The Scars

0“Reno’s friend, right?” he confirmed. I spun away. I didn’t think it was necessary to talk to him. “I do apologize for what happened. I mean it’s about the invitation card you attempted to throw away.” I didn’t pay attention to what he expressed even though his voice was convincing enough. He was following me. “Come to my party.” I didn’t believe what I just heard.    

    

“You invited the wrong person. I don’t even know you.”    

    

“But, you’re my brother’s friend. “    

    

“Still, I can’t and won’t come. Thanks for the invitation, anyway.”    

    

“For Reno’s sake, Reno has never had a friend until you came to his life. He’s introverted and less confident. I care for him. Yet, I don’t know how to show it.:    

    

“It has nothing to do with me.”    

    

“It does.    

    

“How come?”    

    

“If you are there, attending the party, Reno won’t be lonely. I bet no one would talk to him at the party except you.” I had no idea about his true intention, but sincerity was painted on his face. His caring toward his brother changed my judgment. Kevin had a good personality. Nevertheless, attending his birthday party was a different thing. There was a wide space between us. Moreover, Reno and I were not that close.    

    

“I don’t think I can,” I responded after a long pause. Kevin sighed and shrugged his shoulder. His eyes described hopelessness. “Sorry,” I confessed. I soon strode the curb after conveying my rejection. Kevin’s car roared and swept the road.    

    

The sun shone brightly. Its light bathed the city. I sought protection from its blaze by sneaking under the big trees with lush leaves. Fatigue drained my energy. Cool drinks lured my thirsty mouth when I passed the street vendors who promoted food and drinks. With no money in my pocket, I just swallowed my saliva.    

    

I trod the street and ruminated what Kevin had revealed about Reno. Was Reno’s life that miserable? I always reckoned that I live the most doleful life. The fact, Reno’s life wasn’t different and even bitterer. Should I accept Kevin’s invitation? Abruptly that absurd question came to my mind. I patted my cheek to bring me to reality.    

    

***    

    

It was still early in the morning and I just arrived at school when I saw a silver limousine halted right before the main building. A strapping tall man in a black tuxedo got off from the car when the door swiped right. He stepped confidently toward the main entrance. The security guard welcomed and bowed down as a form of respect. The man must be the school distinguished guest. I had been observing until his figure vanished behind the glassy door.    

    

“That’s Kevin’s and Reno’s father, isn’t it?” a girl in a ponytail heading before me conversed with her friend, a girl with long brown straight hair.    

    

“Yeah…he just arrived from New York to celebrate Kevin’s birthday.”    

    

“His father must love Kevin so much”    

    

“Of course,”    

    

“But, I didn’t see Mr. Wijaya at Reno’s birthday party a few months ago.”    

    

“Really?” The long-haired girls asked in disbelief.    

    

“Yes. Poor Reno, he was treated differently.”    

    

“It’s no wonder. Since his mother was gone, his stepmother ruled everything. I bet that woman coaxed his husband to organize a fancy birthday party for her beloved son, Kevin.”    

    

“Absolutely,”    

    

“I feel pity for Reno.”    

    

“So, you’re on his side now?”    

    

“Well, not really. As long as Kevin always treat my food in the school’s canteen, I’ll always be on his side.”    

    

“You always take advantage of him.”    

    

“Almost students here do.”    

    

“You’re right. Why do you think Kevin’s father pays a visit to the school this time?”    

    

“I’m clueless.”    

    

Those two girls ended their conversation when a silver car pass them and took a turning toward the parking space near the right-winged building. Two tall boys appeared from inside the car. The glasses boy was Reno. The other was unmistakably Kevin.    

    

“This is big news.” The girl in braided hair, one of the gossipers at school, abruptly commented on what she just saw. She joined the other two girls before me who now slowed their steps. “Reno and Kevin went to school together for the first time. There’s something behind it. I should find out.”    

    

“Yeah…share and spread over the gossip and you will face Angeline and her gang.” The girl in a ponytail alarmed.    

    

“This is not gossip but the truth.”    

    

“The fact is Angeline hates Reno.” No more arguments I heard after that. They mentioned about Angeline. Was that girl so powerful? That was none of my business.    

    

One of my feet just stepped inside the big door of the building once my eyes caught a tall boy smiling at me. At first, I thought it was Reno. I was a little bit startled finding out that Kevin stood there and spoke to me. All students eyed me in wonder. They must be surprised for the first time in their life watching Kevin talked to me. I was surprised as well.    

    

“Can we talk?” I silenced for a moment. I could guess where the conversation would lead.    

    

“If it is about your birthday party, you have my answer.”    

    

“It is about Reno.”    

    

“What is it to me?”    

    

“He had some argument with our father last night.”    

    

“That’s your family issue and nothing has to do with me.” More students were watching us debating in high tense now.    

    

“You’re responsible for all of this.”    

    

“How could it be?” My intonation got higher.    

    

“Reno often gets home late these few days. And our driver found out that he saw you.”    

    

“Then, what?”    

    

“Come to the party and clarify everything if you care for your friend.” He was leaving after our short conversation. The students started whispering. It seemed that they had a new topic for their gossip.    

    

***    

    

I rushed packing my stuff and ran out of the classroom after the last class dismissed. Reno was out of my sight. He went out as soon as the bell rang. I didn’t see him in the library or any other places today but in the classroom during the class. My intuition said there was something suspicious about him. The way he acted affirmed that.    

    

I had to see Reno ask for his clarification and ensure that he was not in trouble because of me. The clock in the hall showed fifteen minutes after two. Fewer students stayed at school. I tried to look for Reno everywhere, hoping that he was still at school. The security guard informed me that Kevin and Reno had left the school ten minutes ago.    

    

I slowly got out of the school gate, walking over the pavement. The memory of what Kevin said about Reno tumbled through my mind. However, Mrs. Ali needed my assistance with her catering business this afternoon. So, I had to go home earlier and decided to talk to Reno tomorrow.    

0

    

I took the right turn at the T-Junction. Suddenly, I heard troops behind me. Someone pushed me to the ground before I had a chance to look behind. They might have followed me from the main road. I removed my messy hair that blocked my sight. That blond-haired girl I saw rebuking those two boys in the classroom had stood in a rage with three girls at the back looking down on me with a sharp gaze. She bent and seized the collar of my school uniform. I was still wondering what brought her to assault me. I tried hard to flee from her grip with might and mean. But, her grip was too strong.    

    

“Wait! What’s wrong with you? Could you tell me about my wrongdoing?” I asked in annoyance. My hand kept struggling to free myself from her.    

    

“I hate those who try to seek for Kevin’s attention. This is an alert.” Then, she landed a slap on my face. And I didn’t have time to keep off and fell. It hurt. But, her accusation was way more painful. The fat girl kicked my bag away cruelly. I helplessly watched what she was doing. Another girl in curly hair squatted near my bag and touched it disgustedly with the tip of her finger.    

    

“Is this a shopping bag or something?” she asked in disdain.    

    

“No. That’s a plastic bag,” the quiet girl, the shortest among them disproved. And it was responded with laugh. I couldn’t hold the outrage and exploded it out.    

    

“At least, I bought it with my own money. I bet the stuff you guys wear from top to toe is the products of your parents’ mercy. I’m one hundred per cent certain that you can’t live without them. So, what are you proud of?” I got another slap on my left cheek.    

    

“You, the poor and the weak, this is my last warning. Stay away from Kevin! Otherwise, you will never graduate from Star Senior High School.” The blonde girl spouted the threatening words.    

    

Then, she fished something out of her pocket, a hand phone. She called someone. An expensive big car stopped not far from us a minute later. I saw the one I knew well, getting off from the car. It was from Nina. She gave me a wry smile.