Chapter 7 : Long Day

“Hey Airel, did you even mention me to Aimee yesterday?” Dania asks the moment I discussed what happened earlier at the park.

Once they had their fill of shopping clothes, Airel suggested that we should eat something first we part ways. After leaving the store an ice cream parlor near the dress shop we were at, caught our eyes. And Airel excitedly pulls our arms to enter the parlor. 

Also, Dania was the one who paid for all the clothes they chose for me. Let's just say the bill is way too  

I wasn’t expecting her to suggest eating ice cream rather than I don’t know... something that can be counted as dinner? Looking at my phone I noticed it was already 6 pm.

Oh no... 

Since our class ended at 4 pm and I was supposed to be at home from 5-5:30 pm. But it's already six... I can only imagine what will be my mom’s reaction once I arrive home.

For sure she will lecture me for hours. I can still remember the last time I have received a lecture from her. It took her five straight hours to finish the lecture.

“Well... I may have forgotten to mention you or Brenia?” Ariel replied sheepishly as she glances away from Dania.

“Seriously...? Fine. I thought she already know about me but thanks to a certain someone, that wasn’t the case,” Dania replied with a hint of sarcasm but I notice that she just want to tease Airel.

They really are close to one another, huh? I kind of envy them... I wish I had someone like that.

“Here’s your order,” we got interrupted when the waiter delivers our order. 

As the line was long, our order was written on a paper pad before we paid for it. Then we were guided to our table by one of the waiters.

The waiter set my order of strawberry ice cream in front of me. Dania’s order is rocky road ice cream and Airel by her vanilla ice cream covered with chocolate syrup plus strawberry syrup on top. Her order is... super sweet.

I didn’t know Airel has sweet tooth. I can see Dania grimacing the moment she noticed what Airel ordered. And I can't blame her, I don't think I can finish that ice cream... especially since she ordered seven scoops of it.

“I can already feel my throat hurting just from staring at your order,” she commented before glancing away from Airel’s ice cream.

“Oh, shush! Let me be,” Airel sulked before she starts eating her ice cream. I silently giggle at their interaction before I start eating my ice cream.

“Ah right! Aimee, will it be okay to meet again tomorrow? I can't exactly properly introduce myself here,” Dania said motioning to the crowd of people here with us.

“Sure I guess?” I answer a bit hesitant. To be honest, I'm still not sure how to feel about... all of this. But there is this part of me that can't help but be a bit curious.

“Let's meet at the school’s rooftop tomorrow after school.”

I haven’t been to the schools' rooftop, this will be the first time I can see what it looks like. I was about to nod my head when Airel answered first.

“We can't. The rooftop is close from tomorrow until this Friday,” Airel stated that making me frown a bit.

That was disappointing... I was slightly looking forward to it. Especially since I haven't seen what it looks like.

“Where do you suggest we can meet?” Dania asks.

“What about at the greenhouse?” They both stare at me when I suggested that.

“We have a greenhouse?” Dania asks in confusion.

Wait... she didn’t know the school has a greenhouse?! I thought everyone knows about it since it was written in the school's pamphlet.

“Pfft... yes, of course!" Airel answers while giggling.

"Don't laugh! I wasn't aware okay!" Dania protested as her ears is turning red.

Pfft! what is this? I didn't know she has this kind of cute side!

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"Do you have any idea how late you are, Aimee?" I stop in my tracks the moment I heard my mother's stern voice.

Glancing at the wall clock near the painting of a starry night, it reads past 7. The weight of the paper bags in my arms seems to fade from this heavy atmosphere. My heart pounds loudly in my ribcage as cold sweat forms on my forehead.

Standing up straight, I close the door behind me before meeting up my mom's stern gaze. Taking a deep breath I gave her an awkward smile, "H-hi mom... I'm home?".

"Aimee Cassandra... sit down here at once!" she stated before she sits down on the loveseat sofa.

Sighing, I walk towards our oval-top wooden coffee table before placing the ten paper bags I was carrying. My mother eyed the paper bags which have a logo of a well-known brand. As I took a seat on our couch, I can feel someone staring at me. Glancing around I saw my brother standing at the top of our staircase.

Oh great... I will have to face him once I'm done with mom's long lecture.

What a day!

--

After mom’s long hour lecture about how I should have messaged her first and so on. I’m currently in my room sitting at my beanbag on my small balcony, where I can see the night sky.

The clothes that were given to me by Airel and Dania are safe inside my closet.

My mom was shocked by how much they have cost. Though she didn't say anything much about it, especially since she didn't look good after I'd told her about Airel and Dania.

“A-airel? D-Dania?” she mutters in a weak voice as I watch her face whiten. Soon enough I heard a dash of footsteps rush in her way, as my brother offer her a glass of water. 

“Here drink this mom," My brother gently gave her the glass of water as he rubs her gently at her back.

I... What is happening??

“Did I say... something wrong, brother?” I turn to my brother who has this serious look on his face. Kneeling in front of my mother I clasp her slightly cold hands as she continues to stare blankly at the water in her hand.

Did I miss something?

“...”

I glance up to see him hesitating while avoiding making eye contact with me. Why is he like that? Did I say something wrong? I flinch in surprise when mom suddenly pats me on my head.

"Don't worry... I'm fine. I was just surprised... Since this is the first time you mention your friends' names,” mom responded, giving me a small smile.

If what she said is true, then why did she react like that? I am not that foolish enough not to recognize the look she had in her eyes. 

There is something she is keeping from me. Both of them are hiding something and I can't help but feel uneasy. Glancing back at my brother, he is still avoiding making eye contact with me.

Just what are they trying to hide? Why can't they tell me about it? Is it because... I am not really part of their family? Is that it?

*Bathump! Bathump!*

My heart suddenly skips a beat...

My memory of Airel telling me about my sisters suddenly flash in my mind. 

No... that can't be it? Right? Am I really that person they were looking for?

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I still can't help but suspect that there is something they were hiding earlier. I let out a tired sigh as I continue to gaze at the stars sparkling in the night sky. A cold breeze circles me which made my hair sway gently.

“What is with this week? First, I was suddenly noticed by someone I always wanted to be my friend. Who told me that I'm supposed to be a princess from another dimension. I also witness her ability which made her statement somewhat believable. Now my brother and mom are acting like this the moment they heard their name...” it sounds so ridiculous when I say these things aloud.

Arrgh! This won't do! I should probably sleep to at least relax my mind. I stand up from my seat and start stretching before walking out of the balcony locking the glass door behind me.

--

Third Person's POV

A young four-year-old girl wearing a plain white dress is walking slowly in a beautiful plain. Her long brown hair sways as the wind flows. Then as she walks toward a rose arch, she's slowly transforming before finally she turned into a 16-year-old teenager.

"It's so pretty," she mutters to herself as she enters the rose arch.

In a blink of an eye, she enters a different location. She's suddenly in a huge room with intricate designs on each wall and each pillar. There are 8 pillars inside and on her opposite is a huge golden door with a drawing she can't understand.

"What is this place?" her words echo as she looks around the room. She feels as if she's been there before but she can't remember how. In the very center of the room, a circle is engraved on the floor with words and drawings she doesn't recognize.

All of a sudden, the markings around her began glowing and the lights flow to the marking in the ground until it reaches the circle in the center.

"What is happening?" she muttered to herself as her eyes widen in astonishment.

The circle in the center glows so bright that she has to shield her eyes. As the light fade away the circle is still emanating some light.

A figure of a woman is floating in the circle, her eyes are shut close. Her pale white skin is glistening from the light, as her white hair flows smoothly behind her. Her white eyelashes flutter slowly as she opens her eyes.

'Her eyes...' Aimee thought to herself as the girl focuses on her. Her slightly glowing eyes stare at her intently as mixed emotions can be seen in her eyes.