"Dreams"
Projection of things you wanted to happen in real life or sometimes things that already happened in the past.
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Han cried his heart out that same night...
Although he did not explain much about those things that he said to me, I already knew it...
It was just like how I dreamed about Solon and Yuan every now and then so I understand right away. He did not want to talk about it either as it was like a sour memory for him that he wanted to get over with so I just leave him be.
It also became our little secret and from that day, we became a lot closer.
I find it weird as I kept seeing the same face that I was once afraid of but the fact that he was someone different from the Yuan that I knew gives me comfort.
He was a lot kinder and sweet the more I know him.
"The kids will be having a small celebration for Jake this weekend, are you coming?" Han asked.
It has been weeks since we finished our project and as expected, my life went back to how it is before...
I tried avoiding people like I always do and all of them, including Hana, Lia, Jacob and Jay did the same as they also have their own circle of friends, well at least that's what I thought?
It was only Han, who keeps me close...
He was a part time professor from our school and we would constantly meet up because of my scholarship.
"No? I'm not even invited so why would I go." I said.
He ruffled my hair and laughed.
"This is why I am inviting you, the kids already missed you. They were sulking when they told me that you were avoiding them at school, be more friendly!" he said.
I honestly miss them too... But because they were famous students in our school, I couldn't help but be a subject of bullying or bad rumors so I decided to stay away from them as I don't want unnecessary conflicts to happen just because I hang out with them.
I'm not even sure in the first place why I ended up being acquainted with such people so I guess that adds up to that.
"I'll pass." I rejected.
He pouted in disappointment as if he was kind of a cute being. Which he is, so I laughed at him and threw him his record book that he was working with right now.
He was like an older brother to me now that we became close and he would often tutor or treat me snacks like his own little sister.
"You're too aggressive for your age huh? When Ethan was your age he would always cling to me like a little kid." he rumbled as if Ethan and I have a huge age gap when it was actually just 1 year.
I laughed once more...
It was odd but fun considering what past I have with him although it was only me who remembers it.
We're in this kind of relationship like a typical cousins would have.
I wondered if Yuan didn't took interest in me before, will our relationship as cousins would be like this?
How wonderful would that be...
"You know, you should treat your brother more often, he would always frown and sulk when he sees you hanging out with me." I said while still laughing.
"Is it my fault that he was a lazy senior who focus only on soccer? He needs to learn his lessons and finish his requirements first before he hangs out with me!" he scolded me as if I was Ethan.
We continue to bicker like usual and spend the rest of our time together till evening.
"Make sure to come this weekend, we will be waiting for you." Han said as he bid his goodbye after our tutoring session.
I frowned and pushed him away.
"I said I will not go! Just go home already!"
He laughed and gave me a wink then just left like that.
What a weird guy, I thought.
***
It was weekend and I was getting ready for my part time job when I heard a knock from my door.
I opened it just to see Lia and Jacob smiling widely at me.
I stood there in shock.
"How did you know where I live?" I asked.
"Han told us hehe." Lia said then she clings her arm to mine and forcefully brought me to their car.
Is this what you call kidnapping?
"Hey, I need to go to work." I said as the car started to move.
"Jay took care of it and already called your work place so you don't have to worry! It's you day off!" Lia cheerfully said.
Jacob stayed silent with a grumpy look on his face.
I even hear him murmured 'So unfair'? I think that's what I heard.
I laughed causing him to look at me and he gave me a confused look.
I just shrugged and enjoyed the rest of the ride.
It was my first time hanging out with them ever since our project finished and I must say, I really do miss them.
"We're here!" Lia exclaimed.
We arrived at a vacation house owned by Jay's parents and Lia told me in secret that this was where they planned on surprising Jacob.
Jacob was peacefully sleeping when we sneaked out of the car and left him there.
"Illa!" William greeted me with a hug but Hana blocked him.
I was suddenly reminded of the time when I saw them being all lovey-dovey at the restaurant that I was working and I couldn't help but to let out a weird chuckle.
They all looked suprised with how I acted. I think this is the first time that they to saw me react like that? Come to think of it, I guess it really is the first time.
I never openly let my emotion show with other people watching so it is understandable that they were so surprised.
"Aren't we surprising Jacob?" I asked.
They all realized that time was ticking so we all decided to proceed in setting up the venue.
I saw Jay's friends as well and they welcomed me too as if they were expecting me to come.
It felt nice to be honest...
"I brought the cake and the flowers!" Han arrived while carrying a chocolate cake and a bouquet of Lily.
Wow... Of all flowers, why did he choose that?
We finished the preparation in time before Jacob walked in with a sulky face.
"Congratulations Jake!" We all greeted him.
He looked shocked and disoriented as he just woke up from his sleep.
"What..." He was so surprised that he did not know what to say.
"Han told us that you got accepted as a scholar for the exchange program abroad! Congrats bro!" William said.
Jacob covered his mouth in shock as if it was his first time hearing the news.
"I thought you told me it was Illa who got accepted?" Jacob said.
Me?
Hana gave me the bouquet of Lily that she was holding and gave me a hug.
"Congratulations Illa!" she said.
I was so confused...
"Congratulation to the both of you!" They all greeted us and pulled us into a group hug.
"Wait, what?" I asked while both Jacob and I were in the middle of the hug.
After that, they handed us a cake for the both of us to blow and once we're done, they started acting like unsupervised kids.
"Let's party!" Jay exclaimed as they started smudging the cake icing to one another.
They were running here and there that I don't know where to look at. I was just speechless...
They left the both of us dumb founded at a corner while we were showered by both icing and confetti.
What a bunch of kids indeed...
***
After the riot, all of them went to eat and the place was so messy that I was about to get stressed, good thing they looked satisfied with their masterpiece so I didn't have the time to nag.
Looks like they enjoyed the party huh? Cute...
"Waaah! That was fun!" Johnny said as he lay down on the sofa.
"Best party ever!" Riki added.
"Agreed." Kei said.
I smiled at the scene... This might have been the best memory I have so far after being reincarnated.
I wanted it to last long... Just wow...
"Oh you're not crying aren't you?" Han pops out of nowhere and poked my cheek while teasing me.
"I was about to, but it backed out when you talked." I said sarcastically as I slap his hands away from my cheek.
He laughed as he patted my head like a kid so I glared at him.
"By the way, where's Ethan?" Elijah asked.
I only realized that Ethan was not here when Elijah mentioned it.
"He was trying to save Benjamin from the Witch, hahaha!" William said while trying to control his laugh.
He was on his phone chatting someone whom we all think was Ethan. Then he showed us a picture...
It was indeed Ethan. He was making a face while there was a guy and a girl arguing at the background.
They all laughed at the picture while it left me clueless.
"Who's that behind Ethan?" I asked out of curiosity.
Lia tapped my shoulder and said...
"It was Jake's Prince Charming."
Jacob threw a pillow at her just to shut her up, good thing I was able to dodge it haha.
"He's my best friend. That girl she's arguing with was his girlfriend." Jacob explain while wearing a poker face.
"Don't you think you're hating Cal too much?" Han asked Jacob but he just rolled his eyes.
So her name was Cal?
"Bro, that was too much beef! Chill, hahaha!" Johnny said while trying to appease the sulking Jacob.
Most of them laughed at his actions but I just found him cute!
Wait, what did I said? Wow Illa, why are you so whipped for cute things!
"Well I don't like her either." Lia said while munching the left over snack.
Then all of a sudden, Ethan called William.
"Yo! How was the plan?" William asked.
The others were anticipating what Ethan would answer.
"Positive! I got Benjamin!" He answered from the other line.
And like a world cup event, they all celebrated as if they won a gold medal.
"We'll be there in an hour." Ethan added and ended the call.
I suddenly felt bad for the girl. Why do they hate her so much?
We decided to clean up the mess when they all planned to go swimming as the house was near the beach but after we're done, I just choose to rest in our room.
I think I already had a blast today so I decided to lay down for a while and let myself drift into sleep.
***
'Don't die, Amiya...'
'Don't die!'
'Don't leave me... Please don't die, Amiya....'
I opened my eyes as I heard Solon's voice however, when I look around, all I see was a dark place full of mirrors...
It was showing all the life that I had, specifically how I died.
Is this a dream? I thought.
I tried to wake up myself but I couldn't so I wondered if I died?
No...
I was starting to panic and suddenly all the mirrors started to act on their own.
It was showing the me, from the past and they keep saying one thing as they started to surround me.
'Die Amiya!'
I wanted to run away but the mirrors blocked my way as if they were caging me... It was suffocating...
"STOP" I shouted while trying to cover my ears.
I was scared and crying... I just want it to stop!
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I screamed.
"HELP ME! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME!" I begged trying to get out of the mirror cage.
I was helpless as no one seems to hear my plea...
I was in that place for who knows how long when suddenly, the mirrors were shattered then I heard someone calling me.
"Illa!"
***
I woke up and saw Jacob's worried expression.
I just burst out crying at that moment...
He hugged me tightly as I continued crying in his arms.
I was really scared...
"Shh... It's okay... I'm here..." Jacob said as he tried to calm me down.
It was a big relief for me to see him as I really thought I died...
I took me a while to finally calm down. Jacob wiped some of my tears and smiled at me, assuring me that everything will be okay.
"You were screaming earlier and I thought you're having a nightmare so I had to wake you up. Are you feeling better now?" he asked.
I just nodded.
He held my face forcing me look at his eyes and he smiled once more.
"Cheer up Illa. You don't have to bear all your problems, you can tell us if you're having a hard time. We'll be here for you...
I'll be here..." he stopped for a moment and put his forehead on mine.
"Isn't this what friends are for?" he continued.
I felt a huge comfort with what he said... It was like a big rock was lifted from my chest and my mind was suddenly cleared.
"Thank you Jacob..." I said.
"Call me Jake from now on..." he said as he hugged me one more time.
It was so calming that I almost lost myself with his hug.
"Let's go now, the others are waiting for us." Jacob -- no, Jake said as he broke the hug and held my hand.
I look at our hands for a moment and smiled...
"Let's go..." I said as he followed his lead.
We went to the beach where the guys were playing and we saw that all of them were already eating.
They all looked at us suspiciously and there I realized that I was still holding Jake's hand.
I immediately let go as I blushed really hard remembering all those embarrassing things I've done in front of him.
"Ooh... What's with the holding hands?" Riki teased.
Han nudge him from behind and asked us to sit down.
I noticed that Ethan was also here now.
I gave him a smile and he did the same while offering me some food.
"Did you have a good rest?" Hana asked.
I just nodded though it was a total lie.
"You missed half of the fun! Let's play!" Johnny excitedly said as he throw a beach volley ball over to us but Jay blocked it.
"We're not yet done!" he said as he grabbed the ball and started to chase Johnny.
I just sat there for a while as I space out but a cold can of soda touched my cheek.
"Here's your soda Ma'am." the guy at my back said as he handed me the soda.
I was about to check who it was when Lia called the guy.
"Benjamin! What took you so long? Where's my soda?" she said as she walked towards our direction.
The guy, whom I assumed was Benjamin immediately retrieve the can that he was about to give me and threw it to Lia.
It was so sudden that both Lia and I were startled as he ran away.
"What was his problem?" Lia asked.
I just shrugged as I was also clueless.
We just ignored him and went to play with the others until we're sick of it...
***
It was already dawn and all of them are already asleep, probably because of playing too hard.
But here I am, still wide awake and afraid to sleep...
I went out to get some fresh air hoping I could get myself a peaceful sleep after this.
It was calming but I could not bring myself to feel at ease especially because of the nightmare that I had.
I was anxious thinking that it might be a premonition for me or just plainly a reminder that I am not a normal person...
I sigh at that thought.
I sat near the beach as I wait for the sun to rise then I noticed that I was not the only one here...
I couldn't see clearly as it was still a bit dark as the sun was just about to rise but that person was definitely a man.
It looks like he was drawing the scenery...
I walked towards his direction and as the place slowly lights up along with the sun rise, I finally saw who it was, I automatically froze...
He looked at me and stopped what he was doing for a moment. It was like we were holding our breath while the both of us wear a surprised look.
I wanted to run away but my feet won't budge...
I was about to lose it when I thought he was going to come closer to me when he stands up but to my surprise, he turned his back and leave as if he did not see me at all.
I took a deep breath to calm myself but my tears started falling...
"So this life is about to end huh?" I whispered to myself.
I don't know whether I should be relieved that he just left me like that but the fact that he's here now bothers me a lot.
How can he show up when I was already enjoying this life? Why now when I was just about to open up my heart again to other people...
I tried to collect myself and without having a second thought, I decided to leave the place but before I could leave, I suddenly heard a voice calling from afar...
"Benjamin!"
It was Jake...
And he was calling that person...
My end...
Solon...