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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAruE7lVCmWk
"I'm looking for a notebook," I answered. "It's my best friend's birthday."526Please respect copyright.PENANAEaHFSQe5mX
"Oh, it's Ferdinand's birthday today?" her eyes widened. "But I thought his birthday had passed."526Please respect copyright.PENANADfUEwQ5fHg
"Not Ferdinand," I laughed. "It's Naomi's birthday today."526Please respect copyright.PENANAISBle0AhWO
Mrs Rai's eyebrows twitched. "Oh, which one?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAzJdPGjPjSl
"The one from Japan," I explained. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAlubnORrb0Y
"Oh that one," she exclaimed. "Well, I find her family a bit cold, especially when I talked to them."526Please respect copyright.PENANAwXRtO4XjTf
"Well, they just moved here," I defended. "They'll get used to it." 526Please respect copyright.PENANAZeHVQTXZdA
"Of course. So what kind of notebook does Naomi like?"526Please respect copyright.PENANA5TDglkDq2C
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAhJPInuoAQd
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANATXOO0DBVCK
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAlI8xa2vzFZ
"So how much is this, Mrs Rai? I asked. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAmpZrDCuR7b
"It's two dollars," she said. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAp3BfRrrtUP
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?" 526Please respect copyright.PENANAShEyQywNq7
She shook her head. "Sorry, Bugsy," she sighed. "Paper is also being rationed right now."526Please respect copyright.PENANAIYDc1xwG1r
"But why?"526Please respect copyright.PENANA9ScNf8RbjQ
"Government wants to save money, Bugsy," Mrs Rai told me. "It's the same thing with food and coffee and even petrol."526Please respect copyright.PENANAA5d2zDLQTe
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?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAjMlIPyMTXt
"Yes," I replied. "I got her a notebook."526Please respect copyright.PENANANUfhZHwObj
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAiyBKd6BFCy
"But there's nothing to wrap the gift, auntie," I complained. "Mrs Rai said the paper's being rationed."526Please respect copyright.PENANAfAZRN6ddo0
"Then you use an old newspaper," suggested Aunt Inara. "Here, we have dozens of them."526Please respect copyright.PENANAqFqFEKz7kk
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAtteljRQV4s
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAv7E2t5K09g
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANASKYPaxWsOD
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAXhzrTBqRk9
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAc8HQAvD5A9
"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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAzZDMrMIN30
I shook my head. "We're just friends, nothing else more than that." 526Please respect copyright.PENANAuPajJ3Usm1
"We'll see in the next ten years."526Please respect copyright.PENANABQYMpXu6Zt
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAMMu8zw83uj
"Kore wa anata no tomodachi no hitorideshou is?" Mr Watanabe asked. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAitbkWYtpfM
"Yes, father, " Naomi replied. "That's my friend."526Please respect copyright.PENANAbFYq5HNk6Q
"I'll be in the kitchen," he reminded his daughter. Ferdinand bowed and shook hands with Naomi. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAGLBDeVIG7m
"I'm so glad you can make it," Naomi cheered as she gave a hug to Ferdinand. 526Please respect copyright.PENANA8BgaBmUdCY
"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." 526Please respect copyright.PENANAbDBI8xkhN3
"Happy birthday, Naomi."
"Thanks, Ferdinand," she jumped in joy. I stood up and showed her my gift, wrapped in a recycled newspaper. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAGINfAddh5T
"Open mine, Naomi," I flashed my gift to her. She unwrapped the recycled newspaper and her jaws dropped. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAdzh2MPbhu5
"Bugsy," she gasped. "Where did you get this?" 526Please respect copyright.PENANAhixPh0Dqeq
"From the bookstore," I grinned. "I know what you always wanted."526Please respect copyright.PENANAwYkHFATPlC
"I don't know what to say." 526Please respect copyright.PENANAzgcrk3ebdz
"I believe the word you're looking for is thank you."526Please respect copyright.PENANAhCnWt191lP
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." 526Please respect copyright.PENANAs2Sz3oW8kH
"It's what friends do, Naomi," I put my arms around her. "To have each other's back no matter what."526Please respect copyright.PENANAHs2Wa9N6zx
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAs61hptf5wR
"Oh, didn't notice that when I walked in."526Please respect copyright.PENANAtxgyyIOHnJ
Then, Mr and Mrs Watanabe entered the living room, holding a carrot cake, with fourteen candles all over the cake.526Please respect copyright.PENANAvR11EcFce9
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to Naomi,
Happy birthday to you.526Please respect copyright.PENANA2it4qDkOzl
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAb3EE3tt0zT
"Hey Naomi," he spoke, "You should ask your parents later whether we could take a leisurely stroll on the dirt road."526Please respect copyright.PENANAXQvzghLjg4
Naomi's eyes widened. "What for?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAYuV2uG9rzX
"It's our tradition," I stated. "Whenever a teenager celebrates his or her birthday, they walk down the dirt road."526Please respect copyright.PENANAyHvpao9sAo
"Where to?" 526Please respect copyright.PENANAvtOpfNVoVH
"Wherever it takes them," Lisa commented. "Everyone's experience was different. Last year, the dirt road took me to a grassy meadow."526Please respect copyright.PENANABY5u4sd81Z
"And mine took me to Montago Bay," Ferdinand joined in. "It was a scary experience."526Please respect copyright.PENANA3yOOOTLhYJ
"Am I walking alone?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAieSZhsZjnh
I shook my head. "No, we're doing this together."526Please respect copyright.PENANAcn7koQmbTt
Naomi left the room and headed towards the kitchen. "Well," Lisa stretched herself. "I'm going to the loo."526Please respect copyright.PENANAcmrHauWPgX
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANA7TEyqiFA5p
"But you did, Bugsy," he pestered as he lay his head on my lap. "You're kinda rough today."526Please respect copyright.PENANAvH2eUnvdyW
"Don't make me kill you," I struggled to hide my laughter. "I can make it look accidental."526Please respect copyright.PENANATqbKC47nfi
"And how are you going to do that, exactly?" he continued poking my waist. 526Please respect copyright.PENANATRm5vW71J6
"I could make you have a heart attack." 526Please respect copyright.PENANA9XP1jSA2wn
Naomi and Lisa entered and dropped their flashlights on the floor as they say us. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAJhG6PFUDyJ
"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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAiSy5ZNgchC
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAa3aDcgCOCL
Ferdinand stripped off his hot pink jacket and cloaked me with it to keep me warm, making Lisa giggle softly. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAItxWx7rZ6l
"What's so funny?" I glared. 526Please respect copyright.PENANApXz78Aq8T3
"I thought you and Ferdinand are just friends," tormented Lisa. 526Please respect copyright.PENANApyq16JUmCq
"Friends keep each other warm," Ferdinand defended himself and gave me a huge high five. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAiA8o6mFW3V
"I'm cold too," Naomi complained. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAXnWW6DKexr
"Well damn Naomi, I don't control the weather," Lisa retorted. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAqnTc4jNwPH
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAog3Dav2gd3
"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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAQPiqQLbvLo
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAPpN8kYIy5z
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAu8iETgEgKi
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAY2v3OVj7zE
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAsCrKIVg2rk
As we crept inside, Ferdinand sat on a chair, only to collapse on the floor. "This definitely need repairs."526Please respect copyright.PENANACOmMxFREuS
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAZB9bSGQ6Aj
"Who's Naomi?" she asked, with a little boy's tone. "I'm Malcolm."526Please respect copyright.PENANAX9aAVpabmS
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAZiqm2ENzMT
"What do you want?" I felt a tremor in my hands. "Are you going to kill us?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAnsyZo4T4fQ
Malcolm shook his head. "No, miss," he dismissed. "I'm very lonely and I haven't spoken to anyone for years."526Please respect copyright.PENANAxiTy6rOznX
"How long you've been here, Malcolm?" I wondered, rubbing my palms together. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAGafOzW4XYF
"I've lost count, miss."526Please respect copyright.PENANAH1KkRXWyes
"Call me Bugsy," I introduced myself. "Like the cartoon character, Bugs Bunny."526Please respect copyright.PENANAJ4eiQPAeJC
"What's up, doc?" he quoted. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAc8zvFlnR7E
I snorted. "I see you watched that cartoon as well."526Please respect copyright.PENANA3mVFls3BNW
"I always watched it with my mom and dad, until I died."526Please respect copyright.PENANA5TRdQdUaPe
I put my hands on Naomi's arms and gazed. "How did you die?"526Please respect copyright.PENANArF4ThM1y5J
A rope dropped from the ceiling, leaving me tongue-tied. "Who hanged you?" 526Please respect copyright.PENANAQjumsIGTNs
"The ones in white robes."
Naomi choked on her breath as she looked around, dazed. She got up from her seat, rubbing her forehead. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAooI8qL5b1i
"Bugsy," she rubbed her eyes, speaking in her normal voice. "What happened?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAQoQO40zh1e
I put her arms around my shoulder and lightly kicked Ferdinand's leg, causing him to wake up. "Where are we?"526Please respect copyright.PENANAqneCyf48Vx
"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.526Please respect copyright.PENANA9dtiTKENsf
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAvA62misOHo
"Talk rudely, or that negro die," he threatened. 526Please respect copyright.PENANA5zxzGQbCa1
"It's my birthday," Naomi pointed out. "And it's a tradition for every teenager to walking with their friends down the dirt road."526Please respect copyright.PENANAp4YI2zDixO
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."526Please respect copyright.PENANAhnuuXnVNIC
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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAUYlXQdYM1e
"What's the KKK?" Naomi asked. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAgqLasCmogq
"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. 526Please respect copyright.PENANAfEAkt55fUI
"I'm fine," I reassured him.526Please respect copyright.PENANAAJqVDkOL8S
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?526Please respect copyright.PENANAkMUR7MKVND