Telesa - The Covenant Keeper

by Lani Wendt Young

  The ease with which I remembered him was a welcome relief. The raw edges of my grief were slowly softening. I could actually think of him now without the gaping chasm of pain. Sitting in the sun as the bus bumped and grated its way along the pot-holed road, I felt peaceful. Almost. I had been so focused on getting out of the house unseen that I had forgotten the photo. And as I remembered the picture in my suitcase, again the same cold unease wound its way around my heart.

  I didn’t think the morning could get any more disturbing until my eyes were caught by a headline on the back page of the newspaper that a wizened old lady on the seat in front of me was reading.

  ‘Boy burned in inter-school violence!’ There was a photo of a boy lying in a hospital bed, his face heavily bandaged. I read on with horror. ‘Parents and school officials alike are gravely concerned about the extent of school sporting violence. Yesterday, a massive brawl broke out during a rugby game between Leifiifi and Samoa College. Several students escaped with mild injuries while one young man suffered second-degree burns to his face. It was unclear how the boy was injured as he was also concussed and could not remember what had happened. Doctors expect a full recovery and say that, luckily, the burns are only surface burns and the boy will not require any plastic surgery. Members of the public are calling for a ban on inter-school sports until the safety of our young people can be ensured.

  I felt sick with shock. That poor boy … his face. My only solace was knowing that he wouldn’t be scarred, he would be alright. Stifling a panic-stricken sob with my aching hands, I tried to calm my raging thoughts with deep breaths. Questions screamed at me - what was happening to me? First the heat attacks, the raging temperatures, now – zapping people with fire? Burning their flesh? What would come next? And how would I stop it? All the golden peace of the day drained away. I felt like a killer on the run as I slunk off the bus.

  I was so caught up with the craziness of it all that I almost walked right past him. Daniel. Standing at the gate, leaning against a cement post.

  “Leila, wait up!”

  I wasn’t the only one to turn, incredulously, at his voice. There seemed to be a hush in the crowd of students around me as people craned their necks to see who Daniel, the school superstar, was calling out to?

  I stopped in my tracks, surprised but delighted to see him. Here was someone who could put reason into this insane day.

  “Hi.” Suddenly I was shy. Even after all the madness of the day before, what we had shared together – I was achingly shy in his presence.

  “I’ve been waiting for you – I wasn’t sure if you’d come to school today. I called your house last night to check on you, but a lady said you were sleeping. How are you?” He peered closer at my face, as if trying to establish for himself whether I was recovered enough to be at school. “Hey, that doesn’t look too bad, you heal fast.”

  Hearing him admit he had been waiting for me – watching for me – that he’d called my house, even, to ask after me – sent me into a tailspin. Stunned by it, I almost swayed in the morning sunlight. If this boy was motivated by guilt, or some misguided sense of responsibility for my safety, then he was really outdoing himself.

  “Umm, fine. I’m fine. I slept for hours yesterday when you dropped me off and I feel so much better this morning.” I was anxious to reassure him, so that he could retreat back up into his demi-god heights, leaving me alone on the plane of mere mortals, to catch my breath.

  He didn’t seem in a rush to go anywhere, walking alongside me up the driveway towards the assembly area. “Are you sure? Here, let me carry your bag.” Without waiting for a reply he took my bag off my shoulder, leaving me with no defenses, nothing to hang onto, nothing to hide my confusion behind. All my senses were screaming a warning now. Why was he being so nice to me? People were looking at us. At him rather. Talking to the new girl, walking beside her, carrying her bag! The tall, chicken-legs girl with the bushy hair and eyebrows. I felt hot as I imagined the whispers and hushed comments. Heat was the last thing I wanted to feel right now though, so I quickened my pace, hurrying us towards the assembly.

  “You shouldn’t worry about me Daniel. I’m okay. Really. I am. And I don’t hold you in any way responsible for what happened yesterday … umm … just in case you felt that way.” Eager to dispel his guilt but then wondering if I had overstepped my bounds by assuming he actually cared either way. Oh – it was so frustrating this teenage boy-girl thing.

  He shook his head at my words, about to answer when the shrill ring of the bell pierced the moment. “Oh, I gotta go, I’m doing the assembly today. I’ll see you later?” He handed me back my bag, turned to walk away and then stopped as if forgetting something. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a star-shaped piece of paper. “Umm, here, just something I made for you. Catch you later.”

  He left me then, a swirl of conflicting emotions. The paper shape was an intricately folded origami star. Written in blue ink on the center For and on the five points were the letters

  L E I L A.

  It was beautiful in its delicate symmetry. I slipped it into my pocket – but kept caressing it with my fingers throughout the morning assembly. Daniel was conducting and it was difficult to stop a ridiculous smile from lighting up like a beacon on my face as I watched him lead the morning hymn and prayer. He needed no microphone to hold everyone’s attention, his voice ringing out strong and clear as he addressed the school. It assumed a cutting edge as he spoke to the gathered students about the fight with Leifiifi college. His eyes were ice as he reprimanded the rugby team and spectators for reacting to Leifiifi’s bottle-throwing assault, reminding them of the school honor code. There was no sound from the school body, several of them hanging their heads as Daniel spoke. When he finished, it was the Principal’s turn before we were all dismissed to class.

  Sinalei grabbed my arm excitedly as we drifted with the slow-moving crowd towards class.“Ohmigosh – Leila what happened to you yesterday? Are you okay? Check out your face!” She ogled my bruise, agog with the excitement of it all. “Wow, how did it happen? Last I saw you were running back to the fight. I couldn’t figure out what you were doing.” Her face was sharp and curious, her eyes questioning. I knew I would have to defuse her immediately, before she ferreted out details that I surely did not want made public.

  “Oh this is nothing. I tripped over one of those rocks on the other side of the field and banged my face on the road, talk about clumsy idiot. ”

  She persisted. “But why did you run back there anyway? Me and Mele were wondering what happened to you.”

  “Oh, I dropped one of my notebooks. It’s kinda important to me, my journal you know, so I had to go back for it. Don’t want the secrets of Leila Folger leaked out all over school!” My excuse sounded pitiful, even to me, but Sinalei had to be satisfied with it. Like a dogged terrier that never let go, she jumped to another topic of attack.

  “And this morning, was that Daniel walking you to assembly? Did he give you a ride to school?” Her bated breath was full of awe at the possibility that I had actually caught a lift with the demi-god.

  Happy to tell the truth on that one, I replied emphatically. “No way! I caught the bus this morning as usual and I almost missed it too. I got up late and had to run to catch it and …”

  My voice trailed away as Sinalei’s eyes glazed over. Clearly this was not a fascinating topic. Relieved, I hoped she would back off now for the rest of the day.

  First period was dull and predictable. Mr. Michael’s equations were a welcome distraction for my overwrought brain. English with Ms. Sivani was a pleasure. She had a way of making poetry come alive. Today was a favorite of mine. ‘The Highwayman.’ She had a taped reading of it for us to listen to. The lyric tones of Sean Connery ensuring everyone’s rapt attention as he resounded throughout the classroom …

  And the highwayman came riding – riding – riding –

  The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

  He’d a French cock
ed hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,

  A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin.

  They fitted with ne’er a wrinkle His boots were up to the thigh!

  And he rode with a jewelled twinkle, his pistol butts a-twinkle,

  his rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky.

  I could see the Highwayman in my mind’s eye, riding riding - and for the first time, I understood the effect of breeches that fit with ‘ne’er a wrinkle’ and boots up to the thigh, as I visualized Daniel wearing such an outfit and coming to visit me on a windswept night, under a jeweled sky.

  I sighed at the end of the reading – did all great love stories have to end in tragedy? Were we that obsessed with sadness and twisted outcomes? Again, my thoughts were filled with Daniel. Focus Leila! Stop daydreaming and get to work. I turned my attention to the poetry worksheet and the rest of the period flew by. “Don’t forget your essay assignment class, and I won’t accept less than two pages – you hear me, Maleko!” Ms. Sivani snapped warningly as the duck-tailed boy swaggered past her.

  “Ms. Sivani, that hurts! Of course I wouldn’t dream of leaving you hanging like that, you’ll get two and a half pages from me. After all, I am a hotter and smarter version of the Highwayman!” Maleko laughed as he struck a pose with an imaginary sword, sending it swishing down – right on top of the books in my hands, sending them flying.

  “Oops, sorry Leila. Wait, I’ll get them.” Maleko ducked eagerly to gather up my notes, while I stood there shaking my head at his antics. My amusement turned to panic, however, when his hands closed around the paper star that had fallen to the floor with my books.

  “Hey, what’s this?” he read the words out slowly. “For Leila. Ooooh, this looks interesting.”

  My heart pounding, I tried not to betray my panic – or else for sure Maleko would refuse to give the fragile star back. I had a feeling there was more writing contained in its folds and I had been savoring the anticipation until I could read it undisturbed during lunch. “Give that back, Maleko – it’s nothing – just give it back.” My voice rose an octave as Maleko held the star up to the sunlight curiously.

  “I think it’s a letter, let’s open it up and read it ay?” His eager face turned to scan the classroom looking for some more of his teammates to share the joke.

  Before I could threaten him with death and mayhem, a perfectly manicured hand snatched the star from his grasp and a flippant voice reprimanded him. “How dare you, Maleko! Stealing this girl’s private and personal correspondence.”

  I sighed with relief as Simone flicked the paper star back into my hands. I quickly tucked it back into the pocket of my blouse while Maleko transferred his teasing attentions onto my rescuer.

  “Se Simone, I’m just having some fun, don’t be jealous cos I’m not playing with you, eh!”

  “Whatever, Maleko I wouldn’t play with you with a ten foot stick. Unlike Mele, I have good taste.” Simone sniffed derisively and turned to flounce his way along the corridor, Maleko’s team mates whistling after him and roaring with laughter.

  Eager to remove myself from the scene of near humiliation, I swiftly gathered up the rest of my things and walked after Simone. “Simone, wait up!”

  “Yes, dahling?”

  “Thanks for that. I appreciate it.” I fell into step beside him as he sashayed along.

  “Oh, don’t worry. Maleko’s an idiot. What’s in the star anyways?” Simone gave me a sideways smirk, as if he already knew the answer.

  “Umm, nothing. Just origami shapes. Something I like to play around with. You know. Keeps me busy during a boring class.”

  “Yeah right.” Simone arched one eyebrow at my response. “Funny, there’s someone else here who likes to do origami too, someone who’s better known for his footwork on the rugby field rather than his paperwork. You two should get together and share designs some time. Keep you both busy during a boring class.” And with those cryptic words, Simone flounced off after another willowy boy-girl. “Daaaahling wait up!” Leaving me speechless.

  Shaking my head at his exit I looked around for a secluded spot to open my note, having to be content with a seat inside the library. With careful hands I unfolded the paper edges, trying to memorize the creases so I could be sure of returning it to its original shape afterwards. Yes! I was right – it was a note, but a confusing one.

  Leila.

  ‘She moves in mysterious ways.’ U2.

  Trying to figure you out.

  Daniel.

  I read over the words several times … she moves in mysterious ways? What the heck did he mean? I knew the song by U2 but wasn’t familiar with all the words. Urgently, I dug out my iPod hidden in the depths of my bag, glancing around furtively for teachers and prefects. I knew somewhere in my playlist I had an album from U2. Funny – but I hadn’t figured Daniel would be a candidate for a fan of an Irish band. Somewhere … somewhere … my fingers tripped over each other as I searched the playlist. Yes! I was right, there it was. I slipped on one earphone and pressed play, letting the rich power of the song wash over me. She moves in mysterious ways…

  So Daniel thought I was a mystery? A puzzle? Oh well, at least that sounded better than thinking I was a weirdo. A misfit. Which is what I was more accustomed to being. I almost laughed out loud in the studious silence as I thought of my gangly surliness moving ‘mysteriously.’ Flushed with pleasure, I refolded the note and put it safely in my pocket, then went in search of Simone.

  I was walking in so much of a daze that the bell ringing for the end of lunch startled me into dropping my books. Bent to retrieve them, I heard a now familiar voice greet me.

  “Hey, there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. I wanted to ask you something.”

  Great. It was Daniel. And here I was on the ground scrabbling for books like the proverbial klutz. Quickly, I rose to my feet, wishing that I had taken the time to check my hair, my face, my anything during lunch. Like a regular girl. Instead of spending lunch in the library. Unsure of myself, I must have scowled even more darkly than usual because the smile on Daniel’s face faded uncertainly and the question on his lips died.

  “Ask me what?” I tried not to sound ungracious. Which was difficult for someone without a gracious bone in her body.

  “Umm, if you read my note … and ahem … if you were doing anything today after school?”

  “Oh. No. I mean yes. I mean – no, I’m not doing anything after school. And I mean yes, I did read your note. Thanks. I ... uh … it’s not what I expected.”

  He looked quizzical. “What do you mean? What did you expect?”

  “Umm, nothing. I guess I just didn’t expect anybody here to listen to U2. It’s not the usual choice of music for the usual 21st century teenager.”

  “I guess I’m not your usual 21st century teenager then.” His eyes danced and his mouth smiled its crooked smile. The smile that kept catching at my heart strings. And sucking the air out of my personal space. Or something like it. Because it immediately had me struggling for breath. While trying not to show it. I mentally tried to slow my pulse and took a deep breath before answering.

  “No. I guess not.”

  Wanting to put distance between us so I could get a handle on myself, I turned and started walking down the hall.

  “Hey, where are you going? You didn’t let me finish!”

  I stopped mid-step and half turned to see him looking after me with a confused expression.

  “Oh. Sorry. Did you want something?” I was trying cluelessly for an air of sophistication but sure that all I was getting across was loutish grouch.

  “Yeah. I wanted to make it up to you. For yesterday. For what was probably the worst day of your school life. I thought maybe we could go somewhere. Do something. Give me a chance to show you a better side of Samoa? Umm, of me?” His last words died away and he looked a bit hesitant as if unsure of my response.

  If his smile had me breathless, then his request d
efinitely had me gasping for air. He wanted to hang out with me? He took my silence for hesitation.

  “Hey, if you don’t want to, that’s okay. I get it. You didn’t exactly have an amazing first time out with me, I mean, asking you to come to a rugby game that turns into a brawl where you get beat up is not really the ideal way to impress a girl is it?” His crooked smile lightened his words, but still my mind was reeling. He wanted to impress me? Are you joking? Is this boy for real?