My Faults

Valerie’s P.O.V.

~memories envelope me~

I sat down on the edge of the sand pit all alone. I watched how Louis had lots of friends. I met his best friend Zayn, today. He’s the same age as Lou. I’m 6, they’re both 8. They’re both in Grade 2. I want to be in Grade 2. But I’m in Kinder… Kindergar… well, I’m in the little class. The teacher didn’t let me go to Louis. No one likes me because of my curly hair. Dylan called me fat. I think that means that I’m big and not pretty. I felt bad. This is my second week of school. Zayn wasn’t here for the first week. He said he was in another country called Italy. I wonder where Italy is. I wish little break will end. I have no food. But Louis doesn’t know. Neither does Zayn. Dylan took my food saying that if I ate any more, I’d pop like a balloon. I moved myself into the sand and played with the sand, not noticing Zayn coming over.

“Hey,” he said, sitting down next to me. I smiled then wiped my face that was wet. “Hello!” I called out to him, even though he was next to me. He smiled then said, “Why’re you crying, Valerie?” I cocked my head to the side then said, “My name’s Valeria, silly. And I’m not crying.” I looked down; playing with the sand until I let my hand drop, limp. Zayn then gave me a big hug. I giggled then hugged back.

“Tell me what happened?” he asked me, his voice fading out.


I wiped my tears away as the memory shifted. That was when I was in Kinder year. I watched as my surroundings changed. I noticed my 12 year old self fall off bicycle.


“OW! Louis, I’m hopeless, I give up..” I trailed off. Louis shook his head then said, “I’m going inside. I’m tired.” I sighed heavily before removing my helmet, pulling on my hair in frustration. I looked up in between my hair and saw Zayn come outside of the house. “What do you want?” I muttered. “Did Louis want to throw another insult?” I looked up at him from the ground. He kneeled down then sat in front of me in amusement. “Can’t I watch my Valerie ride a bike?” he asked innocently. I scoffed then got up. “Well, the show has ended because I can’t ride a bike. I’m a failure.” I bent down and straightened by bicycle, moving to attach my embarrassing training wheels again. I sighed before Zayn offered, “I’ll help you ride a bike. Please? It’ll be fun.” I rolled my eyes then replied, “That’s what Lou said.” He shook his head at me then insisted, “You know how bad he is at teaching.” I laughed, all my tense anger slowly leaving me.

My laughter faded out as Zayn smiled at me encouragingly. “You’re not going to laugh at me when I fall, right?” I asked nervously. “Why would I?” He asked. “Because Louis did,” I gritted through my teeth. “And if you laugh,” I continued. “I’ll knock your smile in.” Zayn then laughed. I walked briskly towards him, raising my fist. Zayn was taller than me by two inches. My fist shook as I felt all my courage leave me as he smiled at me. He moved his left cheek towards me and said, “Go on, punch me.” It caught me off guard and suddenly made me feel… SHY?! My “tough-girl” façade didn’t faze him. And neither was I able to be tough with him. I sighed then mumbled, “I won’t punch you, Zayn.” His smile widened as he asked, “Why not?” I pushed him lightly then put my helmet on; climbing onto my bike. Ignoring his question I challenged him, “Come on and see if you can help me already!” He shook his head at me, smiling all the while before standing behind my bike and steadying me. “Now, the secret is not to be fast or graceful or talented.” I nodded as he said that to me from behind. “The secret.. is to have fun.” My hopes were flattened at that statement. Zayn noticed then asked, “Valerie, what’s your secret hobby?” I answered in an unsure tone, “Singing…. Why?” I asked in a defensive tone. “Is it fun?” He questioned further. “Well of course it is!” I exclaimed proudly.

“I want you to ride this bike and do what you think is fun.” I fell silent then turned to look at Zayn. “You won’t run off and let me fall, will you?” He gave me a warm smile then assured me by saying, “Trust me.” And that’s what I did. I pushed off my feet, pedalling as I began to sing, “A Greater Treasure than a Friend”.


I smiled and shook my head, watching 14 year old Zayn chase after the 12 year old me as I pedalled away. I knew how to ride a bike properly from him. The memory faded away before being replaced by 15 year old me, running out of school with 17 year old Zayn. What on earth were we… doing?


I laughed crazily as Zayn chased me out of school. We had planned this day for ages.

Well.. Zayn did. Today was my birthday. 18th December was always a dreaded day of mine since the idiots at school would make my day worse. But Zayn was able to make this day exciting. Sadly, Lou’s stuck at home sick. Of all days, Lou. I screamed in happiness as Zayn flung me over his shoulder. “Let me down, Zayn!” I begged him as he continued running. “Never!” he shouted, laughing like a villain in those old cartoons. I giggled then said in mock-despair, “WHY?” Zayn then laughed as he dashed past our house. I could only see from behind him as he ran to his “secret” destination. “Zayn…” I groaned out dramatically. “Stop the scene, drama queen! It’s my birthday gift to you, so hush!” Zayn said as he dashed into… the PARK? I laughed then said, “Okay, okay. I’ll hush up. But hurry up and get there so you can put me down. I’m too heavy.” I almost screamed as he stopped suddenly. “Don’t. Say. That.” I hit his back lightly then said, “Okay, don’t stop. Do whatever.” I worry that I’ll break his spine, one day.

He ran again even more abruptly than how he stopped, making me feel all giggly. He then slowed down after running through thick greenery; putting me down, gently. Zayn, out of breath, asked me, “Did you bring what I asked you to?” I nodded then looked around at our surroundings. Woah… where were we? “Zayn? Where’s this?” He had taken us to a clearing where we were surrounded by a thick hedge. I shook the leaves out of my hair and sat down on the grass. The grass was long and greener than the grass out in the usual park. “This.. this is my gift to you, Valerie. I found this place. No one knows of it.” I smiled before beckoning him over. “It’s beautiful. It really is,” I told him. He smiled then took out a metal box from his school bag. I smiled at how intricately designed the box was. “A time capsule,” he merely said. My eyes widened in excitement as he said so. “For all our little bits and bobs that we collected over the time of our friendship. And then.. in a few years’ time, we can dig it back up again.” I tackled him in a bone-crushing hug. “THANK YOU!” I cried out.

“Can’t….. breathe, woman..” Zayn choked out. I let go quickly before looking away abashed.


~memories release her~


I smiled, a warm fluttering feeling sprouting in my tummy. I opened Journal again, looking at the map Zayn had drawn. I love you Zayn.. I really do..
“I won’t let you. Mark my words, Valeria.” I buried my face in my hands, trying to calm my emotions.

Notes

Phew... I'm done for now. Maybe another update a few hours later. ^_^