Alright, I know I’m late with my entry but giving this a shot. I’ve never done this before but I hope I do and get better at writing.
@flashfictionfridayofficial prompt - Stronger Together
The lunch table was loud with gossip and laughter. Querell watched as the school’s most popular group of girls and boys bantered among themselves poking at the food halfheartedly while the rest of the cafeteria stole glances at them. Some wished to be a part of this ‘cool’ group, others despised them, some didn’t want anything to do with them whereas some others wanted to be them. Be her. For now she was part of the gang as well. Sitting, laughing and eating next to them.
Up until a few days ago, Querell belonged to the lot from the other end, who wondered what it was like to be a part of this gang. She had watched them from afar, eating her lunch in silence, alone. And then, her life changed overnight.
She made news when she jumped into the pool that day, rescuing her classmate from drowning. The girl she hauled out of the water happened to be the school's sweetheart, Chu. Querell received praises from the entire school and just like that, her popularity rose. The same girl who had been treated as invisible throughout her entire school life was now one of the popular kids. Her classmates no longer mocked her or looked down on her. No more whispers in the hallway about the ‘weird girl who talked to herself’. She had random strangers coming up to her now, warming up to her like they’ve been friends all along.
Querell liked the sudden attention. She hadn’t longed for it but had always been curious. She was now enjoying the perks of her new life, everything she never knew even existed in her old lonely, dull life.
‘So you’re coming right?’ A girl with pretty strawberry blonde curls spoke. Her big, blue impatient eyes were fixed on Querell’s.
Querell had forgotten her name again. She quietly nodded, hoping it wasn’t something too important worth remembering. If it was, well Chu would speak about it the whole day and catch her up to date. Nothing to worry too much about.
The bell rang, the warning before the end of the lunch break. Everyone around the table groaned as they collected their half empty plates and dragged their feet. Querell took her time emptying the bottle of water in her hand. She watched as they made their way to the exit.
‘Something different this time?’
Querell nodded again. She looked outside the window to avoid being caught.
‘I don’t want to wet my clothes again please,’ She spoke softly to herself.
She could sense a grin with the reply. She couldn’t help but grin either. At the end of the exit, she saw Chu waving to her, beckoning her to catch up. Querell smiled back, motioning that she’d join them in a minute.
She couldn’t help but be amused at how fast Chu’s behavior towards her had changed. In middle school, Chu bullied Querell to complete her assignments and spread about rumors, making sure Querell never had friends. Fast forward to now, she acted as if all that never happened, addressing her as Que, warming up to her.
Querell closed her eyes as she remembered the day at the pool. Those few extra minutes where she watched Chu struggle to reach the surface and catch her breath. Querell had waited, savoring the suffering, imprinting the memory onto her brain.
And next to Chu was the strawberry blonde, who had filled Querell’s locker with rats as a ‘prank’ last year. Of course, now she feigned ignorance as well.
‘I told you, didn’t I?’ Querell grabbed her plate and dumped the waste into the trash. ‘We’re stronger together,’
A mischievous smile played on Querell’s lips. The voice was right. They were stronger together. The swimming pool incident served proof. Perhaps she should’ve given in sooner.
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2087
