As soon as she stepped down the bus, a sudden cold gush of wind gently blew on her face with her hair softly dancing with the wind. 'So this is what it feels to be back' she smiled, brushing her hair on the side of her ear, as she walked along the way, looking for a certain house that she misses.
She walked for a few blocks and manage to give some smiles to the people who passed by. After a few more minutes she then had finally found what she was looking for.
Home sweet home...
Penelope scrutinized the exterior of the house first before advancing forwards to the door to ring the bell. A few seconds later, an old lady appeared behind the door. She looked surprised upon seeing Penelope stands in front of her.
"Oh, you're back, " she said plainly. Penelope closes their gap and hugged her grandmother, oh how much she missed her. She invited Penelope to go inside to let herself comfortable.
"What do you want, my dear? Juice, coffee or anything?"
"Water will do Ohma."
"Alright, I'll be in the kitchen," and Penelope could only do is to nod in approval. When her grandmother head to the living room. She checked the whole area and something seized her attention, slowly standing up, and trudge her way towards the photo frame placed neatly on the table beside the furnace. Penelope creased her brow as she meticulously scanned the picture.
It's a photo of her parents. A sudden thought of her parents made her smile. She missed them already even though she just left earlier and then when she was about to flip the frame when her grandmother spoke "What are you doing my dear young maiden?". She looked over what's her granddaughter and frowned when she realized what she's holding to.
"Oh, nothing Ohma I just missed my parents so much" smiling sadly as she fondle the photo frame. Her grandmother hugged her from the back and smiled-"I missed them too Loffie, so so much"
"Oh, how about we visit them next week? I'm sure they would be happy to see you. I just talked them earlier, oh right!" Penelope exclaimed yet failed to notice the incredulous look from her Ohma which quickly changed to a sad smile.
"What is it Loffie?"
"Oh, they said that they enrolled me in one of the schools here, they didn't mention the name though, but I'm pretty sure you know it Ohma. I'm kinda excited, you see Ohma I really want to move on, forget the past and start a new life here, " she took a deep breathe and continued-"I realized that sulking and isolating myself isn't a solution to my problem and just because of that incident which I don't really remember" her grandma could only nod, contemplating whether to answer or ask her a question.
"So they enrolled, you at Hanwa University"
"What a nice name Ohma, I want to see the school!"
"Um, you need to rest first Loffie. Go upstairs, you still remember your room, right?" her grandmother joked. Penelope chuckled and hit her ohma softly.
"Of course Ohma, I still remembered ha-ha" they both laughed and smiled at each other after.
"So am I going to go upstairs now?"
"Alright, rest well Loffie"
A start. It is.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
3 days later
"So her name is Penelope Clarke, a supposedly 4th year college student now, but an incident occurred so she stopped for years, someone who has high grades with spectacular achievements?" the girl with glasses, wearing a school girl uniform which is a white long sleeved blouse with a unique crest symbol on her right chest accompanied by a ribbon-like tie on her neck down to her chest and a skirt not reaching the knees but not too short either making it a medium length perfect for a college student's skirt, reviewed as she looked at Penelope, who was sitting in her bed, intently. She scanned around the room and saw another four students with her Ohma.
Penelope actually doesn't have an idea what's happening because she was just woken up by the noise coming from her room and found these people around her discussing about something important, she assumed from examining their stoic expressions, her Ohma is also having a serious discourse with the girl with the glasses and the other four students in the room, who Penelope assumed again, her members.
"W-what?" She murmured and stared at them with wide eyes.
"Oh Good Morning Loffie, just in time to wake up. So I talked with this girl beside me about your enrollment on Hanwa and they said that everything is alright and they will explain further more about you attending to the university" her Ohma explained and the girl she was talking to, moved to Penelope's side and bid goodbye before leaving the room.
"Hello, I'm Fiona Hastur, the student body president of Hanwa University." The girl with glasses introduced herself and four members followed after.
"I'm Jericho Crownguard, the vice president" the shortest of them all who also wears glasses said wearing also a uniform which, albeit a simple white long sleeve polo with a silk black necktie and black pants having its own charm as it represents the school for the students studying in the said university. They also had the crest symbol on their right chest that adds to the supposedly sophisticated identity of the school.
"Hi! Evaine Trueheart is my name, the beautiful secretary of the wonderful, astoundingly unique and charming Hanwa university" a girl with a pink hair gushed as she posed everytime she emphasizes the adjectives, ending it with a dramatic pose through tempting while putting one hand on the right part of her chest and raising the other one up in the air, her colleagues just face palmed on what she did.
"Sorry for her cheekiness, she's always like that." He chuckled and got hit by Evaine. "Ha-ha, Hi, I am Ayden Swain, treasurer of the Student Government" well she somehow resembles the guy from someone she knew before, but the thought quickly faded away as Fiona patted her shoulder.
"You will attend the university first thing tomorrow. Everything is settled, your uniform and schedule is at your Ohma. We are expecting to see you Ms. Clarke" she informed and bowed her head slightly, indicating her respect for Penelope and soon the rest followed. "Good day, " she said and left her alone.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
Standing in front of the university gate caught some of the students' attention who passed by her as they gave her a short quizzical glance before ignoring her completely, but the lass payed them no heed as she stared at the university building. She still remembered a little, when she was being called "The Gifted Dame" because she is known that time a very talented lady where she plays different music instruments such as piano, violin and her favorite Gallic lyre. She used to play it with the song Seikilos Epitaph, the oldest complete song with lyrics and music notations carved on a tombstone which has melancholic melody. Not only she's good at instruments, but also in academics too. She aces every exam and subjects. She always won in every academic competition inside and outside of the school, especially the Science Fair Competition because she always loves innovating new things that can contribute to her hometown in some way. Penelope is really talented, so it is inevitable for some students to envy and despise her.
Apart from that, Penelope is known for her smart and clever mind, always outsmarting everybody with her witty tactics. Back then her life is full of joy and happy moments, always have her friends, talking about who knows, and having a perfect boyfriend who loves her is more than a haven for her.
Right, she instantaneously remembered she had a boyfriend before. She doesn't even remember his face and name anymore, nor where he is now. Then a sudden ache in her head made her stumble backwards and start massaging her temples to ease its pain.
"Um, are you alright?" Someone said from behind that pulled her out into reverie. She can tell that it's a man because of his deep voice that made her shiver faintly. Turning around and was about to reply when she saw his face. The dame was dumbstruck by what she was seeing right now. In front of her was a handsome man, a 185 centimeters tall with a black permed hair on top of his head, big eyes, large protruding ears and a derp smile plastered on his face as he scratched his back of his neck awkwardly. Wearing the same uniform she saw yesterday from the vice president and treasurer of the Student Government. His tie is quite disoriented, two of his buttons are unfastened and one thing she observed that cannot escape from her hawk eyes is the missing crest symbol of the university in his right chest. Overall, he has a cute appearance and Penelope seems to fall for it.
"I-I'm fine! Nothing to worry about, see?" She stammered and twirl around showing that she's completely well. The man raised his brow for a second and nodded eventually.
"Alright, if that's what you say weirdo" he shrugged and walk passed her.
"Hey, I am not a weirdo!" She retorted indignantly, but the guy just laughed and waved his hands mockingly back to her. Penelope stomped her feet and go along with the guy despites her tantrums, much to the guy' amusement.
They parted their ways as they proceeded to their designated subjects. "So my first class today is ProfED room 207, oh my gosh! I'm so late!" she exclaimed as she hurriedly searches every room she passed, not realizing that there is a guy walking across her at a fast pace, the presence of one another is unbeknownst to the both of them as they are busy looking at their respective books and schedules.
Both are surprised when they bumped into one another, causing on the books of the guy was holding to fall. Once the shock had subsided, she instantly helped him and apologized.
"Oh my gosh, I'm so- oh thank god it's you!" She screamed as both of the get up and wiped remaining dust on their uniform. "Um, I am currently lost right now, I don't know where is Room 207 ghad I'm so late"
"Oh Room 207, I was about head to that room too."
"Oh, we have the same class then? That's great oh, what's your name again? I'm really forgetful sometimes sorry"
"Ha-ha, oh that's nothing, I'm Ayden"
"Oh, right Ayden! Should we go?" He happily nodded and both of them walked their way to their room.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
The rest of her week feels great. She made so many friends already, despite her first day because of her nature to be friendly and talkative, no wonder why she was easily deceived before. Nevertheless, she never felt so alive like this before finally coping from the dark world she had been through, living the life she truly deserve and forgetting the erstwhile incident that kept her void and null from the past years. Yet little did she know that there is more than meets the eye.
They were in the cafeteria babbling nonsensical discussions about their boring life at their respective house, never ending school projects and assignments, problems about relationships and incessant nagging about their strict parents. Well Penelope cannot relate the much to them because her parents are in the city, speaking of parents, she missed them a lot, so she made a mental note about calling her parents later at home.
"Hey Loffie how about your parents? Where are they?" Evaine said as everyone in table focused themselves to Penelope.
"They are in the city." She answered and back in fidgeting her phone, Evaine including the others just furrowed their foreheads from her curt response but later on shrugged it off. "Oh well, at least your parents aren't strict enough to not let you live free"
"Oh yeah, they are the one who encourage me to go back and set things straight" other could only be astonished at what she admitted, but she was conscious on Fiona's hard stare giving to her. 'Why is she looking at me like that?'
"Can you call your parents?" Fiona asked frankly and then there is a sudden tension around them. She didn't even understand where it came from or what caused it. Penelope couldn't utter a single word, nor answer her inquisition as she only hang her head low with a pout on her face.
"Easy there Fiona, no need to force her to call her parents" Macey, another friend of hers where they met because of their similar schedule and Macey is jolly and optimistic person, unlike Penelope who sometimes has her pessimistic personality, sneered and turned her attention to Penelope. "It's okay Loffie not to do what she said, she's grumpy and sometimes blunt only when she sense something isn't right or something that confusing her." She consoled.
"Is that so? Well, I was planning to call them back home anyway, " she admitted pouting at everyone in the table yet Fiona was still giving her inquisitive gaze. 'What's her problem?' She started to get irritated by Fiona's weird and gloomy behavior towards her. She stands up and excused herself to go to the restroom, but she can still feel that Fiona's eyes following and scrutinizing her every steps and body movement she make as she leave the cafeteria.
"What's wrong with you Fiona?" Evaine snapped with an annoyed expression written all over on her face as she crossed her arms into her chest. Macey could only stare at the both of them as they exchange glares at each other.
"I have something to do- something to verify about, " she mumbled the last part that Evaine and Macey can't reach into their ears. Stood up and left them behind. "W-wait Fiona!" Macey tried to stop her, but Evaine held her arm to prevent her following Fiona. "Let her be, I don't know what she's up to but I know that it made her curious and investigate on her own. You know her Macey, if something suddenly bothers her, she will persistently search for the truth" Macey let out a sigh and sat down.
"Yeah, she's always like that, playing detective and such. Well, do you think Penelope is going to go back soon?" She asked and looked at the corridor where Penelope had disappeared to. "I don't think she will" Evaine calmly stated.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
"Who does she think she is?" Penelope huffed as she throws another pebble to the lake and sat down furiously. "Huh, as if she cares about my parents anyway, " she was on the far side border of the school where many trees and some animals can find here. She was surprised that there is some kind of forest in this part of the university and students rarely go in this place. It's quite relaxing and at the end of the forest is the lake which is where her right now. Sulking under a huge tree as she eats her sandwich crisply.
"Oh, it's the weirdo from a week ago, " she was startled when she heard that certain deep voice again, turning around abruptly and stunned when she saw him again. She gazes at him momentarily and halt her way back at throwing rocks in the lake.
"Get out, this is my place, you weirdo" he said curtly and nudge Penelope's shoulder, coaxing her to get out from her seat yet she adamantly stayed not planning to leave soon. He released a defeated sigh and sat beside Penelope. None of them dared to speak as they eat their lunches and enjoyed the beautiful, serene view of the lake, they can see different animals emerging from trees and fishes in the lake. On second thought, she stopped throwing pebbles and admired her surrounding, laid her head onto her knees and was about to doze off when she was interrupted by the devil beside her.
"Why are you throwing pebbles earlier?" he asked and take another bite of his sandwich. She glared at him nonetheless "Tsk. It's nothing, " she riposte and slightly punched him on the shoulder.
"I guess throwing pebbles angrily is somehow a new hobby" he joked.
"That's not funny"
"Ah, I just made you laugh, look at you always frowning everytime we meet"
"Uh, excuse me? We only met twice so don't be so close 'cause we are not friends nor even acquaintances" she retorted, scrunching her face indicating her distaste for him. He just guffawed at her rude attitude and startled her when he moved his arm onto her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. Dumbfounded and flabbergasted, she was unable to utter a single word as her erotic and fast beating of her heart keeps reverberating from her ears as she blushed immensely.
Out of her trance, she pushed him vehemently and gather some pebbles to fling it at the guy who cause her heart to pound rapidly. The guy protected himself using his own shoulder and shouted at Penelope to stop already. Finally she stopped and scowl at him. "Pervert!"
"I'm just trying to be friends with you!" he vindicated and tried to close their gap again when Penelope threatened her with a stick she picked up.
"So making skin ships in someone who you barely knew is a way of establishing friendship?" She hissed and crossed her arm over her chest.
"I-I don't know, I guess so?" He tittered and scratched his back of the neck, showing his signature derp smile again.
"Well, if you just ask nicely then everything should have been fine for us, " she relented as she motioned him to sit beside her.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worst at making friends. Ha-ha, just like the old times, " he somehow reminisced.
"Just like the old times?"
"Oh, nothing, " he smiled at her and the loud pounding of Penelope's heart returned again.
They became friends after that. They always meet each other at the certain spot in the mini-forest, chatting and babbling about their daily lives. Penelope really enjoyed his company and when they are inside the university they throw each other's glances and small smile as they waved at each other not noticing the perplexed gazes her friends giving at her. Then again, she ignored her friends and just go with the flow in her life. Sometimes they meet after school where Trevor, she asked his name one time when they're sitting on their favorite spot, waiting at the university gate where almost all of the students are gone nonetheless Penelope didn't question it as she was busy being love-struck with her new friend or is it really friend?
Love-struck? She suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach at that thought. Has she falling in love already? No? Then again, the moment she realized her feelings for him when Trevor played guitar in front of her. 'He is so handsome and sweet' Penelope astonished while savoring the view, thinking that Trevor is serenading her, giving her a somersault in her stomach again. Not only that, but, Trevor is always giving her sweet praises as Penelope playfully punch him in the chest, saying he just flattering her, but Trevor quickly objected as he said he is stating the truth. Sometimes, Trevor would pick up some lines to her which only increases the feeling she have on Trevor. "Hey Loffie, do you know what's better than I love you?" He asked and Penelope asked what its meaning. "Je veux passer le reste de ma vie avec toi." Which Penelope awed as he perfectly said those words. "Is that a french?" Trevor nodded, but Penelope pouted when he doesn't want to tell its meaning as he challenge Penelope to figure it out and she accepted it. Because of that, Penelope started to feel something she never been felt in her entire life. She feels empty when she doesn't meet him in a day, never get tired of talking to him and when she finally started getting genuine on him. One time where they are at their usual spot, they decided to get to know more each other by telling themselves their life and personality.
"So, who's first?" Penelope playfully asked as she drinks her soda. "Lady's first Loffie" Trevor grinned at her.
"Alright, alright! So, um, So yeah, my name is Penelope Clarke" They laughed-"22 years old, a supposedly 4th year college student, but had stopped 3 years ago for a evident reason." The dame recalled and started to play with the hem of her uniform. "And what could that be?" Trevor asked curiously. "Hmm. Let's just say it's a forgotten incident where I lost my will to live, however, now I don't much remember what happened anymore, so I take this as a chance to live myself again. Within those years I felt alone, darkness always consumes every part of my body as if it wants to devour me and let me alone in its shadow forever. I always think that time that I was a failure, hearing my parents quarrel from the other side makes the pain more unbearable that I tried to kill myself after. Yet I can't do it because I am afraid. Afraid to do things that I might regret later on, so I cried myself every day until there are no more tears escaping from my eyes like I was numb already, too tired and used to being in agony and suffering." She couldn't continue what she's talking about when the tears finally escaped through her eyes as she emits broken sobs. Trevor almost panicked, but calmed himself as he hugged Penelope, this time Penelope doesn't wiggle her way out this time, as she enjoyed the warmth embraced by Trevor on his arm yet she felt cold when she touched the Trevor's chest.
"You're cold" Penelope joked and Trevor could only laugh at her and she playfully punched him into his chest. "Well, that's some deep shit you got there Loffie."
"Ha-ha, I know right. But now I don't know anymore and I kind of want to know what happen years ago that made my life like that. I don't remember that much, but I want to know really, " she confessed and Trevor hummed-"hmm. So you want to find the truth? Well, whatever that incident is, it is some kind of serious event that flips your world upside down. Now let's not talk about that, we talked to get to know each other not to cry each other!" He placed as he caresses the Penelope's hair fondly. Penelope just chuckled and gave Trevor again a frisky punched in his chest. -"Now tell me about the Penelope before the incident."
"Hmm. Well before I was known as The Gifted Dame in the university ever since middle school."
"Wow, you've been here since childhood?" Penelope happily nodded.
"Yup, I am a friendly and jolly person that time, I have my group of friends, aces every exams, all the time, which teachers gave me praises after and compliments my hard work. So it is sort of unavoidable to someone will hate you, especially if they envy you ha-ha." She recounted-"nevertheless, my life before the incident is just full of happy moments"
"I am suddenly curious on what happened in that incident that change your life like that."
"Ha-ha, I think I'm not ready to talk about it, especially as I said I don't much that remembered anymore, " she was about ask his life as she has already opened up to him when they suddenly heard the school bell resonating throughout the whole university.
"Oh, I guess lunch over! See you at the end of class!" He said as he ran away quickly.
"W-wait! You didn't tell me yours..." The last words became inaudible as he disappeared from her sight. Speaking of, she didn't ask what his year level or where his class. "Maybe I'll try to ask it later, " she reminded herself. I have a lot of time to do it after all.
...
"So, we're here" Penelope chirped, squirming in her spot. Trevor chortled and patted her head. "Alright, see you on Monday" She gave him a tiny smile.
"Loffie is that you? Who are you talking to?" Someone from behind her said, guessing it's her Ohma who just opened the door. "Oops Ohma is here! Alright, see you on Monday. Oh I already said that ha-ha." She managed to joke and ran straightly to her grandmother and look over at Trevor again, she waved at him and ushered her grandmother to go inside.
"Who are you talking to Loffie?" Her Ohma asked once again and Penelope just hummed as she sashayed her way up to her room. "A friend of mine Ohma" she giggled and jump into her bed rolling around just like how love-struck she is. Her Ohma who only just stands in the living room, smiles falter to a thin line as she contemplates on what is wrong at her daughter when there is actually none.
Or maybe there is?
Next morning, She woke up with a smile on her face in contrary to how she usually wakes up, tiptoeing up as she readies herself for school. After she does her daily routine, she immediately goes down and greet her Ohma who is cooking their breakfast for this morning.
"Good morning my beautiful and loving Ohma" she said enthusiastically, kissing her Ohma on the cheeks before hummed her way out into the living, leaving her Ohma who just shake her head from her granddaughter's antics.
The first thing she saw when she come into the living room is the photo frame of her parents. She then reminds that she promised to call her parents a week ago but was distracted because of Trevor. She fished out her phone from her bag and dialed her mother right away yet few seconds passed is her mother doesn't pick up the call. She tried again and again, but only to be directed into voice mail, sighed in frustration, she tried contacting her father instead, but only to have the same result from her mother.
"Why aren't they picking it up?" Penelope shrieked as she tried calling them once again but still it failed to reach her parents.
What happened?
"What's the problem Loffie?" Her Ohma who just finished cooking their breakfast comes out in the kitchen to look for her granddaughter and saw her being annoyed while harshly pressing the keys in her phone.
"I can't contact them Ohma" she said exasperatedly. A sudden panic of worry filling her chest.
"Who?"
"My parents Ohma, I tried to contact them, but their phone is out of reach. I wonder how they are doing at the city" her Ohma gave her a skeptical glance with a puzzled expression written on her face that made Penelope stared back at her "Uh Ohma? You seem preoccupied, is something wrong?" Penelope asked in concern tone as she patted her grandma's back.
"Oh, nothing Loffie maybe they are just busy in the city" her Ohma assured and Penelope calmed for a moment. Probably, they're busy persons after all.
"Oh, right Ohma, maybe they are just busy"
Maybe.
─────•~❉᯽❉~•─────
Going to the forest became her daily routine as she again swiftly passed people to go to the forest to meet a certain tall male with a cute permed hair she grew to love. Sometimes Penelope asks herself if it is a love already that blooms in her heart because she always felt this somersault in her stomach or maybe she's just being delusional that someone would dare to like her? She's not the Penelope before that everyone adores. Her former friends, who is now graduating students, utterly ignored her existence. When she tried to approach them, they evaded her like she was some kind of a deadly plague, giving her a disgusted look as they refused to talk to her. Nonetheless, she didn't let it affect her life instead joining and creating memories with her new found friends. As she passed the back door, the mini-forest coming into her view, promptly let out a smile as her head towards the mini forest, but someone tugged her arm, making her jerked backward and almost fall instantly but the stranger swiftly circled his arm around her waist.
"Ayden!" She gasped on his hold.
"Where are you going Loffie?" He said with an unreadable expression on his face, making Penelope nervous. Ayden helps her back to her posture.
"Uh to the forest?" She said and pointed the forest.
"Why are you going in there? It's dangerous, no one goes there anymore. Did you see that sign?" Then pointed the 'Restricted Area - Accident Prone' sign and looking back at Penelope with a frowned.
"Oh, I didn't see that, " she began to hyperventilate, search around her surroundings to find reasons yet failed to find anything. "I'm asking you Loffie, why are you going into the forest?" Tightening his hold onto her arm that made her twitch lightly.
"Um, because there is a lake that I love to gaze on and the tranquil scenery of the nature makes me calm and relaxing" she reasoned out as she squirmed out on his hold and finally freed herself out, rubbing her reddening arm. "That hurts."
"I'm sorry, if that makes you calm, then I have no right questioned that, just be careful alright? Do you want me to accompany you?"
"Oh no thanks!"
"Alright, see you later at class."
"Yeah, see you" after Ayden get out of her sight, she briskly heads towards the forest, thinking Trevor is waiting for her in their favorite spot. As she finally arrived, she didn't expect Trevor isn't in their spot which is unusual for her. She looked around, trying to find Trevor even for a glimpse of his uniform but there were none. She felt like crying, she thinks that Trevor had probably ditched her because she didn't make it on time to their spot.
"Trevor!" Penelope yelled, but no one answered her back. Tears started to roll down on her face as the clouds begin to form dark, indicating that it might rain soon. She never felt more alone.
She was about to leave when she noticed a glinting object near their favorite tree. Picking it up, she saw the crest symbol of the school with some dirt and faint blood. Her heart begins to throb as she saw the blood on the crest. 'What's the meaning of this?' The sudden thought of Trevor came into her mind. 'Oh no, maybe it's from Trevor, I need to find him'. A loud rumbling or crashing noise heard from above made her tremble in fear, looking up at the sky as droplets of rain hits her face mixing with her tears as it falls to the ground.
A rustling sound from the side was heard, yanking her head towards it and holding the crest symbol onto her chest. "Who's there?" As she approached the direction of the sound. Quietly and slowly moving around the trees where the sound was heard, she screamed when a sudden cold thing shuddered her whole body. She ran away, not knowing that the crest symbol she was holding has dropped from her grip.
Someone from behind the tree emerges and strides its way towards the crest symbol. Picked it up with a smirk evident on the stranger's face as it looks in the direction where Penelope ran away.
"I guess she's not moving on after all" the thunder let out an earsplitting crash as the rain falls heavily on its head. This scenery, this same scenery from the past, bringing back the memories and regrets that should forever be forgotten and completely vanish. Yet here it comes again, haunting back as if slapping the reality right in the face, reminding the dreadful mistakes it did years ago. Making the stranger's first, where the crest symbol is, curled tightly as its eyes showing deep anger and wrath. Thinking that God is playing with them made the stranger laugh maniacally. Poor her, all she knew was she's already gotten out from darkness instead she lured herself further more to its shadow leading her to more grievous and gruesome reality.