The Legacy of the Headband Chapter 11: Twilight Whispers
"Hey, did you hear about the secret party? Kuzon's organizing it!"
"Yeah, we're gonna meet him in one of the empty seaside caves at sundown."
"Psst. Are you going to Kuzon's party tonight? Make sure you're not followed."
"Tell your parents you're studying for a big Basic Engineering test at my house. Come on, let's go!"
"I've heard he's going to dance again! Can you believe it?"
"We have to find a guy called Shoji. I'm pretty sure he's Senyo's cousin. Kuzon told him which one is the right cave."
Word of Kuzon's secret dance party spread like wildfire amongst all of the students in the hours after school ended. Some of the wealthier students with their own messenger hawks took it upon themselves to spread messages all across town. Other kids went up and down their neighborhoods and knocked on doors, quietly exchanging rumors and details of the event. The student body, collectively in awe of Kuzon's radical activities over the past few days, wanted to make sure that no one missed a party hosted by the most popular kid in school. In each house, kids made convincing excuses to their parents to explain their whereabouts and snuck out, one by one. Lifetimes of living in such a repressive culture had made all of them practiced liars, so the community at large remained unaware of the cultural insurrection occurring right under their careful watch. As the sun gently began to kiss the watery horizon, small groups of uniformed preteens furtively began to make their way towards the sea underneath a blazing orange sky.
Amidst all the flurry of messaging and communication, however, it was only inevitable that the information regarding such a scandalous evening would leak to the one kid who would ruin it all.
After a boring supper with only his distant and withdrawn mother for company, Hide readjusted his top knot, stole a handful of fire lilies from his neighbor's garden, and strutted over to On Ji's house. He had suffered through a horrible day at school, and knew that charming On Ji's parents would further his claim to his girlfriend. Usually, Hide didn't usually see the point of dopey gestures like bringing flowers, but considering the look he'd seen on On Ji's face around Kuzon, he figured he should step up his game a little bit and get her firmly back under his control. He was just rounding the corner of the entry courtyard of her home when he saw three other kids from school walking towards the house with scrolls, quills, and ink in their hands. Quickly, he ducked behind a pillar and made sure he was completely out of sight. Hide recognized the taller boy, Shoji, and the bucktoothed girl and fat loser he always hung around. What were they doing here? Hide decided to stay hidden and find out.
Shoji went right up and knocked twice. After a moment, the door to the inner house opened and On Ji's father stepped out into the courtyard. He frowned as he looked upon the three youths in their slightly wrinkled school uniforms.
"Good evening. May I help you?"
All three kids bowed properly in deference to their elder. The bucktoothed girl responded sweetly. "Good evening, sir. Is On Ji available? We are her classmates, and we were wondering if she could come back to my home and help us with our Communications homework. On Ji is such a great student, and we all would be honored to receive her advice and wisdom."
At her manners and complement towards his daughter, On Ji's father's expression brightened considerably. "It pleases me to hear On Ji's peers speak so highly of her intelligence. You all seem like upstanding, responsible youth. Although On Ji is being punished, I suppose I shall allow her to tutor all of you since she has completed her own homework for the day. If you would just follow me, I will have my wife prepare a suitable place for the lesson to occur."
Shoji quickly interjected. "We are humbled by your hospitality, sir. However, Senyo has already told her parents all about On Ji and they are quite eager to meet her in person. We would love to come inside, but we do not want to disappoint them, especially since they are looking forward to this meeting with great anticipation."
On Ji's father furrowed his brow in consideration, and then nodded. "Very well. I will permit On Ji to go with you on the condition that you return her here within three hours. I do not want her to lose sleep while generously devoting her time to assisting inferior students such as yourselves. Please wait here while I summon her."
After On Ji's father left, the three kids all breathed visible sighs of relief. The fat one patted Shoji on the back and grinned.
"Phew, that was a close one! We almost got trapped studying inside all night. Way to think quickly, Shoji!"
Shoji slapped a hand over the other boy's mouth. He whispered furiously. "Shhh, Urdu. Someone inside might hear you. I think I hear footsteps!"
The door opened again and On Ji peered out. Her face erupted in shock and quickly, she stepped out and shut the door, glancing back nervously.
"Shoji? What are you guys doing here? My father thinks you want me to tutor you in Communications, but everyone knows that you're one of the best in the class. What's really going on?"
The bucktoothed girl grabbed her arm lightly. "Haven't you heard the news? We're taking you to Kuzon's secret dance party, of course! It's a seaside cave right past the old rock quarry."
On Ji staggered back against the door. "What? Oh no… no way. I can't go with you. Do you know what would happen if my parents found out? What if Hide found out? He would kill Kuzon if he learned I was there. I'm in enough hot water as it is after the firebending accident in gym class today." She winced and subconsciously rubbed her side.
Shoji took both of On Ji's hands. "Come on, On Ji. I know how much you really want to come with us. The entire school is going! Everyone will be wearing their uniforms. You can blend right into the crowd. Don't you understand? This is more important than staying out of trouble. Kuzon is worth the risk; I just know it. And forget what Hide thinks. He's a jerk. You're too good for him and he doesn't deserve you."
Even in the semi darkness, the blush on On Ji's cheeks shone brightly. Quickly, Shoji dropped her hands and stepped back. They stared at each other for a long moment. Finally, Shoji placed his hands on the shoulders of the other two kids. "Well, if you won't come, please don't tell anyone where we are. Come on, guys." Slowly, the three kids turned around and began to walk away. On Ji remained where she was, leaning against the door, gazing unfocused at her hands. Suddenly, she leapt into action, sprinting towards the road. "Wait! Wait for me!"
As the four students vanished from sight, Hide carefully made his way back towards the road from behind the pillar. His face was red and his hands were shaking with rage. Not only had that little punk Shoji called him a jerk and implied that he wasn't good enough for On Ji, but On Ji had decided to go with them to a dance party held by… Kuzon. Why hadn't Kuzon been punished after the fight today? Hide had been sure that Kuzon would not be a problem for him anymore. Apparently, the little colony rat had wriggled his way out of suffering again. Ugh! It was so infuriating. There was no way Hide was going to let that punk seduce his girlfriend with his filthy dancing.
Hide shot a couple of blasts of fire in frustration. After today, he knew that confronting Kuzon head on again would not work. Instead of fighting like a man, Kuzon was a pathetic coward who could dodge all of the blows coming towards him. No, there had to be another way. Suddenly, Hide knew what he would do. Hide had gotten ahead throughout his life by charming his way through the system. He excelled at getting his way by playing the rules to his own advantage. Mind made up, Hide broke into a run. The headmaster lived in an estate several miles outside of town, but Hide was determined to make it there as quickly as possible. He'd make sure Kuzon's illegal dancing party would be discovered and disbanded by the proper authorities.