Chapter 4 - Getting into Trouble

The early sun filtered through the clouds, signaling the beautiful morning, birds chirping. The students arrive through the gates, hustling and bustling down the corridors. The bell rings, and everybody runs and goes into their respective rooms.

I sit on the edge of the plastic chair, bathing me from the sunlight right outside the window, and today is the art class, one of my favorite subjects, the chance I have to shine. Aside from singing, it's one of my gifts to draw art that looks amazing when drawn by my hand, as I made two to display one in the principal's office, and one was used to be in our art gallery.

While waiting for the teacher, I looked out the closed window. My thoughts were blank. Am I just dreaming yesterday? Was it all my imaginations coming to that shrine?

The last thing I remember, I was waking up in my bedroom all dressed in my pajamas, and what happened in the shrine was the weirdest thing ever! A god came to grant any desire I want?

I was sure I didn't make any or say something about what I truly desire. It was so embarrassing remembering the scene yesterday, crying and all so broken. But waking up this morning, all I felt was light, no more heavy burden I used to feel every day. Maybe it did help to cry out loud even in a dream. And what if someone is going to ask her like that? What would be my answer? There's too many to mention that I couldn't choose one.

The noisy chatter of several students hummed like an orchestra of bees in my ears. 

A single figure entered the room with sheer authority. Startled, some students move in scurry, perch at tables, and silencing the class. He enters the room, edging toward his vinyl desk in his well-fitting, dark blue suit- white shirt and tie, a matching waistcoat and chinos, the Brioni type fabric she knows. (which I know about the clothing when I saw one of her uncle's brand suits, the expensive ones) and his elegant leather shoes. The teacher had the look of one of the most intriguing figures, who had just stepped out of the famous magazines.  

Their teacher was beaming at the front of the class, the figure was quite unbelievable, shocking really, that my face fell into a natural look of disbelief. My mind went reeling, unable to process the images.

"Good morning, class," he greeted, and without a doubt, it is the voice she still recalls, such luxurious and warm tones.

Everyone except me greeted the teacher as if there is nothing new this morning. As if they already knew who it was. His gaze fell on me, and quickly I fought not to reflect and avoid eye contact. 

Using the whiteboard marker, he starts to write something on the whiteboard.

Draw something that you desire.

I felt like something had just died in my mouth.

He is the same guy I meet at the shrine, long straight white-silvery hair, the face of someone that could stop you in your tracks, and the voice that no living person could deny his existence. But why?

Why am I the only one who doesn't know that he is our new teacher? Why does everyone in the class know him like he is here all the time? And why is he doing that, doing an act that he is a god? 

The class starts the lesson this morning. Everyone starts to draw on the canvases with their brushes and paints. I can hear them giggling and sharing their ideas of what they desire to paint. Even suggesting to paint a prince, money, mansions, anything they can think of.

But I am hesitant and confused. Holding my brush over the white canvass, I can't think clearly of what to draw. I was so embarrassed to think about yesterday. There is no doubt that the art teacher was the guy pretending to be a god, asking about desires, but I am the one who gets mad, breaks down, and cries. I don't have any memory after what happened.

Did I past out, so he took me back home? Did anyone see me taking me to bed, who dressed me up, and tuck me in secretly?

Taking my breakfast this morning, no one ever tries to ask me about coming home with a man, if that is what I think about, and am I going crazy? Maybe nothing has happened at all!

"Ukiyo," 

I squeak and then heat flush on my face when I realize that he was standing right beside me, waiting for an answer. The brush dropped on the cement floor, making a sound that everyone turned their eyes on me.

"I'm sorry," head down, I pick up the brush, sit back, as everyone went back to their chores.

"Still can't think what to draw?" he asked, hands clasped behind him.

"I am not sure what I desire . . . I desired the most, sir," I mumbled, feeling the shudder and loud beating of my heart. I stared at the empty canvas and did not dare to look up, knowing I would only see his amusing and mocking eyes and the embarrassing thing I did and said in the shrine.

"Why don't you start at what you want now?" 

I could feel his icy breathing on my ear as he whispers almost close to me, but I can see he was standing without leaning towards me.

"What I wanted to be," my voice trailed off, shoulders sagged. How can I decide what I want today? I want to end everything that pains me; that suffered me, wanted a friend that could stick with you for the longest time, and my parents-

I rose from my seat, head down, "Please, excuse me, I want to go to the restroom," I dashed to the door without waiting for what the teacher would say.

No one paid attention as I stepped out, closing the door behind me.

Getting inside the restroom, several girls in uniforms were inside; combing their hair; others just getting out from the cubicles, finished their business, and walked out from the room. 

Approaching the washbasin, I looked up at the mirror. I took a deep breath, stuttering my lungs before I let it go, feeling the tension draining from my body. "Now what?" I mutter self-consciously.

There is so much to think about which desire I would decide to make. My family, would they come back if I would wish for them? Would he ever let me be brought back to the life I wanted?

No. I shake my head. That’s not even possible. No one could bring back the dead. Even the Genie in movies will forbid you to wish for it. Damn.

Why am I stressing this out? I gritted my teeth, thinking about how pressured I was to think about such a stupid idea, especially to that creepy guy here.

"Well, look's here," a menacing voice came from behind me, "there is something I want to do, but fate has given this chance so soon,"

I spin around to meet Mairin with the three other girls following behind her. So, Mairin decided to come back to school after several days of being away in her training. Since most idols stop coming to school to study, but Mairin keeps on, only when she has free time.

I tried to ignore Mairin, stepping out of the room when a hand grabbed me before I could get out.

"And now, you're trying to avoid me after what you've done?"

My eyes blink rapidly, "What?"

Mairin pushed me so hard that I lost my balance and stumbled my body to the basin, and hit my stomach on the cold tiles. 

"Now you are pretending not to know? Don't make me stupid, Ukiyo!"

The two other girls move to grab my arms and hold it on both sides. 

I struggled but was too weak to get away from their grasp, and uttered a short cry when the other one yanked my hair backward. I was in a position that I couldn't move or get out.

"I don't know what you are talking about, Mairin!" 

"This is what I'm talking about!" and Mairin shows me a picture on her phone screen.

It was me lying on the bench, and that was the other night when I was waiting for Mairin to come home, I didn't notice that someone was sitting beside, with its leather jacket over me. I know the guy, and I did fall asleep on the bench right outside our gate.

Mairin smiled menacingly, "Now, you remember, huh?"

"No, I don't even know that Drayce was there!" I reasoned out.

Her hand cracks across my face, "Liar! And where's the jacket?!" She turned on me like an enraged panther. 

I began to feel light-headed, "I woke up without the jacket," my eyes looked down as Mairin shouted insults at me. I tried not to show that I am hurting inside and out. What else can I do? She hates me to the core for knowing Drayce did something kind to me.

They let me go, pushing me away, as I stumbled forward, dropping my knees on the tiled and wet floor.

"You should know your place, Ukiyo," Mairin gives away a lopsided grin, "This is your last warning," as she closes the door behind her.

It was still early in the afternoon when the clouds gave of their rain to the grass and trees. The grey sky restlessly grumbled.

I walked in the rain. In seconds the icy cold rain pierced my pale and wet skin, the water freely down my face and into my already soaked clothes.

Instead of using my umbrella to cover, my mouth curved into the most painful smile.

 "What is your name?" I asked, without looking at the figure behind me.

 "You can call me anything you want,"

My lips curved in a pained grimace, "I think I might call you Kurai," The figure didn't say or move from his spot, and she feels that he did like the name. "I know what I want now,"

A slow smile curved over his face.