Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020 | Page 19

Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2020
Bring me back
Harrow International School Hong Kong, Huang, Zi Yan – 11
She saw the flashing lights of the modern skyline in her home city, Shanghai, as the plane
took off - steadily, slowly. Millions of thoughts flew through her mind, some racing - pulsing
like lighting. Some serene. Some slow. They whispered of her happiness, her excitement,
her imaginations of her new home in Zhuhai - but all Sunflower could hear were phrases
of sarcasm, mocking and jeering cruelly at her. They hung like dark stubborn storm clouds,
haunting life, obliterating every feeling of pleasure. After what had happened, Sunflower was
swallowed by darkness - feelings of regret - feelings so powerful, so strong she was unable to
turn back into the light. Unable to hold even the tiniest second of happiness any more. She
was suffering from it, depressed and torn. Yet, she couldn’t show it - it would just cause more
anxiety. It was already too much for herself to handle, much less her mother, who was already
exhausted and wrestling the situation with every ounce of effort and energy she had left…
Sunflower jolted awake, gasping and covered in icy sweat. Her heartbeat aggressively
banging on her ribcage like an unruly animal. And only after what seemed like infinity did
she finally calm down to realize what happened. How much longer could she hide her true
feelings? The question set off flares in her, seeming to force every vein, every consciousness in
her body to burn red hot with curiosity.
The next morning, Sunflower woke up in a frenzy. Intense purple eyebags hung
underneath her eyes, wrinkles etching her empty, tired face. Her stomach growled loudly in
hunger, begging for her to give herself something to eat! But her body paid no attention to
this. Sunflower’s thoughts consumed her, those vacant, ebony eyes staring into space. Her
mind lost in thought - pondering on how to express herself- to show the world who she truly
was. This tranquil stillness was shattered by the unexpected knock on her door. “Honey, it’s
time to go to school!” Came the voice of her mother. ‘Oh yes, school, I’d nearly forgotten!’
Sunflower thought and quickly followed after her mother. She didn’t expect much from
school, it would always be the same, whether it was in ShangHai or In Zhuhai. Little did she
know about what awaited her next. Sunflower’s metamorphic life was about to be changed
into something entirely unlike she’d ever experienced before…
***
She trudged up the marble staircase up to the campus, trying to keep the amount of
attraction she could possibly draw to herself to the least. As usual, no matter how hard she
tried, it didn’t work. Perplexed stares of the passers-by seemed to bare into her. Brief minutes
passed and that burning, penetrating sensation grew unbearable. Sunflower could hear the
sombre mumbles of students whispering at her. “Look, there goes Sunflower. I wonder
why she’s so shy?” Said one, stealing a quick glance at her and looking immediately away.
Sunflower couldn’t think straight, it was as if comments clouded her mind. She’d always hated
attention, it would constantly spark fires in her, unleashing waves and waves of dread, panic
and nervousness inside. Without another moment’s hesitation, she dashed into the school
building, desperately wanting this nightmare to end.
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