Chapter 5: Reunite

It's been a week since school has started. Unlike before that Ela rants about her relationship with her sister every single time, she seemed to care less about it now. They continued to be in non-speaking terms. Their house became more silent with their dad's absence and the fact that Era seemed to spend her time more at the headquarters they found almost a month ago. Of course, there are still times when Ela wants to lower down her pride, but there are also things that stop her. Something she couldn't let to happen although it looked unstoppable.  If she apologizes, it would make Era think she already believes her. But it isn't that way because she would still insist that Era needs a psychiatrist. She has to do everything just to make her sister believe that she don't have what she thinks is a supernatural ability.

Ela braced herself as the wind blew hard. How fool of her to stay at their house's rooftop night time without even bringing a jacket. She's gazing at the starry sky when Win put a jacket around her. He hugged her from the back, resting his chin above her right shoulder. Ela rested her head beside his and stroked his hair using her right hand with her eyes closed.

"You're still like a star, Elanise," Win whispered. Ela smiled hearing him say those.

"Your purity shines out of wickedness like how a star shines out of darkness," they both muttered at the same time, bringing them both to a laugh.

"Seriously, how many times have you told me this line again?" Ela asked surpressing her laugh as she turned to face him, leaning her back at the railings. At times when stars are present with them, Win never failed to mention that to her.

Win just smiled and looked at her eyes."I would never get tired of reminding how pure your heart is no matter how mean you appear to everyone," he said softly.

His stare calmed Ela completely. She can't keep her smile off her face. "Thank you for keeping me sane," she sincerely said and hugged him tight.

She doesn't know how would she become without Win who understands the whole of her. The only person who sees through her.

"DID you find it?" Ela asked worriedly as they continued searching for Win's watercolor. Ms. Wehima required them to bring materials involving watercolor painting, but it looks like Win forgot to bring his thing. They weren't allowed to share because it is mandatory as they will use it for the rest of their upcoming plates. Also, Ms. Wehima instructed them early and clearly. He would be given point deductions for being irresponsible. Lady Luck seemed not to give them interest this time when the school bell rang, indicating the start of their class.

Both of them looked at each other with worry. Ela held his hand and gripped it tightly. She was worried for him! She can't bare to see him being humiliated in front of class just because he forgot to bring a freaking watercolor! Knowing Ms. Wehima, she wouldn't let this pass and will use it as revenge after she heard Ela whispering insults about her eyebrows during her own class.

Win heaved a sigh and gave her a reassuring smile to say it's gonna be fine. He sat properly, and composed himself, but ir didn't stop her from worrying. Ela gulped. She couldn't think of anything that might help them except...

Hope flashed upon her eyes after an idea crossed her mind. "Win..." she called.

Win stared at her, waiting for her to say something. Ela sighed. "I... I'll do it," she said, throwing Win a meaningful look which made the latter widen his eyes.

"No!" he hissed, disagreement is shown on his eyes. He's certain about what she's talking about and he would never let her do it just for his own sake. Not just for a damn watercolor!

"But it's the only way," Ela desperately insisted.

Win just shook his head. "I told you. Never, ever break your principles for me. Not again, Elanise. Not again," he said with finality.

Ela understood what he means. She closed her eyes tightly and heaved a sigh, accepting her defeat. She nodded and sat properly when she saw Ms. Wehima entering the room.

"I'll pretend that those students who failed to bring their materials don't belong in my class today," she said as she head to the table in front, her voice loud and clear.

It isn't what Ela and Win expected that they looked at each other with shock.

Ms. Wehima started setting up her painting materials, camera and projector in front while the two of them still tries to process everything.

"Let's start!"

As if on cue, a small smile flashed on Ela's face.

"GOSH! I didn't expect that," Ela commented, sounding amused. They're talking about how their worries turned into nothing when Ms. Wehima started her lesson like usual, literally treating those students without materials like she can't see them.

Win smiled. "Pero babe, sure ka bang—"

Ela closed her eyes, hearing a hint of suspicion in his voice. She opened her eyes and met Win's stare. "I swear I didn't do anything. Well, I was supposed to, but you know when you say no, I won't even dare to do it." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you trust me?"

"I trust you. I just asked. Anyway, are you sure about your plan?" he asked.

Ela finally thought of breaking the wall which has been built recently between her and Era. It already crossed in her mind many times, but the consequences really scare her. Besides, she knew from the start that this time would come. She's just afraid of accepting it.

"She already warned me about this, Win." She roamed her eyes to check if anyone's near them. Thankfully, their seat were a bit far from the other customers. They're spending their vacant time at the café near their university, hoping not to cross paths with Era and the rest. She sipped on her frappé and lowered down her voice. "You witnessed what happened ten years ago. Honestly I shouldn't have kept a fight between me and them. But you understand me, right? I'm scared. I'm not ready for this. I mean, I would never be ready for this."

Win nodded. Of course he still remembers what happened ten years ago. That was a tragedy pinned to him. He clutched his chest as he reminisced it. "What's your plan, exactly?" he asked.

"I'll just tell them I already believe their stories. It's almost a month, for sure they will think I already had enough time to process things out."

"Just like that? You're not gonna tell them—"

"No." Ela cut his words. "No way. That would make me stupid acting clean and sane when I'm just like the rest of them in the first place."

"But they would be able to know it, right? You said they have a dog with them. What's his name again? Mijo?"

Ela chuckled. Win just smiled seeing her laugh.

"Well, yes. But it's also true that I believe them. I won't lie to them because that would be risky having Mijo as a walking lie detector test. I'll just... limit their knowledge, I suppose?"

Win nodded in approval of her plan. "What would happen after that?" he asked.

"Ah, that. I don't know yet," Ela shrugged as she sipped on her frappé, thinking how would things might turn out after fixing things between her sister and friends.

ELA stood in front of the vine-covered door which conceals the headquarters. Nothing changed in the place where all of them first met. Thick vines still covers the whole place and she doesn't need to destroy the thick vines which as far as she remembers, Flute kicked, because it automatically dispersed when she touched it and came back to its form as she entered the place. She's been battling with herself whether she would continue or just back out.

After a couple of minutes, thinking, she finally had the urge to raise her hand and reach the rusty door lock. She entered the passcode and the door swung open. Era, who is watching something on her phone and Mijo, Flute, Black and Yuri who sat with her on the sofa with serious faces came to her view. It was like they already expected her to come.

Black smiled widely, making his small eyes smaller. "You spent quite a long time outside. Flute heard you coming."

Ela raised her left brow in an instant. "I came here for my sister."

Era grinned and took her eyes off her phone. "Shia!" she stood up and clinged to Ela's arm. "I knew you'd miss me!" she said as she brought her sister to the sofa with the others.

It made Ela wince. "Ew. I don't miss you. Not even a bit."

Shrugging her shoulders, Era turned to Mijo. The latter seemed to understand what Era's eyes were saying. "False, babyloves," he said with a wrinkled nose after taking a look at Ela.

"I know right," Era smirked and gazed at her twin to find her rolling her eyes.

Yuri looked so done with their moments that she stood up and planned to go to the kitchen. When she felt her comrades' stare, she raised her middle finger. "Gutom ako."

She just said that, but she actually just want them not to talk awkwardly. Food might help, she thought. She started preparing foods for everyone and called them asking if they want to eat. Everybody followed. When they were seated, and started eating, no one dared to speak, making Ela frown.

She broke the silence. "I believe you now," she said and continued eating to avoid their stares.

"Tunay, mga 'tol. Fact," Mijo stated. Flute and Black nodded at each other.

"So you also have an ability?" Flute asked which made Ela stop for a while. She already expected them to ask her this question. She must play safe, though. She kept her mouth silent and didn't bother to answer him. If she answered no, Mijo would be able to tell she's lying. If she answered yes, they would ask more. She must not let that happen.

Everyone stared at her, hoping for her answer, but she just won't. Era's sister instinct worked, sensing that Ela hides something and decided to save her ass. "It doesn't matter anymore. I am sure she have, but maybe it's still sleeping. And the vines won't give way if she's normal."

Almost everyone agreed, except Black who remained unconvinced.

"Anyway, since my twin's senses are already awake, should we start telling her everything?" Era asked Black who basically stands like their leader because of his brain. Just because of his brain, though.

Black smiled widely as usual and shook his head. "No need, I'll just show her!"

It caught everyone's attention, even Ela.  Era looked frightened. "No!" she almost shouted, protest seen over her face.

"I've practiced enough. Trust me, it would went well," he said with a calm face, but his voice screams excitement.

Ela and Black faced each other. Ela doen't know what will Black do, and it makes herself panic a bit! Era, Mijo, Flute and Yuri just circled around them, watching.

"I'm going to show you my memories. Not all. Only those you needed to know. Now, all you have to do is look directly at my eyes. Never break the stare on the process or you won't be able to see for the rest of your life." Gone was the positive energy that surrounds Black. He looked so serious and his words seemed to be a threat. Ela gulped as she nervously stared at his eyes.

'Gosh! I don't wanna be blind! How would I be able to see Win's handsome face if that happens?' she thought and used it as an inspiration not to break her stare.

Everyone in the room was tensed. Black did this before with Flute and he almost went crazy, not being able to handle the memories that he saw. Black lost control of it, but thankfully, Era was there to control Flute and told him he's okay. That nothing's wrong.

"Say my name," Black ordered which Ela obeyed and made their both of their eyes turn white.

💜