《LESLIE》


 1 chapter

    The day imprinted on me. First time I laid eyes on her.


    Thirty of us plus myself had arrived into the room of our Form 1 class. An inch shorter than I was. Impossible to miss blue eyes, blond hair long down the back, well-shaped mouth. What to expect of a thin female body.


    Didn¡¯t know each other standing as we were asked to say our names in class. Instructed to by an early forty¡¯s female teacher, black and somewhere on the fat side.


    ¡®Leslie,¡¯ answered the voice to my left.


    A few days past and as I walked in the school yard was when she walked up, ¡®Hi, we don¡¯t know each other very well, let¡¯s be friends.¡¯


    Was one eleven year old to another. Stunned me, but keeping it together, ¡®Yeah I guess so.¡¯


    From there was set: talked together, helped each other¡¯s school work and the second thing was to be important.Stolen novel; please report.


    During a class test asked answers from me. It¡¯s a test not school work. Refused although we remained friends. Since the earlies when first arriving, blondie shows uncanny ability to make friends. Good social skills no doubt. A skill envied by me, so hard with my quiet self.


    As said we were friends. But some things I didn¡¯t like about Leslie. Leslie became a mischievous child, or was she all along? Playing around the class, even going so far as to lie to teachers if she had to ¨C like her friends did.


    Kept this to myself for fear of losing a friend in the few I had. More happiness than none.


    Then came the time of a major test. Revision is a part of my school life. Leslie was of a different make up. Sitting next to me whispered, ¡®Could you answer a question.¡¯


    Happened before but did not spare me shock. For I was sure the girl understood that it could not go her way. Spoken quietly not so much as to alert the teacher, but a fear I had. Feared for the good impression teacher had of me. ¡®Sorry Leslie, it¡¯s a test.¡¯


    The girl had a desperation I doubt her young mind understood. Beckoned at me during test. Seen out the corner of my eye, avoided turning my head at her.


    After school¡¯s end outside the gate we spoke. Bitterness in her face and below that clinging to the rest of her body. ¡®Why didn¡¯t you help me in test today?!¡¯


    Breaking rules is help? This your kind of friendship? She wasn¡¯t expecting good marks. I felt apologetic. ¡®Sorry I didn¡¯t do it. Next time.¡¯


    Her face took an even harsher expression. The eyes could burn like a sun powered magnifying glass. ¡®I thought you were my friend. Won¡¯t make the mistake again.¡¯


    Turned her back to me and walked away, getting further and further. My body could only stay still and watch the blond hair swaying. Knew then I lost a friend, Leslie.


    Author¡¯s note ¨C reworked from a hand written English class lesson many years ago. My ongoing effort in this regard.


    Date - 7 April 2020