LIT 4

HEIZEL

“What are you doing, mom?” I asked after I saw her working on her typical space at the garage. 

“I thought you were leaving?” she asked in return, pertaining to the party I mentioned to her three days ago. It was for Jahann's birthday celebration, where Sam's anticipating that I should accompany her.

I sat down at the old seat arranged next to mom as I tasted a bit to the chocolate drink I'm holding. “It’s still early to prepare for it. I’ll stand by till Sam gets here.” 

I looked at the machine right in front of my eyes. It was made of steel, a ton of wirings, a cylinder-like metallic body, and some other bits of gear I am not familiar with. 

“Working on it again?” I asked. 

I heard how my mom took a deep breath. “Yeah, it’s always been my dream to create a time manipulation device. I am nowhere near in relinquishing that dream.” 

It’s the same old thing. I’ve heard of this story a lot of times that a person perusing this would have imagined. I’ve also heard her reminders about me not touching it countless times in my life. But even after hearing the same reason over and over again, I don’t have the slightest idea as to what is the real purpose of time manipulation. Is it to return to the past? Or to manipulate the present? Or then again to venture out to see what's to come? Or perhaps… to keep away from death.

Time, in a sense, is ceaseless and my mother’s not the first person who attempted and is still attempting to manipulate the pith of time. It’s like going against the flow of the river or not accepting the fact that time has intrinsic direction and order.

“You’ve been working about this since your teenage years, mom,” I commented. “Time manipulation is a product of human’s inventive mind. You cannot manipulate something that you can’t even see, touch, or feel.”

“And that, young lady, is what I wanted to prove,” she said as she put on her auto-darkening welding helmet. 

I didn’t utter another word. I quietly watched my mom do her magic on her work. Somehow, I aspire to be like her. Someone determined to make her dreams come true. Someone who knows what he or she wants. 

“Heizel!” I heard Sam’s voice from the front door. I stood up and the old chair produced a creaking sound. 

When I went to our living room, Sam greeted me with a grin. I couldn't resist the opportunity to feigned exacerbation after seeing the quantity of paper bags she's holding.

“I am so excited for tonight! A lot of Jahann’s varsity friends will attend the party so we must prepare for them,” she said and then started to disorganize the dresses she brought to my place. 

“Why would I? Who are they? I am not interested in any of them, Sam,” I proclaimed.

For what reason would I get ready for those “varsities”? I mean, why do some girls like to pamper themselves just for a bunch of men? They’ve got a reputation, not even a decent one, and they have this “tradition” of changing from one girl to another after few weeks! Why would I settle for someone like them? That’s obviously a red flag…but I guess red is everyone else’s favorite color. 

“Here,” Sam said as she handed me a v-collared risqué suspender dress loaded up with gray sequins. I produced a guttural sound as I shake my head from side to side. “You’ll look good on it, trust me!” 

“I’ll shower first,” I said as I set the dress back down. I went to my room to clean myself as fast as I could. Or maybe time manipulation will guarantee sufficient time for them in preparing themselves for events like this.

I went down again while I was currently blow drying my hair. I saw that Sam’s already seated in front of our vanity mirror, fixing herself even if there’s nothing more to fix nor improve. She has this pale body and a slim body that suits her impeccably.

I saw how her amber feline eyes narrowed when she saw that I was staring at her. “You should fix yourself, Heizel. We have to leave in few minutes.” 

Once again, I let out a deep breath as I picked up the dress she gave me and made my way to the bathroom. Before I could even enter the bathroom, I saw Dad going down the steps. 

“Hey, Dad,” I greeted. He went in my direction and planted a delicate kiss on my forehead. 

“You know your limitations, Heizel. Me and your mom trust you so much,” he reminded me. 

I chuckled a bit. “No sex, no pots, you both made it vividly clear to me. Don’t worry, I will not do something that will break your trust.” 

He scratches my head softly before entirely going down. I heard him greeted Sam and Sam greeted him back in return before he went to mom’s direction. I entered the bathroom to fit the dress. When I got hold of it, I went out. 

“I told you you’ll look great!” Sam energetically announced. 

I heard the back door from the garage opened up. I looked back and I saw my mom and dad smiling from ear to ear when they perceived how I look. 

Mother held me on my shoulders while showing me her comforting smile. "Sam is right, you look stunning, darling."

My heart leaped up when I felt a surge of happiness within me. The warmth in my parents’ eyes is more than enough to tell me that I, without a doubt, look great in this dress. I can’t vividly recall the last time that I did this. I am not enamored of wearing dresses unless I really need to accompany Sam to dozens of parties she goes to. But even though I know that Jahann’s party is nothing different from any other parties that we’ve been through, I am still delighted because my parents loved the way I look. Their happiness and satisfaction are my bliss. 

When we arrived at the venue, luxury cars filled the parking lot. Tons of people are entering their huge, golden gate and I can say that none of these people were nowhere near my status. I am certain, all of them belong to the higher class. I even noticed the bouncers Jahann got to secure his party. 

“He must’ve spent a lot for his party,” I commented. Sam snickered as she opened the driver’s seat. I got out on my side of the door and the cold breeze lingers to my body, tracing it like it was some sort of tracing paper. I didn’t think it would be this cold. 

“Believe me, this is nothing compared to their family’s wealth,” Sam expressed before pulling me close to her. She snaked her arms to mine and guided me inside the venue. The confidence I had when we were leaving the house has gone with the wind. As much as possible, I gave a valiant effort to just peer down. 

At first, Sam remained alongside me while she’s taking up liquors that aren’t new to me but some of them I haven’t tested yet. When the evening dove deep, Sam was nowhere to be found. I only could sigh because this is nothing new to me. 

“Aw!” I reacted when someone’s body knock on me. They only laughed me off as they continue on their vindictive acts session. Teens and their seething hormones. 

I left my spot and I texted Sam my new location but just like usual, I didn’t get any response from her. 

“Hey!” said a very familiar voice from behind me. When an arm snaked through my shoulder, my body froze. I was frightened down to the soles of my shoes when I smelled Jahann’s breath. It was minty…and alcoholic. “I didn’t know I invited you. Who are you with? Sam?” 

“Y-Yes.” 

“A typical social climber,” I heard a woman voiced out. I know her, she’s part of the cheering squad of our university. I chose to keep my mouth shut. 

I was dazed at my place when Jahann handed me a glass loaded up with vodka. “Drink,” he commanded. 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want—” he cut me off. 

“You’re turning me down?” he asked as he jeered. “Don’t you know what I’m capable of, Heizel?” 

Fresh terror reared up within me and all I could do is to hope that Sam will get here to rescue me from these elite people. 

I accepted the glass of vodka and drink it straight up. I felt the shivering sensation as the alcohol passes down my throat.

“Good girl,” Jahann said as he taps my head a bit. 

I coughed frantically when I felt my heart racing as if it’s coming out of my chest. In an instant, my visions started to blur. A fit of maniacal laughter jolted from the crowd around me. I tried my best to maintain my posture but eventually, failed. All I could hear are the mixed voices of people around me, the sound of the stereo echoing, and laughter after laughter. 

“Sam…” I called but my voice was too weak to even create a sound…and the last thing I know, I passed out.