaking her head. She fished out a couple of wipes from her pocket in her backpack to hand to Amy Claire.
“T-thanks.” Amy Claire gingerly accepted them.
“Yes, thank you.” Zoeira said flatly as if they were for her.
Amy Claire shot her a look. They’re not for you so shut up!
But the two seemed to be holding a wordless conversation as Rooster passed by.
“It seems news of the weather forecast didn’t reach you?”
“Oh fuck you.”
“I’ll see you in class, Zozo good luck!”
Zoeira, perhaps resisting the urge to roll her eyes, closed them.
Good luck?
Amy Claire studied the wipes handed to her, the kind gesture was now charged with something that felt like the opposite. Mocking almost.
Zoeira sighed. “Alright, well…that happened. Moving on. Let’s go.”
Amy Claire didn’t budge. She had expected an apology even if it was false.
Zoeira frowned.
“Aren’t you scared someone will steal your suitcase? It’s expensive right?”
Amy Claire’s eyes shimmered with contempt. “Priceless. For various reasons. Something someone like you would never understand!”
“Then let’s go and get it.”
Amy Claire bit into her lip.
Why does she hate her so much? What did she do? Could it be she had heard her the other day? But even so she didn’t deserve being treated this way!
Everything she said and did got under her skin, she seemed to know what made her tick without even getting to know her.
An opponent even more formidable than her step-sister…
As she reluctantly followed the students heading inside cheered and chattered about the three new stalls erected out front.
A Korean fish and rice cake stall, a ramen stall
and japanese lunch stall.
“What’s all the fuss about? It’s just a couple of stalls.”
“For us villager we have to head out early to arrive on time. Sometimes we end up having to wait outside before the doors open.” Zoeira gestured towards the stalls. “During winter we’ll have stuff to keep us warm.”
Amy Claire’s jaw dropped in horror. “You mean you didn’t before?”
“The funding changes every year, anyway be thankful your locker isn’t outside. You won’t have to carry an ice pick to school with you. It’s considered a weapon so you can get in serious trouble for carrying one anyway. “
PB CONVENIENCE 