The Search

Chapter 2

“I’m here to talk about the person you’re looking for,” Ma’am said.

I was completely shocked at my place when I heard that.

“When you were 13, you went to a school as a grade 7 and 8 student and then suddenly you moved to a high school to go to grade 9 and 10. I thought you wanted a different track from your last high school so you don't want to continue your grade 11 there but when you took a track that was in that high school, I wouldn't have wondered and would have known about your concern.”

I bowed my head. ”It's too personal Ma'am,” I said.

“I know. I didn't want to interfere but it's not that easy for you to move from school to school just to find someone you don't know what his name is and the only clue you have to find him is his mother's ID.”

I was speechless at what Ma'am said.

“It was my intention to help when I offered the eight of you to work here in the café but it doesn't end there. Don't be shy every time I will help you because you're like a family to me.”

I just looked at Ma'am and smiled. “Thank you very much Ma'am.”

She let out a sigh. “Don't thank me first because I'm not sure if this will help you yet,” she said at the same time she suddenly pulled out a folder and handed it to me.

I took it and just on the cover of the folder there were letters written that surprised me when I read it.

International Sanders Academy

“It's a high school near Barangay Tres. My attention was caught because of its name and I remember the name on the ID given to you.”

I don't have that ID right now but I clearly remembered the name written on the ID because I always carry it with me most of the time. I opened the folder in no time because of that.

“It is stated that Victoria Sanders is the founder of that school so the school was named after her. The problem is, that high school has an expensive fee so it's hard to get in. There is an entrance examination that is required even if you are a transferee. Also, they need to see your grades if you meet their standards. All the paperworks you need to get in are there in case you wanted to try to get in there.”

I was really surprised when I saw an application form and other papers to fill for admission.

“But even so, I can't say I'm confident that her son is studying there. What if her son doesn't actually want to study there?”

I just smiled at what Ma'am said.

“This is more than enough Ma'am,” I simply said. “This thing you gave me is a big help. Don’t worry Ma’am, whether he is there or not, I will finish my senior high there. Since you said that Ma'am Victoria is the founder, I'm sure I'll get a lot of information about her son.”

Ma'am smiled back at what I said.

“That’s good then. ”

When I left Ma'am's office, the café opened just in time so we went to work. Whenever there aren't too many customers, Iris and Lizar ask me what we talked about. I replied that as long as he didn't give me a raise and then they didn't ask again. Only Ma'am knew about my search for Ma'am Victoria's son. I am looking for him because just like I promised, I will protect him.

Arriving again at 9 pm, we immediately closed the café and for the rest of the time we arranged some things to do in the shop before we gathered again in that room. At 9:50, we turned off all the café lights again and when 10 arrived, the door at the back of the shop opened again and one by one we came out of it again. So far, I was the one who was the last to go out and Ma'am Safira, who’s also a tailed beast, came out first but before she left, she turned to me first and asked.

“Are you sure you're okay to wander around tonight Xania?”

I smiled at her. “I'm really okay Ma'am. I just have a lot in my mind.”

“In that case, when you need help where you might be, just make a signal to call one of us, do you understand?”

“Yes Ma'am.”

“Good. Be careful,” Ma'am said goodbye before she flew away using her two wings as one of her tails.

I watched her fly before I closed the door and ran away to Barangay Tres. I am now going to the nearest sea of the barangay and will be swimming. I may not be able to breathe underwater unlike Axton, but I swim fast because of my fish tail.

What I do, when I know that the sea I'm going to is not far away, I prepare myself first to run fast and try to jump high and using my peacock feathers, I open it so I can stay in the air for a while and use my fish tail. I will attacked my spiky fish scales in the sea then I will close my peacock feathers and...

Splash! I dived under the water to see if I had hit any fish that could be taken home to eat. Because of the light of the moon, a lot of fish will gather around it and I caught many of it so I happily took the fish scale with fish sticking with it. Then, I would go up to get some air.

It was like I had a barbecue of fish because of what I got that really made me happy. This is enough. I could just search for fruits on the trees that can be picked. I was about to go to the shore when I found a large ship nearby. As a result, I immediately submerged and quickly swam away.

As far as I know, fishermen are often at sea today because it is really nice to fish when the sea is dark and quiet. It will be a hard time for me if I will be suddenly caught at their nets. I hope Axton is okay, especially since he often stays under water until 12 midnight.

When I got to the sandy shore, it was good and there weren't too many people today so I shook my body to dry before running away carrying what I had caught.

While I was in the forest, I couldn't help but think how is Ma'am Victoria's son could be doing. Out of all requests, why does she want me to protect her son? Because if so, her son might be in danger. Maybe her son is still too young and when she knows that her death is coming, she wants me to stand up as a mother to raise him?

But it’s been about four years and I still can’t find him. I don't know her relatives or even her husband so I don't know where to start.

When I got home, it was exactly twelve o'clock in the evening so I went back to being human once I entered the house. I immediately removed the scales of the fishes I caught and placed it in a basin to put in an ice cooler before I went to my room and immediately noticed the folder Ma’am Safira had given me placed on the table.

There was no doubt that I picked it up, opened it and read every paper there was. I immediately took a pen to write down the documents that needed to be written.

The next day, I told Ma'am that I would be late for work to go to school. Upon arrival, I was stopped in front of its large gate before I entered and immediately asked the guard where I could submit the application form. The guard was very kind and even guided me there and after I passed it, they immediately looked at the requirements, especially my grades when I was in grade 11 in the former high school where I studied. I hope my grade will pass.

“Miss Xania, please proceed to the XXX room for the interview,” said a woman who was just looking at the papers which surprised me.

“Now?” I asked in shock.

“Yes. You are ready for evaluation,” she replied.

“Isn't there an exam yet Ma'am?” my ignorant question.

“Ah no need. Basing on your grades from the last school you attended, you met our standards so that interview is the only thing you’re missing.”

Is that so? I just thanked her in no time and walked to the room she was saying. I'm nervous because I'm not ready yet. It seems like this is all of a sudden.

When I arrived in front of it, no one was in line but I first sat on the chairs next to it. I don't know if I'll be called or I should knock—

“Excuse me,” a voice said suddenly so I was surprised in no time and turned to her.

“Uhm ye-yes po?” I stuttered.

“Are you Miss Xania?” a woman asked me.

“Uhm yes. ”

“Good. Then come in for the interview,” she invited once the door closed.

I got up immediately but I was still nervous. Am I wearing the right outfit? Why is it happening so fast? I'm already sweating here out of nervousness.

When I entered, it wasn’t just the woman who called me sitting right now. There were two men next to her who were probably with her to interview me.

I first sat in the chair prepared for the interviewees and at the same time they greeted me immediately. They asked a lot of questions and all of it are in English. It's good that I can answer them. I often stutter and sometimes I want to take back my answers but they will ask questions right away.

“It makes me wonder why you will move here to this high school since you will be entering as a grade 12 student you’re about to finish your senior high anyways, so why? Please give us your reason,” the woman asked.

I was silenced for a while because of that. I can’t tell them I’m just moving here because I’m looking for someone. I have to convince them I want to get in here.

I suddenly remembered the papers that Ma'am had given me in the folder with the description of this school so that's what I answered.

“I see,” said the woman. ”You really did your research. ”

I was stopped. Is it obvious that it was scripted?

“But if that's the case, then you're aware of the expenses needed for you to be able to enroll in our school. How can you finance those when what it says here you have no parents and you only have a single guardian that is a manager of a café and you work under her as your source of income? Do you think you can pay for everything you need for this school with your income?”

I somehow calmed down by that question because I knew that question was coming so it was easy to answer. Every high school I go to always asked that.

“I am fully aware Ma'am so I applied for one of your scholarships,” I replied.

“I can see that,” Ma'am replied while still looking at the papers. “But didn't you think about the hardship you will go through? Just think about it Miss Xania, you're going to study at the same time you said you are working at the café of your guardian. In case we will allow you to be a working student as your scholarship, isn't the fatigue you'll experience will be tripled? Maybe your body can't handle it.”

I smiled at Ma’am because of that. “I can handle it Ma'am. I've been through worst.”

The three of them were almost surprised by my answer. Because of that, I went back to the truth and it was as if I was still thinking about what I answered so that's how they reacted.

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Shocking bells! Did I really say that? What are you thinking Xania?! What’s ‘I’ve been through worst’? Even though it’s true, they might think something else. P*ta. I have to take that back!

“Well then...” Ma'am said suddenly so I went back to the truth. “...thank you for your time.”

I was surprised and wanted to speak to explain more but Ma'am suddenly smiled at me which stopped me.

“I will be expecting a lot from you, Miss Xania.”

I came out of that school looking tired. I didn't do much. In fact, everything happened too fast today. That’s probably where I got tired. This school is something new. In the past, there’s a lot of things I have to do to get in and it takes me days to finish giving the requirements they needed and then a few weeks will pass before you know if you passed or not.

But if we look at it, I just passed the requirements and finished the interview but they didn't say that I had passed. Maybe that’s the part will last like the other schools. But I don't seem to want to hope anymore. I feel like I already failed in the interview.

~~

“Congratulations Xania,” Ma'am Safira greeted me with a smile as I entered the back of the café which surprised me.

Pop! Pop!

“Yehey let's celebrate!” Ate Willow cheered while four out of six of her hands are holding two party poppers.

I couldn’t paint my face in shock and astonishment. What celebration? Is there a birthday?

“You're really great, Ate Xania!” Yune said happily and hugged me once more.

Huh? What?

“Of course we are talking about Xania here,” Axton said proudly. ”She inherited that talent from me.”

“Wait, just wait,” I said to make everyone stop. ”What celebration? Congratulations at where?”

“You haven't heard yet?” Geof asked me so I looked at him.

“Which one?” I wondered.

“There was a message sent in Ma’am Safira’s email that you passed and got in the International Sanders Academy so congratulations,” Geof replied while holding a laptop.

I was shocked to hear that and immediately took the laptop from him to read that email. I used Ma'am Safira's email. I don't have an email.

Congratulations! This is to inform Miss Xania Ferez has passed to enroll in International Sanders Academy by XX 20XX...

It is true.

“Don't be surprised Xania,” Iris said suddenly. “You're so talented that you'll probably get into such a good high school so let's celebrate.”

“Let's eat!” Lizar said happily and immediately took some food that are on the table.

“Look at this one. What a glutton,” Iris mocked while looking at Lizar but he ignored her.

We actually celebrated that I passed on the spot on a high school for rich students. But that was just quick because like we do, when it’s 9:50, we turn off the café light.

Now, we are on our own again and I am here now in the woods but I can’t help but stop at a tree branch with my face full of concern.

I was too overwhelmed with the speed of events. I just went to that school just to ask what to do and then suddenly I was interviewed and when I arrived at the café, I passed immediately. I don't know if that school process was just too fast and I was not used to it... or maybe something was wrong. I don’t want to think badly but I feel like there is a big price for everything that happened today, and I don’t have a good feeling.