francheska
Lilly downed a margarita from the minibar, with Francheska now on her side. “Why the hell did you leave us for so long?” She asked the latter, looking challengingly at her erstwhile sister. They were at the Zenith Hotel, where Francheska checked in after arriving from New York.
Francheska, in her thirties now and with a glass of martini on her hand, seemed five years younger, probably brought about by her job as an actress in Broadway. She had been there since she ran away. She looked utterly fresh and glamorous. But those years of fame and fortune hadn’t healed her of her wounds from the past.
“I was young and ambitious,” Francheska muttered under her breath.
Lilly swayed her head in protest. “A lot of things happened when you were gone, you know.” Lilly spoke like a young girl crying in front of her mother. “Dad almost had a heart attack. Mom suffered from depression… and Soph—” Thank God Lilly was watchful enough to hold her tongue. She knew her niece’s name was a curse to Francheska. She must never mention her, not in front of Francheska, or a catastrophe would happen.
Francheska’s face changed then, getting the hint that Lilly had almost said it—the name she considered the greatest misfortune in her life.
“Hate me forever, but she is still your… flesh and blood. And you can never change that, Cheska.” Lilly finally had the nerve to tell her younger sister, and that act caused the latter to walk away, into her hotel room, brusquely.
On Monday morning, Sophia arrived in school through a cab. Back in their house, earlier, she wondered why a coming visitor had to be anonymous. What was something in her that she had to be unnamed at the moment?
During Physics class, Mrs. Tina Roxas noticed Sophia’s inattentiveness and called her, “Ms. Vabueretti, you may be physically absent but you are obviously mentally absent. Eyes on the board!”
Red-faced, Sophia shrunk in shame and apologized. Then the lecture proceeded after having her as the centerpiece.
After the class, Zarah came to Sophia’s rescue and comforted her in the lady’s room.
“What were you thinking, back there?” Zarah elbowed Sophia and smiled.
Making fun of herself, too, Sophia shrugged her shoulders innocently and decided not to share any detail. After all, the reason was vague itself.
“I’d like to cut my classes today,” Sophia said.
It came to Zarah as a shock, obviously, because Sophia had never been into skipping classes ever since they turned best friends. There must be something really bothering her.
“I’ll call your mom if you do that.” Zarah messed around, winking.
Playing along, Sophia handed over her cell phone saying, “Call mom, now,” accompanying it with a silly laugh.
“No, seriously, is there something wrong?” Zarah’s look was now crumpled. “You know you can trust me.”
Thinking hard, Sophia bequeathed her an agreeing nod. “I’ll tell you everything tonight. It’s about Jericho… and Forest Green.” It seemed to Sophia now that there need not be any room for secrets any longer. Secrets about Jericho… about Abanir, but she was absolutely terrified. How could she ever find the right words to make Zarah believe about the strange creature? She might sound crazy. And this latter thought was somewhat pulling her back.
They went to their next class, Calculus, but Mr. Clay wasn’t the one sitting in front of the class. It was the principal, telling them that Mr. Clay couldn’t come to class and that his substitute couldn’t make it, too.
Of course, euphoria took over the place for a moment! It just rescued Sophia from the disinterest of learning, today.
“I guess today is your lucky day.” Zarah then poked Sophia and invited her to the cafeteria.
Sophia’s heartbeat raced as she saw Enzo in the cafeteria table. He was alone, with an apple pie and soda before him. He was looking at her through the corners of his eyes, as if he was trying to send her a message.
Ignoring her erratic pulse, she proceeded to the counter with Zarah and ordered their favorites, but Enzo was still watching her.
“Greek frappe for me and iced Cappuccino for my girlfriend here,” Zarah spoke to the seller and noticed Sophia’s stare at Enzo. It seemed to her that they were having an eye-to-eye.
“What are you doing?” Zarah asked, halfway between curiosity and displeasure. “You know he’s a prowler, right? And he’s not in good terms with Alex.” Zarah stressed it hard, arching her perfect eyebrows.
Wordless, Sophia shifted her look to the seller who was then preparing their orders. Her best friend was right, but knowing a little bit more about Enzo when he offered her a free ride home, the bad impression had finally waned. This time, she thought of him as a friend, who just happened to be mislabeled by everyone.
“Hey.” Zarah stirred Sophia again. “You’re not doing this,” she said, as though it was a warning.
They found a small table for two and sat down. “By the way, do you know your birthday is fast approaching?” Zarah spoke again.
It didn’t register immediately in Sophia’s mind. She was back to the thought of Enzo, who had just left the cafeteria for the library. She remembered her last moments with him back in her house. He was cool there. And hilarious. Now why was he acting differently in school?
“Hey!” Now Zarah began to feel irritated. “Stop it! Not with that guy, okay?”
Shaking her head, Sophia quickly apologized and began sipping her drink. “It’s not what you think.” She defended herself.
“Hey, do you even know your birthday’s coming?” Zarah poked her again.
“Yeah, mom spoke to me about it.”
“So any plans?”
Stirring her drink with a slim straw, Sophia replied under her voice. “I don’t know. All I know is I’m turning seventeen.”
This enthused Zarah to share the highlights of Sophia’s last birthday, that she had a grand party in a hotel (throughout the times when Sophia’s parents were trying to buy her love and acceptance) and that there were many who attended, mostly from the aristocratic families.
Hearing them all, Sophia’s bank of information expanded, then she asked her best friend if she still had to celebrate her seventeenth birthday. “I’m too old for a party,” Sophia admitted.
“You’re a Vabueretti. Everyone expects you to throw a party.” Zarah was shrugging as she chattered. “And don’t be too hyperbolic. You’re turning seventeen, not becoming some retiree.” She shot a smile and reminded Sophia of their next class.