She waved at Louie, as he entered the car. He waved back, before telling the driver to move. She waited a bit before finding her way to the gate. She stepped out, holding her bag tightly, not after adjusting her glasses.
She walked down the street alone, humming a song. She was a few meters away from home when she heard the sound of moving legs behind her. She turned to see if there was anyone following her but there was none.
She continued walking and a shadow was cast over her. She stopped walking and turned but she did not see anyone. She continued to walk. The shadow appeared again but this time, a bit far. It was like someone stalking her or, rather, a ghost with a shadow stalking her. She felt strange and weird, too, because every shadow cast made shivers run down her spine.
She felt it might be her imagination and decided to brush the feeling aside. She hastened her steps until she got home. She entered her room and dropped her bag, and then sat down on the stool, beside her window, staring outside.
One thing she loved about her new home was that it was located beside the beach. From her room, she could get a clearer view of the sea, which makes her happy, anytime she feels sad. She decided to take a walk. She rushed into the bathroom to take her bath and got dressed in baggy trousers and a shirt. She locked the door and headed for the beach.
As she walked far away from the sea, she watched kids run into the water, playing and laughing. She wished she could play too but she couldn't. Despite being a lover of seas and oceans, she has a great phobia for them and can only admire them from afar but getting closer to them, hell no!!.
She was standing under a tree, staring at the sea. The sea suddenly began to rise and gradually, formed a young woman. Rhea's mouth opened in shock.
This can't be real. It must be my imagination. She thought.
The woman whispered. "Rhea". Stretching her hand towards her. "Rhea, come!"
Although she was far from the sea, it was like the woman was whispering directly into her ears. Rhea turned briskly, wondering if there was any other person close by. She saw a little girl playing in the sand.
"Little girl," she called.
The little girl raised her head. "Me?"
Rhea nodded. The little girl stood up and ran towards Rhea.
"Look." Rhea pointed at the sea. "Did you see the young woman over there?".
"No", she answered, staring at the sea.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, the sea is clear. Can I go now?"
Rhea nodded and the girl ran off. As she watched the girl run off, she heard her name again. Rhea stared into the sea and the woman was gone. She decided to go back home and rest because she felt she must have watched too many horror movies in the last few days to be having these strange feelings.
**
Rhea was ready for school as usual. Her bag was already on the bed and she was trying to give the last touch to her uniform. Celia popped her head into the room.
"Rhea, are you ready for school?"
Rhea sighed and picked up the comb.
"Yes, but can you help me take my bag downstairs? I need to comb my hair," she asked, combing her hair.
"No, I can't," Celia replied, folding her hands
Rhea furrowed her brows.
"Why?"
"You're such a lazy girl."
"Come on, you know I'm not lazy. Just help me please."
Celia chuckled. "Sure". She took the bag from the bed.
"Thanks, sis." Rhea kissed her sister's cheeks
"Don't make me change my mind."
"Rhea smiled. "I know you won't."
"You..."
"Just go. I need to finish up. Go, go, go."
Celia chuckled and walked out of the room. Rhea quickly packed her hair into a ponytail. She picked up her eyeglasses and placed them on her eyes. Checking herself out in the mirror for the last time, she dashed out of her room.
'Rhea, come sit. Breakfast will be served soon," Celia said.
She was already seated and pressing her phone. Rhea wished she could but It was Monday morning, and she had a biology assignment to submit. She couldn't wait to have breakfast, because she was afraid she might get to school late and end up getting detention.
"Celia, can you please pass me my bag?" Rhea asked.
Celia raised the bag and stretched it to Rhea.
"No breakfast?"
"No. I have to go. I've got a biology assignment to submit."
"Not even little?"
"No. I don't want to get detention, please."
Celia sighed. "Ok. We will meet in the school then."
"Bye," Rhea made for the door.
"Rhea, where are you heading to, this early?" Mr. Odin asked, walking into the dining room with a tray containing three plates of bacon.
He dropped It on the table, not taking his gaze off Rhea's direction.
"Did you make breakfast?" Rhea asked.
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"Nothing, just curious. You know, It's been a while since you did that."
"I know and I'm sorry for not being available."
Rhea walked closer to her Father.
"I understand dad, I know your reason and I appreciate it."
Mr. Odin touched her face. "You know I love you right?"
"Of course I do and I love you too."
Her dad pulled her into a hug. "Come here, Celia."
Celia smiled and stood up to join them, and after a while, she whined.
"Let's eat please; I'm so hungry."
"You need it," Rhea replied, releasing herself from the warm embrace. "I need to go."
"No breakfast?" Mr. Odin asked.
"No, Dad. I need to get to school early. I have a biology assignment to submit."
"Ok, darling. Take care and stay out of trouble, ok?"
"Sure, Dad." She turned to leave, but her dad called her back.
"Rhea, when I get back, I want us to talk. The three of us."
She furrowed her brows. "Is there a problem?"
He smiled. "No, darling. It's about your birthday."
Rhea groaned. Why is everyone talking about it?
She had tried her best to make sure no one talked about her birthday, but it seemed it wasn't working.
"My birthday?"
Her dad smiled. "Yes. We can talk about how we're going to be celebrating it."
"I have thought about it and have concluded that there isn't a need for that." Rhea answered and Celia blinked.
" What?!"