Nanny and Melo walked through the neighborhood. Melo noticed the cobblestone pavement with moss growing on the street sides. Nanny reminded him to be careful not to step on the moss 'cause it gets slippery and he might fall on his knees. He can also see people walking their pet dogs, kids of his age laughing and running in a group probably off to the same school he's enrolled with. Couples holding hands while walking with their matching t-shirts. Mr. Jenkins, scolding children playing with his morning newspaper. The neighborhood seemed peaceful and calm, of course except for Mr. Jenkins whom Nanny describes as Grumpy from the seven little dwarfs.
Juende was a small town near Dychophalm city. Nanny told stories about Dychopalm and Juende as they walked to school and from what Melo understood, Dychophalm was the heart of technological advancement. They had voice activated cars which his father owned one and holographic billboards. Skyscrapers that can reach so high, one may think he had reached heaven's gate. Houses with no doors, voice activated windows, with free robotic maids, and only occupants can enter the house through body scanners. They call it "Smart Houses".
In the heart of Dychophalm is where his father works. He once went there when he was around five or six years old and his all-time favorite were the virtual arcades. His father aided in most of the architectural designs in Dychophalm, thus making him a renowned architect at the young age of twenty-nine. His mother owns one of the biggest bakery shops in Dychophalm, making them third to richest people in their vicinity. Despite their social status, his father decided to settle down in his hometown, Juende, and helped develop the town. They expanded some of their businesses in the area and helped open up schools, hospitals, and libraries. But the primary reason why his father chose Juende was the lack of real trees and plants in the city. He wanted Melo to live a youthful and carefree life, experiencing the sweet cool breeze in the mornings, butterflies fluttering happily in their garden, and muddy grass during rainy days.
*Wow. They sound like great parents but why can't I shrug off these feelings of doubt and distrust.* He thought
"Nanny, have they always been.."
"We're here now, young master. I'll be back at 4o'clock. Here is your lunch and your backpack. Have a wonderful day in school." His nanny cut him off before he could finish his question and handed him his packed lunch and backpack. She gave him a light push, signaling him to get inside, and Melo continued walking to the entrance of the school. He looked back one last time and saw his nanny waving. He waved back at her. Then he turned around and looked up at the school's name. It's named after his father, John Lawrence Daetes' School of Learning. Melo took a deep breath, his heart was pounding like crazy in his chest, he was sweating like ice caps were melting, and his feet were as sturdy as the mountains that no matter how much his initiative was to take another step, he just could not do it. He could see the halls slowly stretching far and wide, and his visions blurring and vibrating with the sound of his pounding heart.
"It's alright."
He felt a light tap on his shoulder and a soothing voice from behind,
*Nanny!*, he thought.
He turned around and the moment he saw Nanny's open arms he rushed to grab onto her belly and tears fell like rain from his face.
"Oh shhh shhh. Everything is gonna be fine, young master. It may seem overwhelming at first, but the moment you meet your classmates and start the activities, you might find it fun and interesting." She moved him an inch and bent on her knees to level his sight. Again, Melo wrapped his hands around Nanny Hearty's neck. "I don't...I don't think I can… I don't think I can go to school, Nanny. I'm scared." he cried and Nanny tried her best to comfort him, soothing him by rubbing his back and rocking him from side to side. As soon as she felt his grip loosening, she slowly loosened his arms and freed herself. She wiped Melo's face with her handkerchief and flashed her gentle smile. Melo replied with a sweet smile as well.
"Okay...I think I am ready." He said with a brave voice, wiped the hanging snot in his nose, and finally sniveled in Nanny's handkerchief. Nanny snickered at the bravery Melo showed which amused him as well that he also laughed his lungs out. One last time, he gave a deep sigh and continued marching towards the entrance of the school, not looking back. He held on his hand his class card and finally continued walking the hallway, keeping an eye on the room numbers.
*Rm 1160-e... Rm 1160-e... Rm 1160-e… It should be around here. Aha! Found you.*
He peeked through the small class in the door, the teacher had already started the class. With all his might, he pulled the door handle and the door creaked open.
*Great! Now everyone is staring at me.*
"Good of you, Mr. Daetes to join us this morning." His teacher scornfully said while staring at him condescendingly. Melo slipped his whole body through the door and lowered his head out of shame. Everybody's eyes were glaring at him, piercing his confidence.
"What are you waiting for? We don't have all day. Go to your seat and settle down!" Her eyes were wide open, seemingly about to pop out of their sockets. Melo rushed to the empty seat at the back. His teacher rolled her eyes and turned her back while mumbling to herself.
*Wow! Can this day get any better? I need to hold back my tears. I mustn't cry. I mustn't cry. Oooff what's this?*
One of his classmates passed down a note to him. He opened the note and it says,
*Always use the door beside you. Why do you always forget it? -George*
He turned his head to his right and saw the door beside him. Humiliated once more, he lightly bumped his head on his arm rest three times.
Hours had passed.
*Ring! Ring! Ring!*
*Yes! Yes! Finally, the recess bell.*
As soon as his classmates heard the recess bell, they swarmed the front and back door to get out without even allowing their teacher to finish. Melo and some boys remained in the classroom, waiting for the rest of their classmates to finish squishing each other through the doors.
*SPLAT!*
A wet small ball of paper splat at Melo's cheeks.
*Eeeww. What the heck was that? He thought as he wiped it down by the palm of his hand.*
"Hey, princess. Did you get lost again?" One of his classmates said mockingly as the other boys laugh scornfully behind him
"Hahahaha.." someone laughs maniacally behind Melo. To Melo's surprise, he almost tripped, bumping his friend George. "Oh shut it, Frederick. Who are you calling princess?" the kid added. The moment Frederick laid eyes on the kid speaking, his eyes grew, mouth shut, and shoulders shuddered as if he had seen a ghost.
"Coda," George immediately intervened.
"You just got suspended last week from hitting Frederick." George added in a frantic but low voice. "Oh, come on, George. He was being a baby again. Hitting him the second time might force his growth. Maybe, he can find the proper words to make friends." Coda replied as he smirked at Melo.
"Well? Let's go. I'm starving." Coda ushered George to leave the room but noticed that Melo was still frozen at his seat, with his arms wrapped around his bag, and his face still in daze. He went back and reached for Melo's arm. "Come on, Melo. Don't tell me, you forgot about us again?" Coda said while gesturing to George to come closer. Melo shook his head to wake from his disconnection from reality,
"Oh yeah, about that. Honestly I am feeling off today. My memory is hazy and…" Before he could finish his sentences, Coda patted Melo's shoulders while George held his hand and dragged him to stand up.
"We've heard that excuse already. Come on. Let's eat lunch. My mom packed me pan seared chicken breast with my least favorite veggie, broccoli. Yuck!" Coda just brushed off Melo's excuse and tried his best to make him feel comfortable. The three friends then went on their way to the cafeteria. George Macintosh is the youngest son of the Mayor of the town Juende while Coda Laerga is the third sibling among the five children of one of the school's faculty members. During their free times, Coda and George will tell Melo stories about their adventures together like the time they went to Mr. Jenkin's house during Halloween night to get some treats despite knowing how grumpy Mr. Jenkin gets when people rang his doorbell. He chased them down the alleyway that he even forgot that he wasn't wearing any pants. As they tell their stories, memories rush like ocean waves in Melo's mind. It's like the broken wirings in his brain were finally connected to the right sockets.
When school time ended, the three of them went out of the school together and Melo could spot Nanny Hearty even from a distance, waving at him. The three of them rushed towards Nanny Hearty.
"My my. Careful, boys. The pavements are filled with moss. You might slip and trip." Warned Nanny Hearty. " Would the two of you like to join Melo for dinner?" She added. "Thanks for the invitation, Mrs. Hearty but my mom said I need to rush home and help my little sister with her homework." Coda sadly replied. "Sorry Melo. Maybe, next time. Dad and I are going to play chess tonight. You know how the Mayor gets busy most of the time that he sometimes forgets about me." George grinned. George and Coda waved goodbye and thanked Mrs. Hearty one last time before they raced to see who first got to the next street ahead.
"How was school?" Nanny Hearty asked Melo. Melo pressed on Nanny Hearty's hand and answered, "I'll tell you on the way home." He narrated how Ms. Letty got angry at him because he was late and how Frederick tried to bully him. He also told Nanny Hearty about Coda and George's stories about them. They laughed and giggled as they strolled the street till they reached the manor. Melo rushed to the door and straight to the dining area, hoping to find his parents home; however, the light in his eyes flickered to find the dining table filled with luscious foods, but the seats were empty. He dragged his feet up to his room, Nanny followed. Nanny helped Melo prepare for dinner but Melo refused to go down to eat so she asked Anne to prepare a table upstairs for the two of them to which Anne complied immediately.
Nanny was able to convince Melo to eat but there was dead air building around them. She tried to engage him into conversing with her but to no avail, his lips were shut sealed. After dinner, Nanny prepared a warm bath with aromatic lavender oils to somehow soothe Melo and relax his mind.
Finally, Melo opened his mouth, "Nanny, has mother and father been like this from the beginning?" He asked.
Nanny Hearty's face showed confusion, "Like what, young master?"
"Cold." he answered "Such a big house, but it feels lonely and sad." he added
"How do you imagine they would be?" Nanny Hearty asked once more.
Melo felt weirded out by the question but still he answered, "Well, I was imagining that they would have more time for me. I would see them, you know. All cheezy and lovey-dovey. A bit livelier and fun. Sigh. I just want to feel loved and.."
"And?" Nanny Hearty probed.
"Well..you know..." he answered.
"...noticed," he added in a whispering voice.
"I see. What else would you wish to have?" Nanny Hearty probed some more.
"Well, Nanny now that you asked. This place feels boring. If only I could have maybe a small dog to play with or a telescope so I can look at the stars at night. And, don't get me started with our walks. Err yuck! So boring and dull." He answered enthusiastically.
Nanny Hearty and Melo laughed as they both agreed on how desolately looking his own living area was. After the nice bath, Nanny dressed Melo with his soft silky pajamas, and blow dried his hair. She brushed his hair before he tucked him to bed. Before Melo can fly off to dreamland, Nanny whispers to Melo's ear, "You can wish anything you want. Besides, this whole world is your playground. You can do whatever your heart desires. Good night young master." Melo smiled as he slowly shut his eyes and thought,
Yeah, I like the sound of that. Like, I am free.
And he gradually drifts off to dreamland, hoping that tomorrow would start differently.