Shameless Shame

CHAPTER 1

Sun shines down the creamy road, heat is melting the road. Violet turns her head around, trying to catch the glimpse of life. Sadly, people are walking around with phones in their hands, some of them are smiling, some are laughing and some are frowning. Violet catches some familiar social media, the world inside the phone is really that interesting? And what are they checking? A bird flies by and rests on a tree. Violet stops and waited for it to sing. But, it just flies into the endless sky. She lingers a bit, she thought, why don’t you sing? She kicks a stone and watches it roll down the creamy street. Her school is on the end of the street. Students gather around the gate. The ground changes from creamy white road to the cold marble floor.

‘My dear weekend is near!’

‘You see her? Over there!’

‘Wait! Excuse me!’

‘Your coffee is on my brand-new shirt!’

‘Honey, I miss you!’

She smiled, back to school means back to the raging excitement. She saw Lewis standing in a big group, Lewis is busy talking. A girl walks by and waved a hello, Lewis waved a passionate hello back. Poor Violet has to squeeze herself through the crowd and gets to her locker. She takes out her books and walks to her History lesson. She sat down and started to scribble on her notebook, collecting her thoughts.

‘A pearl on the grass. Delicate and beautiful. She is sitting like a queen, wave her head proudly to the beat of the wind. A man is strolling in the sun lights and showers himself in morning dews. He saw the flower and started to walk towards it. With a twist, the Pearl is gone, did he notice a yellow flower next to his feet? No, he only notices the white one. The flower is gone, with her fragrance lingers on his finger and her body on the wasteland. O! That yellow flower, keep your humble head down, we did not know when you will leave our dreamland.’

When she finished, she rests her head on her hand and looks at the door. The students stream in and out. She saw a yellow flower on the window panel, waving in the wind.

‘Violet! What are you doing?’ Lewis’s voice rings up.

‘Holy Christ!’ Violet said. ‘You walk without sound! You scare the hell out of me!’

‘You are too into your work. What are you doing?’

‘Nothing.’

‘You are writing on your notebook. And I am going to read it. Whether it is nothing or something.’

He takes the notebook and read. The loose curls hanging around his face. He wore a spotless white t-shirt and a blue jean. Sun shone through the window and on his face. His brown eyes look up. It is the colour of soil which sprinkled with golden flecks.

‘How is it?’ Violet asks.

He said, ‘Well-written. But, do you want to be an unnoticeable flower?’

Violet frowns, ‘How do you know that flower is me, it is not even finished. I could be the grass to protect the flower or be the one to stop the man? You never know, the ending will be revealed next week.’

He shrugs, ‘I will be waiting. Remember there is a hungry reader waiting for your masterpiece. By the way, Ms Higgins is late today.’

‘No,’ Violet corrects. ‘I think I can hear her footsteps.’

Suddenly, Nick shouts, ‘Ms Meatball is coming. Silence!’

The noise does not calm down but louder.

‘How did Ms Higgins get a new name?’ Lewis said.

‘Did not you check social media? It is all over the media, Facebook, Twitter, you name it. Ms Higgins was eating meatballs when she bumped into David, and the meatball juice just splashed all over David. Ms Higgins face is funny, so Nick snapped a photo instantly and the moment stays.’

‘Poor Ms Higgins. Those people cannot just put their nose out of others way?’ Is it an illusion that I saw the corner of his mouth rise?

‘No, because they are not Voldemort.’

They both laugh.

‘Great quote.’

Soon, Ms Higgins enters the room, and the voice quiets down. The lesson starts.

***

After History, people flow out with gossip on their lips. Violet has Art, and Lewis has Math. They waved goodbyes. Violet hears comments on Ms Higgins again, this time, seniors talk about it too, you can hear rude comments on body and weight, shoot to the target directly. Violet caught some flying words,

‘Ms Higgins weighs like 150 pounds?’

‘No, she weighs 200 pounds! Did not you see her stomach? Fats!’

‘I feel like she weighs 220 pounds now. She is so fat and disgusting.’

‘And she still eats meatballs! How horrifying!’

‘You are right.’

Actually, Ms Higgins only weighs 130 pounds. Violet walks slowly, thinking about those comments, how people blow up facts like a balloon. She almost forgot she has art until she walks past art room.

‘Why do we need to have art?’ Violet murmurs.

Violet does not like art at all. Art teacher’s instruction is to draw what you see. Art is too delicate and too factual. Shadows have different shades, light has different brightness, to Violet, it is unnecessary to distinguish them so delicately. You draw things you see, without any changes. Same size, same proportion, same colour, same structure and same position. It is a strict perfection, art is boring without feelings and edition.

‘Today we are going to draw an object that you love the most,’ art teacher said.

Our dear Violet draws a small cat laying on a carpet. A cat with fluffy fur and two eyes. You can feel the softness just looking at the picture. What is interesting about the picture is the dreamy cobalt blue in the background. The fluffiness of the cat looks like a cloud floating in the sky.

‘Why do you use blue all the time? It is such a boring colour. You have thousands colour to choose from and you just stick to blue? Even black is better than blue. You boring idiot,’ Nick’s gang walks by and Nick jokes. Saggy clothes and unshaved face with the disrespectful behaviour is their symbol.

‘Nobody has said that I cannot use blue all the time, it is my choice, and you cannot change it. Drama king,’ Violet glares at him and spat it out loud.

One of the gang members whispers in Nick’s ear, ‘you are losing the game.’

Nick points at Violet’s nose, ‘Remember your words today. You are going to pay for it, sooner or later.’

The gang laughs and they walk away. Violet rolls her eyes, ‘Or never, those shallow guys.’ Bored she is, reading a book is the best kill time. She does not even read one page, somebody taps on her shoulder, a strong floral scent fills the space. Violet inhales deeply and said, ‘Vanessa, what is the matter?’ She does not need to guess, only Vanessa wears this kind of perfume

‘Do you want to go shopping today? Have a little fun in the city! Maybe we can stop and write something,’ Vanessa suggests with joy in her eyes.

‘Sure.’

‘Do you like cats? You seem to draw it quite often.’

‘I am fine with it. But it is the easiest to draw.’

‘Do you want to have one?’

‘Never.’

‘Why?’

‘I do not have time. And cats never play with me… They saw me and walked away.’

‘Well, cats love me,’ Vanessa winks.

‘What did you draw, then?’

‘A fashion show with a beautiful model wearing my dress and walk on the red carpet.’

‘Hope your dream come true.’

‘It will one day! Wait and see.’

The bell rings and Vanessa and Violet go together to the canteen. They ordered Lunch A, which is a salad with bread and an apple. They sat together and said nothing. Just enjoying the fortunate moment of peace. Lewis saw them and waved a hello. He approaches their table.

‘Are you going to eat that ugly apple?’ He asks.

‘If you want it, take it. Just ask, you know I am going to give it to you,’ Violet shrugs.

‘Take mine if you like,’ Vanessa smiles bitterly.

Lewis takes both of the apple and bites deeply into Violet’s apple.

‘It is good for you to eat apples, it is good for health! Two apples are definitely enough for one day portion!’

Lewis stops eating and looks at Vanessa, then put down hers.

‘I am just eating an apple, no need for so much drama, just tell me you do not like me taking your apple,’

‘Vanessa, you are magic,’ Violet applauses. Lewis rolls his eyes, Vanessa just shoots a strange look.

***

The night comes and the stars hide away because of the strong light of the mall. The breeze is cool and refreshing. The floor is covered with the lights from the neon lights. People are getting drunk, trying to make sense out of the colour maze. Different music is shaking the colours. The colours are tearing into shreds as the night gets darker.

‘Hi, Vanessa.’

‘Hey, Violet! Let’s go,’ Vanessa dances and takes Violet’s hand.

They wander from one shop to another. The colours fade away, the busyness of the crowd kills the vibe of colours. With no colours to look at, Violet has her eyes on the models on posters all day. They are like perfection, perfect skin-tone and beautiful body curve. Their every detail is perfectly designed, like a seamless cloth. This kind of perfection is not dead, it varies from different people. As there is no rules nor restriction. So Violet enjoys it.

People admire those models and buy loads of makeups to be like them. A girl is doing makeup with her boyfriend beside her. A concealer on, her flaws were hidden. And powder on, her face is lightened. Blue lipstick with white stars on her lips. Eyeshadow on, green, purple and blue.

Her boyfriend says, ‘You are looking great. Are you ready to the party?’ The girl nods and they left.

Violet stood there, rewinding what has happened. Vanessa laughed and pointed to the poster next to her. A model with that galaxy makeup. Violet is speechless.

‘Do you want to buy a dress?’ Vanessa said.

‘No.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I don’t fit in.’

‘That is not true.’

‘Whatever you say.’

Still, they went to a fashion shop. Violet’s fingers touch the fabric, soft like clouds to rough like sands. Colours are bright here, different colours crash into another. Violet has a strange obsession with colours, but they are beautiful so she decided to keep this obsession. Colours make up the world, life will be boring without colours.

‘Do I look good in this dress?’

‘You look good in every style.’

‘No, joking here.’

Vanessa takes a step forward and Violet took a step backwards. Vanessa straightens her dress and runs her hand through her hair.

‘Well, you look good, but the dress is too short and plain for you.’

‘You speak my mind.’

Vanessa takes two steps backwards and Violet take one step forward. Vanessa then takes one step forward. They look into other's eyes and exchange a hearty smile. And the cashier looked at them, confused. Vanessa is picking clothes and trying them on. Vanessa’s olive skin fits in various styles of clothes. The sky-blue eyes just make the whole picture more pleasing.

In the end, she brought two dresses with crazy design and Violet brought none. They just stroll like idiots down the street, laugh at random things.

‘Should we stop and write something?’

‘If you want.’

Violet just write five words.

“Perfection and the lost ones.”

‘What is that?’ Vanessa whispers. ‘Perfection?’

‘What did you write?’ Violet said

‘Well, you can read it but do not laugh at me.’

‘A lively place where life is bursting. Where you can be who you want to be, be beautiful and unique. Clothes are unique, I see some beautiful design which I have not seen or heard before. Their creativity is amazing. I brought two dresses which resemble my favourite design.’

‘Yours is good too! With an opinion towards fashion.’ Violet says back.

‘Yours better.’

‘Just a different opinion of shopping.’ They exchanged a high-five. After ten o’clock, they say goodbyes.

And when Violet’s head hits the pillow, she fell asleep immediately. A dream just started.

I am in a foreign world. Everything looks transparent like they have a veil on. I cannot see the other side of the world. I am curious but am not scared. It is just a dream after all. People appeared, they are transparent too, I can see right through like they have only some light colour paints on. What are they? Are they ghosts? Am I a ghost? Am I dead? A boy walks closer. He tries to reach out. But, just a split of time, everything just vanished.

Violet woke up in sweat. Eyes are wide, heavy breathing is heard. The moonlight runs down the window panel steadily, Violet stares at the scene and fell asleep again.

Next day

When she woke up, there is a slip on the table, which written.

‘Mum and Dad will be away for two weeks, there are the money and a new phone. We are sorry that we cannot celebrate your birthday this year. Take care! Love X’

The phone is silver in colour. Violet took the new phone and started transferring information to the new phone. A gust of wind carries the slip, let it swirl down to the floor and disappear in a corner. After doing everything, it is already late-night. She switches the phone off. Something smoky started to form in the black screen and shape into a human. It is transparent and clear. Violet thinks, ‘Is it a prank?’ She takes a sip of water and watches it transforming.

‘Hi, I am Roy William Franco. What is your name?’

PART 2 – THE GHOST

She almost spits out water. She never thought it would speak. And with a name?

‘I am Violet Moon Deveraux,’ she pauses, ‘Are you a hacker?’

‘No, no, I am a ghost,’ Roy says casually.

Violet is paralysed, these words echo loudly in the room. Darkness creeps into the small room, so heavy that Violet feels she will collapse. The memory of the ghost stories finds its way into her head.

‘Hey, calm down,’ Roy says. ‘I am not going to hurt you or anything, I am just a spirit, after all, I am not even air. What effect can I bring?’

Violet closed her eyes and let the feelings sink in and let go. She needs to collect her wits now. Right now. She pushed aside of the ghost stories and focuses on this one.

‘Okay. But why are you here?’ She did her best to keep her voice steady.

‘I am stuck. I cannot escape from this phone.’

‘Why?’

‘There is a spell.’

‘How can you escape?’

‘I do not know yet.’

‘When will you know?’

‘One day, some day, maybe tomorrow. Who knows?’

She carefully examines the ghost in front of her. The colour of him is not vivid, still, she could distinguish some. His blonde hair falls on his pale cheek, there is some faded bruise on his face. His limpid light blue irises which almost resemble grey. His skin is slightly swollen. But his eyes give comfort and a calming vibe. He seems to be worn-out but with a faith in life, he appears strong. A dead spirit gives out so much life. She decided to trust him a bit, he is just a spirit without a shell, and he could not affect her life.

‘So what do you want?’ Violet asks.

‘Why! The reason I am here is just to get what I want from you? I have nothing I want, just a floating dream. You are willing to talk to me but not freaking out is the best blessing. ’

Violet laughed dryly, ‘I hope everybody gets the mind of you. So clear and reasonable. And satisfied by the life we have now.’

‘Thank you for that compliment,’ he smiles shyly. Violet thinks it is cute so she puts on a big smile.

‘But, how do I know you are not a hacker?’

‘No Wi-Fi, who can hack you? And who will be silly enough to create something and talk with you?’

‘That makes sense.’

There is a long stillness. Each of them is processing what they get. The memory of ghosts described by her parents sneaks up again.

‘One night. The wind was still, no a sound could be heard. The leaves of the tree whispered something in Derick’s ear. Rosia held Derick close, careful not to make a sound. A shadow ran by and became bigger and bigger, one second, it disappeared. Suddenly, Derick murmurs DEATH in Rosia’s ear. Rosia stood motionless and blood ran cold. Derick took out a long dagger and stabbed her serval times before ending his own life. The house smirked in the dark, and the two corpse bleeding blood vanished. This place is haunted since then.’

A cold sparkle runs down Violet’s back. Her whole body constantly shaking in her bed. She is cold and scared. The image keeps on replaying in her mind, all those bloodiness and fear. The phone is on her desk with shaking moonlight beside it, the ghost reappeared. Violet cannot help but screams and she soon regrets it.

‘Are you … okay?’ Roy asks nervously. The body reflects light, seems to be a lamp in the night.

‘I keep on remembering those ghost story.’

‘Oh.’

Violet tenses at that word.

‘But,’ the spirit says. ‘Ghost stories are fake, they do not know how spirit works.’

‘Promise me, you are going to sneak up at midnight and kill me.’

‘Promise, but who on earth will kill you?’ The spirit rolls his eyes. ‘I seriously hate human so much. Always make some fake stories about us.’

‘So you hate me?’ Violet asks playfully.

The spirit frowns, the question marks are all over his face.

‘Just kidding,’ Violet laughs. ‘Can you sing? Or sing a lullaby?’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Yes.’

The spirit clears his throat and sings. With that beautiful melody, Violet drifts back to sleep.

The first ray of the sun wakes both of them up.

‘I want to go out and stroll in the forest nearby, are you joining?’ Violet rubs her eyes.

‘Sure!’

Violet puts the phone under and puts on a yellow t-shirt and brown shorts. She takes the phone and went out of the house. She brought a sandwich and a bottle of water. She walks until she reaches the edge of the forest. She turns the phone around and says, ‘Can you see the forest?’ Roy nods.

The forest is bursting life. Old leaves are buried deep in the mud. New green whistles, a bird stops and sings with the leaves. Air is perfumed with grass underneath. Teams of ants climbing up the bark. Moss covers the ground and trees, there are pearls on the moss, reflecting a compressed image of the forest.

‘Do you feel old?’ Violet asks.

‘No. I feel refreshed instead. Why?’

‘The thousands century of life is under your feet. However, it is a new brand place, with the new life growing.’

‘I think that is how life goes, old fades and new fills the space.’

‘I wish you could break through the glass and join this charade of life.’

‘Just a wish.’

‘I will write the wish on a slip of paper and send it to the stars, the stars will shine down on us, shine down on our words. And your wish will be granted.’

‘Can I give you a hug through the screen now?’ There are tears glistening in Roy’s eyes. Violet hugs the phone. The giggles come out from two completely different soul. Violet places the phone next to her, on the moss. Sun shines through the thick leaves, leaving shattered spots on the ground. The weather is quite humid, after a while, Violet’s clothes are dumped.

VIOLET’S POV

I am sitting in the forest. Feeling the life growing above me and life dying underneath. I am still worried about that spirit, so called William. The ghost stories keep haunting me. However, he did not hurt me yet, and we already spent a day together. I hope if I trust him, he will trust me back. ‘Hey, William.’

‘Yeah?’ He jumped a bit, I bet nobody has called his middle name?

‘What is a spirit?’

‘The mind of the dead one.’

I look at him, hard. ‘You are dead?’ He looks back at me, hard.

‘Yes, I am. You do not know? I thought you know. Wait, you seriously do not know? Are you joking?’

‘I really do not know!’

We shake our head and laugh. He is already dead. Why should I be scared? My mood lightens up, the sky is so blue, like a sapphire. I dreamt that I were a bird, flying through the clouds, feeling the wind in my hair, watching human busying themselves, that would be fun. I open my eyes, and come back to reality.

‘Dreaming about flying? Like a bird?’

‘How do you know?’

‘I do not know. But I feel like that,’ he blushes.

‘You are right, I am dreaming about flying as a bird.’ I still feel the thrill of the dream and wind in my hand.

‘So be free is your dream?’ he asks

‘I do not know. Because you can never be free. You are always stuck in something, and what is the point of freedom, then?’ I stare at the sky again. Seriously, I do not really know the meaning of my life. Life is like a misty road, you cannot see the end, you can only see thing next to you. If you look back, you will find the road is not here anymore, you cannot go back. A cloud staggers forward and covered the sun.

‘Maybe one day you will find the meaning of life, like I found the way to escape!’

‘What is your favorite colour?’ Violet asks.

‘Green!’

‘Why?’

‘It is peaceful and calming and it is nature!’

‘Guess you are enjoying this moment.’

‘Thank you for bringing me here. I thought I can never see it again.’

People are absorbed in the virtual life, will they come to forest anymore while they can see it through the screen?

‘What is yours, then?’ Roy asks.

‘Violet, like my name.’

‘What a lucky coincidence!’ Roy exclaims. ‘Do you have a reason?’

‘Violet gives a mysterious feeling and it is the most elegant among all colour, guess that is the reason that I like it?’

We pause for a moment, comfortable silence makes both of us dreamy and sometimes silence gives more feeling than words.

‘Should we go home?’ Violet asks.

‘As you like, but promise me you will come here often…’

‘Of course!’

I smile and take the phone. Now I am walking in the forest and now I am going back home and now I am in my home. I probably do not know what I am doing, as I am trying to make sense of everything. Continue walking and you will know what life want you to do.

Chapter 3

VANESSA’S POV

-Monday-

‘I am going to toilet, can you look after my belongings?’ Violet says as she is leaving.

I nod, then continue on my fashion-design, completely absorb in my work. I am in the fashion club, and I have to submit a draft so I could continue to be a member. I love designing, it is fascinating how pieces of this and that become a beautiful dress. How the lines come together, and become a world. How people love clothes, when they wear them, you feel pride pouring into your heart. The line curves here, to this point. Some beads here that would sharpen the image. Some laces here will do, give some elegant touch. A touch of light green on the dress that would be refreshing. I watch the dress forming in front of my eyes, the satisfying feeling is priceless.

‘You are so short, you should not even be here,’ I shot my head up and see Nick pushing a boy against the wall. The boy winces and tried to push him away. Nick is so much taller than the boy, he is like a giant. A strange contrast of tall and short, strong and weak. But better not mess with Nick, the consequence is no good. I pretended that I did not see him and do what others are doing, to bury myself in my work and focus my eyes on the lines. Lewis takes the seat next to me and says, ‘Poor boy, he is new here.’

‘That is something he has to experience, I guess.’

‘Remember last time Victor tried to resist and ended up in hospital?’

‘Well, people tried to calm them down, but it just rushed to a tragic end. Nick kept on shouting something ridiculous. Victor could not help but put up a fight and Victor ended up with a broken arm.’

‘I know everything, you need not have described them again.’

I take a quick look around, and spot Victor. He looks angry but not dare to do the justice. So he just stands there helplessly angry. The air is tense now, the silence is killing me, like a timed bomb about to explode.

‘I am sorry, just let me go…’ the boy begs, so thin like a thread is about to break.

‘Get off! It is not your privilege to bully others and laugh at others body. You have already bullied others so many times, you are just lucky that you get away with it, but not this time,’ A sharp voice cuts in.

Who is that idiot? To defend others and risk their own reputation in school? I snicker under my breath. I look at others reactions, most of them drop their jaws, not laughing as usual. Victor’s face is mixed with feelings. The curiosity gets the better of me and what I saw is shocking. That is Violet standing up for others. I storm out of my seat and rush to where she is standing. Leaving a shocked Lewis in the seat. Nick is on fire, his face is burning red, his fists clutch tightly together. And it is not a good sign. Not at all. I push Violet a little bit away and sandwich myself between them.

‘Nick, calm down. How is today’s ---’ He cuts me off sharply.

‘Get out of my way,’ Nick glares at me and steps closer. The smell of him is pungent, did he take a shower? I see the grease in his hair, and dirty in his skin. Obviously he did not, he never takes a shower. I cannot help but giggle at my thought. I bet others is awed at my reaction, but I just keep on laughing. The rest of the students crack up too, I can hear some laughs behind my back. To let the crowd boils more, I speak my mind, ‘Nick, did you ever take a shower?’

Nick takes one step backward, and smells his clothes. He frowns. The air is bubbling with joy, the tension is soften. Nick’s face is red of embarrassment, he stutters, ‘I… I … take… a shower… every day.’

‘I think you should wash your clothes instead,’ a teacher stands next to Nick and holds her nose. ‘Please, follow me.’

Then, there is Lewis, smiling, ‘I called the teacher and her reaction is so funny.’

‘Thank you,’ the boy whispers to Violet, shyly.

‘You are welcome, you should say a thank you to her and him too,’ Violet points to me and Lewis. ‘They really did a big thing.’

I try my best to look anywhere except their eyes, afraid that my eyes will give out my thoughts. I saw Lewis’s face is red too, like a tomato.

‘A big thank you to you both!’ The boy cheers and plasters a big smile. I let a nervous chuckle.

‘What is your name?’ Violet asks.

‘Call me Cody,’ the boy replied. Just then the bell rings.

‘See you around, Cody!’

I feel my emotions boiling inside of me. My heartbeat throbbing in my head.

‘Are you alright?’ Violet asks. I am sure she knew what I have done. She saw me dropping my head when the incident happened. She saw Lewis and me chatting. She saw everything. And she is asking me am I alright? I do not understand.

‘I am fine,’ I bite my lip a bit too hard.

Violet changes, she is not the same girl I thought she was. We walk together and chat about things I do not pay attention to. I won’t let this happen again, I promise to myself.

CHAPTER 4 (3^RD PERSON)

‘This year’s assignment would be Social Media,’ Ms Holland says. ‘Do not write about how much you like social media or list out all the social media in the world. Whoever writes about this without proper reasons will get a zero in their assignment. I want pros and cons of social media, your objective opinion of social media, the impact of social media and how do you want social media be like. And the layout of the assignment is in the worksheet. If you need help just raise your hand, do not shout. You can choose your groupmates, three in a group. You can discuss now.’

Violet and Vanessa and Lewis soon join together.

Lewis sits across them and says, ‘Edward is holding a party!’

‘Finally a party! School without party is boring,’ Vanessa pouts playfully.

‘Are you coming, Violet?’ Lewis asks.

‘When is it?’

‘Three days later, that is this Friday.’

‘Oh…’ Violet hesitates.

‘Please come! Party without you is meaningless too,’ Vanessa begs with sincere eyes.

‘Am I that important?’ Violet jokes.

‘You are always important in her heart, number one emergency,’ Lewis sits on the table and states.

‘Okay. I am coming,’ Violet gives up.

‘2V! I am drawing a portrait now, when I finish, would you give it a look?’ Lewis asks.

‘Sure!’ Violet and Vanessa say in union.

Lewis lays on the table and closed his eyes, thinking about what colour he should use in his portrait. He lifts his fingers and point at this and that and draws circles or lines. Violet and Vanessa laugh quietly.

‘It is a good thing that he finds his love of life,’ Vanessa says.

Violet laughs, ‘Lewis! We need to talk about our project, quit thinking about your lover.’

‘What lover?’ Lewis asks, puzzled.

‘Nothing,’ Vanessa says in between laughs.

‘Should we do a survey?’ Violet asks.

They both agree. Lewis takes a pen and jot things down.

‘Like questions about why do they use social media,’ Lewis adds.

‘And how much time they spend on social media.’

‘And what would they do if they saw cyber bully post.’

At the end of the lesson, Lewis’s notebook is full of words, so many that it looks like a bunch of ants are climbing on his notebook.

‘What a fruitful conversation, cheers!’ Lewis beams down their achievement.

-At night-

‘How is your day?’ Roy asks through the screen.

‘Same-same. Just we need to do an assignment again. How I hate assignments,’ Violet replies.

‘Any other news?’

Violet tells Roy the ‘meatball’ incident. Roy is very much astonished. I am an old soul, I have not adapt to a kind of fashion and it changes. Social media supposed to be a good thing. They post beautiful thoughts and pictures on social media. Spread happiness to others. And we can share thoughts more quickly. That broaden our knowledge and everything. But, since you can use fake names online, people started to make fun of others without taking the responsibility. The trick sometimes just go to an intolerable level.

‘Violet, I know it is silly to say. I could not sleep, could you talk to me?’ Roy looks sadly to the moon. The full silver moon hang high in the sky. The streets are flowing silver, the leaves are delicate silver, the orange street lamp light trying hard to fight the moonlight and tranquil atmosphere makes the night even better.

‘Sure!’ Violet cannot reject him when she saw the sadness that clouded his eyes. Maybe today is a difficult day for him? Violet thought. ‘What is your favorite food?’

‘I eat anything, as long as it is eatable.’

‘I thought everybody has their favorite food.’

‘How about you?’

‘My favorite is pizza! With cheese toppings, mushroom…’ Violet’s mind is filled with food.

‘I can see a pizza in your mind now.’

‘Are you hungry? Well, I am,’ Violet says cheekily.

‘I do not need food.’

‘Just the opposite. I cannot live without food.’

‘I mean in the spirit world, food is not available.’

‘That is impossible,’ Violet says sadly.

‘That is why we can keep slim!’

‘You are joking!’ Violet hits the phone playfully. ‘I am tired. See you tomorrow!’

Some soft snore coming out, she is already asleep. What will be on the other side of the moon? Roy thinks.

Chapter?

Vanessa squeezes Violet’s hand, her eyes are sparkling with excitement. It seems magical that Vanessa likes to party so much, Violet thinks. As she walked in, she is amazed by the zeal of the party. Spilt drinks on the floor, even some food. Gross, why am I even here? Violet frowns.

‘Throw a toast to our ladies!’ The host announces. The crowd cheers, girls are getting dizzy.

The pop music blasting through the speaker, Violet covers her ears painfully. Blurred people moving their bodies to the beat, waves go up and down.

‘Vanessa, are you sure it is fun?’

‘Follow me.’

Vanessa turns right and left, dodging here and there. Violet did an amazing effort to keep up. They went up to a mini tower.

‘How cool is this?’

‘Very.’

It is peaceful up here. The music became a small buzz, the air is too dark to see anyone.