CHAPTER 1
“Miss Maurice, how many times do I have to tell you not to sleep during examinations?” Mr. Fredrick, my English professor, asked me as he walked towards my desk.
I yawned. “Hmmm… let me remember it. Since I started school here, and all the tests that I took from you, sums up to… 78.” I told him with my usual tone.
He took my exam paper with curiosity in his eyes. I smiled at him innocently, and he just nodded and went back to sit on his chair.
I have Mr. Fredrick for two years. Ever since my first year in high school, he took me as his assistant. He told me that I was the only ‘devoted’ student in his advance placement class. I have his AP Literature, the class that I currently attended.
I caught my professor’s attention. He then said, “Almost perfect, Ania. You got two mistakes. You still got an A, though.” He tapped my paper in the air. “That’s what you get for snoring all your way in a test.” He laughed. I only sighed to his comment. I knew he was messing around, so I didn’t take it seriously. And then something was happening inside my head. There were strange but familiar voices inside my head. I couldn’t figure out what it was. I left immediately the second the bell rang. I went over to my locker, and waited for my friends to call me.
It took me awhile to realize that they didn’t call me. I decided to stroll around the school garden. It was a greenhouse, and the garden was inside it. The place had been alive for several years. As time passed, people managed to keep the garden as beautiful as it is now. The greenhouse was located at the northeastern part of our campus. Our school campus was enormous. They had four buildings with four floors, each for the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior. Each building had pool, separated showers, and game room. The gymnasium, auditorium, and band room were located in the first and second building. Everything else were clean, neat, and beautiful, from left to right.
I went inside the greenhouse. The air was moist, probably from the sprinkles. It made me shiver, and also probably because of the temperature, which was cold. I walked over to a small plant that was partly shaded with sunlight. It was my favorite flower, the Tiger Lily. The flower, which defined me of wealth and prosperity, and pride.
“Hmmm… so this is where my little princess is hiding.” A familiar voice spoke.
I slowly turned around, and found Angelique and Brenda, with her hands cupped on her waist. I think I’m in big trouble? But, why? I asked myself.
Angelique’s my older sister, two year older than me, and a senior. She was sweeter than me, more lady-like. Her long and wavy blonde hair stayed on her shoulder. In contrast with her hair was her dark red eyes, she was obviously wearing her contacts. I was almost a six footer girl, but my sister was way shorter than me. She was only five foot and five inches. Angelique’s beautiful figure made her look like a living doll. Her personality made her famous at school. She was very cheerful, friendly, and smart. We really are sisters, I told myself.
Brenda and I were somewhat alike. We’re both sixteen. Her brown eyes matched her brunette hair, and beige skin. She loves sports, and so do I. She was taller than me by two inches.
I sighed and walked towards them. “Hey Sis, Hey Brenda. What’s going on?” Brenda came closer to me and said angrily, “What’s going on? Let me ask you what’s going on. I’ve been looking all over for you!”
“You don’t have to be like that, Brenda.” Angelique said in reply, keeping her voice sweet and calm.
“What did I do? I waited for you to call me, but you didn’t. so, I ended up here.” I told Brenda.
She raised an eyebrow and faced my sister. “Angie, I think you little princess here had a mental block. I thought she remembers everything.”
“You see, Ania,” Angelique told me. “Brenda tried out for the girl’s tennis team this morning, but she didn’t get accepted. We told you right before lunch ended that we will meet you in the gym after you take your midterms.”
I only gave them a blank stare.
Angelique’s smile disappeared. “Ania, don’t tell me you forgot everything?” She asked me. I nodded and said, “Sis, I don’t remember anything from this morning.”
“Did you fell asleep today?” Angelique asked anxiously.
“I think so. I fell asleep again in Mr. Fredrick’s class.” I lightly told them.
They were silent for awhile. “Oh well, nevermind about what happened today.” Brenda broke off the silence. “I never really liked tennis that much. Anyways, Ania, I will accept your apology for not showing up today, if you treat me to something good.”
I smiled widely and said, “Something good? How about taking you to the mall right now?” Angelique’s face brightened more, she quickly said in reply, “So, I shall drive us to the mall.”
We were laughing as we walked to the senior parking lot. Angelique ran to her red Cayman S, went in, turned the engine, and probably turned on the heater as well.
I was thinking about what happened this morning. What really happened? I questioned myself. I could feel that something was definitely wrong with me. Everytime something important was stored in my mind, I completely forget everything, and that memory vanishes right after I wake up.
Somebody patted my head. I came back to reality and found Brenda. “Ania, are you alright? Is there something wrong?” she asked me.
“Hmmm… Yes, I’m fine. Wait… I forgot something in my locker. Will you wait for me in the car? I’ll be back in no time. Tell Angie what I said.” I told Brenda. I started running towards the second building, the building for sophomores. I went straight to my locker. There, I found my purse. I took it and went straight to the faculty, and asked for my counselor.
“Miss Maurice, your counselor is not available at the moment.” The girl behind the table told me. “I will take your message and tell him later.”
“Thanks. Tell him that I will cancel any meetings for today. I don’t feel talking to teachers at the moment. I’m tired.” I told her and walked for the door. Before I left, I smiled and thanked her.
I sprinted towards the school gate, where the red Porsche was. “Sorry Angie, I forgot my purse in my locker, and I have to go to the office. Now, let’s go!” I told my sister as I got in her car, seated on the front. When I buckled up and turned to them, their surprised look bothered me. Brenda was the first to speak, “How did you get here so… fast? I just saw you walking out the building, a second ago.”
“What do you mean, Brends? I was running.” I chuckled a bit, and I told her, wondering about her question. “Nevermind.” Brenda replied, and she leaned back.
Angelique was silent the whole ride to the mall. She had her own world for now. While chatting with Brenda, I kept thinking about what was happening to me. It confused me more. From the look of my sister’s face, something was going on that I didn’t know.
Brenda got out of the car first. She waited for us by the entrance of the mall, while Angelique looked for a space to park her car. I walked slower than normal. I waited for my sister to step out of the car to ask her something.
“Sis, I need to tell you something.” I told her in a low voice. She quickly replied, “Hmmm? What is it?”
“Well, I’m not sure if this is a problem, or I am just going crazy.” I started talking. “when I took my AP exam earlier, I fell asleep. Then… and then I had a dream, a very odd dream. It felt like it was real. I was in a forest, and something was after me, and I tried to run away from it. The next thing I knew, there were blood. Also, I felt something in my neck. I was so scared. Then, my teacher woke me up and I couldn’t remember anything.”
Angelique flinched a little and turned her face away from me. “Don’t worry, Ania. It’s just a dream.” She said, now pulling my arm to hers as we entered a shop. She didn’t say anything else. I kept silent about the topic the whole time.
I bought two dresses from Coco Paris, two sweatpants from Victoria Secret, two tops from Banana Republic, pair of jeans from Hollister, a skirt and another top from Forever21. Angelique bought new make-ups from her favorite store, Sephora and MAC. She also bought accessories from Claire’s, and a new top from Hollister. Brenda bought a pair of skirt and top. She also bought another pair of shoes. After shopping for almost two hours, we stopped at Starbucks and I bought them coffee, I paid for them as promised.
We were in the car when I remembered I have club activities. I asked my sister if she could drop me off at school. “Sis, I’ll be back at around seven. Just ask Sarah to bring my stuff up in my room. See you later.” And then I sprinted to the auditorium. I heard Angelique’s car roar at full speed from afar.
The auditorium door was locked. So, I went to the teacher’s office to ask about the auditorium. I saw the girl from before. I asked her why the auditorium was locked.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you about it? They cancelled the practice awhile ago. They were having maintenance today, and probably tomorrow too. Apparently, there were some technical difficulties with the lights. I though they called you.” She said.
“I didn’t know about that. Hold on, let me check my phone.” I took out my phone. There were eight missed calls, and a voicemail. I listened to the voicemail, and it was from Kharina, my assistant in my music club. “Oh, you’re right. Thanks, anyways.” I told the girl.
It was still five-thirty in the afternoon. I went out and headed towards the school gate. Then, I started walking for home.
They probably won’t notice me when I get back. I told them I’ll be back at seven. Might as well surprise them. I thought to myself.
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