Page 78 of Follow My Voice
“What happened…?” Perla lets out a long sigh. “Well, I’m sick of it. I’ve recently come to the realization that the world won’t fix itself. Nothing is ever going to change if we don’t stand up to people like Yana.”
I know what she means; I’ve had the same thought many times. If we want to see positive change in the world, we have to start with ourselves, with the people around us. More often than not, we don’t act, thinking,What difference can I make in a world with billions of people?But one change, no matter how small, can mean everything to one person, and that makes it worth it.
I look at Ellie and she averts her eyes.
“What did she do?”
“She was harassing Adrian and Ben,” Perla says. “Calling them names. And then”—her eyes flick to Ellie—“she started picking on Ellie for standing in a corner all by herself. What does she think this is? High school? She wasn’t gonna get away with it.”
I don’t dare look at Ellie, because I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.
“Anyway, I saw red,” Perla goes on. “I couldn’t control myself; I’ve never felt such a strong urge to hurt another human being until tonight, Klara. I’ve never even had a serious disagreement with anyone, but apparently, I hold a previously unknown capacity for violence.”
“Anyone can become violent, Perla. Some of us are able to control ourselves better than others, but, honestly, I’m glad you stood up to that girl. Even if that maybe wasn’t the best way to do it.”
“I enjoyed every single slap I gave her, Klara. It’s scary how much I enjoyed it.”
“How are Adrian and Ben?”
“They’re fine. They left right after the fight. The truth is that hardly anyone was paying attention to Yana when she was messing with them, but, unfortunately, she had an audience by the time she started in on Ellie.”
This time I can’t help but look at Ellie. “I’m sorry.” I don’t know what I’m apologizing for—maybe for the world, for the existence of people like Yana.
“I’m fine,” she assures me.
“Ellie…”
“It’s okay, it was never going to be a perfect night. I was an overachiever, trying too many things at once for my first attempt at socialization.”
And that makes me even sadder, because Ellie came out of her shell to go to the game and then come to this party. She was making an effort to improve her social life, to step out of her world of books, and for someone like Yana to sabotage all her efforts just seems so shitty to me.
Perla stands up. “I’m so ready to get out of here, but I don’t want everyone to see these scratches.”
Ellie removes her scarf, and Perla, understanding her intention, lifts up her hands in protest. “No, no; you don’t have to do that.”
“Come on,” Ellie insists, wrapping the scarf around Perla’s neck. Then, still holding the ends of the scarf, she smiles sweetly, and says, “Thank you, Perla. I know I’m socially awkward, shy, too quiet, and reserved. It’s something I’ve been trying so hard to change. I don’t want to be the girl who blends into the background, even thoughit feels like that’s all I am. Tonight, though, you made me feel like I matter, like I’m not invisible. Truly, thank you.”
One small action can mean everything.
Perla smiles back and places her hands over Ellie’s. “You don’t need to thank me for anything. It was a pleasure to put Yana in her place. Besides”—she pats Ellie’s hand—“we got something good out of it.”
“What?” Ellie asks.
“You took your nose out of your books for once and spoke to us.”
“That’s right,” I agree.
Ellie laughs shyly.
Looking at Ellie, noticing how much I see myself in her, I can’t help but extend an offer. “Would you care to join our group on campus from now on?”
Ellie puts her hand to her chest dramatically. “I’d love to.”
Perla and I imitate her, bringing our hands to our chests.
Then we all burst out laughing.
“By the way.” I look at Perla. “What happened to you not leaving me alone?” I smirk at her.
