If I recalled my memories correctly, then it happened about two years ago. I was in the auditorium, anxiously waiting for the administrator to announce the student's roommates. If you are wondering why I am waiting for roommates, I guess I will rewind a bit. I was sent to a boarding school for girls because Mama thought it would help me become a lady. But no. Those years without my past enemy would be unbearable.
It was my first day, and like any other young girl, I was excited, intrigued, wanting to learn from this academy. But excitement can easily turn to depression, in the matter of seconds, caused by exactly six words.
“Stephanie Li, you are with Heather Huang.” Mrs. Frufru, the head of this school announced. The colors immediately drained from my face. Heather. That name was like noxious venom on my tongue. Of all the people that I could’ve been paired with, it was her. It just had to be her.
I turned to her creepily smiling face, shooting daggers at her; mentally, at least. She asked me in a very smooth voice, “Do you want to move our belonging into our dorms, my friend?” The way she says the last two words sent chills down my frozen spine. I faintly nodded, hoping that this was all a mistake. As I got up from my chair, my dress was caught under the leg of another chair. I tripped forward and banged on the chair in front of me. The other students stifled giggles and laughters. Thus not only triggering my hate for long dresses, it triggered my everlasting hate towards Heather.
Well, I am not letting her get away with that. As I nonchalantly gathered my dress, I walked up to Heather and smirked, then did the unthinkable. I kneed her square in the stomach, grabbed my few belongings, and dashed off into my our dorm. I could imagine her sitting there, stunned at her archenemy.
My first day at my dream academy was already that messed up. So what could go worse? It turns out, everything. She constantly bullied me. She did mean things like ‘accidentally’ ruining my dress, steal my favorite necklace, and even ripping up my favorite, one and only book. I was devastated, and I absolutely hated her along with everything that she did, and will do. Heather never let me off the hook, until I discovered her secret.
I was in our dorm during lunch since all the students was either sided with me, or her. And of course, none were on my side of this eternal war. I not only came later than all the other girls, their parents all knew each other. They were one big group that all had one thing in common; They despised me. I usually fought back but they always won. I was never included, when teachers told us to split up for team assignments, I had to do it alone. The girls said they would rather kiss a street urchin on the lips rather than to ever make friends with me. I couldn’t just drop out and face Mama’s disappointment. I was destined to suffer.
But that all changed. While the others were out in the cafetorium having normal conversations, I hid in our dorm, on my soft bed, thinking. I eyes closed as I thought about the horrid times I had here. Warm, sticky tears rolled down my pale cheeks as my vision blurred. Something in the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was a envelope that had Heather written in Cursive on the front. I gingerly picked up the letter. The edges were crumpled and small rings that were a darker shade of the yellowed paper dotted it. Tears.
Curiosity won over fear of touching My torturer's belongings. I slid the note out, and smoothed the edges a bit.
My precious Daughter, August 13, 1887
How long since the last time I saw you. I love you the dearest. However, I have some news. I am very sorry to say but, your Father has died. I no longer have the money to sustain our family. I have no choice but to find a job of my own. The headmaster has agreed to have you stay for as long as until I have enough money. Keep on learning, though. I will look forward to the day I get to be with you once again. Mama will always remember you, sweetheart.
~Mama
The third sentence was partly smeared. Suddenly everything made sense. I’ve read enough books to know that Heather was just as broken on the inside as I was on the outside. It was no mystery now. She was taking out her bottled anger and sadness on me, just because I was more convenient than others. It angered me. But a wave a sadness washed over. I felt sorry for her. I had already forgiven what she had done to me yesterday. I finally understand. Her ‘friends’ were made out of fear of being bullied and pure loneliness. And being angry wasn’t me. It was Heather. I did not want to ever be like her. In under a minute, the letter was back in place, and I surprised myself. I was writing a note, to my enemy.
Soon as I was done, I laid it on her neatly made bed, and was about to return to my own when the door swung open. Heather strode to her bed and was about to plop down when she saw my note. Without speaking or glancing at me, she unfolded the freshly written letter. I awkwardly shuffled to the other side of my bed that did not face hers and played with my fingers. Few minutes later, my name was called by her hoarse voice. I turned to her and caught her eyes. Those sky-blue orbs were filled with sorrow and relief. She whispered something that I was not expecting.
“Stephanie, I am so sorry. C-can you forgive me?” I nodded while she continued, “Can you be my real friend?”
He left his scientific research job to pursue writing as a full time occupation. His path to becoming an author is not a normal one. The Crystal Tear was never successful, but he wrote another book, called The Faces of the Finder. That was also failure (according to his website), selling maybe 3 copies (him, his mom and his brother). He then wrote three more books, all gigantic flops. But then came Minecraft.
