Chapter 1: The School Duo

Have you ever felt that you lost something important to you? Because I did. At the age of ten, when I woke up. I couldn’t remember a single memory. Not even who my parents were.

According to my parents, I got into an accident on the way back to school. They said that whoever caused the accident fled from the scene and was never found.

That is my life. I lost ten years of memories and also lost an older sister. Her name was Hannah Ambroise. According to the maids in the house, they said everyone loved her. She was bright, intelligent, and loved by everyone.

It’s unfair how we’re not alike.

“Sofia! Hello?”

After hearing my close friend, Micah Dehila calling for my name. I snapped out of my zone 

“Sorry, where were you?” I asked Micah, who sighed and flicked my forehead. I groaned softly and rubbed my forehead.

“You weren’t listening to me again. How can you?” She scolded me.

“I was caught up in my own dream,” I confessed to her.

“I can’t believe it. Soleil, look, she’s not listening to me,” Micah hugs Soleil, my other close friend. She patted the back of Micah and secretly laughed at her.

“It’s alight, my child. You know Sofia. She always has time to daydream in her own world.”

The girl hugging Soleil is Micah Dehila. She has been my friend since grade seven. While the other is named Soleil Sefra. We became good friends since grade ten despite being classmates since grade eight.

As I ate from the sandwich, I made earlier this morning. I saw Micah jumping from her seat as she squeals. She pointed her index finger in the direction of the canteen doors and said.

“Look who’s here!” Micah takes her phone out of her pocket and takes pictures of the two boys. “My eyes are blessed to have these two handsome boys in this school.”

“Micah, calm down and get down from the seat. You’re going to fall,” Soleil scolds Micah, who listens to her.

Micah placed her hands together on the table and said, “At least show some interest, please?” She sighed and pushed her phone onto my face while showing a picture of the two boys.

“Micah, stop, please. I’m eating,” I told her, and she retreats back to her seat. “Anyone would call you crazy.”

“Well, that’s you. Look at the other girls,” Micah points at the group of girls surrounding the two boys who were in line. “L.O.O.K.”

“Who are they even?” I asked, then saw the worried expression on Soleil and Micah’s faces. I tilted my head, confused. I’m being honest here. I don’t know who they are.

“You voted for them during the student council elections. How can you not remember?” Micah stood up from her seat. Which caught us some attention. She apologized to them and slowly sat down. “Sofia? You’re weird. How do you not at least know them?”

“Do I have to know?” I curiously asked her, and she facepalmed herself.

“Mom or Lord, help me. I don’t know if she’s faking it or not. Where has your memory gone?” prayed Micah, who suddenly froze and looked at me with a hint of guilt on her expression. I giggled and shook my head.

“Don’t worry. It’s fine. I’m not hurt at all,” I assured Micah, in all honesty.

Micah must still think I’m still sensitive about not having any memories. But to be honest. I’m over it already. It’s just sad not remembering anything but at the same time. I have to move on with my own life.

I cannot forever be stuck in the past.

“I’m fine, Micah,” I assured her for the second time, but she shook her head.

“No, even if you’re alright with it. I’m not,” Micah scolded herself. I know she isn’t going to forgive herself, and it’ll take a while. The only way to distract her is to mention what she likes to do. Giving information about guys.

“Anyway, I’m interested now. Who are the two boys earlier?” I asked Micah, whose eyes suddenly glistened and cleared her throat.

“The one with light-brown colored hair is Joshua Hilbert. Also known as the school’s prince and student council president. To add, he is a total gentleman who brutally declines confession of girls,” Micah slouches and looks side to side. She whispers, “Even the queen bees.”

“I see. What about the other guy?” I asked, hyping Micah, “I’m sure the other guy is his best friend.”

“You’re not wrong. Wayne Duke, the childhood friend of Joshua. Also, the student council Vice President. Unlike Joshua, he is more outgoing and easier to talk to,” answered Micah.

“Have you heard of the recent rumor?” Soleil asked Micah.

“About what? Oh, You mean them being in the mafia,” Micah rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Impossible. I don’t think they are.”

“Well, you’ll never know,” said Soleil taking a sip from her water bottle.

Mafia huh? In this world, they’re considered as one of the few powerful groups. Mafias are not meant to be messed around. We’ll never know if someone is actually part of a mafia group. Since mafias are secretive.

They don’t expose themselves just however they want.

“By the way. I’ve been invited to a nightclub tonight. Let’s go together,” suggested Soleil, and Micah agrees immediately. As for me, I don’t know. I don’t think I want to go. “Don’t you dare pass. You promised us this time you’ll go.”

“Fine. But just this once. Then the next time you invite me. I’m never going to go.”

“Yes, yes, our dear princess,” teased Soleil.

I looked at the line where the two guys were earlier, and it seems like they’ve gotten their food already. That makes sense since I barely hear the girls’ voices squealing over them.

Now, I know that I promised to go with them, but I never agreed to wear these kinds of clothes. I pulled the shorts down, wishing it was a bit longer. But Micah slapped my hand away and told me to stop stretching them.

“You look better like this. Good job myself,” Micah compliments herself. “I don’t understand why you don’t dress like this.”

“Isn’t there a much simpler fashion than this?” I asked her seeing myself in the mirror. I indeed look nice, but you can say I’m not used to it. A white cropped top and denim shorts. I wish Micah wouldn’t pair it with heels.

“And this is what your shoes are,” Micah lifts up a pair of black heels at least three centimeters tall.

“Do I have to wear this?” I asked her, and she nodded her head. “If I say no?”

“Then you’re breaking another promise,” whined Micah. She then points at the necklace that I wore. Which was a blue rose with thorns surrounding it. “Do you have to wear that?”

“It found it back at home. It’s my sister’s possession.”

“Oh…I see. Sure wear it on,” smiled Micah. “But just make sure not to make it visible.”

“Okay…”

I know Micah can be annoying but trust me. She’s the only friend who I can trust my secrets with. She may act like a child, but when it’s time to be serious. Her aura completely changes. I can say that it’s terrifying to see her angry.

That’s why keeping her bubbly and happy is the best option for me. Also, she couldn’t stop gaining ear to ear since earlier. I guess I’ll let this pass.

“Fine,” I said. But she’s right. I should start trying to do new things. I’m about to graduate senior high, and yet I act like a coward. “But I’m not drinking. My parents will kill me.”

“Yes, yes. Even I can’t go against your parents as they trust me,” Micah took a few steps behind and nodded her head. “We’re ready to go. We’ll meet Soleil there.”

Once we arrived at the location of the nightclub. We were stopped by a bouncer who asked for our identifications. We were both at the legal age to enter, and all we had to was show our identification cards.

“Enjoy the party,” the bouncer opened the door for us, and immediately the loud music grew louder and louder as we both walked in deeper.

We both went to find Soleil, who was talking to a few people. Micah called for Soleil, who smiled and pointed us to sit down.

“Good evening. Is there anything you both want to drink?” Asked a waiter, which made me wonder why he treated us this way. I then forgot that we were sitting in a V.I.P. area. Right.

“Margarita for me,” said Micah. Then the waiter looked at me which, I panicked.

“Uhm, the sprite will be enough,” The waiter nodded his head with a smile and went to get our drinks ready.

It’s funny to be drinking soft drinks in a nightclub. But I’m not allowed to drink. Rather, I don’t want to drink. Also, I don’t like bitter-tasting drinks after all.

Once my order arrived. While Micah and Soleil were busy chatting with other people. They suddenly stood up.

“Sofia, we’re just going to the dance floor. Wanna join us?” Asked Soleil.

“No, it’s alright. I’m going to go up and get some air,” I answered, and Soleil nodded her head and made her way to the dance floor.

“Is it alright to leave you alone?” Micah asked me, and I gave her my okay.

I walked upstairs to the highest floor and thanked you for having an open space here. I thought I would die down there. I looked at my hand watch and saw that it was just nine. I want to go back home.

I rested my arms on the railings and looked up the skies. The loud beats from the music were hearable, but it wasn’t as loud. I took a deep breath and stood quiet, not until I heard footsteps crawling from behind.

I was suddenly grabbed by my neck, and a knife was pointed to my neck.