Chapter 2 Crush or Crushed

The day before....

"Lucy? Lucy? Lucy!" Catherine's angry voice called out to me repeatedly, her voice laced with irritation.

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

Catherine scolded me for not being more attentive, her frustration boiling over. "Lucy, I really don't have to call you repeatedly before you answer. Do you want me to strain my voice before my birthday party?"

"No. I'm sorry, I'd be quicker next time." I apologized.

"The invitations arrived late this year and it's just so annoying. Do me a favor and send one to Mark's house this morning, I don't care when you send the rest, they'd still come anyways but make sure they're all sent today. My birthday is tomorrow and I haven't sent out the invitations yet, how frustrating." Catherine said, letting out her frustration.

Catherine's annoyance was palpable as she vented about the delay. "We should find someone more reliable to handle my invitations next year. I won't tolerate this kind of mistake on my sixteenth birthday."

She turned to me, her eyes expectant. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes I did. I'd look for someone more efficient before then." I answered, assuring her.

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

"Sure.... I'd go right away." I assured her.

As I rode my bike to Mark's house, I witnessed a disturbing scene: three boys harassing a girl who walked by. I slowed down to hear them properly, and their words were cruel, I felt a surge of anger. When I was a little distant, I turned around to watch the scene. It was so annoying to watch. I'd grown accustomed to being belittled, but seeing others treated similarly sparked a sense of injustice. Unfortunately, there's often little one can do in such situations, and I continued on my task, feeling frustrated and helpless.

As I prepared to continue my journey, one of the boys suddenly turned towards me, his eyes glinting like diamonds. He shot me a piercing glare accompanied by a faint smile, his bold demeanor suggesting he might be the leader of the group. I'd seen him before, participating in similar acts of cruelty towards a girl, and it didn't surprise me. Just because they're wealthy or think they look good doesn't give them the right to belittle others. I quickly turned around and left, not wanting to 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 had never attended any of Catherine's birthday parties before, yet she insisted on sending him invitations every year. I'd seen his entire family. His mother, father, and younger brother, but never Mark himself. They always received the invitations on his behalf, and I couldn't help but wonder if he was deliberately avoiding them. However, there was one instance where Mark's friend Matthew received the invitation instead. Oh Matthew, he was truly captivating.

Despite always showing up uninvited to Catherine's birthday parties and getting thrown out, he had a certain charm to him. Over the years, I'd never spoken to him personally, so he didn't know me. But on Catherine's thirteenth birthday, I met him when he received Mark's invitation from me. My heart skipped a beat, and if I were Asian, I'm sure my face would have flushed bright red. I remembered how he showed up for Mark and was ridiculed by Catherine and her friends. I felt sorry for him; he seemed like a genuinely nice person, polite and kind, unlike the rude boys I had just passed by.NAfter 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.

There was a time when Catherine had me run an errand for her, and she didn't want her mother to know what it was, so I couldn't ask for permission. When I got caught, Catherine denied any involvement, leaving me to face the consequences. That day was one of the most unforgettable days, as Veronica left me with a scar that still lingers in my memory. I do remember it vividly.

After delivering all the invitations, I arrived at the last house on my list , Emma's. She was Catherine's closest friend, and I often wondered which one was more cruel. Emma's invitation was always last because she consistently had a humiliating surprise waiting for me. As I entered the gate, I saw her sitting in front of her house. I approached her cautiously, aware that I wouldn't leave without some kind of prank.

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

Emma pretended to reach for the invitation, only to let it drop. I bent down to pick it up, and that's when she poured the glass of juice she was drinking all over me.

"Emma, you!" I exclaimed in anger, standing up quickly.

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

"Why are you so mean? Can't I ever come here without you humiliating me?" I asked, feeling hurt.

"No," Emma replied. "But I'm surprised you can talk back now. Let's see how brave you are."

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

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

I dropped the invitation and quickly ran out of the gate, closing it behind me before the dog could catch up. As I emerged from the gate, I bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry," I said, panting, looking up to see Matthew standing there.

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

I froze, taking in his charming appearance, momentarily forgetting about the juice incident.

"Are you okay? What happened to you?" Matthew asked, noticing my distress.

It was then I remembered the juice. "Oh no" I thought, quickly looking away.

"I just came to drop an invitation, but I'd be going now," I said, trying to leave.

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

"No, there's none for you," I said, riding off quickly to avoid further questions, feeling embarrassed.

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 face 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.