2-2

(Asher’s POV)

I took a long cold shower while tuning a loud uplifting music—a routine I would always do when I’m down. My mother said that feeling depressed and anxious is okay, it was a sign that you’re thinking about your well-being, but the moment it passed the threshold where it’s supposed to be and started devouring your mentality, that was when you should put it to a stop. Because of that, cold shower and uplifting music are my muse to put a halt to these depressing feelings.

And what’s a more efficient cure for negative feelings if it’s not food? I would also made myself a healthy and hearty breakfast to cheer myself. Refraining from eating can wait, or diet—although I’ve never done it—but one must eat to live and heal.

So right now, I’m gobbling up a bowl of chicken salad with a bowl of oat with granolas and frozen fruit on top of it while chatting with my mother.

Her rants were the same about Mister Stewart and his shenanigans, and also some sighing and another ranting, but then she ended it immediately when I almost choked on the oat.

“Son? You sounded like you’re eating a lot.”

“Well…” I cleared my throat while sipping the glass of milk. “In fact I did.”

“Oh.” The end of the line paused. “Did something happened?”

“Oh, nothing much. Just some teenage things.” Then I continued to chew the frozen fruits.

“I see. Being a teenage sounds hard.”

I instantly giggled. “You were a teenage too, mom.”

My mother responded with a joyous snigger.

The kitchen then fell silent as I continued my eating. Suddenly a thought sparked inside my mind. “Mother…”

“Yes?”

I pondered for a bit. “What would you do if you faced against someone who’s about to kill themselves?”

The other end went still. “…Is it someone you know?”

“Uhm-” I paused. “No, but I see them frequently.”

“Listen, son.” I heard my mother inhaling deeply. “Do whatever you can do to save them. If you know you can, then do it. But if you know you couldn’t, then also save them. Don’t regret it like I do for your father.”

My heart skipped a beat when I heard about my father.

That night when my father died, my mother wasn’t there with me due to some business reasons. The murder was a random attempt so I won’t blame her for not being together with me. However since then, I’m still traumatized by the scene which can trigger the memory of back then—like thunderstorms or blood, or even high buildings.

The call ended after we exchanged farewells, but at the very last moment before she cut the call, she reminded me to do what I can to make me happy.

I don’t know what she meant by saving that stranger will make me happy, but I definitely would feel sad if that violet-eyed girl died.

For a few minutes while waiting for the clock to struck 7.40 a.m, I sat down on the sofa and start my deep thinking.

Okay, first of all, let’s recall what will happen if that violet-eyed girl died. A few moments after she died, the surrounding will become black.

“Black surrounding…” I muttered before dashing to my room to take a notebook for my scribbling.

After waking up, I’ll saw a red surrounding and red flesh creature. I scribbled that down too while shuddering at the thought of it’s fast tentacles which killed me instantly.

Then after that, I’ll wake up to the same date.

“Hmm…” I puckered my lips, one hand at my chin.

Do I have to do something with that creature? Or better, should I just stop her from jumping down entirely?

I leaned back against the sofa while tapping my foot, my eyes still glued to the notebook.

Killing the creature can be a hefty feat, especially if it’s that fast and keen on attacking me. But on the other hand, finding that violet-eyed girl when I don’t even know her is also hard. I mean, how many students do you think is in Maplewood High School?

To make matters worse, that girl might even went to a totally different school from me so I have to take that possibility at hand.

“Ugh…” I grunted. This feels more complicated than the management questions my mother would throw randomly at me once in a while.

I didn’t realize that I’m five minutes past the time where I’m supposed to walk to school. I sucked a gasp and scrambled to pick up my bags and started to run.

***

“Dude, you’re good?” Ryan arched an eyebrow to me when I reached the classroom, all panting and sweating. The scenario where I met with Sarra didn’t happen because I’m late to school, but that served as a good cause for me so I won’t have to deal with an annoying girl, though I have to create a long explanation as to why I’m late to the discipline teacher who’s in charge of the gate, I’m lucky he didn’t punish me.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I slumped on the chair of my table beside Ryan while huffing.

Soon after that, Miss Bethany entered the classroom while carrying a predictable looking stack of paper in her arms.

“Alright class, it’s time for mock exam.”

The whole class literally grunted. Meanwhile, I tried my best to pull a straight face because of how frequent I’ve been answering the questions all over again. It was always the same type of questions that I felt like I can pass with flying colors at this rate. I was trying hard not to make a bored face.

While the exam started, I pardoned myself to go to the toilet. The main reason was probably because I don’t want to answer the exams anymore when I know I’ll have to answer it again in the next round—which I hoped didn’t happen.

I sauntered through the empty hallway without having any apparent destination except the toilet.

Out of nowhere, I started having this funny idea of wanting to have an adventure to every toilet in school. I know it sounded childish but I’m just 17 so this kind of act is permissible unless the teacher sees me.

With that in mind, I hummed while hopping along the empty hallway.

***

I never had thought that I would waste a whole 30 minutes with just me literally loitering around the school ground like some sort of a school investigator or a janitor, without even getting caught by the teachers. I’m amazed at myself, but that also meant this school is lackluster in observing their students activity.

While strutting along the hallway beside the school field as I hummed, I was on my way to the last toilet of the day; the gym toilet.

I halted when I heard a crashing sound, followed with loud laughing. A few moments after that, it became silent, then again followed by a sound, which sounded like footstep. “Oop-” I quickly sneaked behind the corners of the building while waiting for the chattering to pass by. Judging from the voices, there are about three to four people talking about something unintellligible as they walked away.

The surrounding went quiet again after they had passed.

I jerked my head out from my hiding spot to see my surrounding. After confirming that they’re gone, I left my hiding spot and adjusted my school jacket before again looking around.

I guess I’m not the only one out here during lessons.

My mind contemplated whether I should return to the classroom or go to the toilet, but I don’t think I should go there now that I’ve heard some noises. Those laughing and crashing sound, they simply indicates an act of bullying.

Though, I’m not one to care much about all that. Bullying occurs everywhere in any school. That, is a sad fact. I sometimes wonder what these bullies have in mind that made them want to express their anger by condescending others. I just don’t get it.

I peeked at my wrist watch and decided that it’s time to head back to class. But before I start walking away, I saw a movement from the corner of my eyes.

When I angled my head, I saw a figure appearing not too far from me. Judging from the distance, it came from the gym toilet.

I was about to heave a relieved sigh when I noticed that it was just a student, but then my breathing stopped halfway.

From afar, I couldn’t discern much of their feature, but the nearer that person got, the more certain I am of who that person is.

Those thick pair of glasses and those outfit, they screamed familiarity all over.

It was the violet-eyed girl.