CHAPTER 2
1962 Words
I threw my bag on the bed before quickly grabbing some clothes to change. I just came from the coffee shop still wearing our work uniform but I have to go out again to attend my class.
Today is my first day at school and I don’t know if I am excited or exhausted.
“Can’t we rest for a while?” the voice in my head said.
She kept on talking to me although I always pretended that I didn’t hear her. I don’t want to entertain it, whatever it is. I still don’t know what’s going on. Sometimes the pain goes back, but not as intense as the first time anymore. Most of the time it’s tolerable, but I still can’t help but worry.
My money is not enough to go to a doctor so I just deal with it.
“You don’t need a doctor. What you feel is normal…” the voice interrupted my thoughts.
Normal?! How could that be normal?!
No, don’t listen to her. I said to myself.
“Why not? If only you’d listen to me, then all your worries would be gone.”
I completely ignored her and went on rushing to change my clothes and get my things for school.
“Hey, slow down!” somebody said behind me. I turned and saw Irish.
Irish is my roommate. She only arrived here yesterday but we instantly clicked together. She’s also a freshman student but she’s taking a different major.
“You just got back from your part-time job, right?” she asked again.
“Yes, but I’m running late for my first class. I got to go!” I hurriedly said before rushing out of the door.
“But it’s just the-” she screamed behind me, but I didn’t hear the rest of it because I already ran down the stairs!
I was half running on my way to school when I got that feeling again. The feeling that someone’s watching my every move but I have no time to find out who it is, I just walked faster to get to my class. It’s a good thing that my dormitory is just a block away from the university.
“You should find out who it is.” The voice said, which I ignored again.
"Ah!..." I shrieked when I bumped into someone when I turned into a corner. I fell back with the force but luckily somebody caught me from behind.
I felt goosebumps all over my body when he whispered behind my ear.
"Be careful." He said while holding my arms from behind. I quickly moved away and turned to look at whoever it was.
A grinning face met my eyes.
He looks familiar, but I can’t point out where I’ve seen him before.
“S-sorry…” I stuttered before I went back on my way without looking back at him.
I kept on running until I found my room and settled on one of the seats at the back.
I sighed in relief, seeing that the professor was not there yet. At least I wasn’t late on my first day. I leaned back on my chair and relaxed because I could still feel my blood rushing from all the running.
With my eyes closed, I took some deep breaths to calm myself down. I stood like that for some time while waiting for the class to start.
“Hi!” someone spoke beside me, so I opened my eyes and turned to look at him.
The same man that I bumped into earlier is smiling at me. He’s sitting on the chair next to mine.
“My name’s Alossius.” He smiled as he offered his hand in front of me. I just looked at it though. I got confused about why he was suddenly introducing himself to me.
He cleared his throat when he must have realized that I wouldn’t be shaking his hand. He took back his right hand to scratch the back of his head.
“Nice to meet you.” He whispered sarcastically, but I still heard it clearly.
He remained sitting there so I just looked away. I looked around and saw the other students who were now making friends with each other. They are all so loud while chatting to each other that I can almost hear what they’re all talking about.
I got distracted when the guy beside me suddenly took the papers on my desk. I was unable to stop him in shock.
“Rieka Marie Usoro…” he read my name on my schedule sheet. I tried to grab it back but he just held it higher.
“Hi Rieka… Nice name huh!” he grinned at me before turning back to the paper in his hand.
“Aha! We have several classes together.” He continued reading but I took it as a chance to grab it and put it inside my bag.
A few more minutes passed by but the professor still wasn’t showing up. The other students are starting to leave the room, but I still can’t decide whether I should go or not.
“C’mon. It’s already been half an hour. The prof surely won’t come.” He said as he stood up from his seat.
I pretended like I didn’t hear him. I took out a book and started to read instead. He soon got the message and left the room. I sighed and slammed the book on my desk.
Really?
I ran all the way here and this is what will happen? This must be what Irish wanted to tell me but I chose to ignore her instead.
“That’s why you should start to listen.” The voice whispered meaningfully.
I heaved out a sigh, completely ignoring that voice that now sounded like my conscience.
There was nobody else in the room anymore, so I decided to clean up my things and go out. I still have some time left before my next class.
Now where shall I go? I asked myself while walking out of the room, only to get startled once more when Alosius suddenly popped out of nowhere!
“Where are you going?” he asked as he walked beside me.
I shot him a passive look but didn’t say anything.
“You’re new here, right? I can show you around if you want.” He suggested, but I still ignored him.
I sighed when he still kept on talking. My mind is already busy making a plan on how to get rid of him. I wanted to go to the library to read or borrow some books but I didn’t want him around. He’s so noisy.
An idea popped into my mind when I saw the ladies’ room.
"Oops, sorry. Guess I'll just have to wait for you here." He said when he saw the sign.
I watched his lips stretch into a broad smile. I wonder if he ever gets tired of grinning before going into the bathroom. I looked around to find another way out but there was not any.
How long will he wait outside? I asked myself as I washed my hands after doing my thing. Why is he even wasting his time on me?
I was fixing my hair when a sudden sharp pain hit me again!
“Ahh!” I tried my best to suppress my scream. I crouched down and clasped my arms on my stomach. With all the strength that I had left, I crawled my way inside one of the cubicles and locked myself inside. I wouldn’t want anyone to find me here under these circumstances.
The pain tripled and I started to panic when I heard something cracking. Drops of blood trickled down on the floor from my lips. I must have bit them too much, now they’re bleeding. My head started spinning as the pain doubled over.
“Endure it. I know you can. We can get through this.” The voice whispered like she’s also in agony.
The cracking continued as my body began burning in the heat. I suddenly felt so hot. I was gasping for air as I tried to pull my body up but I couldn’t stop my scream when I saw my arms! They are now covered with thick white fur!
"Ah!" I was so horrified! Am I seeing things?!
I must have fainted because when I opened my eyes I was still lying on the bathroom floor but the pain was already gone. I stood up from the floor and fixed myself.
My legs are still wobbly but I feel so much better now.
What just happened? I frantically looked at my arms when I remembered what I had seen earlier. I sighed in relief when I found them still normal. I must have been hallucinating due to the extreme pain.
I went to the sink and splashed some cold water into my face. I took a handkerchief to dry it, then stared at my reflection. I still look pale but I have to go to my next class.
I walked out with calculated steps. Alosius’ worried face was the first thing I saw when I walked out the door.
“What took you so long? I was getting worried already. I wanted to go in but I couldn’t!” he said.
“I’m okay.” I replied, even though I don’t understand why he got worried. He could have just left.
“We need to go back to our room. It’s time for our next class,” he said. That made me look at him.
“I told you we have several classes together.” He said as if he could read what was on my mind.
I sighed and let him walk beside me. It’s a good thing in a way though. At least someone will take me to the clinic if ever the pain goes back while we’re walking. I let him lead the way since it looks like he knows his way around here.
When we got to the room, all eyes turned to us. Especially women. They had the look of jealousy in their eyes, so I chose to sit in the only empty seat at the back. But to my dismay, he talked to the other guy sitting beside me to exchange seats.
I sighed and just ignored him. Anyway, I can’t tell him what to do. He can sit wherever he wants and do whatever he wants to.
Our professor came a few minutes later. Alosius kept on getting my attention, but I didn’t mind him. I focused my attention on the class until it was over.
He took my things before me. I gave him a deadpan look.
“Give them back.” I simply said. My energy has been drained so I have nothing left to argue with this guy.
“I will carry them for you. Don’t worry, I’m just being friendly. You look pale and I’m afraid you will just faint anytime soon.” I wasn’t able to get up with a comeback.
He’s right. Even though the pain is gone, I still feel bad.
“Did you eat?” he asked and that’s when it clicked. Maybe I was just hungry. I haven’t eaten lunch yet and only had instant noodles for breakfast!
“C’mon let’s go to the cafeteria.” He said before gently pulling my arm.
I looked at where his hand was. His touch feels warm and I don’t know why it makes me feel secure. He’s supposed to be a stranger and I shouldn’t feel comfortable around him, but despite him being annoying, I still can’t deny the fact that I feel at ease around him…
- Writer
