Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4 - 7 2018 | Page 44

"SMILE!" someone shouted behind me.
I turned to face the camera. That photo of me, jaw open in shock and Lea, scowling at the camera has been
seen by everyone from our grade and some others as well.
"Alright, let's give the lovebirds some space," somebody else shouted.
I heard quite a few snickers and chuckles (wish I'd get those when I do stand up) but everybody cleared off.
"We're just friends!" Lea shouted at the receding group.
I felt a pang of sadness. Then I felt angry for feeling sad.
"What do you want to tell me?" I asked.
"How do you...It's nothing."
"You can trust me. Besides who would I tell?" I was hooked now.
"Well, I haven't told anyone. I'm going..."
She was interrupted by Monsieur Fanny calling us to come inside the parfumerie.
"Come on," she grabbed my hand and pulled me along, "I'll tell you later."
I was suddenly pulled out my memory and into the present. Hundreds of eyes were on me.
"We never talked after that. It wasn't my fault I swear! I mean, I hope my breath isn't that bad." I said,
acting shocked and trying to smell my breath.
Everybody was laughing and some were even rolling in the aisles. I could make out Peter and Leo near the
back. They were only recognizable by their matching neon "Go SHAKA" caps.
"Seriously though, she seemed to be avoiding me. I only found out the reason about two weeks ago. Now
is probably a good time to mention that I'm not a cool kid and I generally don't know things that are going
on (ie, gossip). The day after the trip ended she and a guy from our grade became an official couple."
Everybody sighed sympathetically. My heart was pretty tied up and my tongue felt like was deflating (sorry,
other way around).
"I've held half a regret and half a grudge ever since and I learned an important lesson on the trip, my
"Journey to the West", my Odyssey; don't hold regrets. Regrets don't help. They're simply emotional
baggage you carry around and that weigh you down. They make you lose track of your goals, so don't. Let
it go (I'm not turning into Elsa, don't worry everybody), and let humour and friendship fill the gaps.
Thanks everybody, my name's Shaka and have a great day."
As I walked off the stage, I received a standing ovation from the audience but I didn't hear it. All I
could feel was the regrets lifting off my chest. Maybe I was right sometimes and maybe sometimes things do
go well for me.