Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 2020complete | Page 116

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.
On the way home on the stellar module, images of what had happened at school that day seemed to flash in
the reflections in the crystal clear windows like a movie, replaying itself over and over again. Sunflower’s
brain failed her. She simply couldn’t concentrate. Nothing, not even thoughts of home could drive her
mind away from the stubborn road of her astronomy session. A whirlpool of thoughts seemed to swell inside
of her - annihilating any other insight that came in its way. It had all gone by so suddenly, she hadn’t even
gotten the time to consider if she really was willing to do it. To fulfill something she’d always dreamed of
becoming. To follow a road that her father had dedicated his life to pave. An adventurer of the stars.
The next few days seemed to drag by. Mr Li had proposed that she and Xavier meet so they could get to
know each other better. Though the pair had already done a robotics global championship together last year,
Sunflower could still feel her legs shaking vigorously as she approached him. The air rushed out of her lungs,
staggering fear flooding them - blood roared in her ears, a deafening ringing sensation blasting in her head
like a raging wildfire within. Without, a conquering silence reigned.