THE GAME

EPISODE 2

                                            "Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see"

                                                                                     -Edgar Allan Poe

Just as the bell rung, she immediately steps out of their classroom, making her way to the psychiatrist office her aunt sends her. She knew it was just too early since she was scheduled for a three o'clock meeting, and now she's there, rushing all out.

She knocks at the door three times, hearing rustles from the inside. Just a matter of seconds, the door swung open, revealing a six-footer guy, wearing his black round-shaped black eyeglasses, with his green polo shirt and a cream-colored pants.

"Good afternoon, young lady. What can I do for you?" He asks, wearing that cheeky smile. She did smile back and was lost of thoughts for what felt like ten seconds before snapping her zoning out.

"Oh yeah. Well, I am Franz Simoné. Well, my aunt-"

"Oh yeah right. Please, do come in." The psychiatrist invited her, as she did step in, looking around the bright yellow painted wall of the clinic. It wasn't that spacious, but it was enough to fit at least five to seven people at the same time.

She heard the door clicking, indicating that it was just closed.

"Please, make yourself comfortable, Miss Somoné." He sweetly gestured as she did nod, making herself sit at the dark colored sofa from the right. She takes her bag seated right beside her, as Doctor Wilson came to bring her some sweets. As he placed the food on the table, he grabs his pen and folder, scanning something from it. As he was seated and observing, her eyes starts to wonder around the place. From what she is currently facing was a window with gray curtains that perfectly matches the bright color of the wall. On her left was another window beside the closed wooden door, with cute portraits hanging. From her right was his desk full of folders and his laptop. From the edge was a table drawer, where he got some of the sweets, he offered her. The room is pretty, clean. Even the rugs look new, the curtains, everything is perfectly organized and the materials, all fixed at their perfect spot.

"I guess you're examining my office, Miss Simoné." She felt a bit shy after what he said, that made him look at her. She seems to start feeling discomfort that made him worried.

"Don't worry, Miss Simoné, you're not the first patient to do it. And please be comfortable. I don’t want any of my patients to feel so safe."

"Sorry, doctor. I'm just used to observing places or buildings I've never been before." She defended with calmness and kindness.

"Does that mean you've never been here? To the clinic?" He was surprise. She just nodded, making him amaze."

"Well then, I hope your first time here is great?"

"I've never imagined a clinic so, so neat before." She chuckles that made him follow.

As he was done looking for, he picks out one clean sheet before looking at her. He then smiles.

"So, miss Simoné. Shall we begin?" And she nodded.

•••

Morning came, as if the day hadn't ended yesterday. Same old student, same old uniform, same old strategy.

"Hey, um Franz. Look, I'm very sorry about yesterday, alright? And I know I am the classroom president and I should be leading my team but, I got too excited to be just on the label and forgotten about my responsibility." With such sincerity, Franz smile at him.

"I'm sorry too, okay? I was just like not in a good mood yesterday." She stated as well.

"So, shall we see what ideas you've got to our concept?"

Both of them had planned on what is in and what is out of the full concept for their classroom decoration. As soon as they were able to filter everything from what they have imagined, they start to gather the officers, to as well hear their insight about the whole plan. Whether they also have something in mind, that can help in making the best design they could come up with, to have their assurance to snatch the win against other classrooms.

"Wow! This piece for me guys, is better than the ones we had before. And I can say that we have a team work already. But, i want all of you to please cooperate, because I don't want all your plans be put to waste. Okay?" Their class adviser asks, making them agree with a chant that surely will make the whole class, so inspired.

Right after the meeting with their adviser, they began buying materials, as well as putting old stuff not a waste, instead, recycling them.

And that day, Franz felt, somehow relieved that finally, their class president is moving, motivating his classmates to join for decorating. He did take his part as a president.

Teachers already provided them their class schedules for them to focus on one goal, and that is to finish them decorating.

For the past few days, everything starts to come to what as planned, from what they had imagine it. And it was quite a wonderful experience for them because this coming Friday, is the moment they've been waiting for. It was already Wednesday and there were still missing parts of the plan, yet it was all coming good, in their way.

Franz was able to attend also to his psychiatrist, given the three-days a week for her to get checked.

"So, what do you think?" Lee ask her as a wide smile came across her lips.

"I AM SO EXCITED!!!" She squeals as she manages to hug Lee, as if they had won. He did hug back making the others laugh at them, and at the same time, shipping them. Although Lee is gay, he's had a secret crush on Franz's dearly best friend, Paul.

"Gosh me too! I can already imagine us for Friday, wearing our costumes with make ups and then, we set the lights dim, and oh my goodness!!! I think we'll hit a spot for this one." Lee stated in one breathing, having an overflowing hope for the masterpiece they had created for their classroom. She breaks the hug as he rests both of his hands to both of her shoulders.

"You're my eye opener, Franz."

"Wow. What does that supposed to mean?" She chuckles.

"I know I've been a terrible class president and lost track on my job to lead, but when you got mad at me and told me about the position I'm at, it made me come to realize that, it doesn't have to go to that part where someone will slap me with the fact that you all trusted me with this position. And I should never let your trust go to waste. So, thank you, Franz."

"No worries, Lee. I just want this class to be as ONE and not to be just fighting and expect for one person only to act. And I am the vice president. I'll always be here to help too."

They both hugs once more as they continue decorating the whole class, sending everyone the chills that the designs were giving them.

Yes, it was not that perfect yet, but the visual effect on them makes them have the hope to snatch a big win before the night ends.

"Wait, what was our Stone name again?" Mae ask as she stop midway on Covering the blackboard with black clothing with splash yellow glow in the dark paint.

"Duh, Mae, we had Soul stone." Trish hissed as she kept on painting the improvised pumpkins over the edge of the room.

"Really? Like, for REAL?" Kezee ask as he place the candles above the floating plywood they had made.

"Yeah, Kezee." Trish responded.

"Then, I think we just hit the perfect stone!" He said that made them all look at him. "Come on guys! Its Halloween were talking about! And I CANNOT imagine decorating Halloween theme with the other infinity stones. We had the BEST one! And Halloween is about death and soul takers, spooky stuff?"

"So, do you suggest we hung up a white cloth up here to look like a white lady? Or something like ghost buster?" Regina asks with sarcasm. The class laugh at it yet continue working.

With so much hope for the class, Franz start to have faith for their team.

"Hey Franz?" Caesar called her that made her stop what she's doing, helping one of her close friends inside the class.

"Well someone is back!!" Heaven called out as they make a noise for his return. Franz wipes the remaining paints on her hand as she smiles at Caesar.

"Sorry I can't hug you. My hands are dirty."

"No worries."

"So, how are you? How's your leg?" She asks as he shrug.

"The doctor said I'm recovering fast because he really did take care of me. And finally, he had me release. He said to not overdo it yet, but I am free to come to school now."

"That's great news!" She exclaimed as he smiles big. "So, why'd you call me?" She asks.

"Oh well, I just wanna say thank you for helping me out when I had this injury. My doctor told me that it was a good choice to have the first aid applied before the ambulance came. It may have gotten worse."

"No worries. It was just my job to apply what I've learn and besides, you're my pal. I can't bare looking you so hurt."

"So sweet. And hey, I just want to give you this as a thank you gift." He paused as he reaches out a dark paper bag that instantly triggered her nightmare.

"What the hell did you just f*cking do?!"

"I promise you, i didn't do anything! I-"

"Hey Franz, you okay?"

"Where... I, I'm sorry. Where'd you get that paper bag?"

"Oh, this one? I had this in the house for some time now. But, I'm not quite sure if who really owns it though. I just saw it there. Why? Something wrong with it? I can just, you know, take this off and-"

"No. No, its fine. I just thought I've seen a paper bag like this before."

"Oh well, here. Take it."

"Thanks. But really, you didn't have to buy me. A sweet chocolate is just enough."

"If you see what's inside, you'd probably be happy."

She Pat's him inside as he moves with his crutch. As soon as he went past her, she took a deep breath as she stares at the paper bag. The scenery shed been dreaming of had come into her mind, but curiosity ate her because what she's been seeing from her nightmare is the same, yet the one giving a paper bag was her. And that moment, she wasn't giving it. It was given to her.