Hoodie project (1/?)
ONE
Hehe, I think I mentioned that I didn’t have a title to work with from the beginning so you girls’ll just have to accept “The Hoodie Project” as the title. Hehe, I’m still looking for opportunities to actually integrate the topic in one of the chapters but as of now...here goes!
When is this going to end? The few graduates who were chosen to briefly share their experience to everyone seemed to forget there was a time limit for the testimonials.
“Rui, do you happen to have a piece of candy with you?” I turned to Rui who was softly humming a recognizable tune. Because of our last names, we got to sit beside each other when the seat plan was arranged alphabetically.
“Nope, didn’t think anyone would be hungry what with all the excitement. You’re just gonna have to wait ‘til it ends.” She whispered then resumed her humming with a slight smirk.
“Hey, I forgot to eat a snack before the ceremony. I need to eat!” I slouched back on my chair. I wonder how Byul and Chie are doing? I bet Byul is listening to our tall, dark classmate giving his speech. I remember Rui hesitating to call him otou-san. There is a ‘family’ thing going on. It’s a little group secret we have. And Chie must be sleepy. She loves to sleep as much as she fancies staying up all night writing her stories. Ironic, no?
Rui pulled me by the arm to stand. “Get up, it’s over.” She released me to fix her delicately spiralling long hair. I flashed a grin at Rui after a bemused “Oh”. Rui’s hair is black and soft like Persian silk. I wanted to twist it around my tiny fingers and I stopped my hand from reaching up. Her hair was styled with yellow crystal stones emphasizing her long tresses. Yellow, one of her recent trademarks. She’s very good at hair styling among other hidden talents.
We spent time with our families after the ceremony. There was much to be thankful for. We were finally graduates! Summer vacation was a dream. I missed my friends so we visited each other every month and they texted regularly. June was full of activity and it passed like a breeze. At last, July came. I received frequent calls from Rui. Chie and Byul updated me online. It was almost time for our departure. Rui organized the big sleepover, though there was never mention of actually sleeping.
“I feel like I’m forgetting something.” I scratched my head looking through my chaotic luggage around Rui’s jam-packed room.
“I think we have everything we need.” Byul dusted her palms.
“Misaki, we will leave you behind if we have to pay for the excess baggage because you think you have to bring the entire contents of your room to feel that you’re good to go for this trip.” I stared at Chie’s pointing finger which was closer to my face than I thought. I was still thinking of an appropriate reply to Chie’s threat when Rui spared me from too much thinking. She came in with a historic-looking but beautiful box. Byul and her told us about writing “signs” which will have something to do with a special someone, a soulmate. These signs would then be proof that a certain person is our ‘happily ever after’. I loved listening to them talk about their ideal partners. Rui and Byul often squealed and giggled. Chie laughed at the things the other two said. I was thinking of my own love story. Who will it be? How will our fairy tale begin? Countless scenes flashed like fireflies in my brain. I saw them, they flickered and went off unsuspectingly. I took out my handy-dandy notebook.
“Well, shall we get started on that list then?” I picked a purple pen from the ones Rui handed to us. Everyone started to write letters, words and phrases each with a smile on their faces. I smiled at the simple happiness of sharing moments like this with people dear to me. With a contented sigh, I searched my brain for those fireflies. Now where are those little creatures? Pitch black darkness. Hmm, I think someone shooed them away. There’s got to be at least one sign in here!
“Let’s show it to each other after,” Byul suggested, interrupting any electrical activity of an idea about to be transmitted by my neurons. I pretended to copy a rough draft from my notebook to the stationery we were all to use and neatly folded it. I felt guilty saying a little prayer for my empty ‘wish list’ to come true. We even took pictures of each other with it. I was much relieved when we placed it in the box that Rui brought and locked it up. Phew! The night went by fast when all the reserved excitement for our much-awaited graduation trip burst out and filled the room like firecrackers on the 4th of July. Well, at least no one will know I didn’t put anything there. Not really likely I will meet my Prince Charming anytime soon anyway.
Girls! Yay! One chapter down! I’m having a hard time figuring out how this story will progress. How will all our memories fit together? Your ideas are simply inspiring. I can’t wait to see everyone’s work! Sighs, I can’t see far enough how my work will go. Help! I really don’t have a list yet!