Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 4: SHE IS GONE

Zane woke up early and prepared for school. He was planning to pass by Aera's house. She was the girl he met on the bus yesterday. He was going to wait for the school bus—and for her—at the bus stop near their house.

"I wanna see her today." He placed all his notebooks and books in his backpack. "I should excel in our exam later so I could also show her the score."

He went to the window and opened the blinds. The sun lit his face. "What a great morning!" He stretched his arms and legs. "I'm ready to face the day."

He suddenly remembered his daily challenge—avoiding the bullies in school. But nothing will ruin his mood since he was excited to see Aera again. "I need to hurry up."

He went out of his room and ran fast to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mom! Dad!" he greeted his parents who were in the dining area. His mother was preparing hot chocolate, and his father was drinking his coffee. His siblings were not there yet, probably still sleeping.

"Why are you so early today?" his mother asked with a puzzled look. "It's just five in the morning. You also look different now. Are you excited about something?"

"I-I will meet a friend at the next bus stop, Mom. I will just walk going there." It was really hard for him to tell a lie. His father taught him to be honest all the time.

"Glad you're making friends in school." His mother poured a cup of hot chocolate drink. "Drink this you so will have energy for a long walk."

"Thanks, Mom." He drank it while it was still hot. "It's delicious." He took one hotdog and stood up. "I'll prepare now, Mom, Dad. See you later."

"Be careful, Buddy," his father said.

"I will, Dad." He ran back upstairs to take a bath and prepare.

***

It is now quarter to six in the morning. Zane left their house early to have enough time to walk towards that bus stop, closer to the white house where Aera lives.

He wanted to be close to her. It will be hard for him to find her in school because he tries to avoid the bullies every day and hides on the rooftop or at the back of the school during lunch, where he can eat peacefully. It was his daily routine. Because of what he had been experiencing from the three bullies, he always kept his distance from other kids as well. He thought other kids would just make fun of him. He was always quiet in the classroom and just focused on studying.

He waited, but she had not arrived yet. "Did she leave early, or her mother took her to school?" He looked at his wristwatch to check the time. "It's already half past six. I will be late if I do not ride the next school bus." He sighed deeply. He needed to be patient. He waited for her for a few more minutes.

He looked back and stared at the huge white house. It seemed quiet, and it looked like no one was there. "She probably already went to school with her mother or father." He just shrugged his shoulders and let out another deep sigh.

A few minutes more passed by, and their school bus arrived. He looked back at the house again, hoping to see Aera at the last minute, but no one went out of their gate. He hopped on the bus and sat in the back seat. He covered his head using his hoodie jacket and hugged his backpack, trying not to catch anyone's attention. He spaced out and his mind went back to what happened yesterday.

He was hungry and shaking while hopping onto the school bus. He wants to go home and eat the food his mother cooked for dinner. He became more hungry after thinking of it. His stomach grows. He remembered those bullies who took his lunch and money. He lowered his head.

A sandwich suddenly appeared in front of his face. "Are you hungry? Here."

He looked up and saw a pretty girl with mid-brown hair and a set of blue eyes. He thinks they are the same age. He was mesmerized the first time he saw her. She is handing him a sandwich wrapped in a paper napkin. She looks like an angel to him. She sat beside him, still offering the sandwich.

He was hesitating, but he felt hungry. He took it immediately and unwrapped it. "Thank you..." he said, then he bit a huge chunk of sandwich. He almost choked while trying to swallow it.

"Here's water," the girl said. She opened a bottle of water and handed it to him. He grabbed it and drank fast from it.

"Thank you so much for your kindness," he said after catching his breath from choking. He was shy but he was really, badly hungry.

"Did you forget your lunch box? You looked so hungry like you came from a battle." She laughed hard.

"My classmate took my lunch box..." he said. He can't lie to this girl who was so kind to him. He also does not know how to tell a lie. His father taught him to become an honest and trustworthy person.

"I'm sorry to hear that... anyway, my name is Aera. You are?" she asked. She offered a handshake.

"Zane," he replied. He accepted her hand. It was the softest hands he ever touched. Well, he never touched any girl's hand before.

"I need to go now. Our house is right there." She pointed to the huge white house at the corner of the street.

"Thanks again, see you around." He waved his hand. He found a new friend. He thinks she is nice.

She stood up and got out of the bus. She looked back at him from outside of the bus, then she waved her hands. She is one of the prettiest girls he has seen in his entire life.

His mind went back to the present when the bus stopped in front of the campus gate. His steps were heavy while walking and taking off from the bus. He was hoping to see Aera on the campus.

"What if I visit her classroom?" He checked his wristwatch. "I have ten minutes left. I will rush to their room." He ran towards the Class C on the second floor. He stayed at the door, peeking inside the classroom. He screened the entire room but he did not see Aera.

He leaned on the wall and waited for her to arrive. He is nervous and excited to see her at the same time. Aera is her newfound friend, and the first one, to be precise.

The bell rang, it was time for him to leave. He has a heavy heart but he needs to go to their classroom downstairs. He sighed and turned around. His slow footsteps are as heavy as his cat Howard.

"Are you looking for anyone?" his Teacher, Dess, asked. She saw him while coming out of the faculty room which is also located on the second floor.

He hesitated to open up to her teacher, but he was eager to know where Area was. "I was looking for a friend. Her name is Aera from Class C." He scratched his head. "I wonder why she is not in her classroom yet. Do you have any news about her?"

"Oh, Aera. Yes, I know her. How can I forget her beautiful face and those deep blue eyes?" the teacher replied. "Her father sent an email to the Principal's office earlier. He said they needed to move out of town because of his work schedule. It was quick and informal but what can we do? We will just process her transfer papers, just in case they need it soon. Aera did not tell you?"

He shook his head. He felt weak and gloomy like heaven and Earth were crashing him to pieces. Aera was the first one who treated him nicely. "No, Teacher Dess." He slowly turned back and walked down the stairs. He thought he found a good friend, but they only knew each other for one day. He was thinking of passing by their house later, hoping they were still there, packing their things. At least they could have communication even though they are far away from each other.

The gloomy day ended. He went home without a word, and he walked straight to his room. He put down his backpack on the floor and sat on his bed, thinking about Aera.

"I hope to see you again someday." He laid his back on his bed's headboard. I won't lose hope."