My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 01

My Childhood Friend Loves Mocking Me Chapter 01

My childhood friend loved to contradict and belittle me in front of others.

When I said a restaurant’s food was good, he’d frown and say, “Really, what terrible taste you have.”

When I mentioned a place I wanted to visit, he’d scoff loudly, “It’s just another overhyped tourist trap—nothing worth seeing.”

During breaks, when girls chatted about celebrities, he’d walk by and sneer, “Look at Lila fangirling over some actor. So pathetic.”

If the conversation shifted to makeup, he’d but in too. “It’s a riot. Lila tries putting on makeup at home and ends up looking rather awkward. So ugly.”

If a boy handed me a love letter blushing, he’d yell without hesitation,

“Wait, you actually like Lila? What’s wrong with your taste, man?”

Someone joked once, “Aren’t you scared Lila’ll stop talking to you if you keep picking on her like this?”

Jake just snorted, “She’s staying at my place—she’s the one who should fear me cutting her off.”

I gripped my phone, words hovering on the tip of my tongue before I swallowed them back.

I wanted to say,

Jake, my parents said their work assignment is over—they’re coming to take me home.

I don’t want you anymore.

*****

During the ten-minute break, Jake was still going on about the embarrassing time I tried filming a hand dance challenge at home.

“You have no idea how hilarious it was. I always said Lila’s clumsy. She can’t even walk and chew gum at the same time, and she thought she could pull off that dance?”

“You should’ve seen her flailing around in front of the phone like an octopus—haha.”

I bit my lower lip tightly, trying to focus all my attention on the physics paper in front of me,

but the trembling tip of my pen gave me away.

My deskmate Mia couldn’t stand it anymore—she slammed her hand on the desk and stood up.

“That’s enough, Jake. Is it fun picking on Lila every day?”

Jake raised an eyebrow and looked over,

“Did I lie?”

Mia stepped forward, blocking my view, and said firmly,

“I think Lila’s smart, beautiful, and a great person—nothing like what you’re saying.”

“I think you’re being way too harsh. You owe her an apology.”

My eyes stung, and I looked up instinctively.

Mia squeezed my hand reassuringly, patting it twice.

Jake froze, looking a little embarrassed.

“Lila’s lived with me since elementary school—I know her better than anyone after all these years.”

Mia frowned, about to say more,

but Chloe from the boys’ group spoke up softly,

“Jake’s just joking—no need to make such a big deal out of it.”

She glanced at me with a half-smile,

“Besides, Lila didn’t say anything—why are you getting so worked up?”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said generously,

“They joke around with me all the time too, and I never complain.”

A few guys around her chimed in, starting to whoop and holler.

Jake frowned, glanced at me, then turned to Chloe,

“Wonder where Lila picked up this nonsense—she’s gotten so dramatic these past few years. She never used to be like this.”

The class bell rang right on cue. Jake shouted in my direction,

“Lila, we’re playing basketball tonight—go home by yourself.”

I hung my head, looking away, and didn’t respond.

After school, I said goodbye to Mia and got into the waiting car.

Through the window, I saw Jake walking out of the school gate laughing and talking with a group of boys.

Chloe stood out in the crowd,

but he didn’t glance this way.

When I got home, Aunt Clara came down the stairs with a face mask on,

“Lila’s home.”

She looked behind me, “That rascal’s out fooling around again.”

She took my schoolbag and pinched my cheek gently,

“Oh well, he’s good at school—I can’t be bothered with him. But our Lila’s such a good girl. Only two months left till college entrance exams—keep pushing, and you might get into the Royal Academy of Music.”

I opened my mouth, feeling a little helpless.

Just because Jake was applying to Bristol University in Northern City, everyone assumed

I’d definitely apply to the Royal Academy of Music, which was right next door to Bristol.

It was like everyone was certain

I’d never leave Jake.

No one had ever asked me—

I actually preferred Southern City, where the plane trees were beautiful.

I finished two practice papers, and Jake finally came home sweating profusely just in time for dinner.

He sat at the dining table and frowned,

“Still wearing that long face? Fine, I’ll be your human tripod later—we can reshoot that hand dance challenge.”

Aunt Clara piled my plate high with honey-glazed ribs, her voice warm,

“Eat up, Lila—your favorite honey-glazed ribs.”

My hand holding the fork trembled a little.

When I came to Jake’s house at ten years old, Jake, missing a tooth, grinned at me,

“Little Lila, I love honey-glazed ribs so much, but Mom won’t let me eat too many sweets. But now that you’re here, Mom had them made. I like you!”

That midsummer day, the plane tree shadows fell on Jake and me as he held out his chubby little hand.

So I turned to Aunt Clara and said, “My favorite dish is honey-glazed ribs.”

But now, after a moment of silence, I pushed the plate of ribs forward a little,

“I don’t like honey-glazed ribs.”