[ S H O R T ] [ S T O R Y ]
- Hirah's POV -
I don't know why, but I like being alone. Maybe it's because I've never known the feeling of having a friend? Deep down, I really wish that I knew. I mean, knew what it was like to have a friend. Though when it comes down to it, it's my fault. I never let anyone in. I'm walking down an overgrown footpath, attempting to avoid all the spiralling weeds. I focus my thoughts onto the warm rays of the sun, how they light up the path and make everything seem much more beautiful than... it really is. A silent breeze passes through my hair, and I get an uneasy feeling. I hear the sound of light paws pressing against the path behind me. Am I being followed?
I begin to move quickly. I...I...don't really like to talk. Even if the Plumerian's following me just to have a light-hearted chat, the thought...frightens me. It makes me feel insecure. I begin to frantically up my speed, I dodge the weeds clumsily, nearly tripping over them a few times. I'm nearly there. Nearly...home.
That's when I fall. Annoying weed. I trip, and prepare to embrace the hard, cold ground. I...I don't get it? Why aren't I falling? I'm still half-way from the ground, my front paws barely scraping the path, my legs dangling behind me. I flinch. There are paws. No, not mine. Wrapped around me. Stopping me from falling. The paws slowly release me, as they lower me onto the ground. I...I'm scared. Not even daring to thank the Plumerian, I dart away, my face going bright red. The Plumerian follows me, keeping up with my terrified leaps. Suddenly, I pause. It's no good running away. Remember, Hirah...making a friend isn't a bad thing. It's a good thing. I wait for the Plumerian to approach me. Slowly, I turn around, my face is still...bright red. Embarrassed, I try to hide underneath my hair and I lift my tail up to my face, trying to make myself feel protected. The Plumerian greets me with a wide smile, "that could've been a nasty fall back there, you know? Lucky I was there!"
"Who...uh...are you? And...uh...can you...uh, please...go...go aw
wwway?" I reply, my head lowered so he can't look at me in the eyes. How do I put this? I really don't like it when other Plumerians make eye contact with me. It feels...odd. "Oh, me? I'm just a friendly every day Lenny! And what are
you saying?
Me? Go
away? You may say you want me to leave, but deep down you want me to stay!"
He comes closer and tries to lower my tail. "Come on out! Tell me your name!" he grins, a glint in his eyes. This Plumerian is just so...cheerful. It confuses me. But hey, he deserves to know my name...uh, I suppose? "Hirah. Yeah, that's me...Hirah," saying that took a lot of effort. I'm actually proud. "Hello to you, Hirah! Do you want me to tell you a joke?" Lenny smiles. "I...isn't that a, uh, little r-random?" I question. This is probably one of the longest conversations I've ever had with another living creature. "Nothing's too random my friend!", Lenny bursts out laughing. "So, how about it, then? Here I go! Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees?" Lenny's trying his hardest not to laugh. "Because, uh, they just..ummm...they, uh, just don't?" I go even redder than before, trying to shake my hair further across my eyes. "Are you ready for the punch line, huh?" Lenny leans in so close that I can feel his breath against my face. Scary. I swear, if Lenny doesn't tell the punch line soon he's going to blow. He couldn't hold it in any longer, and with a string of continuous laughter, he somehow manages to get out, "because they're
really good at it!"
That joke wasn't even funny. But I suppose in a way it was so stupid...it could be? And that's when it happens. I smile. Is this what having a friend is like?
