Chapter 4 Crush or Crushed

The day before....

"Lucy? Lucy? Lucy?" Catherine angry voice called out to me repeatedly.

I hurried to the dining room where she was, "Yes Catherine, I answered."

"I really don't have to call you repeatedly before you answer Lucy. Do you want me to strain my voice before my birthday party?" Catherine said.

"I'm sorry, I'd be quicker next time." I said.

"My birthday invitations came late this year and it's just so annoying. Do me favor and send one to Mark's house this morning, you can send the rest later. I know they'd still come no matter how late it gets to them. But make sure you send it today." Catherine passed her instructions.

"Where on earth do invitations arrive the day before an event. My birthday is tomorrow, how frustrating. You need to get someone more reliable next year, I can't imagine this happening on my sixteenth birthday." Catherine continued, letting out her frustration.

"Did you hear me?" Catherine asked, with a serious look.

"Yes I did. I'd look for someone more efficient before then." I said.

"Well then, don't just stand there. Get going would you?" Catherine said.

"Sure, I'd go right away." I said, leaving immediately.

As I rode my bike to Mark's house, I witnessed a scene of three boys harassing a girl who walked by. I slowed down to hear them properly. They said mean things to her and I felt enraged. When I was a little distant from them, I turned around to watch the scene. It was something I couldn't bare to watch. I was already used to being belittled and made fun of, but watching it done to someone else, I felt angry about it. Sadly, there's just nothing I can do about it. I just continued my journey. But as I turned around to get going, one of the boys suddenly turned towards me, his eyes sparkled like diamonds. He just glared at me, and gave a faint smile. The way he looked, I just knew he was the leader of the group. And it wasn't the first time I had seen him and some boys in the same act. Just because they are rich or look good doesn't give them the right to belittle others. I quickly turned around and left before I become their next target. I already had enough problems to deal with.

When I arrived at Mark's house, his mother received the invitation from me. It was no surprise as Mark never attended any of Catherine's birthday parties before, but she never stops sending him an invitation every year. I had seen his entire family, mother, father, younger brother but I never Mark himself.

One of them always received the invitation from me on his behalf but never him. I couldn't help but wonder if he deliberately did that. There was a time Mark's friend, Matthew received the invitation. Oh Matthew, he was truly a beauty to behold.

Matthew never gets invited to Catherine's birthday parties but he always showed up. And then he gets thrown out. I have never spoken to him personally before, so he didn't know me. But on Catherine's thirteenth birthday, I spoke to him for the first time personally when he received Mark's invitation from me. My heart skipped a beat and I felt my face flushed red. I remembered how he showed up with Mark's invitation and got ridicled by Catherine and her mean friends. I felt so sorry for Matthew, he really seemed nice and kind boy, not like the rude boys I passed by earlier.

After delivering Mark's invitation, I decided to deliver the rest. I had snuck out without permission, and if Veronica found out, I'd be in trouble. I never forgot a time when Catherine had me run an errand for her and didn't want her mother to find out, so I couldn't ask for permission before leaving. When I got caught, Catherine denied it, leaving me to face the consequences alot. That day was one of the most unforgettable days, Veronica left me with a scar that linger in my memory. So I remember it clearly.

After delivering All the invitations, I arrived at the last house on my list, Emma's house. She was Catherine's best friend, I often wonder which one of them was more cruel. I always kept Emma's invitation last because she always has a humiliating surprise for me. As I entered the gate, I saw her sitting in front of her house. I approached her prepared for what was coming.

"Hey Emma, here's your invitation for Catherine's birthday party," I said, handing her the invitation.

Emma stretched her to take it from me, only to let it drop. I bent down to pick it up only for her to pour the glass of juice she was drinking on me.

"Emma, you!" I said in anger, raising quickly.

"What?" Emma said, "You've never tasted something this nice before, you might as well get the chance to know what it smells like, don't you think?" Emma said with a wicked grin.

"Why do you have to be so mean? Can't I ever come here without you doing something humiliating to me?" I asked.

"No, but I'm surprised you can now talk back." Emma said, "let's see how brave you are."

"What do you mean?" I asked, wondering what she was up to.

She called out to her dog laying behind her, "Chelsea chase!"

I dropped the invitation and quickly ran out of the gate, closing it behind me before the dog could catch up. But just as I flew right through the gate, I bumped into someone.

I quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry." Then look up to see it was Matthew.

"Oh Lucy, it's you," Matthew said with a smile

I froze, admiring his charming appearance, forgetting I was covered with juice.

"Are you okay? What happened to you?" Matthew asked.

From the disturbing looks on his face, I quickly remembered the juice. "Oh no" I thought, quickly looking away.

"I just came to deliver Catherine's invitation to Emma but I'd be going now," I said trying to leave.

Matthew held my bike, asking, "No invitation for me this time too?"

"No, you didn't get one," I said riding off quickly to avoid feeling more embarrassed

I wondered why every boy in Catherine's class always gets invited to her birthday party but only Matthew wasn't.

I didn't know why, but it seemed like all the guys in Catherine's class got invitations except Matthew.

"Why did Matthew have to see me like that?" I thought, as I rode away. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed and sad.

Thankfully, Veronica wasn't home when I arrived. As I headed to my room to clean up, I ran into Catherine, who burst into laughter when she saw me. I knew Emma must have already told her about the prank. Catherine's cruelty was matched only by Emma's.

I tried to brush her off and head to my room, but she stopped me. "Why are you walking away? I have a question for you," Catherine said.

I turned to her, wondering what she wanted. "Did Mark receive my invitation?" she asked.

"His mother received it from me," I replied.

Catherine's smile grew wider as she pulled out her phone. "I see."

"Emma really got you good today. I think I should capture the moment," she said, aiming to take a picture of me covered in juice.

I quickly ran to my room, locking the door behind me. Catherine's laughter echoed as she went downstairs. I leaned against the door, squatting down, and wrapped my arms around my legs.

"Those two are just so evil, what did I do to deserve this?" I thought.

I buried my face in my body and cried, feeling overwhelmed. I was used to their cruel behavior, but seeing Matthew after being humiliated by Emma was a different story. What would he think of me now that we'd be attending the same school?

After a while, I composed myself and headed to the bathroom to clean up.