Tear the Banners Down

Tear the Banners Down

Prelougue:

“All right I can’t take this any longer, are you going to let me open my birthday present or what?” Denise picked up the pink package and shook it next to her ear trying to figure out what’s inside.

“You have to guess first!” Shouted Buckley from across the room.

“How am I supposed to guess? You guys are so unpredictable!”

“Just guess! Maybe you’ll get it right.” Howard said in his calm voice.

“That’s it, I’m opening it!” Denise ripped the pink foil paper off of a small box she opened it up and stared for a moment. “It’s a few tic tacs and a stick of gum.” She states.

“What?” Howard asks confused.

“Happy Birthday!” Cries Buckley.

Howard walks over to Buckley and pats down his pockets then takes out a necklace with a pink butterfly on it. “Here, Denise, pretend like this was in the box.”

“Um, all right. OH MY! Thanks!” Denise lunges into Howards arms giving him a strong bold hug.

“Ahem!” Buckley calls. Denise walks over and gives a short timid hug to Buckley. Buckley felt a surge of anger run through him. He knew that Denise had liked Howard, but so does he. Pushing that away quickly, he takes the box and retrieves his tic tacs.

Howard stared at him and smiled his crooked smile.

Denise danced over to his side and happily stared at Buckley. Who was Buckley to them anyway? The unwanted third wheel? The entertainment? The dumb friend?

“I’ll be heading out now.” He states as he exits. Pausing to look at a reflection of himself in a hanging mirror. Dark circles under his eyes, messy thick black hair, eyes that were slanted down slightly so he always looked sad, even when he was smiling.

“Goodbye Buckley.” Denise says. Her voice mocks him and he feels over powering anger in her smirk in the reflection.

Suddenly, Buckley hits the mirror, sending it crashing to the floor. Then, he leaves.