Chapter 25Birthday
Zen's Point of View...
I sat down on the bed. Even if I closed my eyes, my spirit was awake. I couldn't sleep, something was bothering me, I know. I looked at the window. It was locked because it's already a bloody night. The time when killing is legal. Everyone is afraid of this range of time, so am I. Everyone is afraid of the night, but for me? I really like the night, quiet, everything seems normal. It's nice to think that I'm just in an ordinary school. I studied to make my family proud. It's nice to think that this is just a nightmare. I wish, I wish this was just a nightmare, I wish I could just wake up in a dream...
I rolled my eyes. I need air but it isn't safe outside. I left the room and left Mia and Vanessa who were sleeping soundly. My forehead creased when I saw that the boys' room was open but empty.
I quickly entered and scanned my eyes, "Shit, they aren't here." My body turned cold when I saw that the front door wasn't locked. I don't want to think that - "No, my thinking is wrong." I slapped my face several times. I don't want to. I hope this is just a dream. I don't want to think that... I sat down on the sofa and stared into space blankly.
"Since when? Have they been missing for a long time when we're sleeping soundly? But why? Did they go out? But why? What are they doing? Bloody week." The night and morning have no difference now but I know the night is more dangerous compared to the morning. I don't know what I should be afraid of now. The morning and witness the crime or the night but being faced with the truth?
"I need to find them."
I carefully returned to the room. My system got even colder when I saw Vanessa's wide open eyes. She was looking at the closed window. I stopped where I stood. A bitter grin formed on Vanessa's lips. She wasn't looking at me but I could feel her voice trembling. My brain almost exploded from thinking.
"What does she mean? Why like this? What is happening to us? I thought we were okay? I thought nothing changed with us? Was I too stupid?"
"W-Where are they?" Almost nothing came out of her mouth. The coldness in my body reached my heart. My heart beat gradually slowed down. The coldness also reached my brain that didn't want to work.
"What's happening?"
Vanessa looked at me. She was still smiling, a bitter smile. Her lips were already trembling and any second she would let go of what she felt but she chose to stop it so Mia wouldn't wake up. I walked towards the boys' room and pushed her on the bed. I glared at her so she had nothing to do but bow her head. I grabbed her arm and pulled her outside. All sorts of things were entering my mind and it's hard to accept that every detail I uncover makes my skin shiver.
"Speak," I kneeled in front of her and slapped her face to face me.
"What is happening here?" I asked.
She didn't answer but her tears gradually fell. She stood up and closed the door as if making sure no one would hear our conversation. Now I regret it. Which path should I choose? Cover my ears and act blind to the truth or know the truth?
"Z-Zein. I'm scared." The first words that came out of her mouth.
I just sat down on the bed and bowed my head. I don't want to listen to her. I don't want to know what she knows. I don't want to hear what she will say.
"It's been three days now, I always wake up and they're gone." Her voice was trembling which made the fear I feel even worse.
"Sometimes it's Matt, sometimes it's Dave, and sometimes it's Jerome. I don't know!" She said confusedly as if she wanted to scream in confusion.
They go out at night? What are they doing outside? Why like that? I thought we were friends? Why are they hiding things from us?! I want to scream in disappointment. My friends, was I too confident? Why did everything have to come to this?
I stood up from sitting so Vanessa, who was sobbing at the side, looked at me. Her hands were covering her mouth and stopping herself from making a noise that would wake up the person who shouldn't be involved in what's happening.
"W-What will you do?" Her voice was cracking. Her forehead was creased as if asking a question.
"I will find out what's happening." I said blankly. I went out of that room to go to our room to get my blazer and leave but I glanced at Mia who was still sleeping soundly. I will bring back my friends, I will bring back the past.
When I went out of the room, Vanessa appeared in front of me. She tightly held my right arm but my gaze stayed far away. I don't want to look at her.
"Z-Zein, Please, don't," she pleaded tremblingly.
I don't want to look at her. I don't want to lose hope. I don't want to see one of my friends crying. It hurts me more.
"I will fix this, I will fix this shit."
I gradually removed her hand from my arm but I was only a few steps away from the door when she suddenly kneeled in front of me. I tightly closed my eyes and felt the warmth on the side of my eyes.
"Shit! Tears are useless. Even a gallon of my tears won't change anything. I need to take action."
"- Stay here please. Zein, I'm begging you. Stay." Hearing these words from her mouth is tearing me into pieces. It is a bullshit feeling that I can't hold longer! I want to hug her and to cry with her but- I won't show that I'm losing hope. I don't want to lose the little hope I'm holding on to. I am useless. I promised myself I would protect them! I promised that shit to myself! I am not going to break that bullshit!
"I'll be back, I promise." I tightly closed my eyes when I roughly removed her grip on my leg and opened the door.
Cold wind greeted me. It's dark outside but because of the moon there's a little light. I glanced at Vanessa again which I wish I didn't do. She was sitting on the floor, facing away from me. Her hands were covering her nose. I could clearly hear her muffled sobs. My heart felt like it was being squeezed so I couldn't stop myself from returning and closing the door.
I kneeled in front of her and hugged her tightly. I tightly closed my eyes when the warm liquid started flowing in my eyes.
"I'm not crying. Shit, Zein. Don't."
"Please. Stop it, please." I bit my lip when my voice started shaking. "Nothing bad will happen to them. I promise." I said.
I don't care anymore if I have to pawn my life to death just to make sure my friends are safe. I don't care about myself anymore. What would be my purpose if I live without one of them or worst all of them.
I don't know how I carried Vanessa to the room. I locked the door so I wouldn't hear their arrival. I don't want to see it, I will think it's just a dream. If I need to live in a dream, I will do it.
"You won't mention anything about what happened today, Van. Nothing happened today."
I stared at her swollen eyes. She nodded. "I will. Stay with us, Zein." She kept repeating as if I was going to leave them or if that's the only way for them to live. I would gladly give mine with a smile.
I woke up because of some noise outside. I rubbed my eyes. I looked at my side and Mia and Vanessa weren't there anymore. The light was also peeking through the window so I opened it. Blinding light greeted me.
"Good morning." I greeted myself.
When I went out of the room, a confetti exploded.
"Happy Birthday!" They all greeted happily.
They were even wearing party hats and Matt was holding a cake with a wide smile. I just covered my mouth because I was speechless. I didn't realize it was my birthday already. I have too many things on my mind. But, you know what is the best feeling? You forgot something special to you but your friends remembered it. Hay. Heaven.
"Wee! Happy birthday, secretary!" Jerome shouted and even held my arm.
"Thank you! You guys! You even have this!" I said and kissed Mia and Vanessa on the cheeks who even moved away a little.
"Eww, brush your teeth first!" Vanessa said with a grimace which made me laugh. I wish it could stay like this forever.
"Happy Birthday, Zein. A kiss from me?" Matt asked and came closer to me holding the cake.
Eh? With Mia and Vanessa it's okay for me to kiss them without brushing my teeth but with Matt, I'm shy!
"Eh? I-I haven't brushed my teeth yet!" I said shyly.
Mia and Vanessa grimaced.
"Like that? You're conscious with him but with us even if we die, it's okay?" Vanessa said with a grimace art.
"You don't need to be shy when in fact, it will be a pleasure to me, Zein."
Wah! What did he say? My crush! He's making me blush!
"Go ahead, stop playing hard to get." Dave said with a smile.
I glared at him but he just laughed at me. He's abnormal.
"Sure." I froze when I felt Matt's soft lips on my cheek. The girls screamed while I almost curled up in kilig. UGH! Matthew! It was just a one swift kiss!
"Happy birthday, crush!" he said with a smirk.
Crush? Do I still need to wish if all my wishes are already in front of me? To be with my friends, with a smile on their lips, complete.
"That's enough." but if I have one wish.
I wish we could always be like this. I said with a smile to myself.
The smile on my lips couldn't be erased while walking with my friends who were laughing hard. It turned out the cake the boys made had no taste. Hahaha.
"At least you made an effort, you should have just added flavor." Mia said laughingly who was holding my arm. I can't stop smiling but the smile suddenly faded when I saw him walking towards us. I held Mia's arm to stop her but Supremo blocked my way with a creased forehead. I gave him a cold stare.
"What now, Supremo?"
"Good in the morning but it seems that bad weather will destroy the day." I heard Matt say.
I know what he's talking about so I faced him. "Bad weather?" I asked.
I came closer to him and held his arm. "Nevermind. There is so many damn reason to be happy." I said.
"Of course, we're with you." Dave said.
"Who else could give you a smile and happiness but your friends." He added.
"I know right." I said.
We heard Supremo's cough so we looked at him. "Oh! Supremo, you're here." I said. "You're here Supremo, do you need me already? Do you need your secretary?"
"Yeah, it seems that you are having fun together but would you mind if I interrupt you, guys? I need my secretary."
"Oh? Secretary? Are you referring to me? I thought you have a new secretary anyway, what can I do for you, Supremo?" I asked.
His forehead creased so I signaled my friends to go ahead. "You don't know how happy I am. See you later." I said happily.
I still heard my friends' laughter with Mia and Vanessa's subtle tripping of Supremo. Matt and Dave smirked at Supremo while Jerome just went straight and followed Mia. I waved at them when they weren't far yet.
"Why are you so damn happy?" He asked
confusedly.
"It is none of your business." What's it to me? What if I'm happy now?
What's it to you?
"Watch your words." His eyes suddenly narrowed, so I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Like as if I still care
I'm no longer afraid of you, Supremo. Since the time you left me in the middle.
I followed him to the SSG Office. I was itching to ask a question. I really wanted to ask where the angel was?
Where is the lucky girl, Supremo?
"It's been 3 days since the Bloody week started. 30 students already died." Onel said as Supremo sat down.
30 students? What do I care? Even if they all kill each other, what do I care? I am not a super hero to protect them all.
I am no longer a hero.
"Crap it. I am not asking and I don't care." Supremo said.
I wanted to smirk. When did you ever care about your surroundings? You are just too numb and heartless. That is why, I am starting to hate you, Supremo,
What will I do here? Supremo hasn't ordered anything.
"What is the occasion now?" Supremo suddenly asked Onel.
"It is bloody week, Supremo. Nothing special." But, I couldn't help but wonder. Why would Supremo care what's happening today? He doesn't, right?
"I think your secretary must be the one you should ask for that", Onel said, clearly busy with the papers he was carrying.
"I have to go." He said before leaving the door.
Supremo looked at me as if waiting for my answer.
"What?" I irritably asked.
"There's really no occasion today. The foundation day is next week."
"What is the occasi-I mean to celebrate-Err. Nevermind." He irritably buried his face in his desk and I am like. OMG. Supremo is going crazy.
Go on, Supremo, go crazy. You're making me happy.
"What's with your smile earlier?" I looked at him again. "You seemed so happy." He said with a frown.
Don't I have the right to be happy anymore? Are you going to deny me even a smile, Supremo? You are just too heartless.
Wait. Why am I acting weird? UGHE
""There's nothing special today, Supremo. Next week is still the foundation day." I lifelessly said.
His lips were about to part and he wanted to ask more questions but he just chose to remain silent. What is it? What's bothering you? Why are you asking for an occassion suddenly? What is with you and you are acting really weird?
He really couldn't keep still while reading a lot of papers about student's information. Err?
What is he looking for?
He subtly looked at me so I raised an eyebrow at him.
Dammit! Even I am getting curious about what he's looking for? What is he trying to ask that he seems unable to sleep until he finds the answer?
This is the first time I've seen Supremo this restless about something. Is that too important to him?
I even heard his subtle sighs. My forehead is starting to hurt from thinking about what he is thinking about.
You are really hard to read. And Why am I even bothering to read him?
Is it me or him, the one who is weird here?
"Leave me alone."
I almost gaped at what he said. I almost slammed my desk at what he said. What did he say? Leave me alone? Is he crazy? He was the one who called me here and then-UGHHH
"Leave me alone!"
"Yes, fine! Can't you wait?! Here I am! I'm leaving already! Pest!"
He really gives me a headache. I just went to the mirror to fix myself. That animal is ruining my poise. I just combed my loose hair and tied it up.
I froze when I saw who just walked in. Her face is so gentle that I don't know how she got close to a demon. I hurried up with fixing myself because I wasn't comfortable being with her.
"He's right, you are weird."
I was the only one with her, so it was obvious she was talking to me, unless she was losing her mind and talking to herself.
But, who the heck is weird? Me?
I confirmed my suspicion when she faced me. She was smiling, so I couldn't be grumpy because she really looked like an angel. Hay.
"Zein, right?" She asked but I didn't bother to answer.
"You amazed me." She suddenly smiled widely. "You are really one of a kind." She added.
Ok. What is she talking about.
"I saw how you defended yourself yesterday." She added. " I can only say one thing, he believes in you. Even though he wanted to help, he stopped himself. At first I doubted that you could do it, but it was a mistake, no doubt. Sorry, I've said too much. I'll go first." She smiled again before hurrying away.
I froze. I'm not stupid enough not to understand what she said. I sternly shook my head. Wrong, my thoughts are wrong. I don't want to believe it, but why is it like that?
It's annoying to admit it, I couldn't get mad at her. Even though I was grumpy towards her earlier, I know I'm not angry or anything.
UGHHH I'm going crazy.
I decided to go to the library since my friends also didn't attend their subjects. My schedule became more complicated since I became a secretary. I barely have classes with my friends anymore.
The librarian smiled at me so I just smiled back. I went to the far part of the library where there weren't many people sitting.
I just sat down and thought about what my friends did. They made my day very special and I really don't remember that today is myBirthday.
"We are getting old." Jerome joked to me.
We were heading back to the dorm because all subjects were finished. It was just 30 minutes until bloody night, but we didn't care about this bloody week anymore.
We stopped when we ran into Supremo again. Unlike earlier, the restlessness on his face was gone, but he looked clearly tired.
"Can I talk to you?" He asked me.
"No." Matt replied.
I held Matt's arm to stop him. He frowned but just nodded. "You all go ahead." I said.
"Tss."
Matt walked away first, followed by everyone else. Now it was just me and Supremo here.
It was getting a bit dark and the wind was blowing harder, sweeping my hair around. I looked at him; he was just looking at me.
"What do you need?" I asked coldly.
"You really won't tell me?" He asked, which made me frown. "Do I still need to find out? Do you need to make it difficult for me?" He ruffled his hair, which was already messy.
What is he talking about? Is he referring to the reason for his restlessness earlier? Why he couldn't keep still searching for info in the papers earlier? Is that why he looks so tired?
What do I have to do with that?
"I know there's something with your smile."
"What are you talking about?!"
"Happy birthday, Zein."
That made me speechless and in a snap, I found myself seeking for more air.
You know what is the better feeling than your friends remembered something special to you? It is the feeling that someone who is not special to you made an effort for you
Damn you, Supremo