First and Last

05

-Fïνε-

EVERYBODY HAS A DARK PAST THAT SHOULD BE FORGOTTEN

C L O U D

W h e n I entered the classroom. I saw Tim sitting on my chair and Jhon on my desk and wearing that what happened yesterday look.

I almost burst out laughing but I tried not to. I exhaled.

"What are you doing on my desk?" I waved my hands to shoo them.

They stood in unison and gave way.

"Don't give me that same look, the both of you. Not gonna talk." Sitting on my chair.

"Hey, hey! You can't do that!" Tim leaned on my desk.

"C'mon!" Jhon did the same.

They were turning just like one of those girls who loves to gossip and seeing their faces. It annoyed me.

But deep inside I was so thankful to them. I mean, they accepted me for who I was that the fact that I like guys. Our friendship didn't falter. They still cared and they even pulled that prank on me yesterday.

I sighed and looked at them defeated.

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W e w e n t to the nearest mall. I just accompanied them to buy oil pastels for our art class tomorrow since I already had one, I almost forgot I have those coloring materials, plenty of them.

While arguing which brand was the best, I sneaked to the books section and was absorb on looking at the titles. I saw something that piqued my interest but when I looked at the prize I almost dropped the book.

I sighed. It's hard being poor. Student buget.

I went back to my friends who were still arguing on those pile of oil pastels. I approached them.

"Just pick what ever you want." I said and picked the one with the same brand as what I have at home and stared blankly.

Someone stood near me but I didn't paid him any attention. He picked the same brand.

That's it.

I turned my head to face him then it was as if lightning struck me.

"It's good to see you here." He said.

Blood rushed inside me. Fear registered on my face and my lips turned pale.

Why is he here?

Why. . .

With my trembling hands, I return the pastel and without thinking I ran as fast as I could. I just wanted to get out of that place as fast as I could. I didn't want to breathe the same air that he was breathing. It made me sick.

∅∅∅

I c u r l e d like a ball on my bed while slightly trembling at the memory. I fought myself not to shed a single tear remembering it until I fell asleep.

I saw him sitting on a wooden chair while expertly holding the paint brush with his delicate fingers, brushing the canvas with enthusiasm creating beautiful strokes of screaming colors conveying a cheerful atmosphere.

Everthing was beautiful. The place, the man painting and his smile like sunshine, when the ceiling and the walls turn to black so suddenly. The color peeling in a fast pace then curled like a paper being burned.

Horror filled my mind.

I found myself being chocked by the man I really adored to death. As the cold air was pressing on my body but at the same time I felt hot as if I was burning.

I couldn't move for I didn't have a match with him when it comes to strength.

"P-Please... do..don't d-do this!" I pleaded between sobs.

I fought and wiggled using my full strength but it turned out to be a futile effort.

I screamed but no sound came out from my mouth. All I could do was cry. Cry. And cry.

I heard knocks. Loud repeated knocks. I heard my name. Someone's calling my name.

No—someone's screaming.

"Cloud!"

I tried to shout again using all my strength left.

At last, my voice slowly came back until it was already audible. I screamed and screamed for help.

Fat beads of sweat were trailing from my body and I was panting like I just ran a hundred miles, non-stop. My tears were like rivers streaming down from my eyes.

It was just a nightmare. I convinced myself.

But everything looked so vivid and real a moment ago. As if I could still feel those hands on my neck.

I curled and brought myself to the corner of my bed.

"It's okay, it was just a nightmare... only a nightmare." Whispering comforts to myself.

"Cloud!" I heard my mom's voice and my sisters outside, worried.

"Are you okay?" They turned the knob around but it was locked. All they could do was knock.

I almost broke into sobs but I bit my lower lip. I should be strong. I already over came that hellish nightmare.

"I-I'm okay, mo-mom." I let my voice in a cheerful manner. "It was just a nightmare."

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