Page 73 - KCN 2020

Despite being classmates, Willow had never had a good impression of Hannah. Hannah was the
a b i t t e r s w e e t class queen bee, holding many noteworthy positions in school and being an inspiring role model; meanwhile,
Willow was detested for being a short-tempered ruffian who got into fights with other kids. Though unfortu-
BIRTHDAY time now...’ Willow chimed in her head, nate, it wasn’t surprising that Hannah and her friends mocked and alienated her. While Willow resented her,
It was 5:15pm, May 24. ‘Any
not once did she try any drastic measures against her - until she met Alana.
eyes scanning the high-rise apartment
Alana was the only person in school who cared about Willow in spite of her infamy. Early on, they
THAM YUANYI across the road for a familiar figure. were inseparable and became each other’s support. It was at the point where Willow would sacrifice her life
She rocked back and forth on her heels,
swinging her beloved baseball bat as in exchange for Alana’s happiness. That all changed when Hannah and Alana became friends months later.
she waited for the tinted glass doors to Eventually, Hannah introduced Alana to her posse of friends, and the duo’s relationship began to dissolve. The
open. fact that Hannah could take away her most cherished friend just like that made Willow’s blood boil. Without
Alana to stabilize her emotions, she began to spiral downwards into a bottomless pit of envy and anger.

Just as she predicted, the With every step, Willow’s adrenaline shot through her body like bolts of lightning. Her
doors flung open, revealing a beau- heart hammered against her chest, and her palms glistened with sweat. She knew this was obvi-
tiful teenage girl. As she left the ously wrong, and even considered dropping her “surprise” for Hannah, but a sinister voice inside her
apartment and strolled along the side- kept her going. “Remember what she did to you,” the voice hissed. “Alana was all you had left, and
walk, Willow observed her intently. she took her away from you. Your one source of joy is gone, and it’s all because of her.” She grit-
The clothing she donned was casual ted her teeth, furrowing her eyebrows in rage. “You have to spend your birthday alone because of her,
but elegant, like your typical wealthy you poor thing. You don’t deserve any of this. Why don’t you give yourself a nice present instead?”
city-bound adolescent, but Willow
could identify her from a crowd any “If you take care of her now, Alana will be yours again.”Willow saw red as that sentence echoed through
day. From her trendy short hair to her head.
the hand-painted butterflies on her Hannah turned left into an empty backstreet, which led to the neighbour-
flask, every detail of her screamed hood where Alana resided. Willow followed, quickening her pace as they both approached a quiet,
one distinct name: Hannah Bell. narrow alley. Large dumpsters and boxes were placed along the small lane, just what Willow needed.

With her target locked in, Acting fast, she retrieved a cloth from her pocket and ran up to Hannah, covering her nose and mouth
Willow followed her at a distance - as she put her in a headlock. Hannah froze as she was unwillingly dragged into the alley. She regained her
far enough that she wouldn’t notice senses and tried to resist, but Willow pushed her to the ground and knocked the wind out of her in retaliation.
her presence. Willow already knew
where Hannah was going; her best Willow stepped back and wrapped her fingers around the baseball bat’s handle, star-
friend, Alana, had informed her that ing down at the struggling girl. “Do it. Finish her,” the voice said. A crooked smile crept
she would be meeting Hannah at up to her face as she raised her bat. “Time to unveil my present,” Willow said to Hannah.
her house at 5:30 p.m. before hang- Just as Willow stepped forward, preparing for the final blow, an unwelcome visitor dropped by.
ing out together. It was convenient,
Willow thought, that Hannah had A patrolling policeman.
planned a movie night on this par-
ticular day - Willow’s birthday, more Handcuffs quickly clasped onto Willow’s wrists, and in frothing rage, she was
so that she chose to spend the whole escorted into the back of the police car.
evening with Alana, leaving her com-
pletely alone. Though, it wasn’t a big As Hannah diminished from her view, Willow’s frantic screams and repeated rams
surprise either, considering Hannah against the car door were replaced by an eerie calm, followed by streaks of tears down her face.
and Willow’s sour relationship.
She looked in her reflection and found nothing, but soulless eyes and a bitter smile.
69 69 “Happy birthday to me.” 70