Chapter 2.1: Strange Light

Maxine awoke the next morning to the excitement of her colleagues, who reminded her to get dressed because the second day was about to begin. It felt so weird because the last thing she remembered was a scene in the sea bay. On this particular day, it was planned to be in the session hall to make the most of the remaining time. The winning group is safe in the activities, so they may make the most of their time in the pool.  The rest of their time at the event was made up for by inspiring performance, intense dialogue, and attendance. The majority of them were moved by letters from their families, which were delivered to them by their individual facilitators. Their teachers educated them to make their students feel loved until the very end. Maxine shifted her gaze to the lower right corner of the paper, in which something had become stuck. Perhaps it was written for a long time ago, as a dry leaf clung to its paper.

“Your mind isn’t the capacity of the heart’s willingness to be free.”

A message that she will bring in her heart as it was written by her mother. When she had finished stroking the letter, she folded it again. Classmates and friends approached her and formed a group hug around her. Their guru has already invited them to the front of the class for the class picture. Everyone has a different story behind their sweet smiles.

“Everyone, look here! Okay, say let's reach our dreams!” the teacher said who initiated a selfie. Some followed while the others decide to goof around. 

They were given the opportunity to prepare their belongings for departure from the facility. Maxine accidentally bumped with a guy on her approach to the rooms. It was an immediate silence that mediated between the two of them. The man broke the awkward silence by apologizing. Soon he left as well, leaving Maxine puzzled, but she simply shrugged it off.

The said retreat camp was over and they returned safely to their homes. Maxine expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her parents, particularly her mother, for sending her the letter. Students have returned to class and are preparing for the forthcoming farewell ceremony. The students didn't waste any time because it was their last chance to dance with their crush. They couldn't wait any longer because their outfits were already prepared. Her family is also completely in favor of her having a love life. However, her thoughts on her younger cousin Alscheya were deeply embedded in her. She didn't want to set a terrible example for her or anyone else. His father decided to take him to the venue as the days flew swiftly. Aboard the 2015 Mitsukitchi Lancer car was the girl who felt excited and nervous. Her father looked in the rearview mirror to catch a glimpse of her daughter. Maxine sensed this and gave him a reassuring grin. She felt relieved in some way. When they arrived at the venue, her father assisted her to leave the car so she wouldn't trample on her fancy attire. Maxine's posture was confident as she stood, her gown's long silk slid on the ground. It was sewn by her aunt, who works as a tailor, and the dress was inspired by the design of young Alscheya. Close to her hips are printed blue elegant floral designs as its fabric. The sparkling black diamond beads on the upper half of it, it draws attention to her chest. As it is an off-shoulder sleeve, the smoothness of her shoulder is also prominent. She also has Celtic blue topaz jewelry on her neck, which complements her fairy bun braid hairstyle. She didn't even bother spending more money on make-up because her mum offered to glam her up.

“Make the most out of the night, sweetie,” her father said flashing a smile. 

She agreed until she finally reaches the doors of the said venue. Maxine once again looked back to her father seating in the driver's seat to wave goodbye. Her friends immediately approach her giving her compliments about how astonishing she is. The host cleared her throat under the coverage of the microphone to call the crowd's attention.

“Please do find your partners for tonight and make a line. We will start our party in a few moments!” said the host.

Her buddies scattered to locate their partner, leaving her by the doorway, ignorant of the fact that she needed a partner. A school officer approached her while she was having pleasure watching her crazy buddies feel uncomfortable towards their partner.

“Hi! You are Maxine Blaire Fortezz, right? Your partner is on the line already. Let me lead the way,” said the lady.

“Uhh, yes but may I know why we are settled to have partners just to get in the venue?” Maxine asked while following the officer. 

The lady didn't respond so she thought that she might not hear her. She was about to speak again when the officer faced her.

“This is for the entourage purposes and since it's not gonna take a while I hope you guys would cooperate. So yeah, here's your partner!” the lady taps her shoulders and leave.

When the lady went sideways, she was taken aback when she saw who her partner was. He was rather tall, wore a cap, had messy hair, and appeared to be bored. His semi-formal attire was improper for the occasion, but his casual bluish shirt with folded sleeves and black slack pants. During her analyzation, there was a glow behind him that really captivated her. She was about to move the guy so that she could catch the light but their gazes met, and the man fixedly stares at her.

“Oh hi! You're the lady in the retreat camp facility right?” said the gentleman. 

Maxine snapped out of her gaze to greet him back. She knew that she saw that streak of blue light but can't remember where.

“Yeah, you're that rude guy in the session hall, right?” she replied.

“Excuse me? Did you say rude? Well, I did apologize for it but if it really offended you—”

“Oh no, sorry! I didn't mean to say that you're rude. It's just that my mind speaks at this moment. No worries, there's no bad feelings besides it's just an accident,” she said cutting off the guy's explanation.

“Cool. So yeah, I'm Austin by the way. You are?” he asked.

“Max, Maxine Fortezz,” she replied with a timid smile. Austin smiled back to offer his hand for a handshake.

“Well then, call me Adi,” he said.

They chatted for some more time waiting for the queue to enter the venue. They talked about the recent camp, agreeing to the difficulty of each station they've been through, and reminiscing the beautiful facility. Finally, the host gave them a few minutes to prepare as they are about to open the party. The countdown began, and everyone shouted along with the loud music audible from within the party hall. They were instructed to clasp their arms around their companions as the line progressed slowly. Although Maxine looked at Austin's behavior with hesitation, she politely clings her hand on his arm. Everyone entering the hall is bathed in a bright spotlight, allowing the jurors for tonight to evaluate the possible Queen and King of the night. The crowd fell silent just as they were about to enter. People became the calm opposite of the unparalleled noise in the corridor outside. Maxine couldn't look at anyone because of the spotlight that was suddenly shining on them, so she simply smiled.

“Do you have anyone to be with at this party? Let me take you there—” Adi offered but was interrupted by a sudden accident. 

“Hey! Watch it!” Some guy to who he bumped to. 

He seemed arrogant with his actions as he is looking back to a table where everyone showed a glimpse of a grin.

“Sorry! The lights are just too flashy. C'mon Adi, we'll go that way,” Maxine spoked immediately. They walked away from them as the approach the bar counter.

“You're kind of a clumsy person, aren't you?” Maxine exclaimed flashing a teasing smile. Adi shook his head to disagree. They both laugh  and take a seat in the stool. People are getting into the vibes of the party.

Almost everyone in the room was having a good time. Maxine shifted her eyes again to look for her friends, but she couldn't find them. Austin poked her shoulders because he was puzzled by what she was doing.

“Are you bothered?” he asked.

“Not really, I'm just concerned about my friends,” she replied. 

“Hey, can you grab us drinks? I'll just visit the restroom for few minutes.”

Austin agreed. Maxine takes advantage of the opportunity to search around the room for her friends. They were, however, quite far away from her till she felt the call of nature. She went straight to the restroom and stared at the cubicles. She had hoped to see her companions as well, but she was disappointed. She looked in the mirror to see if anything had changed about her appearance. She took a big breath as she gazed in the mirror at herself. She recalled the light she had seen earlier from the corridor. She recalls it but can't identify it. She was already in the depths of the thought when her smartphone suddenly vibrates. One of her friends left a message saying not to look for them because they are having a good time at the party. Maxine rolled her eyes in annoyance, knowing she was sick of going around in her black stilettos. She simply put it back in her purse because she didn't want to contribute to her stress. She decided to return to the party and spend the rest of the evening chatting with Austin.

On her way stepping out someone called to her. She got goosebumps along her spine when she realized she was the only person in the restroom. As she turned away, the same light that she had seen in the corridor shone on her. She even narrowed her eyes to get adjusted to the brightness until she recognized a pattern in the light that reminded her of the rock she found in camp. Her pupils dilated as she recalled the light. This light compressed and exited through the restroom's slightly opened door. Maxine instantly followed it, fearful that it was a danger. When she stepped outside, she was greeted by loud music once more. She looked around and went back to observe it again. When she returned to the party hall, however, the various types of lights began, and there was some initial dancing. Trembling creeps through her chest. Her heart appeared to be throbbing in her chest. She looked in his bag, hoping to find her phone however she found something. When she caught a glimpse of the thing, her heart swelled even more when she spotted the rock he had discovered in the camp. She was just stunned by what she saw because she knew she had not brought it to this party.

“Hey max!” Austin approached her. Maxine immediately closed her purse while calmly looking at him.

“You good? You seemed bothered,” he asked.

“Yeah, I think I'm just a little bit tired because of my heels. Let's just take a bite of those sweets you got!” Maxine replied as she even walked faster than him.

Austin finds it weird but she followed her as well. They were back at the bar counter so they started eating what Austin had gotten. They had other students on standby and were simply passing by for food. Even though Maxine tried to ignore the scene earlier, she was still really bothered.  Not long after, someone approached their woman who was also the event staff. Offered a variety of drinks and also asked what else they wanted to eat. Austin refused and told Maxine that he would be leaving for a while. When Austin left, the woman asked Maxine.

“Mam, would you like some more of the cake?” she politely asked, as she was pertaining to the cake that Maxine is taking.

“No, thank you. I am almost full,” she replied timidly. 

The lady nodded and decide to sit beside her while she places her tray full of drinks on the counter. Unexpectedly, the lady leans forward to her causing Maxine to hold on to the bar counter tightly.

“Waste no time, come and dance, open your eyes or lose the chance...”

This was said by a woman who was glaring into her eyes and had a goofy grin on her lips. The woman gradually compacted back into a form of light while humming in a manner similar to what she had experienced in camp. Now she thinks, and she believes entirely, that this is not a dream. As she stared at the light, it floated away again. When Austin had arrived, he could no longer see its destination.

“Why are the drinks all messed up?” Austin asked as soon as he reached the bar counter.

Maxine looked in the direction he was pointing at. She just smiled in embarrassment so she helped clean it up. She was no longer able to follow the light. Austin also assumed that something might be really troubling her mind. He took the courage to find out what it could be so that he can help.

“Max, we might be not 'close-close' kind of friendship, yeah?  But please inform me what's going on?” he begged Maxine. She looked at him intently thinking if Austin would understand.

“There is a possibility that you wouldn't believe me,” she replied.

“Oh.. okay. That's not so new to problems. I'll listen.”

“It's not just any ordinary problem”

“Hmm, extraordinary.. was it an SCP or alien kind?” He chuckles trying to make a joke.

“I also wonder that too. That thing can be dangerous, imagine a snow orb with patterns that keep on showing any moment!” Maxine exclaimed.

“And where does this 'snow orb', huh?” Austin mocks her. 

Maxine rolled her eyes and tapped the table hard enough to make the dishes jump.

“Come with me, we will find it. I bet you a dollar that it is real!” she firmly said while slowly standing up.

Maxine stood from her seat and began walking toward the pathway of light. Austin tried to chase as he collided with other guests and students inside the party hall. When the two arrived in the corridor, there was no one around. Maxine had just focused on finding her there with the waitress earlier. She was troubled by several of the unanswered questions. How did this creature become aware of her? Why does she see them when no one else does? Most importantly, why did she dream of it till it came true?