01 | Gloomy Afternoon

'MAKARI'

"Do advance reading on the topic we discussed today. Expect that we will have an oral recitation tomorrow and of course, you already know the punishment for those who cannot answer. I told you just now so that you have time. It's up to you whether you take it seriously or not. That's all. Class dismissal."

The loud ringing of the bell lasted for almost a few minutes before it ended just like today's class. It's a bit noisy not only in the classroom but also outside, probably others also have already been dismissed.

When the teacher finally left, I stood up like most, the only difference was, I wasn't as loud as them who seemed to be celebrating and crying for joy just because our day was ended.

Can't blame them. After almost a whole day of boring classes going through today, this point is the only one that can bring back their almost burned-out enthusiasm. The moment everyone's been waiting for, they say.

I just quietly sighed and headed out of the room. After all, I don't get anything worth some if I let my time be wasted watching their weird celebrations. Better to just go home.

Walking down the hallway, even though I couldn't see it, I knew most of the students I was passing by were now staring at me. Some suddenly become silent and step aside to give me the way and let me go first, after that I will become the topic of their whispers.

Again, I sighed.

This is not new to me. How can this be new to me if I've been experiencing this for almost three years? Being avoided by others? But the question is, did I just get used to it? Nah, I chose it. I prefer to be alone; to be avoided.

I'm not an introvert and even more so not an extrovert. Why I want to be alone, walk around like there's no one else around with a cold expression on my face, and carry the nickname "cold snobbish-weirdo" given by others for the almost three years I've been here is because that's what I want, as simple as that.

I don't want to put myself close to others because I know that when I do that, I have to give trust and open myself like a book that can be read freely by others. And I don't want that. Most of all, that's what I hate the most. If there's one thing in this world that I couldn't just abruptly put in the palm of others that I just bumped into in the hallway with a warm smile drawn on my lips while telling them to keep and don't break it, that is "trust".

'You should not trust other people immediately because not all of them will be true to you.'

'You know that the more you trust, the more it hurts when you are betrayed and it will be even harder to trust again next time.'

For others, that may be their reason for not trusting easily but for me, in my situation, I have to be cautious with those not just I trust but also I encounter because I'm not sure who among them is a "real" human and won't bring me harm. I'm just keeping something and it's better to think ahead for my safety. As a famous proverb says, "prevention is better than cure".

Though I have never experienced being betrayed because apart from being careful and not trusting other people lightly, there is only one person I trust completely who I am sure will never betray me. And for me, that person is enough.

So if in exchange for what they call "friendship" I have to give them my whole story, forget it. I'm better off like this. Call me trust-issue-jerk, I'll accept it anyway.

I stopped walking for a moment when faint shouts and cheers grabbed my ears. I'm far away from our building and I'm now here in the open field where the try-out game is currently underway for the freshmen who want to be a member of the soccer team. The sky at five was shady and cloudy, which was just right for the players playing on the open field.

Just a few minutes of silence where I was standing, carefully observing the players playing on the field as well as the spectators in the bleachers who were cheering wildly. In the depth of my observation, I didn't realize that someone was already standing by my side.

"They're fun to watch, aren't they? I hope you are too, fun to watch." I rolled my eyes at what I heard and turned around, continuing to walk again.

"Hey! You know it's rude rolling your eyes and turning your back to your mother while she's talking," she said, just following me.

"And you also know that it's rude to interrupt one's quiet and peaceful moment," I retorted. I heard her giggle.

"Excuse me! I didn't mean to interrupt you. I've called you three times already but you didn't hear me so I decided to come," she answered before walking with me side by side.

I looked at her for a few seconds, she did the same, the only difference was that she was beaming widely at me. I stopped staring at her and took the textbooks she was carrying without saying anything.

"Aww! What an adorable gentleman you are, my dear Makari." She squeezed my left cheek.

"Ma!" I couldn't help raising my voice which immediately caught the attention of the other students. I could feel the heat slowly rising to my face up to both of my ears.

I just speed up my strides to avoid their stares and left the campus.

It was probably only after about three weeks when my junior years started since I snorted like that so it's no wonder if others look at me like I've grown another head. Yeah. That's how big a deal it is to them. Maybe they're more used to seeing me as a cold, walking dead with no ability to speak or raise my voice like that.

"Hey, Mak! Wait for me!" I heard her calling for me.

The 45-year-old, dark-haired witch giggling happily behind me was none other than my mom, Amelia Milhart. She is a teacher at this school and like me, she has been serving here for three years since we arrived in this town maybe five years ago.

Even though she often teases and annoys me; even though many people say that we are very far from each other because of our different views on life and our behavior, it still can't change the fact that she is the only person I can trust more than anyone. Yup, she was the one I was referring to earlier.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'm just happy to tease you because you're becoming more adorable to look at, far from that unapproachable, icily expressionless face you're wearing now," she said, pointing in circles around at my dull face staring at her now.

"Ma, I'm not in the mood." I deadpanned. She snorted and bumped her shoulder into mine.

"State the obvious, eh?" She giggled. "But seriously. I'm telling you, your face will age quickly if you always frown. Look at me, I'm always positive and happy so I still look like I'm in my 20s! Just a piece of advice from your beautiful and young-looking mother, throw away that boring, unsightly mask of yours and cheer up! It's a shame you have such a pretty face everyone adores if you hid it that way."

'Urgh! Here she goes again!'

"Ma, don't tell me that for a million times, you're going to repeat that 'make friends and have fun just like your age'?' litany again? If that's what you're going to say next, forget it. You already know what my answer is," I drawled, looking straight into her eyes. She's looking up a bit to me because of our height difference as she's only 5'2 while I'm 5'8.

"Hmm! But that's true and that's what should be," she insisted, which made me roll my eyes again. "Son, I know you're just being careful and so am I, but please don't deprive yourself of trying to make friends and have fun."

I stopped walking for a moment when she grabbed me by the shoulder and brought me to face her. She is smiling but I see different emotions in her eyes. Sympathy and concern.

"You're eighteen now, my dearest Mak. Being alone for a long time is enough. It's not bad to try, right? I know for you, I'm enough but I won't always be enough. This is the only thing I ask of you, Mak... live a normal life."

I couldn't answer. It wasn't the first time I heard those words; those lines but it was the first time it hit me hard.

When I looked at her again, I just smiled and took a deep breath.

"I... I'll try."

She beamed and wiggled her body awkwardly as if happy and excited because of what I said. Her usual lively and cheerful side is back now which is liked by many. Quietly and simply, I just smiled. She never failed to make me smile. Always.

We are now walking together along the riverbank back to our house. I was just quietly listening to her non-stop blabbering. My soft voice can only be heard here on the deserted road when I answer her questions, after that her voice will dominate again.

That's all that came between the two of us during our thirty-minute walk until I stopped at my favorite spot here on the riverbank. I approached the railing that separated the paved road from the clean and clear river.

"Too bad, the clouds in the sky are too thick and dark, we can't watch the sunset." I opened my eyes after savoring and inhaling the peace of the surroundings and the crisp fresh air.

"Yeah. Too bad," I agreed.

I didn't take my eyes off the sky that was threatening to pour heavy rain. Maybe tonight it will pour non-stop and heavy rain. I'm a bit disappointed because I won't be able to watch the sunset today, especially since from this place you can see the true beauty of the sunset.

But even so, the gloomy appearance of the sky didn't contravene my feelings, somehow I still appreciated it, especially the touch of the cold air on my skin. This is my habit during the five years we lived in this place.

To be fair, in countless places that we both have moved ever since the Goddess knew, somehow, in this place I feel a bit secure. But I still don't let my guard down. For someone like me who was born to be sought out and taken advantage of by those loathsome animals, it is difficult to be completely complacent in one place.

Even though I know Mama Amelia is with me and we still have a card to prevent the thing we've been running from since day one to take place, I still have to be cautious and be always prepared, especially since I know we won't be able to run away from them forever.

Sometimes I wonder, does that "safe place" Mama Amelia often mentioned when I was a kid exist? Can I still find it before my persecutors find me or will I just die at their hands just like what befell my bloodline?

I woke up from my stupor when Mama Amelia tapped me on the shoulder. I was a little surprised when I turned to her, I didn't realize that my right hand was already raised and I was staring at my wrist unconsciously.

"Is there a problem? Why are you looking at your wrist?" she asked with a tinge of concern and worry. I could clearly see that it was now painted on her face. That's why I quickly shook my head and lowered my hand.

"Nothing." I only answered briefly before looking up again at the seemingly mourning sky. A few moments later, I felt cold water drop on my cheek.

"Oh! It's raining!" My mom exclaimed as the rain started to pour.

I heard a finger snap so I immediately turned to her. I no longer feel raindrops kissing my skin and plan to wet my school uniform.

I looked at mom blankly before looking up at the big umbrella she was now holding I no longer wondered where in the world came from. It was just big enough for the two of us to protect us from the rain.

"What?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you weren't going to use magic in an open field?"

"There's no one around so there's no one to see. And more importantly, if I hadn't done that, we would probably be bathing in the rain right now, which is a big no because we have important things here," she added with a silly smile on her lips and pointed to the textbooks I was carrying.

I just sighed and shook my head. What else can I do, she already did it.

Instead, I just took the umbrella so that it would not be difficult for her to hold it due to our height difference.

"I'll let it pass for now. But this is the last time, Ma. Let's go."