Chapter 3

NOLAN

I sighed as I walked towards my closet. I picked the most decent uniform to wear. Another day of school. Though, I’m not complaining that I’m going to school. It’s my dream when I was young. But, I DIDN’T KNOW THAT SCHOOL IS THIS HARD!

I looked at the time. Dammit! It’s already 7:00 AM! We have a class at 7:15! I quickly wore my clothes, I went directly to the dining room, nobody’s here. Maybe mom and dad are still sleeping? I ate pancakes with syrup. 

I didn’t have time to drink my water. I quickly went outside and head towards our school. Well, Zonwolf University is not that far from home. 

Unconsciously, I looked at a girl running fast. It’s weird to see people in this place. Only a few people know about this, my family and I use this as a shortcut to school. Back to the girl, it looks like that she’s late on her work because of her messy hair and untidy clothes. Also, based on her uniform, I think she’s a nurse.

As the time I looked at her, my head started to hurt again. Though, the pain’s not severe, unlike the other day. I tried to walk normally. Until the pain worsens, I accidentally sat down. I feel like the world’s spinning. I tried to ignore the pain but it just kept getting worst. 

I screamed because of the throbbing pain. I looked up, instead of the blue and peaceful sky; I saw dark blue water. I looked everywhere until I realized that I’m in an enormous ball of water. This place seems familiar. Like I have seen it before. Is it the place I’ve seen in my dream?

I confirmed it when the same faint light showed up. As it gets closer, I saw a figure of a woman. My jaw dropped when I saw her face. It’s not blurry anymore!

I looked at her, her eyes are closed and her lips formed a curve. I feel like I have seen her face before….

Oh, shoot!

My eyes widened when I finally recognized her. S-She’s Credail! My classmate! I cursed because of shock. “C-Credail?!” I shouted. Then, she opened her eyes. She looked at me and the corner of her lips rose.

“Now do you know me,” I can’t say anything. My mouth didn’t respond. B-But how?! Is this real? 

“Now that you’re question has been answered. You must now complete my request.” Then an image of the mermaid popped out of the water.

My heart throbbed upon seeing her. Still, she's the most beautiful person I’ve seen. Her gentle smile from her pinkish lips. Her light blue eyes that screams the calmness of the sea. Her hair that represents the waves. Down to her exquisitely curve and her tail that looks like the setting sun.

It’s like everything was perfectly in place. Her body is perfect for her.  “Will you save her?” She spoke. I looked at her, I was about to answer when she cut me.

“Save your answer until we meet again. The time’s over. Go back to your world.” Then there was a force like before, it’s pulling me back. But I didn’t fight it. I let myself go to the flow. Eventually, I found myself in a room of darkness. No light can be seen. My head started to hurt again. 

“Wake up!” My eyes opened wide when mom shouted. I looked at her, did I passed out? 

“We decided to go home early and we saw you here, lying on the ground. What happened to you?” She asked worriedly. I looked at dad who’s now also looking at me.

Was it another dream? Am I sick? What’s happening to me?  

“Are you ok? Can you go to school?” Mom asked. I nodded at her. 

“Y-Yeah.” I stuttered. 

“But you literally just passed out! How can you go to school like that?! And can you still go? I’m guessing that you’ll be late!” I winced when dad shouted. I looked at my watch. I still have time.

“If you can drive me to school, then I won’t be late,” I said to them. Yeah, we have a car. However, I want to walk to school. I think it is healthier, I guess.

They looked at me then they sighed, “All right, we’ll drive you to school.” Dad decided. I secretly smiled.

I was spaced out the whole time we’re driving. What a weird dream, didn’t I have enough sleep last night? 

My consciousness came back when mom called me, “Nolan! We’re here!” She said. I responded to them and walked out of the car.

I bid them goodbye before I went inside. As I walk inside, I can’t help but be bothered by that dream.

‘What the heck Nolan! Why you’re so worried about a stupid dream?! You should be worried about yourself because you just passed out in the middle of nowhere!’ My conscience spoke. Yeah right, I should be more worried about that.

I opened the door of our classroom, and I saw our teacher sitting. Luckily, he didn’t start discussing it yet. I greeted him then head towards my seat.

I gazed at Credail who is now smiling at me. As if she knows something, I do not. I ignored it; maybe she is complimenting me again? 

When I finally reached my seat, I heard Credail whispered, “Are you really always late?” She asked. I looked at her; did she really think that I go to school late? If only I didn’t pass out, I would be early!

I stared at her, “I passed out, and I think I am sick. I always dream about that goddess and what’s worst? I dreamed that you’re the goddess.” I whispered back.

Upon saying that, she sighed. “Let’s talk after class.” She said. Huh? Why all of a sudden? I weirdly looked at her. I just nodded; will she confess herself to me? Does she really like me? Is it because I’m too handsome? Woah man, will I thank her? I don’t even like her, Haha!

I let go of that thought and just focused on studying. 

Time flew fast, lunchtime!

“Will you go to the cafeteria with me today?” I looked at Orlene. She was waiting for my answer. I nodded in response. Every day is always like this. She asks me if I’ll go with her and I wouldn’t say anything back, a nod is enough. 

On the way to lunch, I heard Orlene spoke. “Mathematics is so hard!” She ranted. I laughed, is it really? I don’t find Mathematics hard. Though I’m not best at it, I still prefer it than Filipino. Filipino Subject is hard!

“Why did you laugh?” Then she pouted, cute. I shook my head, “Nothing,” I answered.

“E-Eh? Tell me why!” She shouted. “What will you eat today?”  I said, trying to change the topic.

“Oh, I’m going to buy fried rice with bacon, I think.” She answered.

I nodded at her. I’m going to buy the same.

“You witch!” We heard a shout; we both looked in that direction.

Orlene and I looked at each other and nodded. We ran towards the direction where the shout could be heard. There, we saw a girl bullying someone.

Our eyes widened when we realized that Credail was lying down on the floor with her messy hair and uniform. Without saying anything, we ran directly to her direction. Orlene helped Credail to stand, while I looked at the two bullies.

“What the hell happened?!” I shouted at them. They could see anger and hatred in my eyes. They were covered with fear.

I always hate bullying, I always remember my younger sister whenever someone gets bullied. I always remember how she committed suicide because of bullying.

“I-I pushed her b-because I-I hate her guts!” Wow, she really has the strength to shout at me?!

I was about to shout at her when a teacher went to our direction, “What happened here?” She asked.

I tried to calm myself. Few seconds passed I spoke, “Ma'am those two girls inflict pain to our classmate, Credail.” I explained. She looked at me with wide eyes.

“Is it true?” She asked, then they nodded. What honest bullies! “Oh, my god!” The teacher shouted.

I shook my head in disbelief, everything happened fast. The two girls were suspended for a week.

Now, Credail is in the clinic to treat her wounds while Orlene and I headed back to the classroom. Orlene’s worried about her. We’ve been talking about the bullies until our last teacher for today came.

We greeted Ma’am Sevline, our Filipino teacher. She started discussing Philippine Myth. See? That’s why I hate Filipino. I don’t get the point of why we need to learn about something that doesn’t exist or not real.

“That’s all for today's class.” Time flew fast, we’re now going home. I fixed my bag and head towards the door together with Orlene.

Outside the classroom, I saw Credail waiting for me. Huh, so she didn’t forget about that. I looked at Orlene.

“Uh, Orlene you can go home without me. I just have to do something.” She smiled at Credail then nodded. She then continued walking.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” I asked, acting clueless. I’m used to this, she asked me to talk to her so she can probably tell me that she likes me. Like the other girls that I’ve talked to, aside from Orlene.

“I’ll tell you but first, follow me.” She said. I didn’t even have enough time to say ‘no’ when she started walking.

After a minute of walking, she finally stopped. I looked around; we’re in a hidden part of the school. Why does she want to talk in a deserted place?

She faced me before she started talking, “First, I want to thank you and Orlene for saving me.” O..kay? I nodded at her.

“Now, I want to tell you something.” This is it, she will now confess.

“You’ve been dreaming about a goddess telling you to save a mermaid right?” H-Huh? I just nodded, clueless of what she’s talking about.

“Well, then that goddess is here in front of you.” Then a huge amount of water covered her.

Wait, what?!

End of Chapter 3