WHO'S THIS

It was another new session at school. However, I’ve always hated going to school since I was young. Well, it wasn’t that I was being bullied at school. It was just because I hated being unable to show my true self. Especially the fact that I always pretend to be a shy girl, which I’m not. Not that I choose to be so myself. My mom constantly reminds me that being a quiet person will prevent trouble from heading towards you. However, it never worked for me. It got much worse. A ball suddenly hit my head.

“Aww.” A painful cry came out of my lips as I rubbed the place I was hit. I lifted my head and looked in the direction where the ball had hailed from. In the distance afar, were a group of boys playing on the football field.

Seeing that the ball had hit a student, one of the boys headed over. However, instead of apologizing to me, he scolded me harshly. “Hey, you should watch where you’re heading to. Don’t you have an eye or what?” He leaned down and picked up the ball that had just hit me.

“What a farce. It’s you who should watch where you are aiming at.” I mumbled under my breath.

“What did you say?” Knowing I had uttered something, the boy gazed at me fiercely.

“Nothing.” I hurriedly shook my head and said, “I’ll watch out where I’m heading next time.” After saying that, I immediately took to my heel.

I’ve always been a brave and charming girl. However, that’s just my inner fantasy. Sometimes, reality hits you in the face.

“Belia.” Ivy came out from nowhere and clasped my hand with hers. “You came to school today. I thought you wouldn’t.”

Of everyone closest to me, only Ivy, my best friend understands me best.

“And here I am. Let go of my hand. Why is your palm so sweaty?” I said with repulsion as I withdrew my hand from her grip and took a handkerchief from my pocket to wipe off the grime on my palm.

Ivy didn’t mind my words and looked at me worriedly. “Huh-huh, what’s wrong with our dear Belia? Are you in a bad mood? What’s that red spot on your forehead? Did you hit your head on something?” She reached out to touch my forehead, but I swiped it away.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine.” We both arrived at the corridor of our classroom and entered the class.

“It’s so good to be in our final year.” Ivy smiled as she sat behind her desk. “Everyone’s already talking about university. Which school do you plan on going to, Belia?” She turned to look at me as she asked.

“Farming,” I replied indifferently, taking my books from my bag.

“Farming?” Ivy was first stunned by my reply before she burst into laughter. “Come on, cut the jokes. You’re so bad at telling one. Tell me, where exactly are you going to?”

“Do I have to tell you everything about my life?”

“I guess you’re in a bad mood today.” Ivy saw through my mood and stopped asking me questions.

The teacher soon entered the class and the standing students immediately scurried back to their seats. However, the teacher’s gaze wasn’t fixed on the scampering students but was instead settled on the big writing on the board that said ‘GO TO HELL MRS. GIVANNI. YOUR BREATH STINKS’.

Immediately I saw those words, I knew that one of the male students must have written it since they like to do this kind of prank. However, Mrs. Givanni, our teacher for today wasn’t having it when she saw the sentences written on the board.

She turned to the student seated below, her face brimming with anger as she asked. “Who wrote these words on the board?” Unfortunately for her, her question was answered with a dead silence. “I’ll ask this once again. Who wrote these words on the board?” Seeing that none of the students were raising their hands to speak, Mrs. Givanni slammed her hands onto the stand podium. “Wow! What a perfect cooperation. However, you know what, you’re all failing this course.”

“What? No way.” Words of dissatisfaction came out from everyone’s lips.

“Then all you have to do is to pick out the culprit. I’m sure one of you did it.” She looked at each student in the eyes. How dare they say her breath stinks. She isn’t going to forgive the culprit no matter what. “So, who is it?”

The whole class was silent until a voice shouted.

“It’s Belia!”

“What!” I exclaimed at the same time. No student was bearing the name Belia in this classroom apart from me. Hence, that person had just pointed me out as the culprit. I looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was no one other than Alison.

‘That girl is a crap’. I cursed under my breath. Alison had always hated me and I don’t even know the reason why. Well, I’ve never liked her to begin with. “Look Alison, this isn’t the time to joke. I didn’t write it, so why did you have to call out my name.”

“It’s her.” As if she didn’t hear my words, Alison continued to point at me. “I saw her writing it this morning.”

“That’s a lie. I didn’t.” I shielded myself from her accusation.

“That right. She did not.” Ivy also defended me. “We came to the classroom together. Why didn’t I see her writing it then.”

“Well, who knows? Maybe you both planned it together.” Alison said with a scornful smile.

“What are you trying to imp--.”

“That’s enough!” The teacher cut in before looking in my direction. “Belia, go to the library warehouse and dust all the books there. That will be your punishment.”

“All the books!” I exclaimed in astonishment. “But I didn’t--”

“I’m sure you heard what I just said. Now leave the classroom.” The teacher's stern voice rang out once again.

“Okay.” However, before leaving, I made sure to give Alison an intense stare. Seeing my cold gaze, Alison turned her head away. “I swear, you’ll pay for this,” I said through gritted teeth, before leaving the classroom.

I headed towards the library. The school library was located in the southern part of the school. Some of the students who had a free morning schedule could be seen heading towards the library direction to study. I entered the library and walked toward the library manager's counter to state the reason why I was there.

“You were punished.” The library manager looked at my face. “Your appearance doesn’t seem to fit the category of a bad student.” I didn’t make an answer to her statement. Seeing that I wasn’t going to reply to her, she pointed me in the direction of the cleaning room where I would pick up the cleaning equipment I needed.

“Thank you,” I said to the lady before leaving.

After taking a duster, gloves, and mask from the cleaning room, I headed toward the library warehouse. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted with an ample wave of dust onto my face. Even though I was wearing a nose mask, I began to sneeze fervently.

“Achoo!”

I brave through the dust and took the feather duster, before starting to dust the books on the shelves. More dust filled my nose and I began to sneeze constantly.

“You’re going to pay for this, Alison.” I kicked angrily at the bookshelves to vent my frustration. Unfortunately, one of the books seemed unstable and fell onto the floor. Seeing the fallen book, I leaned forward to pick it up.

It wasn’t a learning material but a novel. Looking at the book title, I was hooked by its name. “BRIDE OF THE SEVEN GODS,” I uttered the title and then turned the book over in search of the author’s name. But I couldn’t find it. It seems like it wasn’t written on the cover. “Anyways, it sounds interesting. Let me just have a sneak peek.” I hurriedly find a secluded corner to sit in. I opened the book pages, ready to read when something unknown suddenly hit my head and I passed out in the aftermath.

“Aww.” I sat up groggily, rubbing the back of my head the moment I regained consciousness. “Have I truly been jinxed or is today meant to be a bad day for me?” Thinking of all that had happened to me till now, I complained bitterly in my heart.

When my vision became clearer, I was surprised to find out that I was in strange surroundings all alone by myself.

“What the hell! Where am I? Have I been kidnapped?” I swiftly got up to my feet and looked around cautiously. Different kinds of thoughts raced through my mind. “How the hell was I kidnapped? Have the school security been so lax that anyone can just go in and kidnap a student.”

Another thought struck my mind. Why would they kidnap a poor student like me? It’s not like my mom is a rich person. Or perhaps they mistook me for another person Then what am I doing here? Looking at my desolate surroundings, I began to panic. “Damm! It seems like I’ve truly been jinxed.” I lifted my hands and ruffled through my hair. However, my attention suddenly drifted to my clothes. It was a different attire entirely. Looking at the traditional pink robe that was on my body instead of my school uniform, I panicked even more. “Why am I wearing this? And where on earth is this place?”

Before I could think further, a wave of sound came from the distance. In the distance, there was a group of people dons in traditional attires all running towards me.

‘Huh.’ A confused expression appeared on my face. A realization immediately hit me. Could it be that I was kidnapped to replace an actress on a film set? ‘Damm. How daring are these filmmakers? So audacious to kidnap a student without her consent. I would probably get a big compensation if I sue them, right?’ While in my thoughts, the group was only a few distance away from me.

“There she is. Catch her. Catch the thief!” Their loud voices chorused together.

I wanted to prove off a brave front but seeing the fierce expression on their faces, I cowered in fear.

Wow, isn’t this just an act? Why is their expression so real? “What? Me? I’m sorry but I think there has been a mistake. I’m not an actress but a student in her final year of high school.” I staggered backward as I explained, hoping that the director would shout cut. Instead, I was grabbed by this group of fierce people. “Let go of me. Let me go. If you don’t, I swear I’m going to call the cops.” Despite my threatening words, the group continued to grab me along with them. Soon, we reached a place bustling with people moving on about.

“Isn’t she Minister Zhao’s daughter?”

“Of course she is.”

“Isn’t this her third time caught stealing? What a shame.” The passersby discussed among themselves

“Let’s take her to the Zhao manor.” A woman among the group that was grabbing me said.

“That’s right. Let’s take her to her father.”

“We demand an explanation from the minister.”

“Yes.” They all chorused in answer and then headed in another direction.

My butt was still sore from those numerous beatings. At first, I thought I was in the dreamland. But how is it possible to feel pain when you’re in a dream? Maybe, this isn’t a dream at all. Did I die after being hit by that unknown thing? If that’s so, then the place I am should be the afterlife, right?

“Aww.” I cried grievously while rubbing on my painful butts. “So painful. The afterlife is so painful.”

“Sister.” The soft voice of a girl called from outside. “Can I come in?”

“Huh...” I was stunned by the sudden interruption before then answering, “Sure, come on in.”

The door to the room swung open and a young girl dressed in a pink traditional gown walked in. Her face was small and round. One could see that she was the perfect definition of cuteness. How the hell can one be this cute? She approached me, before then taking a seat on the seating mat in front of me.

“Here.” She reached into her sleeves and brought out a small bottle. “This is an ointment.” She pushed the small bottle towards me. “I heard you were punished by father this evening, so I brought you an ointment to apply on your wound. Do not let mother see it. I stole it from her chamber.” The girl lowered her head as she slowly uttered the last sentence. One could from her expression that this was the first time she would ever commit such an act.

“Oh.” She even went so far as to steal from that evil woman. She’s such a cutie. “Thank you, little sister.” I smiled at her before then asking, “How old are you?”

“I’m nine years old.” Her eyelids fluttered as she answered.

“Ahh.” I nodded in realization. “No wonder why you’re so cute.” I couldn’t help but resist the urge to lean over and pinch her cheeks.

“Why do you ask, sister? You already knew my age from the start. Or could it be that you’re trying to give me a surprise present on my birthday?” There was eagerness in the girl’s eyes as she lifted her head to look at me.

“I…” I found myself at a loss of words to say. “Sister was just asking to see if you can still remember your birthday.” I faked a laugh to get myself out of the awkward situation. Just as I shifted my head away, I caught a glimpse of myself in the side mirror, noticing that there was something different about my appearance. But before I could look further, a soft voice interrupted my thought.

“Sister, do you know that father is planning on marrying you off?”

“What!” I thought I was hearing wrong but seeing the girl nodding in affirmation, I became even more shocked.

“I heard father and mother discussing about it some days ago. They are planning on marrying you somewhere far away.”

“What the hell! I’m not even done completing my high school much to talk of having reached the approachable age for marriage.” I almost screamed out my lungs at the last sentence.

“High school? What does that mean, sister?” The girl gazes at me with a look of confusion hearing the unfamiliar words coming from my mouth.

“It’s a place you go to after finishing middle school.” At my explanation, the young girl's look became even more confused. Then I recalled that this place I am might not be like the earth I’m familiar with. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.” She nodded.

“Am I dead?” The question I have been holding back for a long soon came out of my mouth. “I mean, is this place the afterlife? Although my imagination about the afterlife has always been great. This, I’m not so sure. So, I was thinking maybe I did die and ended up being your sister here in the afterlife. Isn’t that so?”

“Humm...” The young girl seems even more flustered by my question. “I don’t understand what you’re implying, sister.”

“Never mind.” I waved my hand in dismissal. “I guess this is just a dream,” I muttered the last sentence under my breath.

“Zanillia.” The voice belonging to an older male floated into the room from the outside wall. “Are you asleep?”

“Father’s here.” The girl hurriedly stood up. “Hide the ointment I gave you, sister.”

I immediately did as she instructed. However, who’s the Zanillia the man is calling for from outside?

“Are you in there, Zanillia?” The man asked once again.

“Sister, Father is calling for you.” She urged me to answer the man.

“Me...” I pointed at myself in surprise. Seeing her nod, I then raised my voice and answered, “No, I’m not asleep. You can come in.”

Hearing my invitation, the man entered into the room.

“You’re here.” The man saw the young girl who was standing at the side before turning to look at me. “I’d like to talk with your sister in private.” He walked over and sat on the cushion in front of me.

“Okay, father.” The girl bowed slightly, before excusing herself out of the room.

Now I was sitting face to face with the man who had recused me from the hand of those angry mobs or should I say the man who was behind my current misery of pain.

My voice towards him was unpleasant as I asked, “What do you want from me?”

“You’ve changed so much, Zanillia” He saw my hostile expression and shook his head in dismay. “Your mother was my first love. Because of her lowly background, she couldn’t hold the position of the madame of the house. I knew of all the troubles your stepmother puts her through but I decided to ignore it since she came from a powerful family.”

I almost yawn out loud while listening. Is this meant to be a touching story or what? All I see here is a scumbag who wanted power and wouldn’t mind sacrificing his loved ones for it. And sure enough, his next words prove his agenda.

“I know that you resent me for your mother’s death and for ignoring your stepmother’s maltreatment towards you. Yeah, I accept my blame. But daughter, you should know that your father is also powerless to do anything. Your stepmother came from the descendants of an immortal family. I’m afraid if I do anything against her, I’ll warrant the anger of the immortal family. As a result, I’ve decided to send you off to the seven realms. Perchance, you might end up marrying the legendary lord, bringing a great legacy to our family. I’ve put down your name among the candidates list. Father hope that you can try your best in the competition. So, I guess this is farewell for both of us.”

Ah. I almost let out a sneer at his sentence. How dare he have the courage to utter those words. He sacrificed the mother and now he wouldn’t let go of the child she left behind. I felt a wave of anger inside me but since it was all a dream or perhaps the afterlife, I decided to ignore it.

“Yeah, I guess so,” I said with a languid expression.

The man gazes at me. When he saw that I didn’t take his words to heart, he let out a sigh. “I just want you to know that I love you and I’ll always do.” Saying this, he got up to his feet and added. “I’ve told the maids to prepare the luggage for your journey tomorrow so have a good night's sleep.” Finished saying that, he stepped out of the room.

“Ugh.” I let out a groan as I sprawled across the table. “Is this a dream or what?” Seems like I’ll just have to know when I wake up the next morning. However, if this isn’t a dream, then it will be really bad. How can I live without my phone? My I*******m chat, my F******k, my Weibo account, I’m going miss them all. My mom would be worried about me now.

“Oh no.” I was instantly driven to tears at the thought of my mother’s panicked expression. “I want to wake up from this dream, please.”

Oh yeah. That reminds me. At the recollection of something, I swiftly crawled toward the opaque mirror that was placed in the corner of the room. The moment I stared into it, I came across a scene that could be the most shocking moment of my life. A different face stared at me from the mirror reflection. “Who is this?!”