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Boulevard St.
Tom hated the conversation he just had with his parents and rushed towards the lanes of pink bloomed society with speed. Tears overflowing, he found his spot at the Boulevard Street Park.
His eyes wandering the green lush trees around reminded him of the times when he was popular in school. He was vibrant, happier, energetic and full of life. He was named “The A One.” He was the best in school. His parents were the best in Boulevard St. Everything around them were blooming bright and shiny.
But, nothing blooms all year. George moved in with his parents last summer and ever since he has outperformed Tom in most activities. Tom has been feeling the pressure to maintain his position and consistency to prove he is the best and the most intelligent.
“You are responsible for this. If you had devoted enough time for your son, he would’ve never deteriorated.” Tom’s mother yelled at David, Tom’s father.
“So, now it’s my fault that his performance is unlike before? Does that make him less intelligent?” David replied to Mira.
The raging top of the voices argument flashed fresh in the mind of Tom as he tried to relax at his spot. He abhorred himself for being the reason for such commotion at home. He did not know how to compete anymore with George.
*******
It was George’s 9th birthday, and he had invited Tom to his party. Excited, they planned a hide and seek game on George’s house roof. While the game was on and George’s friends dropped in one by one, Tom felt a sudden surge of envy and discomfort. Everyone liked George more. They were once Tom’s friends and now George was their favorite.
“Hey Tom! How are you?” Nick interrupted his flow of envy filled thoughts.
“Why do you care?” Tom bluntly replied.
“What’s the matter? You have become so weird. Well, it’s obvious why you are standing here alone and everyone is around George now.” Nick taunted.
Tom was angry. Really frustrated with the constant comparison he was experiencing with George. First back at home with his parents and now his friends.
Tom ran away behind the garden bush and started panting heavily. He was furious at George’s existence.
“If George did not exist here, I would still be “The A One”, my friends would stick around me and my parents would not argue relentlessly over me being incompetent. I have deteriorated because of George. It is him. He is the culprit.” Tom yelled in his mind and rushed outside the bush.
The kids were about to restart their hide and seek, where George was the one to seek this time.
All the other kids selected their places to hide when Tom stood behind George.
“You need to hide Tom.” George laughed.
“No, you need to hide! You need to go away from my life.” Tom’s face was red and warm. Eyes brimming with anger and hate.
Before George could ask further, Tom pushed George past the ledge he stood to count.
The sudden sound of thud blotched an unforgettable mark on the lanes of Boulevard St.
Today,
Tom is in juvenile custody. His parents regretting their behavior towards Tom.
And, George is not alive anymore to walk among the pink bloomed society of Boulevard St.
SA Ruminations
Ruminations 