Chapter 2: Sense Of Familiarity

"How can you forget your phone just like that?" Nesha asked as they were walking towards the cafeteria to grab something to eat. They already called her phone number earlier but no one answered so she assumed that her phone is still there and nobody saw it yet. 

Their class ended with Eleonna just thinking about her phone. She wanted to go again there right now but she couldn't go out because of her class.

"I panicked. I was already  late and those guys saw me eavesdropping on them." Eleonna pouted as she sat in one of the empty chairs. Nesha sat in front of her.

"Don't worry, I'll come with you later to find it."

"It's okay, I'll just get it myself. I don't want to get you involve with this."

"Are you sure? What if they come back and see you? They might hurt you, you know?"

"That's exactly why you can't come with me. I don't want you to get hurt. I can handle myself if anything happens." Eleonna reasoned which made the girl understand.

When Eleonna and Eleanor were 8, their father taught them how to fight to defend themselves. It was like their bonding. After their class, they would always go straight into their little backyard to master their skills.

Between the two, Eleanor is the only one interested in combat. Her twin even asked their father to teach her some tricks using a weapon.

Way back then, young Eleonna couldn't understand the purpose of what their father had taught to them, but as time goes by she slowly realized that the world they live in is too dangerous to keep your guard low. Especially when it comes to women that people tend to believe are the easy prey.  

"But are you familiar with those guys? I haven't heard about a fight happening in our neighbourhood for a long time."

Eleonna took a bite from her sandwich before she answered. 

"No, I don't think they're from here either, but the fact that they are fighting here is concerning me."

It's true. What if they were some bullies looking for a victim? For the past years, their neighbourhood is known as the most peaceful place you'll ever visit. The number of crimes happening there can be counted by fingers. Though you can't call it safe.

She remembered the guy that they were beating. Did the authorities come before it's too late? The fact that she has a suspension that that guy is a student in their school just made her more worried. She doesn't want any of her friends to experience that. 

"Wait, where is Eleanor? I haven't seen her yet since this morning." Nesha asked while looking around.

Eleonna looked at her not knowing how to explain the whole thing. She scratched her head as she struggles to gather up the courage to talk about her situation.

"Eleanor...she left," 

Nesha looked at her, unable to process what she meant by the word 'left'.

"Sorry?"

The girl took a deep breath as she explained everything.

Nesha was left dumbfounded. Still processing what Eleonna said. I mean her sister leaving her like that? That's not very like them. Eleonna and Eleanor are very close to each other that you wouldn't even think it is possible for them to separate.

"Do you think she'll...come back?" Eleonna asked almost to herself. 

"Of course she will, Eleanor is true to her words, but what made you think that she won't?" the girl responded even though she isn't sure herself. 

"My dad has been gone for months, you know? He told us that he would come back but... I mean can't they just tell me what's going on so that I can help them? We're family for a reason. It also pains me to witness our family falling apart." 

The girl has a point, but there are just some things that are better off not telling anyone so it won't complicate anything. Nesha felt sympathy for her friend. She doesn't know what her family is facing right now so all she could do is just listen and be there for her like a good friend would. 

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As soon as the bell rang, both of them went back to their room. The conversation they had earlier made Eleonna overthink everything. Seems like she's losing the people she loves the most. Her whole life, she lived like the most unproblematic person you could ever see. Even if a problem come across, no matter how big or heavy it was, she was able to get through it with the help of her family. Now that they're gone, who's gonna help her out? 

Just as they were about to enter the door of their class, a girl approached Eleonna. 

"Excuse me, are you Eleonna?" she asked. 

Both of them stopped in their tracks and faced the girl. 

"Yes, why?" 

"I just wanna give this back to you, I saw this fell from your pocket earlier." she said as she handed her a silver necklace with a small bar code pendant. 

Eleonna looked at the girl confused. 

"But I don't own a necklace like this, maybe you're mistaking me for someone else." 

"Huh? But I'm sure it was you! I asked one of my classmates about your name. I clearly saw your face so I'm certain it's you."

Both of them looked at each other confused. Eleonna was sure she doesn't have a necklace in this design while the girl is sure about her identity. 

"You were wearing a black hoddie when that fell though, but my friend and I saw your face."

As soon as those words left the girl's mouth, a suspicion formed in her head. She may not want to admit it but whatever is happening right now, she's not liking it. 

"Where did you saw... me drop this?" Eleonna asked as her heart skipped a beat. 

"You were peeking at the window of your room."

Nesha's eyes widen and looked at Eleonna froze. Her suspicion was right! It was Eleanor! As soon as she got back to her senses she asked the girl where she went after they saw her. The girl was confused about her asking where she went but she answered that she saw her went downstairs. 

Eleonna turned her back and ran as fast as she could to get downstairs. 

So she went here without talking to me?! 

She bumped with a lot of people while running but she couldn't stop and apologise. The determination of catching up to her was unstoppable. 

As soon as she got to the quadrangle, she couldn't see anyone with a black hoddie as she looked everywhere, but she didn't stop looking for her. Running left and right still hoping to get a sight of a familiar person, but to her disappointment, she saw no one. She couldn't help it but to feel annoyed. Why is she suddenly acting like a criminal in a wanted list? 

Panting, she looked at the necklace that she was holding all this time. She didn't know Eleanor owned a necklace in this design so she must've bought it recently. She sigh as she walked back again to her classroom. She may not saw her but an idea formed in her head. 

She will come and look for them.

She can't just sit still and wait for them to finish whatever they were doing. It's about time for her to do something to avoid feeling this useless again. This time, she's willing to do everything to help her family and to give justice to her mother's death. It's about time for her to stand up by herself and face her own battles. 

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As planned, after her class, Eleonna went back to the place where she dropped her phone. She couldn't stop looking left and right to make sure that those guys earlier wasn't waiting for her. She was walking towards the trash bin nervously. 

When she got there, she saw nothing but a different kinds of trash. She closed her eyes in disappointment to maintain her cool. Ofcourse it would get stolen. Who on earth would ignore a phone laying in the street when you can get it and make a money out of it? 

She looked at the bystanders hopelessly, thinking of asking them about her phone. 

"Looking for this?" 

She flinched as she heard someone talk from behind. She looked back but saw no one. 

"Up here," 

She looked above the truck that was parked in front of the trash bin to see a familiar guy sitting above, all patched up and looking more decent than earlier who looked like a punching bag. He waved her phone that made her sigh in relief. 

However, when she saw her phone fell from the guy's hand to the ground, she panicked. 

"Why the hell did you let it fall?!" she furiously yelled as she took a big steps towards it. 

She was relief when she saw that it didn't crack, but still furious at the man above her. She looked up to him again only to see his reaction as he was starring at her. She raised her brows at him, weirded out by his reaction. He was starring at her like they were long friends that met again today. Saying that the guy was shocked in an understatement. 

"...Eleanor?" was all he could say.