RED - Part 1 of 3 (short story) [GL]

I. On the Way to Grandma’s House

She walks slowly, each step a graceful note. I remind her we’re not in a meadow, yet I imagine her prancing and laughing and twirling in a field of sunflowers or jasmine or daisies, late in the afternoon;

her soft brown locks blown by the wind, revealing that sweet smile of hers. She dances in her white dress; her gaze as bright as ever. For me, she alone can be compared to all the world’s beauty, with her heart as precious as gold. She is always filled with hope, like those maidens in old fantasy stories; believing there’s goodness in everyone and trusting on that ‘goodness’. I’d like to believe in that too, but there’s always an exception.

Leila shouldn’t trust wolves.

It’s not a new fact that wolves have always been roaming around hunting for their prey. And it’s not surprising that they have set sights on her, attracted by her scent, by her beauty. All the girls have been warned about wolves since they were little, and most of them have grown up with fear in their hearts. Most of them were taught to be careful all the time, or else... they might fall victim to the wolves’ terrible appetite. “Be careful”, “Do not trust anyone,” are the words that never fail to reach every girl’s ears. And every good girl should abide by these warnings. Leila is a good girl, but no matter how those words were strongly etched to her mind, she still has failed to do so. Leila with her good, trusting heart, has made her vulnerable. And I won’t allow it.

 I’m here to protect her from those beasts.

“Axelle?”

The protector looked at the beautiful young lady walking beside her. “Yes?” she responded with her usual ‘cool’ expression.

“Thanks again for walking me home today. I hope it really hasn’t been a trouble for you.” Leila smiled at her friend.

“You’ve been thanking me enough you know, and how many times do I have to say it’s not a trouble or anything?” Axelle sighed. “For the nth time, it’s better ‘safer’ than sorry, okay?”

Wolves are everywhere, waiting for a chance just to get their hands on her. Well, speaking of which...

A group of boys from a nearby school was grinning impishly as they spotted the two approaching their way. It was the leader of the pack who made the first move.

“Hey heeyyy, soooo it’s the annoying sidekick again,” the guy with a slick brushed up hair said, pertaining to Axelle. “Why are you always parading yourself beside such a beauty, hm? Aren’t you ashamed sticking around our lady like a dog?” he said, eyeing her with malice. His comrades behind him snickered.

These wolves...tch.

The insulted protector clenched her fist to restrain herself while eyeing the bad bunch as coolly as she could. “Please don’t make trouble for anyone. You’re in our way,” she just ended saying as she took Leila’s arm to quickly lead her friend away.

“You!” The leader of the gang grinded his teeth, clearly insulted for being ignored. “Hey Leila, you should get away from that fag y’know. She’s dangerous for all we know. She might be after you!” He shouted behind the two girls.

Axelle was prepared for such insults, thus not letting such words get through her. However, it made her flinch thinking about the possible thoughts of the girl whose arm she had been holding. She let go of Leila’s arm and prepared to say something when the said girl turned around to Axelle’s surprise.

“Hey, you guys.” Leila called to face the wolf pack. “I’m also wondering why you’re always sticking around when you don’t even have anything good to say.” Leila’s voice was loud and determined, yet calm and kind. “Do you know it’s not good to harass people? Do you know how terrible it feels?”

The group became quiet, clearly surprised by the scene.

“Hey, we just want to greet you and talk to you but you always ignore us. You even let that annoyance come with you!” The slick-haired leader shouted from a distance.

“If you guys are always mean, then people wouldn’t like talking to you. So please be nice to everyone. Also, she’s not an annoyance. Axelle is my friend.”

And with that, Leila looked at her friend and smilingly urged her to resume their walk.

 “Um, thanks... for the nice words,” the blushing friend said to Leila, “I appreciate it, but you shouldn’t have. They might get mad at you and hurt you instead.”

“I’ll be fine, don’t worry. It’s the right thing to do, and I just wish they’ll stop being mean. They don’t even know you.”

As if reading the mood, the sky let out small to huge drops forming a steady symphony. The two ran and found a shelter in a convenience store.

“Ah, bad timing! When you don’t even have a hoodie today,” Axelle proclaimed, dripping.

“Haha, we forgot to bring umbrellas ‘cause the weather was nice this morning.” The soaked Leila laughed as she brushed off the droplets from her hair.

“Anyway, let’s just wait here in the meantime. Lucky, I have to buy something as well.” Leila winked at her friend before leaving her at the drying area.

Once the rain stopped, the two resumed on their way home.

“So, what did you buy?” Axelle asked, curious on what her friend bought.

 “It’s nothing... nothing much.” Leila stuck her tongue out and then giggled.

It wasn’t a long walk from the convenience store and the two arrived at Leila’s house.

“Grandma, I’m hooooome.” Leila greeted the moment they stepped inside. “Hm, she’s probably in the kitchen. Please make yourself home.” Leila gestured to Axelle.

“Thanks for having me again.” Axelle smiled back and followed her friend into the kitchen.

Leila found her grandma pulling out chiffon cake from the oven. The table was already set as well.

“Wow, you cooked a lot today Granny!” The granddaughter beamed at the old woman and kissed her on the cheek as she pulled out her oven mittens.

“Welcome home deary, and to you too, child. Oh!” The charming old lady’s greeting was interrupted when she saw the girls’ wet uniforms. “The rain has caught you dear ones! You better dry yourselves first before dinner. Quickly or you’ll get sick!”

And with that, the two went upstairs to get changed.

It’s my first time coming to her room, and it smells like her—of course, silly. Everything is neatly arranged: her shelves, desk, bed. She has a lot of pillows and colorful things around. She even has a stuffed toy collection at a corner... well that’s cute.

Axelle’s thoughts were interrupted when Leila spoke. “Um, please choose whatever you like here. They’re the biggest ones I have so I hope you’ll be fine with them.” Flustered Leila gestured to a drawer of folded clothes. Next to it was a set of store-bought undergarments.

“No worries, gkkhh—” Axelle tried to contain her laughter. She was amused by her friend getting embarrassed over something like that. She meticulously examined each piece, spreading out the item to check the width and length. Axelle usually prefers large shirts and she wondered what type of clothes Leila usually wears at home. Satisfied with the plain white shirt and black shorts she picked, Axelle turned around to check on Leila but she saw something more.

Stepping right out of the bathroom was her friend wearing a camisole and pajama shorts as she dried her hair with a towel.

“Just took a quick shower. Figured you’d be taking your time picking your clothes.” The freshly bathed young lady chuckled. “Please use the bathroom too if you need.”

“Th-thanks. I’ll just change clothes. B-be back in a bit.” The blushing friend quickly headed to the bathroom.

“Are you sure? Won’t you get sick if you don’t wash the rain away?” Leila called at the door.

“Y-yeah, it’s fine.” Axelle said the moment she stepped out of the bathroom.

“Well that was quick,” Leila said, “Oh, and it fits you perfectly.” She smiled.

The two went down and the three of them sat for dinner.

“My my, I think I’ve done a little too much it seems. But, no matter; you have no school tomorrow and young Axelle is here, and we don’t always have a friend eating with us every day. Is it right, deary?” Grandma smiled at her granddaughter.

“Haha, it’s true. It’s nice to have additional company since it has been just Grandma and me all this time.”

“It really is nice to... eat with a family.” Axelle showed a short but sincere smile.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I sounded inconsiderate earlier. I didn’t mean to make you sad.” Leila looked at her friend apologetically.

“Nah, it’s fine. I wasn’t offended or anything. It’s been hard growing up practically alone, yeah. But independence has done me good too.”

They asked more about Axelle and Grandma talked her into spending dinner with them starting that day and Leila getting enthusiastic about it. They talked about school and the local news until dinner was done and chores too. Grandma bid the two girls goodnight and the two did the same.

“Let’s go to my room now?” Leila smiled as she grabbed Axelle’s hand on their way.

My job is to take her safely to Grandma’s house every day. And now that she’s here, there’s nothing left for me to do. My job as her protector is done for today. So why... but why...

“Axelle?” The girl in camisole giggled as she sat at the edge of her bed. “Why are you just standing there? Come, please take a seat.” She gestured the taller girl standing next to the wall to sit beside her.

Embarrassed, the protector in white shirt abided.

“I’m happy you know. I’ve never had a friend in my room before.” Leila looked at the other girl. “Much more have her sleep over and chat with her about anything! Isn’t that great?” She said excitedly.

“Again, I just want to thank you for always being there for me. I know it has been weeks now but I will always be thankful to you for saving me back then.” Leila looked at her softly.

“I-I am out of words to say...” the blushing Axelle said. Thi-this is way too much.

“You get embarrassed easily, don’t you,” cheerful Leila teased.

“You know, there’s something I don’t understand.” Seriousness suddenly dropped in Leila’s voice. “Those guys before, they said they just wanted to greet me... but I don’t believe them. They show up every day because they want something from me, something more than just a hello or a smile.”

Leila paused for a while and continued. “People I usually meet say I’m pretty. At school they say I’m popular. It usually made me happy—until the incident. I’ve been thinking, maybe if I wasn’t pretty or popular, then mean guys won’t go after me—even predators who seek harm. I’ve never thought beauty could also be a liability.”

“Well it’s true,” Axelle replied thoughtfully.

“It’s an odd thing—beauty. When people find you pretty, they make you feel like you owe them the compliment. They say please smile for us, greet us. And if you don’t, they’ll think of you badly. Aren’t you glad guys go after you? You should be thankful, they say. But what if I’m not? What if I don’t want them going after me? They don’t understand when I say I don’t want being followed... They just do what they like, even if I never asked to be anyone’s prey...” Leila squeezed the pillow she was holding.

“I know...” Axelle let out in almost a whisper silence immediately consumed.

“They never listen, don’t they?” Leila sighed. “Well, the more it gets me inspired for the campaign then!” She smiled, getting enthusiastic once again. “It gives me confidence since you’ve been helping me too.” The hopeful girl looked grateful.  

“Thank you, Axelle... for listening to me. I’m lucky to have someone whom I can really trust.”

The consuming truth about a lie is that when you started it, what follows wouldn’t change anything about it. It will comfort the lie, breed it, and will just spawn another lie. What started as a mistake will never make one feel satisfied, no matter how good things have become.

“You really are my savior. I was really lucky when you showed up at that time.”

This girl...

“Who knows, maybe I was just stalking you after all, and ended up seeing you in trouble,” Axelle replied.

“Haha, nice try. You said you were from your club activities so you probably wouldn’t know where I exactly was at that day.” Leila stuck out her tongue.

...she’s just as clueless, after all.

The girl in camisole lay down. “I’m so happy you accepted my invitation. It cheers Grandma whenever you come by for dinner. Before, you just leave right away so we’re glad you come by often now... and you even agreed to sleep over tonight. I wish we could do this more... the house is livelier with you around.” Leila lay on her stomach and looked at her friend who still hadn’t moved from the edge of the bed.

“Ah, before I forget!” Leila got up and fetched the item she purchased from the convenience store earlier. She then went back to her spot on the bed.

“Bandages? Why, are you hurt??” Alarm sounded in the protector’s voice the moment she saw what her friend was holding.

“Not me. You.” Leila’s face showed worry as she reached for her protector’s hand.

“Huh? But it’s been fully healed now.” Axelle touched her temple, confused if her friend was only imagining a new wound or a reopened stitch.

“Haha. Not that, silly.” As if to prove her point, Leila held up her friend’s left hand showing a wrapped ring finger.

“Ah, that one. It’s not that big of a deal, geez. Just a cut from wood work.” Axelle shrugged. “Well, you’re pretty observant yourself.”

“I haven’t really noticed it until you held me earlier. So... I thought of buying you bandages so I could change it for you.” The thoughtful friend smiled.

“I’ll open it now. Tell me if it hurts, okay?” Leila carefully peeled off the wrinkled bandage from Axelle’s finger and wrapped it with a new one. “There, it’s done.” She looked up and caught Axelle staring at her.

“Haha, I’m sorry if it wasn’t as pretty as yours but I did my best,” Leila said, thinking Axelle noticed the wrinkled strap.

“It’s... not that. Thanks,” Axelle said softly.  

It’s my first time being here and I didn’t expect to witness this for real. Her sincere eyes looking at me, her soft hands touching mine, her voice calling my name, her cheerfulness, worry, excitement filling me up. And those red lips... those red lips probably taste sweet.

I have dreamed of her since that day. And now it gets me worried that I’m this close.

She doesn’t know who I really am. She doesn’t even have an idea that I could be one that cannot be trusted. That I am indeed—a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothing.

I’m a shameless fool for being a wolf myself. And that girl just got close to one.