Chapter 01

Chassy Rayze Rivera, she's the girl who was once one of the happiest person on earth. Until growing up vacuumed all of her happiness away.

It was Wednesday morning when Chassy decided to jog for a change. She read online about exercise being one of the things that prevents depression. So, she took the chance and hoped for it to be effective.

She needed to change back to the way she was. The happy her. She didn't want to be stuck being like a limp noodle. If nobody helps her then she's going to help herself.

Minutes later, Chassy had to rest for a while in one of those bench at the park. She sighed heavily watching those group of friends laughing together. Then she got triggered. "Shit, why can't I be happy on my own?" She asked herself.

"Why can't you?" A kid suddenly appeared from beside her, startling her. She looks at him, frowning.

"It's none of your business, kid," Chassy sassed and drank water from her tumbler.

"You know, I can help you," the kid told her.

She released air and chuckled. "How can a kid like you help me? You're gonna tell me a story? Or you gonna sing me a lullaby?"

The kid just plastered a sweet smile towards her. "I'm here to ask you a question. If I give you a choice to make you happy for fifty-five times will you accept it? Or would you just continue finding your own happiness?" 

That question made her frown, confused for a moment. She thinks it was absurd to answer the kid's question. 

"Fifty five times and then what? After that I'm all gloomy? You're so ridiculous kid. Why don't you go find your momma, hmm?"

"But would you? If you answer I'll go but be warned. Once the fifty fifth is taken, I don't know if you can take it all in," the kid said, gazing at her intensely.

Chassy doesn't even get the kid. Thinking it's just some child's game she rolls her eyes and answered, "Yeah sure, make me smile fifty five times kid," mocking the kid.

"One, two, three," the kid counted and blew some glitters at Chassy.  She had to close her eyes because of it and when she opened her eyes, the kid was gone.

Her eyes widened, looking around to find the kid who did her dirty! That kid thinks he could just make fun of her! Tch!

Chassy was walking home with her head still occupied with what happened with her earlier. She forgot she was crossing the street. The time she looked on her left her eyes went round, as she see a speeding car on her way. She was too shock that she could not even move.

Then she felt a hand grasp her arm and pulled her away. The car didn't even stop. It was all too fast for her brain to process.

"Missy? You okay?" Asked the Guy that saved her.

Chassy distanced herself from him almost immediately when she realize she was too close to him. "T-thanks. If it weren't for you, I could've been dead."

"It's okay, everyone deserves to live," Corbyn answered giving her a smile. "Should I take you home? You don't seem alright" Corbyn was about to take Chassy's hand but she slap it away before he can.

"N-nah! I-I can go home on my own, bro. T-thanks," Chassy stuttered, running

Corbyn smiled while watching Chassy run home. "Maybe that girl is my next mission," he whispered before disappearing.

Chassy woke up with her grandma rapping how she's useless. It isn't new to her. Her grandma only see her as a lazy 18 years old, who can't amount to anything. 

She went downstairs for breakfast. Even at the table her grandma says the same old line. "You know Rayze, if you were just working or applying for a scholarship to study, I wouldn't call you lazy! Look how useless you are!"

Chassy just didn't say anything. It seems like her grandmother doesn't understand that she's depressed and stressed out. Oh well! Her grandmother's definition of depression is just acting up, a total excuse to be lazy. Why would her grandma care?

"What will your aunts say? Look at our neighbor, their son, Joel he's graduating soon. And you? Aren't you gonna do something about your life?" Chassy's grandmother continues to rant.

They weren't the only one who's eating. There was her younger sister named, Chloe; her little cousins and older cousin named Elise.

Elise also took a break with college but it feels like she's the only one who gets the ranting everytime. Anyways, why would her grandma scold Elise? Elise's mom gives their grandmother money, that's why grandma is in favor of Elise.

Chassy took a toasted bread and stood up. "Thankyou for the food," she simply said and went to her room. She sighed and laid down her bed. If only people could read her mind, then maybe it wouldn't be hard for her.

She took a pillow and used it to cover her face. She cried there, her grandmother's words repeating in her head over and over again. "Few more failures and I'll give up on life," she whispered.

Chassy got startled when her phone vibrated. She took it from the side table and looked at who texted. It was a text from her sister. Telling her to buy a book for school.

Chassy replied back saying she'll drop the book. Then her sister sent her the location to buy it in a cheaper price. Her sister was about to tell her earlier at the table but she walked out so her sister didn't have the chance to.

She dressed up and went to that place her sister told her. It was a super old book store. She entered the store but she saw no one. "Anyone here?" There was no answer so she thought she'd look for the book first.

She found it on the last dusty shelf. She openned the book and checked if there was no missing pages.

"If I were you, I'd read a lot more amazing book than just that," a guy who popped up out of nowhere said. It felt like her spirit escaped her body for a while. She almost drop the book she's holding.

"You killed the crap outta me! I asked if there was anyone here but no one answered so I stepped in. I'm sorry," Chassy apologized.

The guy laughed. It made Chassy looked at him and thought the guy was crazy. "This shop isn't mine but I love the old books here. The name's Jaxzim, call me Jax for short," Jax said and took a book from the shelf. "What's your name?"

"My name's Chassy. I thought you owned the place. So uh... who owns this place?" Chassy asked.

"I do."

 Chassy looked at her other side to see who answered and her eyes widened seeing the kid at the park. She backed a little and tripped on Jax who was reading a book. Good thing Jax caught her.

"Yo, you okay? You seemed like you've seen a ghost," asked Jax, helping Chassy to stand up. Chassy looked at Jax for a moment and looked at where the kid was. Only to see nothing.

"Didn't you see it? Did you hear the kid? The kid answered me and poof! Gone!" She said. Jax looked at her as if she was someone going crazy. Then he softly chuckled.

"Miss, if you're going coco or you're trying to play a joke on me, please, you're not funny" Jax returned the book then shook his head. "You're so weird," he added.

"Shit! The kid was really here!" Chassy insisted. She feels like she's haunted by the kid.

"You know what? You should shake all that weurd things off and let's have coffee. You didn't seem to have breakfast and my treat," Jax invited Chassy.

"No, thanks!" Chassy yelled. She's thinking that Jax could be a bad guy. She walked away from Jax and head to the counter.

She tooked out money to pay and faced the guy who was at the counter. She was surprised when she saw Corbyn.

Chassy handed the money and Corbyn acted surprised to see her. "Surprised to see you here, missy. I forgot to introduced myself last time. I'm Corbyn," him introducing herself to Chassy and smiling at her.

Chassy didn't know what to answer. She just realized Corbyn is handsome. She cleared her throat and mind. "Me too and I have a name. It's Chassy"

Corbyn gave her the book. "Here you go. I hope you come more often, Chassy." Corbyn said giving emphasis to her name.

She thanked Corbyn and left. It feels like she has a crush on Corbyn. The thought of it made Chassy smile for the first time in a long time.

Because of that simple happiness Chassy felt, Corbyn smiled. He has one line now. Fifty Four more and it'll be over. Corbyn hopes that it won't be hard for Chassy when the time comes.

"Chassy!" Jax shouted as soon as he saw Chassy at the alley. She just looked back for a moment and started to walk fast. Jax grinned and ran to catch up.

"What do you want? I told you I don't want coffee!" Chassy shouted.

"I just want to befriend you," Jax said. Chassy frowned, she thinks he's a weirdo. Why would a somebody like this guy wants to befriend her?

"Why? Because we share the same interest," Jax answered. Chassy was shock, she didn't even ask him. It made Jax creepy to her.

"You were thinking out loud," Jax defended himself raising both his hands up.

Chassy thought about it untill she said okay. Jax took her phone and took her number and when he did, he started walking away.

"You're really weird!" Chassy shouted at Jax who was walking away. Jax didn't look back but just waved.