I stepped inside the bookstore and was greeted by the owner, Mrs Rai. With jet black hair and copper skin, her honey-brown eyes shone in the autumn sun as she gleamed at me. "Can I help you with anything, Bugsy?" she asked. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmfMsFNVRV
"I'm looking for a notebook," I answered. "It's my best friend's birthday."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xAH3XxedH
"Oh, it's Ferdinand's birthday today?" her eyes widened. "But I thought his birthday had passed."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGO3tlJSUEx
"Not Ferdinand," I laughed. "It's Naomi's birthday today."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDsrHvuGJ6
Mrs Rai's eyebrows twitched. "Oh, which one?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfpXMiGPYP
"The one from Japan," I explained. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8b1YrHYlY
"Oh that one," she exclaimed. "Well, I find her family a bit cold, especially when I talked to them."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgO1Wrg1BvI
"Well, they just moved here," I defended. "They'll get used to it." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1vRzU7Duop
"Of course. So what kind of notebook does Naomi like?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsMCDfbc89
I stroked my chin and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, she likes the colour pink and sparkly stuff," I described. "She tends to be girlish."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8Vwi3a1N6
Mrs Rai headed towards the storeroom and searched through heaps of supplies while I stood in front of the counter, eyeing the books, neatly arranged on the shelves. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ19cDrxir0
"I found it," Mrs Rai exclaimed as she showed me a notebook from the storeroom. The cover of the notebook was lavender-coloured sprinkled with a dash of glitter and a shiny, white unicorn can be seen in the middle, jumping over a rainbow. This was the perfect gift for Naomi. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡewOTYhvNuS
"So how much is this, Mrs Rai? I asked. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY77GlUkD3n
"It's two dollars," she said. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnvvk2VJT9
I slipped two one-dollar bills on the counter and thanked Mrs Rai as she handed the notebook to me.
"Can I have a paper bag, Mrs Rai?" 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegtKJEqkg9
She shook her head. "Sorry, Bugsy," she sighed. "Paper is also being rationed right now."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxQ7KjqBih
"But why?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8t6UDnhLRI
"Government wants to save money, Bugsy," Mrs Rai told me. "It's the same thing with food and coffee and even petrol."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNytk4SiWP3
I nodded and thanked Mrs Rai as I left the bookstore and strolled along the pavements, with shop lots going about their business, except with less crowd. I entered the Little Owl Coffeehouse and the bell chimed, alerting Aunt Inara at the counter. "Hey Bugsy," she greeted. "Did you get anything for Naomi?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLSlyn4cZh
"Yes," I replied. "I got her a notebook."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5cndheKVD
I showed her the notebook I just bought, and she examined every detail of it. "You've got the right choice for her," Aunt Inara commented. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBoRogVReX
"But there's nothing to wrap the gift, auntie," I complained. "Mrs Rai said the paper's being rationed."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOZMxLSK0p
"Then you use an old newspaper," suggested Aunt Inara. "Here, we have dozens of them."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBO8snvUlo9
She led me downstairs towards the basement and switched on the light bulb, revealing bundles of newspaper lying around. I sneezed loudly as I took out a sheet of old newspaper from the bundle. I sneezed again and again. "Oh dear," Aunt Inara expressed her worries. "Let's get you out of here before you have the flu."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTE0Mnchlj
We rushed out of the basement and locked the basement door in front of us. "Go boil some water from the kettle. I don't want you getting sick on your friend's birthday."
I stared in the mirror as I brushed my golden locks. I put a few drops of foundations on my face and rubbed it all over for absorption. I lightly brushed a peach eyeshadow around my monolid eyes when my stepmother, Chaeyeong entered. "Do you need help with makeup, Bugsy?" she asked.
I shook my head. "It's alright, Chae," I replied. "I'm just going with something lighter."
"Alright," Chaeyeong smiled. "I'll be in my room if you need anything."
As she left, I twirled around in my ice blue mesh dress, with small flowers embroidered on the sleeves, which belonged to my late mother. With Naomi's gift in my hands, I went outside my living room and opened the shoe cabinet, slipping on my Doc Martens boots. I headed downstairs and opened the front door, waving to Aunt Inara and Grandma. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5TO33SF3e
"Be back by 10.30 sharp," Grandma advised. I nodded and closed the door behind me and walked on the empty road.
The sunlight that shone on my chestnut eyes faded as the velvety night skies revealed itself from the shadow within. I passed by the same shops, only to notice that the owners were cleaning up, signalling that it was time to call it a day. I passed by the sandy grasslands, with the cool autumn wind blowing on the grasses, making it dance graciously.
As I stopped in front of a mint greenhouse, I gave a knock. Waiting for someone to answer, I observed the surrounding of the house, with the mailbox freshly painted with reddish-orange colour, reminding me of the current season. The front door opened, revealing a woman with bobbed hair, clad in a floral shirt and chiffon skirt. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zZ2s91zC0
"Ah, you must be Bugsy," she bowed. "I'm Vivian Watanabe, Naomi's mother."
I gave a 45 degrees bow and introduced myself. Naomi's mother invited me inside the house and asked me to take my shoes off, leaving me with socks on my feet. She led me to the living room, where Naomi and Lisa were sitting with each other on the sofa, talking to each other. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4T8rKxnhWy
"Naomi," her mother called out. "Your friend, Bugsy is here."
Naomi got up and gave me a bear hug, to my surprise. "Bugsy," she cheered. "It's so good to see you here."
"You too, Naomi," my lips curved into a smile. "Thank you for inviting me here."
Mrs Watanabe shuffled to the kitchen with her house slippers as I sat next to Naomi on the velvet sofa. "So what were you and Lisa talking about?" I attempted to join their conversation. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGGnb6AwbQ
"We were talking about that time in the cornfield," Lisa answered. "That must be terrifying for the three of you."
"Oh yeah," I quivered. "Those scarecrows gave me nightmares."
"I agree," Lisa sipped on her glass of water. "If I was there, I would've died of fright."
"I was lucky Ferdinand carried me," I wiped my forehead. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been here, telling you all of this."
"Speak of the angel, are you two together?"
"Yeah, we're best friends since first grade."
"I meant whether you and Ferdinand are dating each other, silly."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIf1Xpkbqn
I shook my head. "We're just friends, nothing else more than that." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSfUydOk3U
"We'll see in the next ten years."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2gFHYTiPcc
A man with sleek hair entered, with Ferdinand by his side. His hot pink blazer stood up, along with his frilled shirt and tight pants. From my knowledge, those belonged to his father. His mother must have loan it to him, since he was fighting a war. "Sorry for being late," he bowed. "It took me hours to look good."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS3KMgwUJ0e
"Kore wa anata no tomodachi no hitorideshou is?" Mr Watanabe asked. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxDl8vmbJ1
"Yes, father, " Naomi replied. "That's my friend."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTUfzIYI4J
"I'll be in the kitchen," he reminded his daughter. Ferdinand bowed and shook hands with Naomi. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63IcugGfc9
"I'm so glad you can make it," Naomi cheered as she gave a hug to Ferdinand. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0hMz5X3nN
"I've got you something," Ferdinand handed her a small box.
Naomi lifted the lid and took out a pair of hooked earrings from the box. "Ferdinand, you shouldn't have." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUUYb9vD68h
"Happy birthday, Naomi."
"Thanks, Ferdinand," she jumped in joy. I stood up and showed her my gift, wrapped in a recycled newspaper. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejy9WWkixk
"Open mine, Naomi," I flashed my gift to her. She unwrapped the recycled newspaper and her jaws dropped. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDnvUhLYbH
"Bugsy," she gasped. "Where did you get this?" 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkghu8cMp9C
"From the bookstore," I grinned. "I know what you always wanted."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HviSDX3th
"I don't know what to say." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVBdnufPu3
"I believe the word you're looking for is thank you."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnJ6CPAgRx
She stared at me and embraced her arms around me. "Thank you so much, Bugsy," her voice raised. "I honestly don't deserve you guys." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcVx4RqNJvM
"It's what friends do, Naomi," I put my arms around her. "To have each other's back no matter what."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMP3QmXn9o
Ferdinand glanced at Lisa, who was lying on the sofa. "What did you get for Naomi, Lisa?" Ferdinand was curious. Lisa pointed to a Teddy bear that she bought, which was on the table beside him. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDofysX4le
"Oh, didn't notice that when I walked in."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxbZSIwfqp
Then, Mr and Mrs Watanabe entered the living room, holding a carrot cake, with fourteen candles all over the cake.729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡux1CYEbvc9
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to Naomi,
Happy birthday to you.729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqWkXA7KZm
A huge thunderous applause filled the room as Naomi blew the small flames on the candle. With a cake knife, Mr Watanabe sliced the square-shaped cake into eight pieces and invited all of us to feast. We chomped on our cake and gulped down a fresh glass of water when Ferdinand placed his fork on his saucer and wiped his mouth with a plain cloth next to him. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVSbr1pPRk
"Hey Naomi," he spoke, "You should ask your parents later whether we could take a leisurely stroll on the dirt road."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAz0GqXoruz
Naomi's eyes widened. "What for?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyWcZ7uOEj9
"It's our tradition," I stated. "Whenever a teenager celebrates his or her birthday, they walk down the dirt road."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKTEMnhR3VL
"Where to?" 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83IMxLJ8eg
"Wherever it takes them," Lisa commented. "Everyone's experience was different. Last year, the dirt road took me to a grassy meadow."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wHJ61JARQ
"And mine took me to Montago Bay," Ferdinand joined in. "It was a scary experience."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoJyuFVSrp
"Am I walking alone?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh41vk5DO9f
I shook my head. "No, we're doing this together."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvMxrfmsc8
Naomi left the room and headed towards the kitchen. "Well," Lisa stretched herself. "I'm going to the loo."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4tNYEXpyi
As she left, I felt a small poke on my waist. I turned to my right and saw Ferdinand, with his dimples sticking out on his smooth, porcelain skin. I hit him playfully on his forearms, causing him to whoop loudly. "Don't be dramatic," I rolled my eyes. "I barely even touch you."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpizxOOa8U
"But you did, Bugsy," he pestered as he lay his head on my lap. "You're kinda rough today."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTgFMONa1F
"Don't make me kill you," I struggled to hide my laughter. "I can make it look accidental."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucfDeG0TNO
"And how are you going to do that, exactly?" he continued poking my waist. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTobmnYqVO
"I could make you have a heart attack." 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrtvvSK54Q
Naomi and Lisa entered and dropped their flashlights on the floor as they say us. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurBWX0WoOM
"Oh my gosh," Lisa seemed stunned. "Am I interrupting your little date?"
Ferdinand got up from my lap and dusted his trousers. "Of course not, Lisa," he avoided eye contact. "We're just playing around like what best friends do."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawjcy4zq52
"Exactly," I pointed out as I held one of the flashlights. "Now let's go. We don't have time to waste."
All four of us exited Naomi's rustic house through the front door quietly and ambled on the muddy road, without looking at each other. The waning crescent shone luminously above us as I was awed by the galaxy of stars above us. The chilly night breeze shivered me as I wrapped myself with both my arms. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwMD4jCHDU
Ferdinand stripped off his hot pink jacket and cloaked me with it to keep me warm, making Lisa giggle softly. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKcFRZIQd1
"What's so funny?" I glared. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70ZkYXdTxX
"I thought you and Ferdinand are just friends," tormented Lisa. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWI6w3Cspm
"Friends keep each other warm," Ferdinand defended himself and gave me a huge high five. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFmhZbYMGK
"I'm cold too," Naomi complained. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcd9fAS1kNa
"Well damn Naomi, I don't control the weather," Lisa retorted. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoDTrCMPzDx
He snickered as he gave me a light punch on my shoulder. "I think Lisa and Naomi made a great couple," he whispered in my ear. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLoTR9gL4Ji
"Well, they seem to act like an old married couple," I noted. "After all, they seem to make snarky remarks against each other. The loud, howling noise filled the night as yellowish lights bounced around the grassy meadow, making me shiver. "Naomi, if you're wondering what you're hearing, they're just coyotes. Nothing else, just listen to it and don't see it for yourself."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBcGAvtCyP
No answer. I touched her shoulders, and she noticed me before she gazed at a wooden house from a distance. "We should check out the house," she said, in a monotone voice, much to my suspicion. This isn't like Naomi at all. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0QbEX1rGN
She shuffled straight towards the house, prompting us to follow her lead. As we followed her, Lisa held her chest and tried to catch her breath. "Wait up, Naomi."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGwYoImvMz
A few minutes later, she stopped dead on her track. "We should look what's inside," Naomi murmured as she entered the abandoned cabin, with broken windows and overgrown lawn. Ferdinand and I nodded our heads and decided to pursue her, despite my gut feeling saying otherwise. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1JuAeVOQY
"I'm staying outside," Lisa declared, crouching on the ground. "There's no way I'm going in this ghost house."
"Then keep watch while Ferdinand and I searched the house," I gave her an instruction. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzWWQiWgj5
As we crept inside, Ferdinand sat on a chair, only to collapse on the floor. "This definitely need repairs."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhHLoIxwU8
When we reached the first floor, a light was switched on in a room. Holding each other's hands, we went inside the room, only to find Naomi on a rocking chair, stroking a stuffed tiger's head. "Naomi," I gulped. "Looks like the dirt road led us here."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYyYZgcRvGE
"Who's Naomi?" she asked, with a little boy's tone. "I'm Malcolm."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRUWT9RZA4
Ferdinand fainted on the floor, making me kneel and pump his chest. "Sorry if I scared you," Malcolm whimpered, who was possessing Naomi's body. "I only needed your friend's body to talk to you."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGA3B5N8QwV
"What do you want?" I felt a tremor in my hands. "Are you going to kill us?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzGOCGZKr7
Malcolm shook his head. "No, miss," he dismissed. "I'm very lonely and I haven't spoken to anyone for years."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhM4OhxfTjA
"How long you've been here, Malcolm?" I wondered, rubbing my palms together. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH0v353ojo
"I've lost count, miss."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WgQNzeorm
"Call me Bugsy," I introduced myself. "Like the cartoon character, Bugs Bunny."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2U0ekMzJM
"What's up, doc?" he quoted. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3YykzisgM
I snorted. "I see you watched that cartoon as well."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLL9htS3Tv2
"I always watched it with my mom and dad, until I died."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38g7fzJd4Y
I put my hands on Naomi's arms and gazed. "How did you die?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cF4VBLDrx
A rope dropped from the ceiling, leaving me tongue-tied. "Who hanged you?" 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfBcg9WnS4
"The ones in white robes."
Naomi choked on her breath as she looked around, dazed. She got up from her seat, rubbing her forehead. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDlhDOnyFo9
"Bugsy," she rubbed her eyes, speaking in her normal voice. "What happened?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw8tHiNthT
I put her arms around my shoulder and lightly kicked Ferdinand's leg, causing him to wake up. "Where are we?"729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcBCFZC45Z
"Let's go home," I muttered, as I escorted them out of the house, only to bump into a man, clad in white robes from top to bottom, glaring at me. "Who are you, and why are you here?" he demanded.729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrX3Bhe2Ev
I peeked behind him and saw another man, who was pointing a shotgun at Lisa's head. "What are you doing to my friends?" I put my hands on both hips. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgeHISNl3g
"Talk rudely, or that negro die," he threatened. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSiCnopahj
"It's my birthday," Naomi pointed out. "And it's a tradition for every teenager to walking with their friends down the dirt road."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ403Ml7AMaW
The man sighed and moved away from the exit, letting us pass through. He ordered his friend to let go of Lisa and stepped aside. "Don't you dare come back here ever again," the white-robed man warned. "Or you chinks and your negro friend will die."729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlO8x1NUyoP
We nodded and marched away from the abandoned cabin without looking back. "Those guys remind me of the KKK my granddaddy used to talk about," Lisa broke her silence. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1F2xfHCZKQ
"What's the KKK?" Naomi asked. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwX00CEqxJ
"A group that terrorized black people like me. They live in America, so you won't find them here."
"Oh, that's a scary group."
Ferdinand walked beside me, noticing my grip tightened around my arms. "You're alright, Bugsy?" he asked, brushing his hands with mine. 729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY4UbcEjk6G
"I'm fine," I reassured him.729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZkNnZYRFq
But my mind tells me differently as I pondered what happened minutes ago. Who were the men in white robes, and why did they kill Malcolm?729Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXg9OmGWqu
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