Chapter Nine : The Touch Of Her Hand
[Be still my heart! It's pre-prom soap opera! Benedict woos Clara, but will Joanne realize his deceptive plans? The prom theme confuses some, disgusts a few and thrills others. And will the princess lose out to Tetris? ]
Joanne was in the throes of ecstacy after receiving the call from Benedict. She could hardly believe her ears when Ben called her to tell her that he was going to the prom. Indeed, she had purchased two tickets for this very reason, but deep in her heart, she always thought that Ben would not go with her. There were times when he wouldn't even go out for lunch or supper with her, why would he change for the prom? What more, he had been giving her the cold shoulder ever since she had the little tiff with Clara. Well, it didn't matter now. She had one up on Clara now. This shows everyone that Joanne was really the hot chick of the arts class, not Clara. Thinking about this made her want to switch on Britney Spears's Touch of My Hand and... well, touch herself.
However, her blissful dream was only short-lived, before reality hit her like a sack of rocks. There was so much that she needed to do before the prom (one week away). A prom dress to buy! Facials to go for! An entire make-up set to match her prom dress! Matching shoes and accessories! A clubbing outfit for the after prom party! And for everything, Benedict had to match her outfits! She hurriedly packed her credit cards for an extensive shopping trip the next day.
Meanwhile, Benedict had called Clara up and was being mysteriously flirtatious. After a bit of teasing, he invited her out for a private luncheon the next day. Clara acted coolly, but truth to be told, she was pretty excited. After all, Benedict was one of the best looking guys in A-Levels, and THE best looking guy in her class. And when a good-looking guy called you up for a private lunch, it was either that he had something extremely devastating to report, or something extremely exciting. Based on their friendship, Clara was 99% sure that it was the latter.
Which was why she dressed up to the nines the next day. She wore a short, beaded dark blue denim skirt and a cowl neck luxe tank top. Even her usually un-vain self couldn't help admiring her reflection in the mirror in the toilet, when Joanne, Ar Lian and Ar Huey walked in. What the hell is she looking so smug for? thought Joanne. Loudly, Joanne began her rehearsed monologue with Ar Lian and Ar Huey.
"Like, oh my GAWD, I was, like, totally surprised when BENEDICT, yes BENEDICT NEO from our class suddenly invited me to the prom with him! I'm sure that we're going to be the best looking couple at the prom! We're going to go in a limousine, and he's going to give me a corsage, and we're going to dress in gold-colour themes... I just can't wait!!"
From the corner of her eye, Joanne saw that Clara's back stiffened considerably, and a look of disbelief crossed her face, before she smirked and said loudly, "Oh dear, Joanne forgot her medication again. She imagined that someone like Benedict would actually call her up. What a shame! And by the way, if you have something to tell me, you can say it to my face, instead of pretending to talk to Ar Lian and Ar Huey when they are doing their business!!"
Angrily, Joanne spun around to face Clara. "I did NOT hallucinate, you bitch! Don't think that just because you have skinnier legs than mine, it means that you're better! I've known Benedict longer than you have, and I guess he prefers his OLD friendships to some new found slut in class. And you want proof that Benedict asked me to the prom? Then read this!" Joanne shoved the sms that she received from Benedict in front of Clara's face. "Joanne. I am going to the prom." Seven words that said it all. Clara could hardly believe it. The sender's number matched Ben's handphone number. Numbly, she walked out of the toilet, and didn't even notice Joanne's look of triumph on her face.
* * * * * * *
Benedict didn't understand why Clara didn't sit next to him in class as usual. Well, at least that gave him the chance to sneak the prom ticket from Joanne without Clara noticing. Anyway, he would be meeting her for lunch... more to talk about there, then! Clara looked so pretty today, he would be so proud to have her at his arm at the Moonway Ball.
When lunchtime came, Benedict made a beeline for Clara, but as he was about to reach out and touch her hand, she coldly brushed him aside and headed for the door. Benedict was puzzled, but he was the type who confronted things head on, so he managed to catch up to her and asked her what was wrong.
"I do not like to associate myself with people who do not know who they ought to associate with," she said with a glint in her eye.
"No offense, but what the HELL do you mean?" Benedict was starting to get angry. He hated pacifying people, and what more, in front of other curious bystanders.
"I thought you were like me - that you chose your friends carefully, but now I realise that you're just like every other ah beng in Moonway, who can fall for a heavily painted face, flat chests stuffed into Wonderbras and fake accents!"
Benedict was confused.
"What are you talking about Clara? I never thought that you had a heavily painted face. Nor did I ever think you wore a Wonderbra. Do you? And you don't even have an accent! I'm confused!"
"Argh! I'm not talking about myself! I'm talking about Joanne! Joanne! The girl who you're going to the prom with!!"
"I'm going to the prom with Joanne?" He almost burst out laughing, and then he realised what must have happened. The big-mouth Joanne wouldn't be able to resist smirking at his beloved Clara. Well, he couldn't tell Clara the truth (which girl would like to find out that their man was conning another girl because he was broke?). Instead, he flashed Clara a charming smile and said, "You silly girl... I was planning on going to the prom with you!"
The Benedict Charming Smile (TM) worked. Clara forgot about everything else and could only squeal in delight when Benedict gave her Choong Leeng's prom ticket. Clara practically leapt into his arms for a hug. Now his only problem was to keep Clara and Joanne away from each other so that they did not find out his nefarious plot. Well, at least until Moonway Ball came around!
* * * * * * *
" 'Moonway Ball : Cartoon Heroes' - were the student council on weed when they decided on the theme?" said Goldie incredulously.
"Personally, I think it's rather cute. It's like cosplaying!" exclaimed Thingy.
Everyone else was less than happy.
"We have to dress up as bunny rabbits and cats or Spongebob Squarepants... I wonder if anyone would dress up as Cow from Cow & Chicken?" replied Edward Khoo.
"Don't be so ridiculous. Cartoons nowadays aren't your regular Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes rubbish. Haven't you heard of anime? I am soooooo dressing up as Sohma Shigure from Fruits Basket. What about you lot?" asked Thingy.
The theme would be hard to work on. Benedict had sweatdrops running down his brow and turned to Choong Leeng for help. After all, she was a huge fan of anime. "Which anime character is super gorgeous, and generally just wears a tuxedo?" he asked.
"Er... the Tuxedo Mask guy from Sailormoon? How about dressing up as Kakashi from Naruto? You'll have Clara eating from your hands if you do that!" said Choong Leeng dreamily.
"I don't want to dye my hair grey and spike it up. Ergh, I guess I won't dress up... unless Clara makes me. What are you going as?"
"I'm going as Sohma Kyo from Fruits Basket."
"Isn't that a male character?"
"I have short hair..."
"..."
After the long and tiring day, and that horrible announcement of the Moonway Ball theme that year, Benedict was about to drag his sorry ass into bed when he got a text message... from Joanne. He opened his inbox and read a lengthy message, that basically described Joanne's outfit. She was going to come dressed as Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. And she was pestering Benedict to come dressed as Roger Rabbit. He couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge her reply. Just as he deleted her message, he received another message... from Clara.
With eager hands, he opened the message, and found out that Clara was actually following the theme as well! What's worse was she had written, "I won't tell you who I'm going as, but if you're able to dress up as the correct 'partner' for my cartoon character, this would mean that we are really fated to be together." He would have to hire Choong Leeng and Seamus to find out Clara's prom outfit for the Moonway Ball.
* * * * * * *
It had been a disastrous day for Lumpy Lock.
His parents had barred him from going to the Moonway Ball, on the grounds that he had gone for the A-Levels Ball earlier this year. He had been determined to go to the Moonway Ball when Goldie sold him some information about Kimchi going there as well. He was desperate to go, but even if his parents had given him the green light, he wouldn't have been able to purchase a ticket. He was flat broke, after buying the latest version of Tetris.
After that, Goldie had "accidentally" announced to everyone in Airco his plans of going after Kimchi. Everyone delighted in teasing Lumpy and Kimchi, in the presence of Kimchi, causing Kimchi to get paranoid and avoid the Airco Publication Room fervently.
How do you pursue someone who not only would not go near you? Factor in his looks, and he knew that his pursuit for Kimchi would not amount to anything. What a pity, because thanks to Dianne Brah and Thingy, Kimchi had been getting along pretty well with him. He was almost able to ask her to pay for his prom ticket, when all this happened.
As he laid in his stable, he thought about his bleak future as a moose, and two teardrops rolled down from his eyes.
Is this really the end for Lumpy Lock? What does the group dress up as for Moonway Ball? Is there an impending bitch fight between Clara and Joanne? How does Benedict get himself off the hook? More next issue!
Joanne was in the throes of ecstacy after receiving the call from Benedict. She could hardly believe her ears when Ben called her to tell her that he was going to the prom. Indeed, she had purchased two tickets for this very reason, but deep in her heart, she always thought that Ben would not go with her. There were times when he wouldn't even go out for lunch or supper with her, why would he change for the prom? What more, he had been giving her the cold shoulder ever since she had the little tiff with Clara. Well, it didn't matter now. She had one up on Clara now. This shows everyone that Joanne was really the hot chick of the arts class, not Clara. Thinking about this made her want to switch on Britney Spears's Touch of My Hand and... well, touch herself.
However, her blissful dream was only short-lived, before reality hit her like a sack of rocks. There was so much that she needed to do before the prom (one week away). A prom dress to buy! Facials to go for! An entire make-up set to match her prom dress! Matching shoes and accessories! A clubbing outfit for the after prom party! And for everything, Benedict had to match her outfits! She hurriedly packed her credit cards for an extensive shopping trip the next day.
Meanwhile, Benedict had called Clara up and was being mysteriously flirtatious. After a bit of teasing, he invited her out for a private luncheon the next day. Clara acted coolly, but truth to be told, she was pretty excited. After all, Benedict was one of the best looking guys in A-Levels, and THE best looking guy in her class. And when a good-looking guy called you up for a private lunch, it was either that he had something extremely devastating to report, or something extremely exciting. Based on their friendship, Clara was 99% sure that it was the latter.
Which was why she dressed up to the nines the next day. She wore a short, beaded dark blue denim skirt and a cowl neck luxe tank top. Even her usually un-vain self couldn't help admiring her reflection in the mirror in the toilet, when Joanne, Ar Lian and Ar Huey walked in. What the hell is she looking so smug for? thought Joanne. Loudly, Joanne began her rehearsed monologue with Ar Lian and Ar Huey.
"Like, oh my GAWD, I was, like, totally surprised when BENEDICT, yes BENEDICT NEO from our class suddenly invited me to the prom with him! I'm sure that we're going to be the best looking couple at the prom! We're going to go in a limousine, and he's going to give me a corsage, and we're going to dress in gold-colour themes... I just can't wait!!"
From the corner of her eye, Joanne saw that Clara's back stiffened considerably, and a look of disbelief crossed her face, before she smirked and said loudly, "Oh dear, Joanne forgot her medication again. She imagined that someone like Benedict would actually call her up. What a shame! And by the way, if you have something to tell me, you can say it to my face, instead of pretending to talk to Ar Lian and Ar Huey when they are doing their business!!"
Angrily, Joanne spun around to face Clara. "I did NOT hallucinate, you bitch! Don't think that just because you have skinnier legs than mine, it means that you're better! I've known Benedict longer than you have, and I guess he prefers his OLD friendships to some new found slut in class. And you want proof that Benedict asked me to the prom? Then read this!" Joanne shoved the sms that she received from Benedict in front of Clara's face. "Joanne. I am going to the prom." Seven words that said it all. Clara could hardly believe it. The sender's number matched Ben's handphone number. Numbly, she walked out of the toilet, and didn't even notice Joanne's look of triumph on her face.
* * * * * * *
Benedict didn't understand why Clara didn't sit next to him in class as usual. Well, at least that gave him the chance to sneak the prom ticket from Joanne without Clara noticing. Anyway, he would be meeting her for lunch... more to talk about there, then! Clara looked so pretty today, he would be so proud to have her at his arm at the Moonway Ball.
When lunchtime came, Benedict made a beeline for Clara, but as he was about to reach out and touch her hand, she coldly brushed him aside and headed for the door. Benedict was puzzled, but he was the type who confronted things head on, so he managed to catch up to her and asked her what was wrong.
"I do not like to associate myself with people who do not know who they ought to associate with," she said with a glint in her eye.
"No offense, but what the HELL do you mean?" Benedict was starting to get angry. He hated pacifying people, and what more, in front of other curious bystanders.
"I thought you were like me - that you chose your friends carefully, but now I realise that you're just like every other ah beng in Moonway, who can fall for a heavily painted face, flat chests stuffed into Wonderbras and fake accents!"
Benedict was confused.
"What are you talking about Clara? I never thought that you had a heavily painted face. Nor did I ever think you wore a Wonderbra. Do you? And you don't even have an accent! I'm confused!"
"Argh! I'm not talking about myself! I'm talking about Joanne! Joanne! The girl who you're going to the prom with!!"
"I'm going to the prom with Joanne?" He almost burst out laughing, and then he realised what must have happened. The big-mouth Joanne wouldn't be able to resist smirking at his beloved Clara. Well, he couldn't tell Clara the truth (which girl would like to find out that their man was conning another girl because he was broke?). Instead, he flashed Clara a charming smile and said, "You silly girl... I was planning on going to the prom with you!"
The Benedict Charming Smile (TM) worked. Clara forgot about everything else and could only squeal in delight when Benedict gave her Choong Leeng's prom ticket. Clara practically leapt into his arms for a hug. Now his only problem was to keep Clara and Joanne away from each other so that they did not find out his nefarious plot. Well, at least until Moonway Ball came around!
* * * * * * *
" 'Moonway Ball : Cartoon Heroes' - were the student council on weed when they decided on the theme?" said Goldie incredulously.
"Personally, I think it's rather cute. It's like cosplaying!" exclaimed Thingy.
Everyone else was less than happy.
"We have to dress up as bunny rabbits and cats or Spongebob Squarepants... I wonder if anyone would dress up as Cow from Cow & Chicken?" replied Edward Khoo.
"Don't be so ridiculous. Cartoons nowadays aren't your regular Tom & Jerry and Looney Tunes rubbish. Haven't you heard of anime? I am soooooo dressing up as Sohma Shigure from Fruits Basket. What about you lot?" asked Thingy.
The theme would be hard to work on. Benedict had sweatdrops running down his brow and turned to Choong Leeng for help. After all, she was a huge fan of anime. "Which anime character is super gorgeous, and generally just wears a tuxedo?" he asked.
"Er... the Tuxedo Mask guy from Sailormoon? How about dressing up as Kakashi from Naruto? You'll have Clara eating from your hands if you do that!" said Choong Leeng dreamily.
"I don't want to dye my hair grey and spike it up. Ergh, I guess I won't dress up... unless Clara makes me. What are you going as?"
"I'm going as Sohma Kyo from Fruits Basket."
"Isn't that a male character?"
"I have short hair..."
"..."
After the long and tiring day, and that horrible announcement of the Moonway Ball theme that year, Benedict was about to drag his sorry ass into bed when he got a text message... from Joanne. He opened his inbox and read a lengthy message, that basically described Joanne's outfit. She was going to come dressed as Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. And she was pestering Benedict to come dressed as Roger Rabbit. He couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge her reply. Just as he deleted her message, he received another message... from Clara.
With eager hands, he opened the message, and found out that Clara was actually following the theme as well! What's worse was she had written, "I won't tell you who I'm going as, but if you're able to dress up as the correct 'partner' for my cartoon character, this would mean that we are really fated to be together." He would have to hire Choong Leeng and Seamus to find out Clara's prom outfit for the Moonway Ball.
* * * * * * *
It had been a disastrous day for Lumpy Lock.
His parents had barred him from going to the Moonway Ball, on the grounds that he had gone for the A-Levels Ball earlier this year. He had been determined to go to the Moonway Ball when Goldie sold him some information about Kimchi going there as well. He was desperate to go, but even if his parents had given him the green light, he wouldn't have been able to purchase a ticket. He was flat broke, after buying the latest version of Tetris.
After that, Goldie had "accidentally" announced to everyone in Airco his plans of going after Kimchi. Everyone delighted in teasing Lumpy and Kimchi, in the presence of Kimchi, causing Kimchi to get paranoid and avoid the Airco Publication Room fervently.
How do you pursue someone who not only would not go near you? Factor in his looks, and he knew that his pursuit for Kimchi would not amount to anything. What a pity, because thanks to Dianne Brah and Thingy, Kimchi had been getting along pretty well with him. He was almost able to ask her to pay for his prom ticket, when all this happened.
As he laid in his stable, he thought about his bleak future as a moose, and two teardrops rolled down from his eyes.
Is this really the end for Lumpy Lock? What does the group dress up as for Moonway Ball? Is there an impending bitch fight between Clara and Joanne? How does Benedict get himself off the hook? More next issue!