Street Signs

Chapter 39

BRIELLE

It was a fine day for sure, from the sunlight to the birdsong, yet what made it good was the breath I was still taking despite all. The cold air breeze touched my skin as I walked through the university. It was just a bright day, just like the smile that was on my lip since yesterday. The stealing case was not really solved because the thief remained anonymous; however, what I was being grateful for was the air I still taking.

It hadn't been a smooth day for me when I knew that Zayden's jar of ashes was returned. Though I knew it was there, the fact that proofs would not be given did not slip in my mind. And I was right for it. After I found out that the jar was returned, I wasn't able to gather more crucial information even though I had seen the entire video record.

The administrator was even confused about what was happening inside the cemetery. He was scared, to the point that he was planning to resign from his work and find another job that would not kill him to the bone. Not just him, but also the police remained clueless about the incident for they could not see any person guilty of doing this to Zayden.

I arrived in the room after a few minutes of walking. And when I entered, Queen was there already at his seat, waiting for me. I greeted him with a smile as I took my seat.

"How was it yesterday?" he asked.

I prepared myself to speak because it would be going to be a long talk; fortunately, only five of the students, including me, were in the room. "As I've told you, the jar is safe. It has no dents. It's really safe returned in the tomb. The ashes are not lessened nor added. It's not fake, it's Zayden's ashes."

"And you're happy with that?"

"Of course I am. Who wouldn't?"

Queen chuckled. "It's just funny to think how good is that stealer and stupid at the same time. If I were that person who took the ashes, I wouldn't bring it back again."

"In the first place, what are you going to do with the remnants of that person?"

"I don't know," Queen shrugged his shoulder. "Maybe I'm gonna sell it?" he laughed. "What the f**k. What am I gonna do with the ashes, really? I doubt someone would buy it unless she really loves that dead person that she's willing to take the risk. Or maybe... someone would steal that because of anger?"

"You think so?"

"I don't think so."

"If you're going to choose between the two reasons that you've mentioned, what could it be?"

Queen paused for a moment. He looked up the dome while expressing hesitations but after some time, he looked at me again and said, "Maybe because of anger?"

"But how deep is that wrath?" I asked him. "The person was dead already, but he's still mad? What does he want then?"

"f*****g right. If I am mad at Zayden and I knew that he's already dead, I won't bother stealing his ashes. Like duh! I don't need 'em, the freaking hell." Queen released a deep breath. "Unless I'm also angry at his family."

When I heard that to him, it seemed like there was a light that tingled my brain. I didn't think of it, but when I thought about it, I guessed it was something that didn't really seem to be real. I knew how good Zayden was because he was raised well by his parents. I didn't think someone would be mad at them because of certain violent issues... unless it was jealousy.

I looked at Queen with my creased brow and asked him, "Do you think someone is jealous of them?"

"Maybe... but why? And who is that person that's gonna ruin the hell out?"

"I don't know, but I know only one thing," I told Queen. "I don't believe Zayden killed himself as what the police said. If he did that to himself, why would someone steal his ashes and then return them? Can't you see someone's playing us? That one who stole the jar could be the same person who killed him in Abbey Street."

Queen did not talk right away because he seemed to be thinking of what I had told him.

On the same side, I was also thinking about it. Even though I had seen the record of how Zayden was killed, I did not really believe the opinion of the police and the experts. I knew there was something in there that no one would be able to figure out. But if I would be going to look at the different incidents that consequently happened after he died, who would say that they were all connected to each other?

"Speaking of Abbey Street..." Queen mouthed, "how are the signs you've seen there? You haven't told me about them for a long long long time ago, bitch."

"I didn't see another sign again," I told him. "But those signs are still speaking to me. They are still helpful until now though I'm not really sure of how they are being beneficial to me."

"Don't you wanna try to approach a seer? If the experts can't help you, then go to the person who believes in the supernatural. Well, I can't blame you for not believing the scientific reasons for these cases. I once heard a quote the girl's instincts should be believed on because they are always true. So, if you feel like there's something wrong, then go for what you feel. I support you, girl."

I smiled at what I heard from Queen, but that didn't give me a hint to hug him; instead, I slapped him slightly on his upper arm and laughed, "When did you become a counselor, huh?"

"I don't even know. That few time of my life was a gross." Queen touched his neck and acted like he was trying to stop himself from vomiting. "But really... those I said to you came from the deepest bottom of my brain. I kinda feel like I'll be exploding," he laughed. "Take that advice because you'll never hear those good words from me again."

I laughed. "You know you're really so strange today."

"Because of giving a decent advice?"

"Not just that. You know just right after I sat beside you, I've noticed you blushing."

Queen's blushing was a kind of flowering, the sort of pink that brings champagne roses to the imagination, and his eyes were glimmering. There could only be two reasons for that: maybe he got a passing score in any of the activities or... more likely he met another handsome boy again anywhere in the road.

"I just can't get over that freaking gorgeous man I met outside the university," Queen said, which was not surprising to me anymore. "But b***h, he is different from the rest I've met. He's not more handsome than Cheveyo my baby but... he looks more expensive."

I puckered my brow and released a soft giggle. "What?"

"I don't know if you're gonna believe me in this but that man seems like an actual prince looking for his princess. I'm not sure if that was just a costume, but in the way he acted and talked, he appears like royalty. He even talked to me, oh my gosh!"

"What did he tell you?"

"Not actually a phrase or a sentence, but a question. Goddamn, he's looking for a girl named Brielle," Queen said, glaring. "But I know that's not you, so I didn't say I know someone who named Brielle 'cause he would just consume my time. But if he was looking for me, then I'd be willing to spend more time with him."

I turned my gaze away from Queen and for some time, I did not utter a word, because the man Queen talked about started to bother me. I did not want to think he was Prince Valor, but what if he was that man and he was looking for me?

"Why did you become quiet?" Queen asked. "I was just kidding. I'm a hoe, but not a prostitute. They are still different."

"How did he ask you the question?" I asked Queen, looking at him again. "Did he describe that girl who named Brielle?"

"Why? Are you assuming it is you?"

"Just tell me, Queen."

"Well, nothing, 'cause I left him already since he kinda looked weird for that costume. Later did I just realized he was freaking hot and handsome. I regret not staying for too long. But in any case, I won't help him find that girl. Duh!"

If ever the man was Prince Valor really, what was his reason for finding me? In the first place, why would he find me on the road when he knew he could visit me in my house? He didn't seem to have a deep reason for him to do that, so could it still be him that Queen was talking about?

Queen was still talking but I wasn't able to register in my mind the words he was uttering because I was still stuck on my thoughts. Not until he tapped me on my shoulder and asked me if I was even listening.

"Yeah, I'm so so sorry," I mouthed.

"I told you he's waiting for you to respond," Queen pointed out the guy who was in front of me. "You're really not listening to me. Cheveyo, I asked for pardon for my best friend's flotation."

"No, it's alright. I would just ask when is your free time?" Cheveyo said to me as he still stood in front of me with one hand inside his pocket.

I was about to answer when Queen slapped me on my arm while shaking because of being thrilled by those words. So, before answering Cheveyo, I looked at my best friend again and whispered to him to stop embarrassing me. I knew he was thinking Cheveyo was asking me for a date, little did he know that it was just all about the school assignment.

"It's due next week, so I'm asking you," Cheveyo added when I didn't speak. "I don't want us, especially you to rush things."

"Uhm, tomorrow, after class," I told him.

"Why not today?" Queen said in a very low tone, but I was able to hear it, so I pinched him in the flank secretly.

"Alright then, may I ask for your number so I can contact you?" Cheveyo asked.

I said yes before I wrote down my number on paper and give it to him. My eyes flamed when he took it and leave without even thanking me for it; he didn't even give a simple smile. What a cold heart. I did not think so I'd be able to act normally beside him. How would be the assignment go when I was with him? We'd see.