I tried as hard as I could to comprehend the memories I was being shown.
Was this some sort of test?
What was I meant to do?
As soon as the memory ended, I was again transported to the empty world. Every time I was transported here, I felt as if I was in the middle of nowhere. Everything was just pure white, there was nothing to do, no puzzle, no combat, nothing, just emptiness.
I looked around, trying to find... something. Yet no matter where I looked, it was like I staring into the centre of the sun—there was nothing to see.
Again, the scene changed and I was transported to the school.
-
Act 4 Scene 3: Lunch
Ugh, I couldn't concentrate on any of my classes after all that embarrassment at recess. I bet he thinks I'm a weirdo now.
I walk to my locker and grab my lunch. Or so I thought. Turns out I did not bring any lunch. This day is just getting worse and worse.
I walk out towards the courtyard. Unexpectedly, the boy was standing outside my house room.
"Hey, Mayuri."
"O-oh hey."
"S-so um I don't really have anyone to each lunch with, so I was wondering if you wanted to eat lunch with me."
Suddenly my mind went blank. Why was this boy here? Isn't he supposed to be cringing at me? Oh god, why did it have to be today of all days I forget my lunch.
"I-I'm really sorry but I forgot my lunch today."
Why did I say that? I can still sit with him. I'm an idiot. I guess I'll go have a cry in the toilets.
"That's okay... I mean, I-I'll buy lunch for you, my treat"
What is going on at this point? I don't even know what is happening. You know what.
Forget everything.
I'll just do what my heart desires.
"Seriously? W-well that would be nice. I promise I'll pay you back."
"Don't worry about it, it's my treat."
We awkwardly walk towards the canteen.
"Is a BLT okay?"
"Yes, thank you so much by the way."
"Honestly it's okay, don't worry so much about it."
I look down at my shoes. I felt something I never thought I would feel again.
"W-well I guess I'll wait for you at the seats."
"Alright."
I walk over towards the seats.
-
—Everything went white.
I fought to catch my breath.
I didn't understand any of this.
It was like I was watching some poorly written romcom, but just a few scenes prior, I was shown something quite traumatising.
Was there some pattern I needed to find?
I braced myself to be moved into the next memory—I assumed that I would be watching quite a few more memories before I manage to figure out what was happening.
Not long after, my eyes were shown another scene.
This time, however, instead of looking through Mayuri's senses, I was simply floating in the air, intangible, no one could see or notice me, but I could look down and see the view.
-
Act 4 Scene 4: Boy
Jack waits patiently in line. Sweat discretely dripped down his neck.
He has had his heart broken in the past. He has been drawn away from his classmates ever since the incident. Maybe this girl would be the one to heal him.
He felt something special, maybe he found someone he could trust.
"Next please."
"Just two BLTs and two large orange juices please."
"Was that all for today?"
"U-um maybe I'll have this little cupcake as well..."
"Sure, that'll be $13.50"
Jack holds the food in his hands, delicately balancing the little cupcake on top.
He walks over to the seats he looks around for Mayuri. She was not sitting where he was expecting her. That was okay.
He continued looking around. Gradually more frantically.
Where was she, he thought.
He desperately searched around. Where was Mayuri?
Not this again, he thought, not this again...
Where was Mayuri?
His breathing was irregular. Panting for air. Desperate.
Please note this again, he thought.
Mayuri, why did you abandon me?
He stood still in the middle of the seating area.
-
Everything went white again.
Why?
I don't understand, what am I looking for?
All these scenes... all these memories... why was I being shown them?
Without much delay, I was shown some very large text in front of my eyes before I was transported once again.
-
Act 4 Scene 5: Boy
A few moments earlier.
I watched as Jack waited in line. I'll pick a very obvious spot so he can easily find me after he gets the food.
Wait, Is this a date?
I've never actually been on one before, so I don't really know.
I quickly fix up my skirt and part the hair on my face.
My heart was beating faster than ever. For some reason, I couldn't help but smile.
"Mayuri help!"
It was Sacha.
"Wait I'm in the middle of something."
"This is really serious you have to come with me."
"But..."
Sacha grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the canteen. Sacha did not lessen her grip. She pulled me with all her strength until we reached her house room.
She scrambled in her locker until she pulled out a phone that was not hers.
"This is Noah's phone!"
"I see, are you going to return it to him? I'm really busy s- "
"No! Look at this!"
She swiftly unlocked Noah's phone. After frantically tapping the screen she shows me a private message with him and Milly.
"I can't believe this! He's gone and gotten a third girlfriend."
"I really don't have time fo- "
"That scoundrel! Was two not enough for him he just had to go and get a third!?"
I was not going to hang around for these shenanigans.
"We can talk about this later; I need to go back to the canteen."
Before Sacha could utter another word, I rushed off towards the canteen.
I'm so sorry, Jack, I'll be there as fast as I can.
I sprinted as fast as I could. As I reached the canteen I desperately searched the seating area. Jack was nowhere to be seen.
All I found were two BLTs two bottles of orange juice and a half-crushed muffin abandoned on a table.
-
I was again returned to the world of emptiness.
My brain... what was I looking at?
Suddenly, I heard a voice coming from... everywhere.
In this pure white abyss, someone was speaking to me.