My oh my oh my oh my…

Amazing time to be alive, isn't it? Let's see what's on the schedule right now... Right, waking up. Everybody has to wake up eventually, right? Wish I didn't.

Uh... sleep is a wonderful thing, amazes me, really. It's like several hours of being dead! Ain't that just dandy?

Enough with the fun facts.

I opened my eyes, and as expected, my vision was rather blurry. I blinked a few times, rubbing my eyes before getting off the bed. Something felt off about myself, something felt very off indeed. I slouched and walked like a zombie towards my bathroom just to stare at myself in the mirror. My, isn't that one dead expression?

I leaned closer to the mirror to get a better look before I put on my glasses. Blank, black eyes, staring directly into my soul. Shivers. I pinched my cheeks and puffed them up a little before taking a deep breath.

Happy world, happy place, amazing time to be alive! Just ask me and I'll tell you that even if no one else does.

My oh my...

I flexed my jaw before putting on a smile of my own. Isn't there just something amazing about having a wide smile on your face? It always seems to lift my spirits up, even if I feel like jumping out the window sometimes. Just sometimes.

I slapped my cheeks a few times, ensuring that my smiling muscles better stay in place.

Some small details about me, myself and I. Who cares about my name? My eyes? Black, but I'm short-sighted, so I either wear glasses or contacts. My hair reaches about my shoulder, green in colour. Not the lightest nor darkest shade of green, but definitely on the darker side. Pretty average frame for a girl. I'm a pretty average person as a whole, I guess?

Hobbies? Let me think... what hobbies do I have? I'm an actor, been acting for quite some time. Love acting, it brings out so many emotions, you know? Like, what if I want to cry, but don't feel like showing it in front of people? Or what if I feel like jumping off a cliff but don't feel like making it too obvious? I really love the stuff.

Favourite food's tangerines, don't know why, don't care much to explain.

Let's see... what else would be interesting to share? Right, my type of guy is the quiet type. Honestly, I can't stand listening to people drone on and on about random bullshit I don't got the time or effort to bother with.

Wow~

Now that you all know me better, let us continue, shall we?

A quick shower and a quick change of clothes, nothing to write home about, really. I put on my school uniform, a drab colour, greyish and lifeless. Geez, it's almost as if they want me to be depressed. No surprise that many people are actually depressed in my school, though I'm sure there are other reasons.

I adjusted my tie before stepping out of my room, flipping the light switch to my room. I stepped out with my backpack in hand, a smile still on my face. I smiled at my mom and gave her a huge hug before waving at my father who was too busy reading the paper and drinking coffee.

"Something good happen today?" My mom asked.

"What do you mean? it's just like every other day," I told her.

I sat down at the dining table, snatching a piece of toast soon after. While drinking a cup of orange juice, my brother walked out of his room, his hair was a mess. He was obviously still half-asleep, his eyes barely open as he staggered towards the dining table. Ha, he looks more like a zombie than I did!

My brother, named Fable, was the same age as me, I think. We attend the same school and we're in the same year, so I'll just assume we're the same age, capiche? Though we aren't exactly twins though. Just so you know, I'm older, I think. Don't think I remember his birthday yet.

"---," My mom called for me.

Oh dear, gotta be careful there about telling my name, mom. Can't exactly spoil the surprise so soon, can we?

"Yes?" I asked.

"I've been receiving emails from the school that you've been skipping out on class, is everything okay?" She asked me.

"Hmmm?" I mused, smiling cheekily. "Everything's fine. I've been skipping out 'cause I've been feeling sick at school."

"Do take care of yourself at school," My mom told me.

"I will, I will," I waved her off.

Fable sat down across from me and rested his head on the dining table. I flicked his head, telling him, "Hey, I don't want your head on my toast. Unless, of course, I'm actually allowed to eat your head."

"My head hurts!" He groaned.

"Been out drinking again?" I asked.

"You know damn well I can't drink just yet," Fable scowled. "I'm only turning eighteen in a couple of weeks."

"Boohoo," I mocked. "Baby boy's growing up and respecting the law."

"It was one time!" Fable argued.

Fable gave up and let out a long and hard exhale. I leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table and resting my chin on my palm. "So, what's got your brain all tangled up? Is it homework? Is it club activities? Gasp! Is it a girl?"

"I just slept late, okay?" He grumbled, sitting properly and rubbing the back of his head. "Also, who the hell says 'Gasp'?"

"I do. Now, tell me your secrets, little man," I continued joking. "Why you sleeping late on a Thursday night? Hmmm?"

"Homework?" He asked.

"Lies," My father finally spoke up.

I laughed, getting up from my seat. I walked by Fable, telling him, "I'm going to find out what's exactly happening there."

Fable looked away and started having his breakfast. I said loudly at him while walking towards the door. "Just you wait!"

I put on my shoes as quickly as I could before leaving the house. I pointed at Fable, who looked much too tired to be dealing with my shenanigans. I said as I was leaving, "Just you wait! Also, bye!"

I took several steps before realising my glasses still resting on my face. Blunder! Should've known. I glanced back at the door to my house. It does seem rather uninviting, especially after the exit I just made. Whatever, I'm versatile, I can go with the flow.

I strolled towards the lift and pressed the button. While standing, I balanced on my heels, occasionally also going up on my tiptoes. This elevator is taking its own sweet time, isn't it? Well, whatever, I'm not in a rush anyway.

'Ding'

I waited for the doors of the elevator to open before stepping in with one huge step, joining the one other person inside. A middle-aged man in a suit dressed smartly. My, isn't he one dashing fellow? I quite like the outfit.

"Going to school?" He asked me out of nowhere.

Wait, people actually talked while inside elevators? I thought nobody dared talk? Something about being an act of social suicide. Whatever, if he wants to talk, I'll talk as well. It's part of my charm, see?

"Yes, you?" I asked with a curious smile.

"Oh, off to my rehearsal," He replied. "Getting married soon."

"Oh, that's great!" I told him with the bare minimum amount of enthusiasm.

He rubbed the back of his head before the elevator door opened on the ground floor. I hopped out and extended my hand toward him, telling him with a wide smile, "I hope you all the best for your wedding!"

"Thank you," He shook my hand firmly.

We split ways afterwards. Well, wasn't that interesting?

I took the bus to school. I could take the car with the rest of my family, but I would have to wait quite a bit if I want to do so. Also, it gets rather crowded, don't you think? I much rather take the public bus instead of a confined space with my family.

~The bus on the wheels goes round and round, round and round~

Oh my, wasn't that one boring bus ride? I literally just stood there with everyone else while staring into blank space. I won't tell y'all what my thoughts were then, it's a secret! Also, it was mostly about ice cream flavours... mostly.

School! School! Ain't it such a dreadful place? I mean, those who enjoy their time here are weirdoes. Besides, I just don't like the grey uniform and red tie.

My, my, my. School feels refreshing, whether it's in a good or bad way, I'll let you all decide.

Anyways, school, right. School's really boring if I have to say. For the most part, I fade into the background. Except for this time! People have their eyes on me, all of them, or actually, most of them. They stared at me as I walked by.

What do you think? The face? The bod? Yeah right, I know why everyone's staring at me. A girl who didn't stand out previously suddenly walks in one day with a wide smile and the charisma matching that of the top dogs in the school.

Dreadful.

How interesting. I always wondered how a single change would affect my school life, and it seems there is a rather large effect.

Walking into class, I could already feel the eyes on me. Exhilarating.

"Morning y'all," I greeted with a small wave and a smile.

No one bothered saying it back. How rude.

I walked to the back of the class with sort of a strut. Glancing around, I noticed a little fact that seemed rather interesting. I leaned toward my desk partner and asked her, "Oh my, is Candace not in school today?"

"Oh, uh... Candace?" She replied, leaning away from me. "Uh... she's skipping out on school today, I think."

"Really?" I asked before sitting straight up again.

Marvellous.

I mean, oh no, hope she comes to school eventually. We got so much to talk about, so much I wanted to do with her, so much I wanted to do to her, and so much to think about. Maybe next week.

"--- --------!" Someone called me.

To call me by my full name… must be serious, huh? I turned to smile at my homeroom teacher, a balding, portly short man. He was so short that he was even shorter than me, hilarious!

"What's up, teach?" I asked with a small signal by flicking my fingers towards him.

"What is the meaning of your hair colour?" He demanded.

"What do you mean? I've always been like this," I replied, making sure I stared directly into his eyes.

Don't look away now.

"Always~" I continued with a sing-song voice before my smile widened even more.

I looked away, covering my mouth. I tried to apologise for the sudden urge that crossed me. "Sorry… Ha! Ha! It's just… Haha! Y'know Can-Ha?! She's just… HAHAHA!"

I pounded my chest a couple of times to stop myself from laughing. When I finally calmed down, I smiled even wider at my homeroom teacher. I shrugged and continued talking, "She's a real piece of shit, ain't she?"

While everyone was processing what I just said, I glanced around comically before knocking my head. "Oh my, did I just say that out loud?"

"Sorry, sorry," I apologised to everyone. "But judging by how no one's trying to defend her, I g-"

"Office, now!" Mr Homeroom Teacher demanded.

"Aw man, but I'll miss the first period!" I complained.

"Now!"

I stood up and walked after him, walking by the crowd of silent students, a smile still on my face. I winked at a few of them, just for fun, just to see what would happen. They looked away from me. How dull. Where's the action? The Drama? Why's no one running up to me with a pair of scissors and trying to stab me?

Oh, could it be…?

Heh.

"Honestly, I don't know what's so wrong with what I said," I told him as we walked toward his office. "Candace really is a piece of shit."

"You of all people should know not to badmouth your classmates," He warned me. "Also, your hair colour, dye it back."

"No."

He sighed, remaining quiet and continued walking toward his office. Rather dull. Hey, talk to me, man. Walking with someone across the school without talking to them is weird man. People are starting to stare at us… actually, maybe getting into trouble isn't so bad after all.

"So…" I started to ask, hands behind my back. "Whatcha gonna do to me?"

"I'm calling your parents," He told me.

"Oh my, that's rather drastic, don't you think?" I responded. "I mean, my parents approve of my hair colour, so I doubt they would be too stressed about making me dye my hair black."

We walked into his office. He sat down behind his desk on a comfortable wheelie chair. Nice! I want one of those too! Anyways, I sat down on a wheelie chair as well, just less luxurious. I spun a few times before he shot me a look of warning. I stopped playing around, to an extent. His look ain't stopping me from moving left and right constantly though.

"Dyeing your hair is strictly against school rules," He explained.

"Really?" I gasped exaggeratedly.

"Have you seen anyone else in the school dye their hair? This is a school, we have protocols, and you would do well to adhere to those protocols," He continued his scolding. "Are you clear?"

"Hmm…" I mused, tapping my chin with a smile.

"Not. At. All."

I gave him a cheeky smile before resting my chin on my palm, my elbow on the armrest of the chair. "Honestly, I don't get you people. You drone on and on. Whatever you say, I'm not dyeing my hair back… at least, until something happens."

"And what is that?"

"Secret~"

I laughed before pointing at him. "There's no point if I tell you. It ruins the whole point of it! Kinda like a joke and how explaining a joke kills the vibe, y'know?"

My homeroom teacher sighed before flipping open a file. He changed the topic. How sly. "Let's put the matter of your hair colour aside for now. I need to talk to you about your attendance. You've been missing out on many lessons in the past, and you will need to attend supplementary classes."

"Perfect!" I cheered, shocking even him.

"This is a serious matter," He continued lecturing me. "You can't risk repeating a year, you're about to graduate and go to university. What would your parents think of you if you repeat another year here?"

"Are you that eager to get rid of me?" I asked, tilting my head, still smiling and still moving on the chair. "My, you could just ask me to drop out, y'know?"

"Please, this is serious. You've been lacking behind in your studies. It's already June-"

"It's July," I corrected him.

"Exactly, it's already July, and you barely got three months left before your Finals. You need to work hard, you hear?"

I wonder if I can drag this long enough to skip the entire first period? Wait, Candace isn't in school today, it's going to be amazing! Why would I want to skip the first period? In fact, I should be celebrating!

"I'll go for those supplementary classes, no problem. Just tell me the time and days and I'll be there. No promises though," I leaned back in the chair, trying to see how far back the chair can go. Turns out, pretty far.

"Mondays and Wednesdays, right after school in homeroom."

My homeroom teacher set his papers down and looked at me with concern. Everyone's so serious, aren't they?

"Yes?"

"I'm curious…" He started talking. "What happened to you? Just yesterday-"

"What are you talking about?" I interrupted. "I'm me, and I choose what I want to be when I want to be. I've always been like this, okay? Maybe you just hadn't noticed until this fine day we call today."

I gave him a thumbs up.

There was some silence as I tapped my knee, looking around the office. Well, isn't that nice? There's a convenient bowl of candy on his desk. I pointed at it and asked, "Could I have one?"

"Go ahead."

I took a piece of green candy and popped it into my mouth. Sour.

"You only got hard candy?" I asked for shits and giggles.

"Have you thought about your future?" He questioned. "Like, what you want to be when you grow up and stuff like that."

"Oh~" I sat up in my seat. "Why yes, I have!"

"Quite a bit, actually."

"Well, I was thinking that maybe I could be a teacher like you when I grow up," I continued. "Teach some impressionable kids random stuff. Ooh, maybe I can be a web designer. But I gotta learn that funky technological stuff though."

"But to achieve that you would need to graduate properly, okay?" He insisted.

"Okay, okay, got you," I nodded.

"Now, go back to class. I think the first period is starting in a few minutes. Make sure you go straight to the classroom, okay?" He ordered.

"Got it."

My my my, nice talk, teach. Honestly, he talks a little too much for my preference. Caring about me like an idiot. Obviously, I've thought about my future, I've imagined the future before. So much so that it almost feels like a memory.

"Guess who's back? Back again. Tell a friend!" I announced as I walked into the class.

I laughed, mostly to myself as I walked to my seat all the way to the back. I said softly to myself, "What's wrong? Seen a ghost?"

Hehe.

Ding dong Bing bong.

First period! What lesson was it again? Right, so if it's a Friday, that means that the first lesson should be Math. Can't say I'm the best at it, but honestly, who could say they're the best at anything?

Beep boop, numbers go wild. Yeah, lessons are pretty boring.

So instead, let's skip ahead a little, to the break. You see, I don't bring food from home, mostly cause I leave pretty early. Also, my mom's cooking can get a little… stale.

I made my way over to the cafeteria, and my… what horrendously unhealthy options they have! I feel like dying just thinking about the exorbitant amounts of calories I would intake. Instead, how about something a little lighter? Something like… oooo, a salad? Seems basic, rather not.

What here would be fun? How bout that piece of bread everyone's been talking about? The line's kinda long, but who cares? Me. I care. A waste of time. A waste of money.

After looking around a little, I made the completely professional decision to return to the classroom. So yeah, I ain't eating with so many people there. Besides, I wasn't feeling hungry anyway.

"Hmm Hm Hmmm," I hummed on my way back.

Oh my, is that the hottest guy in the school? Or at least, that's what I heard other girls refer to him as. To be honest, there was a point in time when I was somewhat attracted to his looks, but now? Noisy, arrogant, die in a fire.

"Otto, who are you planning to eat with today?" One of the guys he was with nudged him.

I was just walking by with a slight hop in my step and a smile on my face as I overheard them talking unnecessarily loudly. Damn do I hate noisy people… I mean, I'm cool with them, they just need to learn how to shut the f-

Ahem~

"I don't know man…" The most popular guy in school said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Bros before hoes," The same friend told him.

"You know he's going for the hoes," Another laughed.

"Hahahahaha," I laughed as I walked by.

The entire group stopped and stared at me as I walked by, including but not limited to Otto. So did the admirers off to the side, all of them staring at me with hurtful thoughts. Eyes on me, good!

"Who the fuck?" Otto asked.

"Don't worry about it, let's get going," The first friend told him, the both of them turning towards the cafeteria once again.

Pretty boy doesn't like it when people laugh at him? Interesting.

At this point, I doubt most people would want to approach me anymore.

Ding Dong Bing Bong~

End of school? Dreadful? Exhilarating? Who cares? Let's get this show on the road, and by the show, I mean myself, and by road, I mean the actual road. Time to go home!

And who do I meet by the school gate? Why if it isn't my little bro Fable that's the same age as me. I snuck up on him, but he noticed me far too quickly. What can I say? I just got that presence around me.

"Your green hair is way too obvious," He told me.

"Whatcha doing by the school gate, hm?" I asked.

"Waiting for someone," He replied.

"Who? Tell me, hey, you gotta tell me," I insisted. "I totally will not never ever not tell mom, but it's opposite day."

Fable let out a long sigh before saying to me, "I'm waiting for my girlfriend, I've already told mom and dad about her. Hell, I've even told you about her before. Y'know, the girl named Yin?"

"Who? When? Why?" I asked all at once.

"So you weren't listening. Great," He sighed.

"Don't be such a bad sport about it," I laughed, patting his back. "I just haven't met this girl you're talking about."

"Well, I'm meeting her today, and we're going to hang out," He said, looking at his phone. "Speaking of which, don't you have club activities?"

"My club activities are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. No harm, no harm," I said, trying to look over at his phone screen. "If she ever breaks your heart, be sure to tell your older sis, okay?"

"No."

I laughed before walking away, heading toward the bus that I needed to take to get home.

The horn on the bus go honk honk honk… honk honk honk~

Boring.

"Home," I said to myself as I waited for the elevator to reach the ground floor.

"Oh, what did you just say, sweetie?" An old lady asked, leaning closer.

"Oh, I was just talking about how great of a home I lived in and how grateful I am to be born into this family," I told her, making sure to be louder than usual.

The old lady chuckled before telling me, "It's good that you love your family. You're growing up right. Unlike that son of mine that acts spoiled even at his age…"

She let out a sigh. "He's going to be the death of me."

"How old is your son, grandma?" I asked, just for the sake of conversation.

Ding. Elevator's here.

We walked in.

"Oh, he's about twenty-one," She said to me.

"How about your husband?"

"I don't have a husband, dearie," She chuckled. "I adopted that brat seventeen years ago because I had already saved up enough for my retirement."

"I hope you do well."

"Thank you, sweetie."

Ding.

I walked out of the elevator, waving the old lady goodbye before strutting to my house. Let's check the time real quick. Dad ain't home yet, mom ain't home yet, Fable's out with his girlfriend today. It does seem like I have the house to myself, doesn't it?

It's getting dark soon, too.

"Jingle bell jingle bell, jingle bell rock~" I sang softly as I unlocked the door to my house.

Home sweet home.

Pretty long day, if you ask me. God, I wished things would get sped up, y'know? If life could go faster if every day could just be a blink of an eye.

Tick tock. Tick tock.

I was sitting in my room, a book in hand. I was rather bored, see? So I decided that maybe I should read a book just to pass the time. After an hour or so and multiple readjustments of my glasses, I put the book down.

I rested my head on the table in my room, staring off to the side.

No one's around. I'm in my room. There's no need to continue smiling here. My jaw kinda hurts, guess I'll get used to this eventually. Wonder when my mom would get back?

I stared at the calendar I had on my table. Tomorrow's a Saturday. What the hell am I going to do this weekend?

On that calendar, I circled a specific day, a particular day I'm waiting for. I just can't stop myself from trembling as I imagine that day. It'll be great! It'll be amazing! Fabulous! The best thing to ever happen to me!

The more I thought about it, the more I felt like smiling again.

30th July… my I just can't wait!

Speaking of which, maybe I'll get an ice cream tomorrow. Who knows? Mom probably isn't working, and I don't really care what my father's doing tomorrow either. Fable will probably be busy with his girlfriend…

Wait a minute… right… Right! I almost forgot! How could I forget something like that?

I gotta visit Doctor Lisa, don't I? It'll be fun! It has always been a joy to talk to her.

I leaned back in my chair and hummed to myself for a few minutes. Whatever tune came to mind, I hummed it.

"Fun… fun… Ain't it just so, right? The world is shining with passion, and we are all smiling. Life's great, we all get to live and smile… hehe… except those who throw themselves into hell," I muttered to myself.

Ding-Ding Ding

I never understood the choice of the doorbell by my parents.

I put on my best smile and answered the door. "Who is it?"

My dad unlocked the door, telling me, "Your mother is ordering takeaway for dinner, so we'll be having dinner slightly later."

"Oh my, where is she buying dinner from though?" I asked him.

"Some Canadian restaurant, apparently there's a discount," He shrugged, hanging his coat on the coat rack.

"Nice."

He looked around before inquiring, "Where's Fable? Isn't he usually home by now?"

"Oh, something about his girlfriend holding him up, y'know," I rolled my eyes comedically. "Hey, did he ever tell you about his girlfriend? Today was the first time I heard about it."

"Oh, Yin? Yeah, your mother and I know of her," He agreed, sitting down on the couch and letting out a long sigh. "Haven't met her though."

"You need a drink?" I offered.

"Beer."

"No beer. You know mom hates it when you drink alcohol," I warned him. "Which is why there's literally no beer in the fridge. Especially since the last time Fable got involved."

"Right… uh… water will do then."

I got him a glass of water before hanging out near him. I asked him, "So any thoughts on Fable getting a girlfriend? Isn't she like, his second or third girlfriend?"

"He's getting experience. Sometimes I wished you would also try to get in a relationship, get the experience of being in one before you get too old," He told me, probably as a joke.

"Don't think I will."

God, I hope he's joking.

Speaking of a joke…

"I just thought of a joke," I told him.

My dad looked up, a mix of surprise and interest. He simply nodded, asking me in return, "What's the joke then?"

"So there were two people, right?" I started, gesturing with my fingers. "Now, these two people are really close, the bestest of friends. Now, one day, these two friends face a grim reaper who proposed that one had to die to save the other, what happens?"

"This does seem a little morbid," He commented.

I shrugged and continued. "Now you see, since they're so close, they couldn't decide who to sacrifice. So the grim reaper took both their lives 'cause he was just done with their bullshit."

Seeing how my dad wasn't laughing, I could guess that my joke had a horrendous effect. I cleared my throat and told him, "I'll work on a better one next time."

"Sure…"

After hanging around the living room for a solid few seconds, I walked back into my room, shutting the door behind me. I flipped my glasses up to rub my eyes before almost falling asleep. I caught myself and sat down at my desk once again, staring at my calendar.

Tick Tock…

Oh, if it isn't mom! I've been waiting for quite some time. I approached the door to my room with a smile on my face but paused. Something just ain't right…

Four voices. One's my dad, one's my mom and one's Fable. The fourth one's unfamiliar. I pressed my ear against my room's door to listen in to whatever was going on.

"It's great to finally be able to meet you," I could hear my dad say.

"I bumped into them on my way home, so I invited her over for dinner," I heard my mom add.

"Sorry about this, Yin," Fable said.

My oh my…

So the girlfriend's visiting without warning? I ain't that interested in letting an outsider see me in my own house. Outside, any time, any place I would have been fine, just not the house. I silently locked the door to my room. No matter how intense my curiosity can get, I'm not leaving my room until she leaves.

"---!" My mom called.

I remained quiet, getting to my bed and just pulling out my phone. My mom knocked on the door a few times before she walked away. I could vaguely hear her say, "I think she may be busy. Let's leave some on the table-"

I tossed my phone aside as it dinged from a message from Fable.

I took a deep breath. I don't suppose I had that good of sleep last night. Right… it was wild last night. I stared at the ceiling light that lit up my entire room. I left it on as I rested my head on my pillow, staring off to the side.

Sigh…

I'm kinda hungry…

Whatever, I'll sleep for now and see how it goes from here. No point in worrying too much, am I right? Yeah, yeah, whatever.

My eyes closed by themselves soon after.