For a moment, I thought we would die. We increased our walking speed, the trump still following us.
We turned around and looked behind us, he was gone .it looked like we were too fast for him, the like light began to fade in the allay way, whilst the dark skies covering the moon as if on of us would turn in to a wolf.
We walked threw the alleyway just about to walk out of it, suddenly there was a noise, I thought was one of the girls stamped on something. Then I shouted look! Look! .
It was the most horrifying thing I had ever saw, a black cat shredding this mouse into pieces,
While all the girls couldn’t bare to look for a second. Moreover, jasmine on my shoulder sacred out of her life.
The cat just left the helpless the rat eaten to shreds with it guts hanging out and blood running down to the pipeline like water floods. We continued walking until we saw the amazing blocks of house and so much light as if they had put a torch in my face or as if I was questioned by the federal government the C.I.A the F.B.I.
We walked a blocks to my friend house, he name is Jesse we have known each other since child hood, he’s like a brother to me, also my best friend.
We walked up to his house, we rang the bell, we waited we were just took our first step down, then he finally answered.
When he opened the door he had, his pyjamas on
I was surprised to see Jesse in his pyjamas because not an early sleeper.
Oh its brother, yeah its me brother Eth, so why are you wearing pyjamas now it’s even midnight. No its just I have nothing else to do. Anyway, we are going to night do you want come yeah of course. In addition, you said we, where are the rest oh sorry. Girls come up, so it looks like you came honeys, girls that’s Jesse, hello Jesse.
So are your parents around no there all out on a business trip.
It looks like we have the house to ourselves I guess so, when I said that we have the house to ourselves, Jesse didn’t look happy this wasn’t the Jesse I knew, the Jesse that I spent my child hood with.
Therefore, are you going to let us in or let us freezes to death out here, sorry of course, you could come in
Come in girls, they all walk in one by one while I was introducing them to Jesse.
That’s my girl she’s jasmine, this is Vanessa, come in baby, (I warned Jesse if he said anything a bit too explicit, she would take it the wrong way) boy get some tick tuck,
I warned Jesse about it but he never did listen.
That is Monica and Lisa Jasmines best friend they are good looking.
Jesse went to freshen up, while we were down in the lounge having some drinks. Fifteen minutes later Jesse cam down looking good handsome why thanks Vanessa.
I was shocked at the way Vanessa had a change of mind the she acted.
Then the door rang who could be there, I thought. You said your parents are gone
don’t worry its not as if it’s the police. The way it sounded as if he already knew who was at the door. Simon & Michael what is up? I recognised the voice, is that Michael,
I rushed to the door ‘’Mickey’’ ‘‘brother’’ and it looks like Simon came along, coming in. we went and sat in the lounge, while the girls were listening, so mike what are you doing here. I just arrived from Hong Kong with Simon, some of our friends told us you were here in the neighbourhood, is that Jesse, gosh you have grown.
I was a bit surprised to see Simon, when I looked at him he looked lost as if he didn’t know me. However, while looking at him I was quiet confused because the Simon I know was totally different? This wasn’t the Simon I knew.
I was speaking to Michael and Jesse, Simon went to speak with the girls then, I turned around I saw Simon touching Jasmine in a way I could not explain I was disgusted when saw Simon touching her in an annual manner. My heart was beating so fast I thought it was an earthquake .I shouted get of my girl! I repeatedly kept on shouting just seeing Simon caressing her hair, running his hands down her face.
I felt like murdering him, I got him on the floor and started punching him, if it weren’t for Jesse, and Michael to stop it, he’d be dead. I cooled down the, girl were wondering what was going on. I told jasmine why I was furious she then told the rest of her friends.
The girl decided to stay for the night. We never really got to know them.
When I kept my cool I walked to Simon and apologised to how I had reacted, he seemed cool about it. When shaking his hand I saw an expression that he had on his face that I did not like but it quiet unexplainable I rapidly withdrew my hand as if I was agitated and walked off. He stood there as if he had been in a shock
I grabbed jasmine, put my hand on her should as if we were at the movies,
So, boys or girls are we staying here or going to party or what
Yeah were going to party every body else looked in mood except for Simon he has never liked the outdoors I’d think he would rather play video games. I didn’t bother asking him because, it just raise to many arguments.
Michael had arrived with some fire works from Hong Kong, and he knew were we could light then up. I quite shocked because Michael had only arrived from Hong Kong today.
I when up to Simon asking why he was so quiet, but he didn’t answer Simon leaning on the balcony without saying a word as if he was speechless. I asked Monica to try and comfort him I didn’t want him to be that quiet as if he was lost in the world, like a boy
Despite falling out with him, I still felt sorry for I had to putt every behind me try to make sure it will never happen again. We left Jesse’s house to walk to the beach it wasn’t a public beach of course not anyway who would be at the beach at midnight except for us We started off. I had the urge to start speaking to jasmine while everybody else was holding hands.
So jasmine I haven’t really got to know you that much, of course you know my name. But I want to know everything about you.
Well I was born her in Amsterdam, suddenly I felt a shiver on her I gave her my coat to wear, she continued.
My dad died two yours ago, ‘’oh I’m very sorry’’ I hope you don’t mind me asking what happened.
Well he was selling drugs; he was with, the Mafia he was an alcoholic he apparently owed loads of money to this person. I think it was Andrew he had a middle name I cannot remember, wait it was Alcapone the last name started with a d this is just too much.
She continued. One night he was watching television, I was quite young then. I heard my dad crying for help; shouting screaming I could feel the pain he was going threw.
He shouted my name I rushed down. It was too late; the murderer had already left he put a note around the knife saying he’ll be back. Since then we have changed our name, but I will never forget his face, he was beastly look alike I did not know what to do.
He was laying there with a knife threw his body I sat there saying to myself ‘’why…. Why…’’ while steam rising from his gaping wound.
‘‘Have the police ever found him?’’
''They did but it had been too late he had committed suicide at least that is what they said, but I believe he still alive''.
Sometimes I think I want revenge and to think what he did to my family, he ripped our hearts out my soul, my life, and the person I love.
But the one thing I will never forgive him. He ripped our family apart! But I had to get over it, if I had killed Andrew Capone what next, I would have felt guilty for taking a man’s life.
''What about your mom?'' Mom hardly speaks, since he died, once she shouted why just the word I said when he was murdered. Too many questions, I sometimes could feel the pain she is going through and one day I hope I would be able to take the pain away.
What does she do? She works for the United Nations.
For a moment there I could the pain she was going through, she then drew a tear of sadness I could sense she wanted revenge but didn’t know were to go she was lost like I was.
She then asked about me.
''What about you?''
Born in Gaborone Botswana
No brothers or sisters, my parents are diplomats.
‘‘Lucky you have both of your parents alive’’, ‘’not quite because, my mom died two years ago.’’
‘‘I thought you said your parents are diplomats’’
‘‘You don’t get it, I had two moms at least that what my parents said’’
‘‘Why did they say that?’’
‘‘I don’t really know, they said she died in a car crush, but the thing that puzzles me, they never found a body, but I think there trying to keep as apart for some reason.’’
‘‘Then how come you have two moms’’
‘‘Well in Botswana you can marry at least three or four, but you must be able to support the family’’
‘‘So when you grow older would you marry load of wives?’’
‘’No there is only one for me, and it is a special one, you know that special person the perfect match.’’
‘’ So who is that special one’’ approaching me as if she was going to stroke my face with a grin on her face grin as if she expected me to say her name.
When she asked me that question, I could immediately see a sparkle in her eyes; I could see us together on the waters in her blue eyes.
She asked whom that special one was again, but really I didn’t I wasn’t sure if she was that special one, were we meant for each other I asked myself and I was still not sure.
‘‘No’’, I answered, I just do not know. It is not that I do not like her, in fact, I love her. Nevertheless, I am not sure if she feels the same about me,
I tried to answer questions that I have never been able to answer before,
Does she feel the same about me? I was not sure, too many question I could not answer.
One thing that Jasmine and I have in common is that we both live similar lives.
We reach the lake there I saw a cliff, I thought to myself I have seen that some where I swear but I just couldn’t make out where I saw it. Michael and Simon set-up the fire works, while we brought some wood with us, to light a small fire. Then Jesse and I move further up the lake so we can speak privately so the rest could be better acquainted.
Hence, Jesse what do you think about Vanessa? She is all right actually I think I love, but the love I have for her is unexplainable, I can feel the force pulling us together, like magnets. What about you Ethan well I like jasmine more than like, I could feel something special building up you know that tingly feeling that you get when everything is going your way, but I just don’t know if she the right one I am not it puzzles me. Jesse do you think you would ever spend the rest of your life with Vanessa. You cant really answer that question because were still young, as a teenager I just cant say, considering I have not even thought about it yet, and we have just known each other for a day.
What about you Ethan what do you think about jasmine? I love jasmine though I have only known her for a day, but I felt that I had already known her. It was too convoluted to explain. I do have feelings for her but I am not sure if she is that special one, that I can be able to spend the rest of my life with her.
You must be joking, spend the rest of you life with her, what, there’s nothing wrong with jasmine! Its not jasmine its just were too young to get married, we have to live our lives before that I would have thought I would get married at thirty years old.
That my option, I don’t mind because it’s not me getting married early, I am your best friend, it is only me to advise you but at the end of the day it is your choice if you want to do it or not.
However, I could feel that Jesse felt the same that I did but to Vanessa, for some reason I felt he was lying to me. Every time I asked him a question, when answering the questions he kept on turning his head around as if he could sense some behind him.
Suddenly when Jesse and I were speaking we both her a noise, coming from all directions, as If cars had surrounded us with the engine running.
Jesse and I could not make out what it was, Jesse and I stood up whilst squinting trying to see what it was looking lost as if we were in the jungle trying to find our way home. Whilst everybody wondering what was going on,
Then all I could remember was Jesse warning watch out motor bike cruising threw the beach as if it was a dirt track.
And Jesse laying on the silky sand on the lake, trying to help, I took him in my hands, as if was carrying a baby lost in the wilderness trying to keep him safe.
Holding him, Michael came and checks his pulse as if he were a paramedic,
Michael said there was no hope he was dead, not breathing. Holding him did not give up. I knew he would not die without a fight. I have never lost faith in him and I will not lose faith in him now. I sat there in agony repeatedly shouting this cannot be happening tears dripping like heavy rain tears of faith. This cannot be happening to me why I ask myself too many questions, he is like a brother to me, please forgive me I beg you, he risked he’s life for mine. Whilst resisting to whip his tears off his face letting the tears drip on he’s face as if he was being baptised. From then on, I knew how Romeo felt when he lost Juliet but this time it my best friend.
Still holding him I laid my head on he’s chest, everyone surrounded Jesse and I without a word being said. Jasmine trying to comfort me getting a tissue and trying to whip the tears of my face, but I still resisted there’s still hope, I me I could feel the pain he was going through. However, I still did not give up.
I remember my mom telling me never give on something you have, and Jesse is like a brother, we own each other. While my head rested on his chest I cold feel movement I was not sure at first, but then I could feel his stomach rise, I rapidly stood back, he sat up as if he didn’t where he was, saying what happen.
We all sighed in relief, scared. He then stood up shacking he’s head, as if he was confused, brushing of the sand in his hair.
He smiled we all ran to give him a hug we all worried.
I have never ever lost faith in Jesse not on him.
I then realised, how it feels to loose someone who’s close to you, If Jesse had died I would not be live with myself It would just be unexplainable. Was it his colour? I asked myself. If it was there is no point of living in a society where they judge you by your colour, but Jesse and I will try and find the culprit.
Jesse and I sat on the cliff.
I felt very emotional then; I could hardly speak as if I had been struck by lightening.
I sat there facing the sea, trying to explain how I felt.
“Do you know how I felt, what I was going threw my head when I saw you laying there in agony. Do now” trying let out his pain, showing emotion showing how depressed he would be by loosing a very special friend, that he does care about him say it by his words.
“No” Jesse responded, in a very soft tone, whilst facing the sea.
I looked at him for a moment, puzzled confused did not know who to turn to for help.
Jesse is the person I would usually turn to. However, not at this moment, I felt vulnerable for had happened. Jesse still staring stars, thinking, trying to find answers an explanation. I it was that easy, but life is not what we think, it is not easy nor hard it is just right. (People may disagree because of the battles that have occurred this century, there the First World War the Second World War. Still in our society or world, we still have a lot to learn about ourselves) in his eyes I could she the fear that had come across him, I could see the sorrow in his eyes. Courage within him I could feel the vibes flowing between as like a storm. I knew he was afraid, but did not know what he feared it was not what had occurred today. I put my thoughts beside me, and tried to move on.
I moved away from Jesse because I felt that I needed some time alone.
I looked at my watch, it wasn’t even that late.
I was a bit sceptical about it, as I sat there on edge of the cliff, reliving memories, of the past weeks. Memories that I thought would be gone, but I am strong-minded, not even to forget some of my memorise from primary school. When I was with my best friend, he’s name was Michelle he was from Marseilles not that tall about five foot six fairly short black-haired he was quit sensitive, funny person but I have not seen him for quite a long time. I remember It was the last year we would be able to see each other, that was when I was at school in England when Jesse was in Eindhoven studying at this private school.
We were talking about meeting up with each other one day and tell about how life was or start our own business have fun. However, since he left I had never been able to contact him.
Life is a bit strange, just like we live in a strange world; we still have various things to learn about the civilisation we live in.
I remember when I attempted to call him two months ago of November of 2002 because I wanted to go and visit him in Marseilles for his birthday his 18th birthday, to see how things were. For me that was the day of depression, I was confused, apparently he moved to Lisbon in Portugal to continue his studies there. I was shocked at the time, how could he have not told me.
Because Michelle and I had promised each other to always keep in touch on what goes on in our lives, to be there for each other no matter what happens to us.
However, it seemed that friendship that we once had faded into thin air. From the letter, he had sent to me in England.
Dear
Ethan I have to go.
Life is getting difficult here in Marseilles I will have to move away from France, I do not know when. I do not know if I will be able to see you again. It will be very difficult to forget you, our friendship has spanned many years, and I will always remember you.
However, my life is destined somewhere else, at the moment I am lost, I do not know what to do, depressed too many things going on in my life, too many bad things.
Stay well, I hope that one day we will meet again, it will be long, as I must heal.
I will go to my friend Jean Pier I am yet to find out where he stays.
Goodbye my friend.
Best Friends forever
Jean Pier
After reading, the distressing letter I felt as if I was cut open and a piece of me was taken away from me. I felt as if a person had came between us, like when the moon stands between the two stars at night. I remembered those times when I was uncertain about our friendship, was he really a true friend? Did he trust me as much as I trusted him? Were all things we did together false? Our childhood, the good times and bad time. The times when we were, they are for each other. Hadn’t that meant anything to him? I was dumbfounded
I just could not answer the question.
I had a moment to think, think about those times we had together, but we have to move on. I sat there still having a moment to my self, this was my time, as I exposed my face to the blistering winds I felt free all the things you would feel when you are contented.
I heard footstep behind soft steps as if the person did not want me to know who was behind me creeping as if I was to be stabbed on my back, by a mass murderer. With a voice a sweet soft tone saying my name I figured it must be jasmine, I sat there still looking at sea, didn’t hesitated to look behind myself. I sat there as if I knew she was there all along. However when I finally turned my back she was not there, was this my imagination, I could swear I heard her voice. I sat there puzzled, I thought I must be really obsessed with her, paranoid even to hear her voice. “What’s wrong with me” as everyone else stared in disbelief, they probably thought I a psychopathic maniac, or just weird.
I had a friendship ring that he gave me to remember him just before I got up at walked back to the fire works display, I took a chance and threw away the ring into the depths of the sea. Putting myself out of misery.
I walked to the fire that was set-up, on the centre of the beach, still having thoughts, thought that could change my life.
Am I going to spend the rest of my life with jasmine? That’s what really bothered me, I guess I was not in the position talk about it yet.
“What’s wrong my friend” Michael trying to calm Ethans pain.
“I just don’t know” Ethan ignoring Michael, seeking for his own answers.
“You don’t normally acted this way what’s wrong with you.”
“You just don’t understand” while he plays with the sand, with his head between his legs sulking.
“Understand what! that your madly in love with jasmine, you think I don’t see what goes on.” Michael pointing, pressuring Ethan to confess.
“Anyway you have nothing to do with it, why don’t you just go” Michael walking away from the argument, trying to keep his cool.
I sat there still depressed, but vigilant to what goes on around me, my life is much too complicated.
While sat there on the beach, Simon came along, it was a bit strange because it is very rare for Simon and I to speak.
“So what’s on your mind my friend,” looking at Ethan as if he was forgiven to what he did before.
“I cant believe you even have the guts to say that,” hu my friend, your just wasting your breath.
“Why are so mean, what have I ever done to you, I am trying to be your friend, ok maybe I made the wrong impression to you when I touched your girlfriend. However, I am very sorry, I may not be one of your best friends but that does not stop us from getting along. So what going on, from the argument you had with Michael it doesn’t that everything is well?” Simon, making his point, trying to make life easier for them, instead of hating each other.
“ Nothings wrong with me, its just you caught at the wrong to speak to me, for I have been having thoughts” as he drew a small tear, a tear of emotion and affection.
“What kinds of thoughts,” Simon asking anxiously.
“Love.”
“Do you mean Jasmine.”
“Who else.”
“Oh.”
“So what happened to Michael, he seemed upset did you two have a arguement.” As he glanced at him anxiously
“No, he just caught me at the wrong time, I hope he is still alright despite our fall out, I meant no harm.”
Simon and I seemed to settle our differences quite quickly.
After the conversation, I went to apologise to Michael, it stupid of me to take the blame on him.
“Michael I shouted!”
I saw him sat by the edge of the cliff.
“Michael, I would like to apologise, I never meant to start an argument with you.”
“I am sorry as well; I should not have aggravated you while you were thinking,” as Michael turns around with a smile of satisfaction. We were friends again, but stronger.
The church bell rang, it was midnight we decided to call it a day, Just before we left Monica said that Jesse and Vanessa were gone, but I wondered were they would go at this time of night. I went to ask Lisa but she said the last time they Jesse and Vanessa was when they walk together to fireworks display. I wondered why would they be there.
We all walked towards where the fire works were launched, Jesse and Vanessa were not there, and there was a staircase, which had led down to a cave, I then saw movement in the cave, quick, very bright. What was that I pointed, everybody seemed to deny seeing anything, I nodded my head in disbelief, and I was dazed? So dazed that I stood there for ten minuets in the same position. I did not even realise Jesse and Vanessa had already turned up. Everyone else moved further away from the cave, sacred out of their lives. What is in there? I asked myself.
I sat there on the staircase that led to the mystic cave as I was there I heard footsteps, coming from all directions. However, it only jasmine.
“What’s wrong Ethan, you look disturbed,” jasmine trying to comfort him.
“I swear I saw something down there.” Ethan investigating to what had happened.
“Don’t worry they are probably just bats”
“Believe me I did not see bats and I do see things either,”
“Anyway what is up with you, you have been quiet.”
“No your joking.” As if she had been already chatting for a long time.
“Seriously, you have been quiet and I have been getting worried about you, because I would hate someone to put you in a bad position.”
“No it just I have been having thoughts”
“What kind of thoughts” Ethan asking anxiously, as Michael comes to interrupt the conversation.
“Jasmine, Ethan we have to make move on, it is getting too dark we have to get back”.
I told Jasmine that we would speak again, on the way to Jesse’s house as we were going to have a sleep over. I had to speak to Jasmine, because of what she said.
The thoughts she had; I was worried. Would this mean the end of the one love of my life? I did not know. So we left the beach, as they called it, as the rest were anxious to get back.
Everybody leapt ahead as jasmine and I walked together, I was anxious to ask her what she was thinking about.
Jasmine remember you said you had thought
“Yes, yes I remember.” Jasmine remembering what we were speaking about.
“I had thoughts’ doubts, about our relationship. Since you came, my life has changed, immensely, totally. It has been like a dream paradise; oh I wish we could make that dream last forever.” As she rested on my shoulder in the full moon.
After that I felt wordless .she was thinking the opposite to what I was thinking about.
“Jasmine I have to admit I have had some doubts as well” turning his head as the walked to the centre of the bridge, he walked to the rail of the bridge, to trying and let out his feelings.