I exit the library and, once again, step out into a living furnace. The heat just blasts me in the face.
Wow.
I can’t remember a heat wave feeling like this. It’s really hot. Meylin better not expect me to chase after Emily in this. Better yet, that should be Meylin’s responsibility. She’s the one that’s making a big deal about this.
There she is.
She’s sitting on the library steps and sobbing. Very loud sobbing, as a matter of fact. What’s she trying to do? Make a scene. That’s exactly what I need right now.
“Are you going to be okay?”
“That was…that was horrible. How can people be so evil?”
“It’s over now, Emily. Okay. It’s in the past. Just calm down.”
“I can’t…I…”
Meylin brushes past me and sits down next to Emily. She then wraps her arm around Emily’s shoulder. She’s whispering something to her but I can’t hear it.
Wait a second. Meylin’s not wearing my backpack.
“Where’s my equipment, Meylin?”
“In the library.”
“Yeah and that’s the problem. Why didn’t you bring it out? What were you doing in there?”
Meylin then looks away from Emily and stares right at me. “It’s your equipment so you go get it.”
What’s wrong with her? And what’s with the attitude?
This wouldn’t have even happened if Emily didn’t act like a baby. No wonder she’s friends with Jessica. They’re both losers.
“Why didn’t anyone do anything?” Emily asks as tears stream down her face.
“They just didn’t want to.” Meylin says.
I walk back into the library and head into the room where we left Todd. This is so stupid. Meylin can’t even recognize the greatness we captured today. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s leaving this project.
I’m not even surprised, at all, to see Todd still sitting there. I’m expecting it at this point. It’s like he needs to be told the party’s over.
“I’m really sorry about that, Todd. Emily is just immature for her age. Weak stomach, you know.”
I’m putting everything into my backpack but Todd’s not saying anything. I hope he’s not upset about what happened.
“Hey, listen. Don’t worry about the interview. You were great. Really. This is going to be big for my…I mean, it’s going to spread a lot of awareness.”
Todd just nods.
“You sure everything’s okay?” I ask.
“It’s…I…it took a lot for me to tell my story and I just wanted to thank you for giving me that platform.”
“No problem. I was happy to do it.”
“That’s not the only thing. I didn’t mention this in my initial email but I found Special Friends by watching your show. I know it’s meant for kids but it really spoke to me. Just seeing the genuine friendships, something that I never had.”
“Thank you so much, Todd. That really means a lot to me.”
I grab my backpack, and Emily’s, and motion for Todd to follow me out of the room. An idea hits me when we get to the main lobby.
“Hey, Todd. Since you’re a fan of the show, do you want a selfie with me?”
“That…that…would be awesome. Do you mind or…”
“You’re joking, right? Of course, I don’t mind. I suggested it. Just wait one second.” I place the backpacks on an empty table and turn back to Todd. “Okay. Just take your phone out and we can do this.”
Todd takes out his phone and fumbles around with it.
“Um, that’s fine. I’ll take the picture. Just smile for me, okay?”
I take the picture and hand Todd his phone, while grabbing the backpacks in one quick motion.
That was easy.
Now, it’s time to see if the little baby has stopped crying.
“Thanks, Autumn.”
“Anytime.”
Todd is right behind me as I go down the steps and that’s when I see Meylin talking to Emily. It looks like Emily has finally stopped crying. It’s about time.
I toss Emily’s backpack by her feet but she doesn’t acknowledge it.
You’re welcome, by the way, but I don’t say it.
“You going to be okay, Emily? You get it all out of your system now?” I ask.
“Uh huh.”
“Okay, Todd, I’m going to get you an Uber now. Remember, it’s just like last time; it’ll take you right to Penn Station. And you’re good to go after that, right?”
“Yeah. I know what to do.”
“Text my Mom if you run into any problems.”
The Uber costs are very minimal compared to the alternative. I’m afraid he’ll get lost on the subway trying to get there. Let me put it this way, and knowing Todd, would you take the chance?
I didn’t think so.
“It was really nice meeting you, Todd.” Emily says.
“Nice meeting you too. I’m sorry…I…didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No. Todd. Just no. Listen to me.” Emily says while standing up and walking closer to him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m so sorry that happened to you and I hope it never happens again.”
“Thank you. I…appreciate that.”
Emily then looks at me while slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “I’m leaving now too. I’ll see you around.”
Emily starts to climb down the steps before turning around. “One last thing, Todd. Always remember that Miles Morales is the best Spider-Man.” She smiles and waves at Todd before climbing down the rest of the steps. I watch her walk down the sidewalk until she is out of sight.
For his part, Todd moves away from us to the steps a couple of feet away.
“Okay, Meylin, we have to talk about the film. I’m obviously going to edit out the parts when Emily speaks but…”
“Hold up.” Meylin says as she gets up and walks over to where Todd is sitting.
What’s she doing? I don’t even know what’s wrong with her today.
I watch her talk to Todd but I can’t hear what the conversation is about. Todd just nods as Meylin speaks to him.
What is she trying to sell him on? Is she planning a spinoff channel? She wouldn’t do that or would she? Maybe that’s why she wants to leave my channel. Who knows with her, she’s been acting strange lately.
Meylin then gives Todd a fist bump before walking back to me.
“You care to enlighten me or what?” I ask.
“It was nothing. I just wanted to say goodbye. I’m probably never going to see him for a long time, if ever.”
“Right.”
“You don’t believe me?”
“No. It’s not that. Look, forget it, okay. This is your last day working on the channel so let’s make it count for something. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Let’s go to my place today. I need to check on something.” Meylin says.
“Okay, fine, whatever.”
We descend the rest of the steps and reach the pavement. I look over at Todd, one last time, before heading towards Meylin’s place.
The fan in Meylin’s room does very little to alleviate the heat. I feel the sweat on my forehead and cheeks as I sit on the edge of her bed. I gently place my heavy backpack on the floor.
“It’s really hot.” I say while hoping Meylin takes the hint and turns on her AC.
She doesn’t.
“You going to watch the footage from Todd’s interview?” Meylin asks.
“Oh, right. Thanks for reminding me.” I take out my phone and start looking through the saved videos.
That’s weird. Where is it? Meylin just filmed it today.
“Um…I can’t find it. What’s going on, Meylin?”
“I deleted it.” Meylin says.
“What…? Say that again.”
“You heard me. I deleted it.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. What’s wrong with her? How could she do that? After all the hard work I put into that interview. Everything I did to salvage it. She’s trying to sabotage me. I knew it.
“Are you stupid or something? I know why you did it. You’re jealous. That’s why you quit. And now you’re trying to sink everything I’ve accomplished.”
Meylin walks closer to me without breaking eye contact.
“Call me stupid again and watch what happens.”
“Or what? What’re you going to do?” I’m shaking now, as my voice gets louder. “You…ruined all my hard work. Everything I did to make sure Todd was ready. I did all that. You didn’t do anything. The interview was really good too.”
“And you ruined it!” I jump off the bed and push past Meylin and towards her bedroom door. I then kick the door as hard as I can.
Meylin grabs me by the arm as I turn to face her.
“What’s wrong with you? What’s wrong with you? Basura. We’re not all made of money like you. That door costs money. You spoiled, overpaid brat.”
“That’s what you really think of me? Huh? Huh? That’s why you were a little suck up in third grade? Now, get your hand off of me.”
“I said get off of me!”
Meylin lets go and steps back a couple of inches. She has a weird look on her face, like she’s contemplating something.
“I don’t want my own thing. I never even wanted to be part of yours. You really want to know why I deleted your interview? Then calm down.”
I take a deep breath and feign calmness.
“Okay. I’m calm. So, tell me.”
“You…you…took…” Meylin starts.
“What’s wrong, Meylin? You spend too much time around Todd and you have a stuttering problem now. Spit it out.”
Meylin’s demeanor instantly changes as she gives me a look that suggests she wants to tear my head off.
Oops.
“You took Todd’s private pain and planned to show all your followers. Don’t you get how wrong that is? Like you’re parading him around for everyone to see. He’s not an animal. He’s someone that’s suffered a lot in his life. It’s not entertainment.” Meylin says.
“Uh, excuse me, but you don’t know what you’re talking about (as usual). Let me think for a second. Wasn’t it Todd that emailed me because he so wanted to be interviewed? Was that Todd? I forget. Maybe I’ve been doing too many interviews.”
“Didn’t you listen to your own interview? He’s easily manipulated by people and that’s exactly what you did.”
“Oh, really? Wow. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Thank you so much. I know how morally superior you are. How you always like to do the right thing.”
“Am I right?” I ask.
Meylin doesn’t answer but it was a rhetorical question anyway.
“Wait a second, though. Hold up. Didn’t you say that Todd was useless and that he didn’t even belong in college? That his professors only passed him because he was slow? How about when you told Emily that Todd had the IQ of a little kid in kindergarten?”
“I…didn’t mean…”
“But you did mean it, Meylin, because you said it. That was all you. So, congratulations, you hypocrite.”
Meylin doesn’t say anything as she walks over to her bed and collapses on it. It’s like the fight has been taken out of her. That was easy. But, then again, she is a quitter.
“Well, thanks to you, the interview is erased. Now, I have to think of a way to salvage this situation. You owe me big, Meylin. Just remember that. You know, once you calm down and realize how wrong you were.”
“Let me think. Should I schedule another interview (without you around)?”
“Can you please just go home and leave me alone?” Meylin asks as she covers her eyes with her hands.
“No. You need to hear this. I keep thinking about how good that footage was. Maybe I’m thinking too small.”
Then it hits me. An idea that is so much better than simply another installment of “Special Friends.” Todd’s interview deserves a bigger stage and I know exactly what that is too.
“Wait a second. I got it, Meylin. I’m not going to film another interview at the library. I’m not even going to film it (at least not me personally). I’m going to have it filmed on the Spirit Scribe set. Howard will love the idea.”
As soon as the words leave my lips, Meylin jumps out of her bed like the Flash or something. Hey. I guess Todd’s comic book vocabulary is rubbing off on me.
“You can’t do that.” Meylin shouts.
“But I can and I will. I’m also going to suggest bussing in a bunch of kids, from all over the city, and have them sit in the audience. It will add to the ambience (I really love that word).”
“Autumn…whatever you’re thinking, do not go through with it. Are you listening to me? Don’t do it.”
“It’s going to be fine. It’s a real chill atmosphere. Everyone’s cool and…”
“You really don’t get it. You’re learning disabilities are mild. Mild. Don’t you understand that? It’s not like that with Todd. Please understand.” Meylin practically begs as tears well up in her eyes.
“Look. Todd said that he read about my story and wants to be a part of this. Doesn’t he have a choice in that?”
“That means he trusts you. Don’t abuse that. He doesn’t understand what he’s getting into but you do.”
“Getting into what, Meylin? Nothing bad is going to happen. I’m going to be there the whole time.”
“He’s a human being.” Meylin says in a voice that’s barely above a whisper.
“I know things got heated. I get that. I do. But I’m sorry. I’m going through with this. It’s too much of an opportunity to educate people about…”
“Don’t even try to pull that. This isn’t about education. It never was. I ignored it in the beginning because…because I thought it was harmless. Everyone seemed like they were having fun. But this is too far.”
“You spent so much time trying to be like Mr. Rogers or something. The sad thing is, the least educated person about all this is you. This whole thing was about becoming even more famous, wasn’t it?”
“Meylin. You don’t…”
“No. Shut up. Let me talk. Don’t you have enough? How much more do you want? You know something, do what you want. I just…I’m sorry I got mixed up in this. I’m sorry that I stood be your side last year…”
“Jessica was right about you.” Meylin says.
“That’s what you think? Huh? Huh? It’s funny. You’re definitely not sorry about taking all this stuff I bought for you. Like this Michael Myers figure.” I remind her as I point to the figure on her dresser. “You’re certainly not sorry about taking this Zombie Graveyard poster that I got autographed for you. You’re welcome, by the way.”
“Or how about that Freddy Krueger glove? Let me think for a second. Wasn’t that the same glove you got by name-dropping me to Robert Englund? Hypocrite. Next time, keep my name out of your backstabbing mouth if you love Jessica so much.”
“Don’t you wish you were an actress so you could hang out with your favorite horror movie celebrities, instead of using me as a proxy? Always following me around like a lost puppy. I admit, you’re good at basketball, but you’re not good enough to ever go pro so don’t even try. Face it; you need me to feel important. You’re nothing without me.”
At that moment, I know I’ve went too far. What was I thinking?
“Meylin…wait…I didn’t…”
“I don’t need you and I don’t want your charity.” Meylin says as she goes over to her dresser and grabs the Michael Myers figure. She then throws the figure at the wall and it breaks into several pieces.
“Take it all back. I don’t want anything that has your name on it.” Meylin then grabs the glove and breaks the plastic fingers off of it. She then throws the glove on the floor and stomps on it.
“I never want to see you ever again!” Meylin says as she goes over to her bedroom door and rips the Zombie Graveyard poster to shreds.
Just completely rips it apart. The only fragments remaining are tiny pieces of paper that lines the floor like confetti.
That poster was a symbol of our friendship. It’s been around ever since we first met in the third grade. When Meylin came up to me and awkwardly started talking about my movie. The excitement I felt to have a new friend. All that time playing basketball and laughing together.
I remember getting her that as a gift and asking every cast member to sign it. I was so excited to show her that I couldn’t even sleep the night before. I just wanted to see the look on her face.
When I finally brought the poster to her apartment after school, I hid it in my backpack. I just wanted to drag the anticipation out. Finally, after playing video games for a while, I surprised her with it. I’ll never forget the look on her face and how she hugged me (I wasn’t disappointed). How she went around her room looking for the perfect spot to display it. It was such an awesome feeling.
And all of that is gone now. The poster is destroyed and lies in tatters at my feet. All because of the hateful things I said.
I don’t say a word as I grab my backpack and run out of her room. Everything else is a blur as I almost fall down the steps because my tears are obscuring my vision. Now, I welcome the scorching heat of the afternoon sun, and the heaviness of my backpack.
It’s better than thinking about Meylin and the best friend I no longer have.
Related Articles:
Being Special, Chapter 1: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-1-b5e175dc0d00
Being Special, Chapter 2: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-2-4c622095b4e9
Being Special, Chapter 3: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-3-9515c777c14
Being Special, Chapter 4: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-4-d9f850a08edd
Being Special, Chapter 5: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-5-d7160ad484ca
Being Special, Chapter 6: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-6-f7045cc44661
Being Special, Chapter 7: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-7-fb4e7af04c7b
Being Special, Chapter 8: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-8-d490a7b0bcae
Being Special, Chapter 9: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-9-415c313d1d11
Being Special, Chapter 10: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-10-9c085c4d9267
Being Special, Chapter 11: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-11-2ef4f61a770d
Being Special, Chapter 12: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-12-2d22e6e047c
Being Special, Chapter 13: https://baltimoreraven87.medium.com/being-special-chapter-13-f878ebf46269
