u/Minute_Pollution_843

Friends
“Happy birthday to you⁓”
“Happy birthday to you⁓”
“Happy birthday dear—”
I looked around the dimly lit auditorium, their voices bouncing off the wall. I couldn’t believe this was the fifth birthday I’ve celebrated with my friends.
“Make a wish” they chorused as they each placed a single candle on my birthday cake.
As I blew out a candle, my head was flooded with the memories I’ve shared with the person that placed the candle.
Candle one: Blossom
As I got off the bus, my backpack felt heavier than it should have—like it was filled with nerves instead of books. New school. New faces. New everything. I remember gripping the straps so tightly my knuckles turned white.
I pushed past a surge of children trying desperately to memorize faces but failing hopelessly.
“Room 2010” I mumbled, glancing at the seemingly endless row of classrooms.
After a grueling 10 minutes that felt more like an hour, I found it.
*******
I walked into the classroom, my arms aching from carrying my bag up two flights of stairs.
I placed my bag down in a conspicuous spot and plopped into an empty seat, exhaling softly.
“Oh! Hello, dear!” a high-pitched voice nearly screamed in my ear.
I jolted, nearly knocking my bag over as I turned toward the sound. I saw a red-headed lady with a soft, kind smile staring at me with interest.
“You must be the new student, right?” She asked, though it was clear she already knew the answer.
“Cha…mara, is it?” She confirmed.
My name wasn’t Chamara, but I nodded anyway. I was far too exhausted to correct her—and she seemed like the kind of person who would happily drag this conversation out for a very long time.
Just then someone walked into the classroom and the teacher's face lit up.
“Good morning Mrs. Murphy” The new girl greeted the red-headed teacher.
“Oh! Blossom!” Mrs. Murphy practically squealed.
The girl—Blossom—shot me a sideways glance; her eyes lingering for a moment as if she were trying to figure out who I was.
Mrs. Murphy held me by my shoulders and pushed me so close to Blossom and I used that opportunity to examine her. She was shorter than me but not by much; she had a lean stature, with an almond-shaped face and eyes that reminded me of a cat.
“Would you be a dear and take Chamara where she’s meant to be?” Mrs. Murphy asked, but it sounded more like an order than a request.
“Sure” Blossom mumbled, “we have S.E.T right now”
“Right! She doesn’t have a S.E.T yet, could you take her to Mr. Domingues and see what he can do?”
“Okay, come on” She sighed, leading me out of the classroom and into the fully packed hallway. The air suddenly felt thick and heavy, and I felt trapped.
People stared.
They pointed.
They whispered.
I felt like a monkey in a zoo.
A cattle on its way to slaughter.
I slouched my back, pulled my hood to my head and didn’t dare to say a word.
I needed to hide away from the scrutinizing stares.
My tall figure didn't help.
I was at least a head taller than Blossom.
There was no way I could hide myself behind that small frame, I thought.
I found myself cursing my tall genes, wishing I was born so tiny that no one could see me.
Blossom kept walking in determination, oblivious to the prying gazes directed at her.
Her determination somehow became my solace; I kept my eyes on her back and carefully placed my hands on my ears keeping my attention just on her.
My thoughts calmed.
I could breathe a little easier.
I’m okay, I whispered to myself.

Candle two: Pranavya
“Wab 10 and LV 1 to the bench please!” The coach yelled, his voice loud and firm over the sharp electric snap of rackets hitting shuttles and the squeak of sneakers on the gym floor.
Pranavya and I both exchanged silent looks of doom. We were about to go against the best players in LV school on our first match. The outcome of the match was certain before we even stepped onto the court: We were going to lose.
I picked up my racket and followed Pranavya to the bench where our opponents were already sitting with the biggest grin on their faces. I wanted to wipe the smug look of their face so badly but I knew it was impossible.
“We’re going to lose” Pranavya whispered, taking shy glances at our opponents. She looked pale, her fingers tightening around her racket.
“We’ll be fine,” I said quietly.
“What do you mean ‘Fine’?” She huffed “I mean look at them, they’re LV 1! We stand no chance” She gestured wildly at the two girls sitting beside us in fully professional sport wear, trying to make it look like they were not just eaves dropping into our conversation”
“It doesn’t matter if they’re Lewisville 1. They could be number one in their school and we’d still be better.”
Pranavya hesitated, then gave a small, uncertain nod.
“So…are you guys any good?” One of the girls on the LV 1 team asked in a snide tone.
She was blatantly mocking us.
“Yeah,” the other girl added, twirling a strand of pink hair. “Because we’re not. At all.”
“How are you not good? You’re literally LV 1t.” Pranavya asked, rolling her eyes.
“Oh” The pink hair girl giggled “That doesn’t mean anything, the coach just gave us random numbers”
They were obviously lying, who’d believe them with the amount of Yonex they had.
Our conversation was court short as the coach signaled an open court beside us. We stood up, almost in perfect sync, and headed for the court, each of my steps felt heavy with lead while the other two girls practically skipped to the court knowing it was going to be an easy match.

“We’re already at a disadvantage, we might as well have fun” I whispered to Pranavya “Who knows we might win.”

She gave me a tight smile and we stepped onto the court.

https://preview.redd.it/fszbrcjsijyg1.png?width=357&format=png&auto=webp&s=be8e5886057948abfa45607aca2c9a9b3cf8e3e0

Someone was knocking on the door of my house for like 10 minutes, they didn't even say anything and we didn't even know who they were. My older sister wanted to open the door for the person because she "wanted to know who they were", even though my mom made it clear that we should never open the door for anyone that doesn't call first. I had to push her out from the door and maneuver my siblings to my room where they could be safe (incase of the worst scenario) all while trying to call my mom and ask if she was expecting someone. This isn't the first time my older sister is doing this either, there was this one time my siblings and I were out for a walk and we noticed someone following us. I whispered to my siblings that we should crossover to the other side of the side walk (to put distance between us and the person following us) but my older sister wanted to take pictures of herself and the "beautiful scenery" instead. I had to drag her and my younger siblings to the other side of the road and start running back home (the person following us just stopped and watched us for a good 5 minutes before deciding to move on) My older sister then proceeded to get mad at ME for stopping her from taking a pretty picture. She didn't even notice someone was following us.

I'm so annoyed, I thought older sibling are meant to take care of their younger siblings not the other was around.

TDLR: My older sister has no sense of danger and instead dives into things head first willing to put my younger siblings and I in danger because of her curiosity or pretty pictures.

Row, row, row, your boat all the way to freedom.

The US in one song

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BOILED CORN VS ROASTED CORN😂😂🔥 FULL VIDEO ON MY PAGE. SUBSCRIBE AND SHAR...

Main character syndrome?

Is there a better way to write this sentence?

How do I get rid of mice, traps don't work.