Outsider. Defined as "someone who does not belong to a particular group or organisation". In today's more practical world, an outsider is an individual who is eschewed by society, viewed as a reclusive hermit with no friends to his/her name, engaging in activities alone. Going through the mundane day-to-day activities with the only present yet intangible being that would accompany the outsider-his shadow. Alas, even the shadow isn't there 24/7. And the one danger that everyone faces? Being an outsider. One may be the social king or queen, their social status protected by the plethora of friends and their popularity skyrocketing through the roof. But all that can change in an instant. Hans Basil should know this, for he had just experienced it.
A few days ago, Hans Basil had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel he had been trapped in for the past few months. The light had gotten brighter and brighter, and Hans believed he could finally pull himself through and break free. But unfortunately, the light was transient, snuffed out before he could escape.
A mere 24 hours witnessed the spectacular implosion and fall from grace of Sunway's once "in" kids, swiftly revoking all 'possessions' he had held dear. Where he had his close friends and a girlfriend one day, it seemed the intangible was hell-bent on making a mockery of his life, all the before-mentioned gone the very next. Plunged back underground, slapped by a double-whammy. Now with two of his closest friends set to depart, and his girlfriend nothing but a name, will Hans rise against the odds and battle back? Or will he buckle under the inability to accept the inevitable and just give up?
Last year saw the fall of his girlfriend. Now, himself. Something he could never envisage had materialised- he had become an outsider.
At the tender age of 206 months, Nick Ivans was the beacon of a normal teenager's life- hanging around with friends, being into girls, studying in college and basically enjoying what life had to offer. Undulations in one's life is normal, and more often than not, Nick weathered the storm well. The only one that had him affected badly was the failure of a romantic link with Sanya Dival. Perhaps it was his sub-concious mind that informed him he was over her, for his inability to actually forget her had caused a mini rift between himself and Hans. After being pressured by Hans into admission, Nick then described his side of the story in a bid to soften the blows for his friend. Whether it did was anyone's guess, but it seems that life for these two look set to be different.
It seems that finally one wish came true, with no complications or sick twists. Wanting to be independent, Sanya Dival could now be that, after her shocking break up with Hans. The pair had reunited for only a week, and could be portrayed as the epitome of bliss. With their relationship breaking boundaries and ascending levels, it seemed that Hans' joke to Angie Flo regarding the time he would last with Sanya blasted back in his face. Two attempts, two failures. Surely the signs are there that this relationship would just never work. With Hans and Sanya acting chummy and Sue Anne and Dan Wise enduring nightly fights, whoever thought the bickering couple could last longer than the loving ones.
With Hans needing to adjust to life as the abhorred outsider, he could take comfort in the knowledge that he's not the only one. At least on weekends. While college classes are on break, so are the lives of Theo Oscar, Sue Anne and Angie Flo. Putting his mind to rest, Theo substituted his brawn to work, replacing studies with work. While her brother learns the physical rudiments of business, Sue experiences the other aspect, strolling alone during a shopping trip, emptying her purse on possessions that provide temporary joy and satisfaction. As for Angie, she learnt the lesson that Hans had learnt long ago-kindness does not pay. The irony in her situation could not have been caused by someone more apt-Hans himself. Perhaps he forgot to treat others the same way he wanted to be treated. A simple gesture and question to display her value as a friend to Hans resulted in the latter completely blowing up and storming off, leaving poor Angie shell-shocked. Would she pile more misery on Hans by being the latest person to leave, or would she fight for him the way she did for Sanya last semester?
One thing is certain. Nothing, absolutely nothing is secure. Friends can turn into enemies in an instant, backstabbing one another. Lies come in place of truth, with facades on display. It seems in this shallow world of manipulative scheming and payback, trust is something no longer of value. And without trust, how then, can anyone survive.
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