The Modernised Tale of Narcissus & Echo

My first story! This one is based on the myth about Narcissus and Echo… with a twist! And a happy ending! Hehehe…

Introduction

There are many types of people who are blessed, but they are mainly divided into four categories. The first is people who are blessed with good looks, but are complete airheads. That’s probably the group that Narci is in. The second category consists of those people who are not blessed with looks, but are blessed with kind-heartedness and/or intelligence. The third type is those who are blessed on the inside and the outside. These people are extremely lucky - like my best friend Peita - and are extremely rare as well. Then there are people like me - or maybe I’m the only one - who is blessed with… absolutely nothing.

And there’s this guy in my class that I like. I’m sure many people would think I’m weird if they find out I like him. Whenever I see him, my heart feels like it’s going to rip through my chest. He leans close, smiling, with tears of joy in his eyes. He smiles fondly, at who he thinks is the most beautiful person in the world. He whispers low, in a soft, tender voice, “Baby, I love you”.

After hearing him say that, many of you would think that he’s the most loving guy in the world right? Or maybe just a total womaniser. But what would you think if I told you... he says that to his reflection? Yes, the guy that I like is called Narcissus, or Narci for short. He is so self-infatuated that if he gets stranded alone on an island for a few decades, he would never go insane from loneliness because he has himself. And he is a model. Isn’t that such a suitable occupation for him? Very ironic indeed. He gets to dress himself up all pretty, and show himself off to the world, and he can flirt with his mirror any time.

My nickname is Echo, and I am almost literally invisible. If I died, people would probably only feel less than a prick on skin. Most people hardly ever notice me, and all they hear is my voice but the main reason Peita gave me this name is because I like Narci. When I get dangerously mad that people don’t notice me I yell at them. My voice popping out of nowhere scares the living daylights out of everyone. I have bad hair days every day, so I hold it down with a huge blue headband. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly the skinniest person in the world, and I’m also not fat enough to squash those who tease me.

About my friend Peita- her nickname is Peter-Pan (they're pronounced the same way), because she likes acting childish and cute sometimes. But it is a bit scary when she does. She is confident, sociable and very kind. Plus, she’s also really pretty. In fact, she’s probably the prettiest girl in the school. But she’s not snobby about it and I love her because she’s my best friend and it’s so touching how she actually doesn’t mind being friends with a lowlife loser like me. She attracts a lot of guys too but she has really strict criteria for boys so every few weeks I have to help her think up ways to reject a confessor who she is not interested in.

Isn’t life great…