Phil slowly woke up, he had fallen unconscious on the floor, Phil wiped the drool on his face and then quickly stood up, he looked at the alarm clock at the top of the nightstand as dizziness due to standing quickly assaulted him.
11:13 AM.
Phil sighed in relief since there was still time before the afternoon classes. He quickly took a bath and ate some bread before heading out towards Sonja's place.
Running two blocks down the road, Phil quickly arrived at Sonja's house, he knocked at the door and called out for Sonja. Phil did not wait much longer since Sonja came out after Phil called out to her.
Phil and Sonja walked together until they arrived at school, to their surprise Eric was waiting for them near the entrance gate of the school.
"Phil, Sonja, over here!"
Eric called and waved at the two of them.
"Good noon Eric."
"Are you okay Phil? I noticed you were absent for two days plus this morning. Sonja was absent this morning as well. I was about to go to your house after school today if you did not come."
Phil just smiled awkwardly as he noticed that something has changed in Eric. The once cool and quiet guy has become frantic and restless.
"Yeah, I'm okay Eric."
Eric sighed in relief as he looked at Phil.
"Thank god you're okay. Did you finally discover a way to travel the miasma safely?"
"No...no not yet."
Eric looked dejected and stared at the floor.
"Okay, but if you find a way to travel the miasma please tell me."
Phil nodded. The trio then walked to their respective classrooms.
The afternoon classes started and the teacher for the next subject was Seth. He looked at his attendance sheet and saw that Phil was present.
"Mr. Craft, I would like to meet with you after classes. I hope you have a good reason for your absence or else I will need to meet with your parents."
Phil nodded and thought of a valid excuse so that he can convince Seth and not look like a madman if he told him that he was trapped inside a nightmare and was unable to escape.
"Okay class, since we are all here I have an important announcement to make. The school had just received a large amount of donation from a sponsor in Canada, the headmistress was overjoyed hearing the news this morning, in respect for such occasion the school will hold a gala 2 months from now and near the end of the event there will be a dance, you can choose who you want to partner but do remember that the sponsors will attend on the event as well. The headmistress ordered for all students to be at their best and no disruptions in the event will be tolerated, especially you Mark."
Mark smugly looked at Seth.
"Mark, I warn you. No pranks on the event or you will be expelled."
Mark froze, due to some circumstances in his family, his expulsion will be the death of him. He vehemently nodded at Seth who was still looking at him.
"Very well this is all for the announcement. Now, get your book and open page 200, please. Dave read the first page."
The afternoon classes started and ended in a blink of an eye. Phil who was always sleepy in the afternoons were very much awake now since he had fallen asleep during the morning. Hearing the news about the event, Phil's mind was filled with fantasies. He started fantasizing about inviting Jess to the dance then going to her house with a limousine while wearing a chick black and white suit with a stylish haircut, while she was wearing a white gown with accents of sparkling diamonds, her hair tied in a neat ponytail. They were the center of the event the students looked at them with envy as they danced gracefully on the ballroom floor. The orchestra played a soft waltz as he and Jess were dancing hand in hand and as the music started to end Phil moved slowly towards Jess, intending to kiss as he comically pucker his lips.
"...aft...Mr...raft...MR. CRAFT!"
Chalk flew towards Phil who was still fantasizing and puckering his lips, it hit squarely at his forehead and left a mark while Phil who was still in his fantasies moments ago was startled and fell off his chair. Phil looked at the person who had thrown the chalk at him and then flinched. The one who threw chalk at him was none other than the most frightening instructor of the whole school, heck even the whole city. She was notorious for disciplining the mayor of the city when he was studying under her even the headmistress treats her as an equal, she was Madame Zofia Logarta the oldest and most respected teacher currently working in Phil's school.
"Mr. Craft! Go to the janitor's room and bring me two empty buckets then fill the buckets with water and stand outside holding both buckets until classes are over. And if I ever see any water spilled during your punishment I will have you clean the storage room by yourself. Understand."
Phil hurriedly stood up and bowed to Madame Zofia.
"Understood Ma'am."
Phil ran out not wanting to waste any more time or else his punishment will be more severe.
After 5 minutes, Phil returned with 2 buckets of water filled to the brim. He stood still outside the classroom near the door and held both of the buckets. Phil blamed himself for not noticing that the teacher had changed, it was alright if it was Seth who had caught him not paying attention but Madame Zofia had no remorse towards misbehaving students, even Mark who was a well-known bully and delinquent turned into a meek puppy when in front of Madame Zofia.
Phil sighed, his arms were starting to cramp, sweat was slowly making its way towards his eyes and his hands started to get slippery due to sweat, he only needed to persevere for another minute until his punishment was over. After a minute the school bell rang, but Phil knew that he should not put the bucket down until he saw Madame Zofia walk out of the classroom, since he knew that Madame Zofia believes the creed "The school bell does not dismiss you, I do.". This proved to be the right decision since Madame Zofia had extended her class for another 5 minutes.
Madame Zofia walked out of the classroom and saw Phil who was still carrying the bucket.
"You may put the bucket down Mr. Craft, but I do not want you to be distracted during my class next time, understood."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Madame Zofia nodded and slowly walked away.
Phil sighed and walked towards the nearest sink, intending to throw away the water and return the buckets to the janitor's room. But before he could do all of that, Mark for no particular reason tripped his foot. Phil stumbled on the ground as the water drenched the hallways, Mr. Kim who was in the next room had heard the commotion, he rushed towards the hallway and saw it drenched in water.
"Who did this?"
"It was Phil."
Mark hurriedly answered and pointer at Phil.
"He was punished by Madame Zofia, I think his legs might have cramped due to standing for a long time making him stumble and fall."
Mark looked at Phil with concern. Mr. Kim stared at Mark, he knew how notorious the kid could be.
"Did anyone else see what had happened?"
He looked at the students who were present during the accident but saw them shaking their heads afraid that they might be targeted by Mark if they ever snitched. Mr. Kim sighed knowing that Mark was the culprit but since no one was siding with Phil, he could not reprimand Mark since he did not see what had transpired.
"Mr. Craft go get a mop and clean this place."
He ordered as he walked away.
Mark sneered while his gang was laughing softly behind him.
Phil annoyingly walked back towards the janitor's room slightly drenched, he returned the buckets and took a mop, and started to clean the hallway.
After the hallway was dried off, Phil looked outside and see if Sonja or Eric was waiting for him, but both of them were nowhere in sight. Phil guessed that Eric should have gone home while Sonja should be attending her club practice.
Phil took his bags and packed his things readying to go home when he remembered that he needed to go to Seth's office and tell his reasons for his absence. Phil audibly sighed and made his way to Seth's office.
On his way to Seth's office, Phil luckily met Jess who was carrying stacks of papers. Phil felt that this was a great chance to invite Jess to be his partner for the upcoming gala, he decided to help Jess and approached her.
"Hey, Jess! do you need help with that?"
"Oh hi Phil, yeah can you help me a bit. Can you carry these papers for me, I need to open the door for a sec."
Phil enthusiastically took the papers that Jess was holding, his heart melted when Jess smiled at him as he took the papers and she proceeded to open the door to an office. Jess entered and Phil followed, Jess pointed towards the table.
"Please put it here and thank you very much, Phil."
"No problem Jess. If you don't mind can I ask you to the..."
"What, what is it Phil? are you okay?"
Jess waved his hands in front of Phil who froze and was staring at her. Well not at her, but the thing that was right behind her.