Mia

Episode 2

After catching his breath, Oscar moves closer, whispering the final word

"Really?" Mia asked with a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Oscar nods in acknowledgment. "Okay," She said which surprises Oscar.

"Just that?" Oscar asked

"Expecting more?" Mia asked and turns away from him

"Well, yeah"

"Like?"

"You know, questions on how I became one, etc"

"I don't give a dime on what you are, Oscar"

"But...

"I didn't expect you to say that but I expected you to tell me why your father will want to kill me if he sees us together," Mia said still not facing him

"Could we go somewhere and talk? Please"

"Lead the way," Mia said

Oscar led Mia through a forest. He turns once in a while to check on her, if she is there or not since she isn't saying anything and he could not come up with any discussion topics. He was a little nervous because this isn't the first time he is telling a girl his true identity. Whenever he does, they don't trust him anymore and they leave.

After a while, he would not see those girls again and most of the time he will be told that the girls are dead. He tells his mum about this but she just says the reason is that they are not meant for him.

Oscar got to a huge tree with a bench under it and halts and Mia follows. He is frightened and speaks in a shrunk voice. "This is where I come to lay low when my day feels rough without interruption so I guess this place will be good for our conversation" Mia scans the place like she is looking for something then sits on the bench. Oscar trying to lighten the mood diverts from the main topic. "Em... I'll be going to a football match next week Saturday, care to come?" Oscar said smiling faintly

"..."

Seeing that she was hesitant, he asked "What were you looking for? I assure you this place is safe. My father cannot track me here even with my phone"

"..."

"Mia why are you letting this little issue be a hindrance to our friendship," Oscar said with an unhappy tone

"I didn't come here to start discussing our friendship, tell me what I want to hear," Mia said with an uncaring tone

"Em... Okay. (Not looking at Mia but space) (Exhales) My father always hated it when I have girls as my friends. He says they will harm me but none of them has been a threat to me. He is brutal. He... He killed one of the girls I call my friends right in front of my eyes. I don't know why he is doing this"

"To avoid his secret getting out" Mia mumbled

"You said?"

"Nothing. I've heard enough" Mia said as she stands in a slow manner

Oscar who is still sitting asked with tears forming in his eyes "Are you... Are you going to end our friendship because you know who I truly am?"

"No," Mia said not looking back as she leaves the forest.

Mia gets home and hurriedly goes to bed. She appears in a darkroom in her dream. She calls out. "I think I have forgotten your name could you remind me," She said

Looking around to see if she would see anyone, with no response she continues. "I know you are here. I can feel your presence" She said still looking around but still no response

"Don't anger me, young man. I don't have all the time in the world" She said with a red face

"So sorry, Your Highness. I had to finish up something with my wife" The voice said

"Not my business. If I ever talk this much to get you here, you will surely hate yourself"

"Yes, My Lady," The female voice said

"I see your companion is here too"

"Yes, my lady"

With that, Mia wakes up. In the darkroom, the male and the female are talking.

"Is that all she came to tell us?" The female voice asked

"I guess so. It seems she has remembered" The male voice said

"How sure are you?"

"I'm not certain but if she has not remembered won't she have asked why we call her the way we do"

"That might be true. We have to leave, we have other things to attend to"

Back in Mia's room, she is seen angry and hitting the reading table. "That conversation was not that long. Why does morning come early all the time I go there? This never happened before" She said to herself as she bangs the table hard with her hand

In school, Oscar's behavior was rather strange. He didn't talk to anyone even during lessons and his face was always looking down. He is a shy person but he never behaved like this. Everyone saw it as a strange occurrence but none went to check if he was okay or not. Mia noticed this and tries to talk to him thinking it's the incident of yesterday that caused it but to her surprise, he runs away from her. Not giving up, Mia continued chasing him around the school compound. Exhausted Mia said, "Oscar stop this instant" and like a robot he stopped. Still catching her breath, she commanded "Come here" and Oscar obeyed without saying a word and with his face still staring at the ground

Once she caught her breath she used both her index and middle finger to raise his face to look at her and what she saw were eyes as white as snow. "He has done it again," She said to herself

She took him to a chair close by and asked him to sit. He did as instructed. She chanted some inaudible words and stretched her hands towards his eyes. She used her two index and thumbs, each index and thumb into one eye, with that Oscar's eyes became clear.

"Mia, what are you doing here?" Oscar said confused about where he is

"This is our school" Mia replied trying to be gentle

"Oh but... I .... Nevermind"

"We..."

"What are you guys doing outside? Are you not having a class now?" A voice interrupted Mia

When she turned it was Gloria.

"I ask again, what are you doing here?"

"We were about leaving," Mia said as she grabs Oscar's hand and goes to class

After school, Mia took Oscar to the forest, the same place, under the huge tree. They both sit on the bench"How are you feeling?" She asked

"I'm fine," Oscar said

"What happened when I left you yesterday?"

"..."

"Are you seriously going to hide that from me?"

"Nothing happened"

"Don't lie to me" Mia said with a serious face making Oscar a little scared

"Nothing happened"

"One, two, don't let me count to five, three, four, f..."

"What's gonna happen if you get to five?"

"You'll see. I advise you don't prove stubborn. (Smiles mischievously) it's not a nice experience"

"Fine. I will talk. He came" Oscar said with a frightened look

"Who came?"

"My father"

"I thought you said he can't track you here"

"Yes, he can't"

"Then?"

"(Exhales) When you left, I stayed here for a while before leaving. I got home a little late, my father looked at me the normal way he does but with a glimpse of anger" He pauses and looks at Mia to see her expression. Noticing she is calm he continues "my mum served me my food but my dad refused me to eat it and took it to his room. He came back with different food that looked like it just came out from the sewage. I refused eating but he said I should take a spoon and he will bring my food"

"Did you?" Mia asked still calm

"I... I ate it but just a spoon"

"Did he do as he said?"

"Yes. He went into his room and got my food. After eating I felt a little bit dizzy and slept in the dining and when I woke up I saw you and you told me we were in school"

"Now I know"

"Em... yeah. Hope you are not angry with me?"

"Maybe I am"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to and I was told that I ignored you before the break. I'm so sorry about that. I don't know what was up with me"

"Stop it"

"What?"

"Act who you are. You told me you are a vampire, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"But nothing. Vampires are bold. Vampires are strong. You are weak. And most of all vulnerable. How are you a vampire if you are this weak?"

"I don't know"

"Be strong and stop being weak. You are being a disgrace to your clan of vampires"

"That's what dad always says," Oscar said with a sad tone

"Maybe, he is right. You act weak"

"I will be strong because of you"

"I don't care who you will be strong for. Just act who you are. I have to go (Stands up)" About to leave then stops "Do not eat whatever your dad tells you to if you want to live," she said

"But..." Not wanting to listen to what Oscar wants to say, Mia leaves

During dinner, she had a lot of thoughts flowing through her head. "Why did he do that to him? Is he his son? If he is, why does he treat him that way? I don't know why I can't use my eyes anymore"

"Mia, do you want more?" Amanda asked interrupting Mia's thoughts

"No," Mia said as she stands to exit the dining room

"Where are you going?" Amanda asked

"My room"

"I will like to discuss something with you. Could you wait in the sitting room for me?"

"Sure," Mia said and goes to the sitting room

Amanda came to the sitting room, few minutes after Mia walked into the sitting room.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting."

"Hurry up mum"

"I was told you have a friend in school"

"What about him?"

"A he? That's wonderful. So?" Amanda said with a wide smile

"So what?"

"When will you show him to me? You always show me your friends."

"When last did I have friends or even a friend?"

"(Sad) A while"

"Great. So what do you want to discuss with him?"

"Nothing serious. You can decide that we will not talk. I just want to know him"

Mia stands and walks towards her room. Tears start flowing down Amanda's cheeks. Grandma Felicia who was spying laughs at the scene she just witness. Mia walks past Grandma Felicia and Grandma Felicia composes herself. Grandma Felicia goes to the sitting room laughing thinking Amanda is out of there and is now in her room but Amanda was still there crying.

"Mum, what is funny?" Amanda said with tears still flowing out of her eyes. Surprised Grandma Felicia answered "Nothing dear"

"Then why are you laughing?" Amanda asked

"I was watching a movie, a scene was funny so I could not stop myself from laughing"

"But you just said it was... okay, tell me about it, maybe I will feel better"

"I cannot dear. Maybe later"

"Tell me why?"

"Because I don't want to say it now but later"

"Not that"

"Then what?"

"Why do you want to see the boy?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"I need an answer mum"

"It's best to know who that daughter of yours walks with. Have you not thought that whoever she mingles with might be a criminal?"

"No, but..."

"But what?" Grandma Felicia interrupted

"Just because Mia is hotly tempered does not mean she is a criminal or will associate with one"

"Defend her. Yes defend her" Grandma Felicia screamed

"Mum reduce your voice, please. It's late"

"Of course. Shut me up. You always do that. The time she asked for permission to learn how to fight. I discouraged you from doing so but you went ahead and gave her permission. What happened?"

"She hurt herself but that was because it was her first time"

"Not that foolish girl. She used that skill to almost kill someone's child"

"She said it's because he tried nasty things with her"

"You always believe that daughter of yours. Even after all the trouble, she has put you through. At least, you are the one suffering it all" Grandma Felicia says and laughs mockingly then leaves

Amanda went to her room after this. "I want to know that boy. Let it not be who I think it is. This girl wants to ruin things for me. Never!!!" Grandma Felicia on her way to her room said within herself

It's the last day of school. Examinations are done and students are having fun. Couples are in their various hostels which could either be theirs or their friends chatting, drinking, partying, and playing romantic games. Friends are also chatting, gisting and some are asking their friends some questions they accounted in the examination hall to know if they were correct or not and to know the estimate of what they will score

As usual, Oscar and Mia are sitting in the fountain, Mia acting superior to Oscar. Oscar wants to please her with every action of his but fails miserably as Mia does not act please at his gestures.

"Want a drink?" Oscar asked sipping his orange juice

"No" Mia replied reluctantly

"What are you thinking about?"

"And who said I am thinking about anything?"

"Nobody. It's just that... I don't know. You don't seem to be paying attention to your surrounding"

"If I'm not then this conversation will not be taking place"

"Maybe. I guess you are right but...

"I want to go home," Mia said cutting Oscar's off

"(Surprised) Why? The fun is right here"

"I'm not enjoying this fun you are talking about and I have more important things to attend to"

"Like? I will like to help"

"Your services are not needed"

"I... I just thought we could spend more time together, that's all. I don't want to go home right now"

Mia who has been staring at the distance which Oscar doesn't know the reason for, turned and faced him and asked "Why?"

"I just... I just feel comfortable with you than at home. Dad has been a little frightening lately"

"Really? I thought he has always been like that"

"Yes but it became worse ever since that day you told me not to eat anything he gives me"

"Has he given you anything lately?"

"Actually, yes. Once I got home that day he gave me a reddish substance to drink. It seems as if it was boiling but I didn't drink it just as you instructed" He paused and stared at Mia "You haven't told me why I should not take anything he gives me"

Mia shakes her head in disappointment and said: "How old are you?"

"Seventeen. Why?"

"You act younger. Last child?"

"Em... Yes"

"I don't know if that's your problem. As for your question, would you have loved to take that boiling red substance he gave you to drink according to your description?"

"No"

"Now that answers your question"

"But..."

"Explain this frightening look of his" Mia interrupted him again

"He just keeps staring at me with a deadly look. Sometimes I see his eyes turn red when looking at me"

"That should not border you"

"How? I don't understand"

"Your question should be why but in any case, your father looking at you like that should not border you"

"You haven't given me a reason not to"

"I will like to take a stroll," Mia said standing up ignoring Oscar's worries

"Okay before that we get a juice"

"Sure" Mia accepted not wanting to argue any further as they walk to the school canteen

"You get the juice while I wait here," Mia said as they got to the entrance of the school canteen. Some group of five girls heard her words and took it as a topic of discussion.

"Dishing out orders like a pro," the first girl said thinking aloud

"What?" the second girl said

"Didn't you hear that?" the third girl said

"What?" the second girl asked

"Mia dishing orders on Oscar," the fourth girl said

"Oh. I heard. She keeps using his timidity against him" the second girl said

"Don't mind her. I hate her so much" the first girl said

"If he had agreed to stay with us, he won't be ordered around," the third girl said

"He seems to be happy with it," the second girl said

"Does he look like he knows what he wants?" the first girl said

"No" All the girls chorused as they laugh except the fifth girl who has been listening to her all her friend's conversations but not joining in.

"Madam, why aren't you saying anything?" the first girl asked the fifth girl

"Nothing," the fifth girl said

"You were talking a few minutes ago, what happened?" the fourth girl asked

"I'm not comfortable talking about Mia" the fifth girl replied

"Why? Scared?" the second girl teased

"Why won't I? She has a weird vibe. Haven't you gone close to her?" the fifth girl said looking scared

"No. Why will we want to be friends with her?" the first girl said

"You tried being her friend?" the third girl said

"No. What I mean is having stayed close to her? Like stand beside her"

"No" all chorused confused about what's going on

"Can you explain and stop beating around the bush?" the first girl said who is the leader orders

"Okay. Once I saw her sitting on the fountain, lost in thought and I walked past her I felt this strange aura around her. It was creepy and when she noticed I was staring at her she turned and looked at me and I was scared the more because that stare could murder and so I don't want to be in her bad books" the fifth girl said looking more scared

Her friends laughed at her until their lungs hurt and she said

"If you think I am lying. Why don't you look at how she is staring at us?" Her friends turned reluctantly because they were scared but still turned to prove her wrong. They met a very sharp deadly stare from Mia which like the fifth girl said could murder and Oscar's stare which was simple and shocked.

The girls immediately left that place, once they were out of sight Mia asked "Friends of yours?"

"No" Oscar replied

"Seems like they are"

"Please don't be angry. They are gossips, don't take what they say to heart" Oscar pleaded

"I'm not," Mia said

Noticing how calm and collected Mia was he said "Em... I will go get the drink but I won't say I am not scared with you being this calm" Mia didn't say anything with that Oscar goes into the canteen. Mia stood there like a bouncer which frightened most of the students coming into the canteen but some courageous ones walked in but still felt scared. From a distance, Mia could still see the girls that were talking about her in a demeaning manner and she stared at them with burning anger. She was about to go to them but Oscar came out of the canteen holding two cups of orange juice just on cue stopping Mia from her action. The girls breathed out in satisfaction as they saw she is no longer moving in their direction.

"Going somewhere?" Oscar asked as he hands over her drink to her

Mia glanced in the girls direction with a deadly stare and back at Oscar with a simple stare and said "No"

"Okay. Shall we go?"

"Sure," Mia said as they walk away from the canteen

"Do you feel the same way?" Mia asked surprising Oscar

"I don't understand," Oscar said as he sips his juice

"Do you feel I have a strange aura?"

"Em... Yes," Mia was about saying something but Oscar continued "but I don't mind because you are still fun to be with. You accept me for who I am and I know you are just being stiff because of a bad experience. I hope to change that soon"

Mia chuckles at his words and said "Thank you"

"You are welcome. Oh, I've been wanting to ask you"

"Yeah?"

"When will you invite me over to your house?"

Mia stopped walking on his final word. "Why?" she asked

"Well, I thought it's like a tradition because my siblings bring home their friends to introduce to my parents. I just thought... Sorry"

"Don't apologize. You want to meet my mother?"

"Yes, I would love to and your dad too"

"I don't have a father"

"So sorry"

"Why?"

"Em... I"

"If you want to see her, it's okay. She wants to meet you too after all"

"Really? You told her about us?"

"No"

"Then?"

"That's not of any relevance to me. I don't care how she found out. You can come this Saturday if you so wish to see her" Mia said as she gulps down the last part of the juice

"well, we have to go to our various homes now. It's getting late and I am so not in the mood for a night walk" Mia said

"Okay. Let's go" Oscar said

Oscar gets home a little late because he was daydreaming about the things Mia and he could do together once he goes to her house which made him walk slow. On getting home, his face is beaming with so much joy and he looked like someone who has been blushing for a long time.

"What's making my son so happy today?" Lynda Oscar's mom asked with curiosity written on her face. Everyone was present in the sitting room, Oscar's five senior siblings, Mr. Davis and Lynda. They seem to have been waiting for him for a while. "Mom I have a lot to tell you," Oscar said still beaming with joy

"And I hope part of those things is why you kept all of us waiting," Mr. Davis said in a harsh and loud tone making Oscar shrek a little who didn't notice his presence

"Em... dad, I..."

"Yes, the stammering had begun. You are a disgrace to me" Mr. Davis said and walks up the stairs which made a harsh sound as everyone was quiet. "Come dear" Lynda takes Oscar up to his room

"So what do you want to tell me?" Lynda asked once they were in Oscar's room

"(Smile resurfacing) well mum. I will be going to her house this Saturday"

"Who?" Lynda asked a little bit confused

"Mia mum," Oscar said as he sits on his bed

"Oh, she agreed. That's nice"

"It's not only nice but awesome. What am I doing, I need to decide what I am going to where" he walks to his closet "you don't know how happy I am mum" he said as he searches for a clothe in his closet

"That's good but have you told her you love her?"

"Not yet mum. I just have a feeling she is my Mia I lost so many years ago" he pauses "mum help me out here Saturday isn't that far, I need to get the perfect..."

"No need for that cause you are not going," Mr. Davis said interrupting Oscar

"Why?" Lynda asked

"Cause I said so," Mr. Davis said

"But da..."

"Shut up young man. You have no say in this" Mr. Davis said interrupting Oscar and leaving his room

"Mum, please talk to him. Please" Oscar pleaded with teary eyes

Lynda talked to Mr. Davis but it all fell on deaf ears and she eventually gave up and reports back to Oscar who became saddened throughout the night. He tried calling Mia but she wasn't picking up. On Saturday morning, Oscar was woken up by Mr. Davis early in the morning. "Da... Dad, I have nothing to do today" Oscar said covering his face with a blanket

"I thought you wanted to go to, what's her name? Yes, Mia's house" Mr. Davis said

"You refus..."

"I know. But I've changed my mind so get up"

Oscar gets up and prepares. He goes to the dining room where everyone is present. His sadness has turned to happiness in just a space of time. On arrival to the dining room, Mr. Davis was as serious as ever scaring Oscar when he asked "Ready huh?"

"Em... yes" Oscar replied

"I see but...( Oscar held his breath) you'll have to change that shirt of yours"

"But..."

"Joking. Let's go" Mr. Davis said pointing to the door

"Where?" Oscar asked

"Mia's house of course" "Don't worry, I will drop you off while I go to work," Mr. Davis said noticing how nervous Oscar looked

"Oh," Oscar said

"And note, do not stammer when you get there," Mr. Davis said as they walk to the door

On the other hand, Mia did not inform Amanda about Oscar's visit but on the day of the visit. She woke up that Saturday and said to Amanda who was washing dishes in the kitchen "He is coming"

"Who?" Amanda asked

"Oscar"

"I'm lost"

"My friend Oscar. He wants to meet you too so he is coming today I told him to a few days ago"

"You should have informed me before now" Without saying a word, Mia left the kitchen

Mia also found it difficult to know what to whereas her mother told her to choose something nice to wear.

Oscar and Mr. Davis arrived at the address Mia sent for him through text. Mr. Davis glared at the entrance of the house before driving off when Oscar stepped down from the car. Oscar wiped off some imaginary dirt from his shirt before pressing the doorbell button. Amanda ushered him in and they talked for a while before Mia came into the sitting room.

"Speak of her and she appears," Amanda said on her arrival

"So what were you guys talking about?" Mia asked trying to be chatty

They talked for a while. Mia was eating when grandma Felicia walked in and as usual, Mia drops it immediately like she is in a trance which shocked Oscar. Amanda tried to distract him by giving him more food when she notices he is surprised and thinking about Mia's actions. Grandma Felicia acted calmly when Oscar greeted her but on the inside, she felt like burning him and Mia. She immediately called Mr. Davis when she goes to her room "Hello" Mr. Davis said

"Why did you allow him to come?" Grandma Felicia said impatiently

"I had to. He is a little fragile due to the spell. Any more pain to him could counter the spell"

"I forgot about that"

"I guess so. Just handle him there and stop stressing me" Mr. Davis said and hangs up

Grandma Felicia goes to the living and keeps sabotaging every good thing Oscar wants to do for either Amanda or Mia. Mia notices this and waves her off immediately. Oscar tried stopping her but it just made her angrier and also made her shout more and she asked him to leave when she reached her peak. Oscar didn't leave until she was calm again which took a lot of effort. That night Mia found it difficult and so went to the darkroom in her dreams to talk to the people there.

"I want you here now," she said in the darkroom

"You seem to be angry your highness. What upsets you?" the female voice said

"I didn't request for your presence lady. I want that of your companion and so let him get here now"

"I'm here, your highness," the male voice said

"I warned you about this didn't I?"

"Yes, your highness. My apologies" the male voice said

"Twice, young man"

"What angers my queen?" the female voice asked

"What or who angers me is the least of my worries"

"Could you share with us? Have a seat" the female voice said as a chair with a lioness carved at the top

Mia seats still not calm. "So can you tell us what the problem is?" the male voice said

"I can't use my powers"

"What do you mean?" the male voice said

"What I mean is I cannot use my powers. I have all my memories, even the ones I want to forget but I can't use my powers" she pauses and stands "even my flames are not working. I've tried what my mom said I should when I was weak to use them in my past life and none is working. Worse of all my eyes too. I can't see what my enemies are planning. I feel lost without them. If I had them then that fool that calls herself my grandmother won't have exhibited that nonsense today" Mia stands up and continues "even this place is on a time limit. I have to come here before ten o'clock or I will be transported back to my room"

"That seems to be lots of problems but I don't have a solution to them," the male voice said

"Add to my problems then," Mia said

"Your highness I think I might have a solution but it will require you to seat and calm down," the female voice said

"Fine" Mia said as she sits and calms down after a while

"Good. I have an idea. Why don't we go to the white sorcerer?" the female voice said

"What?" Mia said standing up and becoming angry again

"Yes, your highness that's a good idea. I don't have a clue on what's going on but I think she would. She was trusted by your mother" the male voice said

After a lot of convincing, Mia agreed and plans were made before she was transported back to her room unexpectedly.