It’s possible for the human body to be in one place, and the spirit and mind to be in another. It’s not witchcraft, it’s overthinking things that should be thought about later instead of paying attention in class. I was currently sat in my English Literature class, yet my mind was playing with the event of earlier this morning, chewing on it, not at all satisfied. Seeing my hair light up once, I knew, could just have been a sleep-induced hallucination. Seeing it happen twice—with a witness, gave no other reason for doubt, though I never did in the first place.

Ciara finally emulated me and went back to sleep although having to wake up after a few minutes was like torture. But I couldn’t sleep in because guess whose mom kept appearing in her dream to lecture her about skipping school.

Still, we ended up going to school late, with bags under our eyes as proof of our sleepless night. Ciara’s was less noticeable because of her dark skin, but it was still there. We didn’t have any time left to go to our lockers so we separated to our different classes.

She had Art which she loved and I had Literature which I loved. Kind of like a pacifier for the sour mood that came with Monday mornings. That and the fact that Destiny was in this class.

Since I stepped into this class, my eyes betrayed me and drifting to where he sat at the right corner of the last row, beside a window that let breeze flow through his hair, making it look tousled and mouth-wateringly messy.

I just want to run my hands through it…

This was my exact thought when he turned and met my gaze.

Lemme rephrase that.

This was my exact thought when he turned and caught me staring at him, shamelessly. He smiled and I quickly looked away. A little too late but there was nothing I could about it except sit like a statue and glow like the class’ very own bright red bulb in the centre of the classroom. I remained like that throughout the remainder of the class.

Our teacher, Mrs. Adamson, a plump woman with bright orange hair asked to write a poem on the topic ‘Memories’ for homework but I couldn’t even groan along with the rest of the class. My sole focus was on getting out of the class and far away from my crush.

I know what you’re thinking. I’m supposed to try to get closer to him, but no. Not after he caught me staring. The bell finally rung and I grabbed my bag, not even bothering to put my notepad and pen in first and I dashed out of the class. I thought I heard Destiny call my name but I dismissed it.

I had five minutes to get to my next class, so I used that to calm myself down in the restroom, the journey during which I dodged one paper plane, two paper balls and one iPhone. Whoever threw the last one must be a rich idiot.

Finally at the restroom, I got a good look at myself in the mirror. I wore a beige sweater over a short black skirt and matching leggings. It was crease-free, but my hair was slightly dishevelled and my face was flushed. I didn’t even remember running my hands through my hair but I must’ve back in the class.

I smoothened it out and took a deep breath.

Why couldn’t I be like those girls who flirt effortlessly in front of their crush? Or when they’re caught staring, they casually throw a wink? No. I had to be a quivering mass of nerves. I did my other business and left not giving myself the chance to moan about something stupid, like how the green in my eyes were too dull.

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Four periods later, I found myself leaning on the wall outside of Ciara’s Math class, waiting for her to finish so we could go to the cafeteria together. She came out after a few minutes and linked her arm with mine as we went to the best area in the school. Where they served food.

The food in our school was actually good. I didn’t know how they did it, but it was nice enough to eat. We got our food and sat at one of the numerous red tables scattered around the cafeteria. We were one of the first few there, but it was going to fill up soon enough. There was a comfortable silence before Ciara spoke.

“So, are you gonna confront your mother, or…”

I didn’t even pretend I didn’t know what she was talking about. There was no room for that. I’d even forgotten about it and it made sense as since after first period, something had been picking at my mind, weighing down on it like I should be over thinking something but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Like I had momentarily forgotten about it. And that was odd, because it was all I could seem to think about this morning. But I didn’t let Ciara in on that.

“Yes. I can’t just let it go. I’ll ask her today, after school.” I picked at my fries before putting one in my mouth.

“Should I come with or…”

“No, don’t. She might not want to talk if you’re around.” I paused, then continued, “Honestly, I’m still surprised you’re still with me. Thought you wouldn’t want to get yourself involved in any freaky shit that’s going on with me.”

Ciara laughed. “First, we’re not even sure it’s actually something like that. Second, if you felt I’d defriend you, why did you tell me instead of hiding it?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, “I had to tell someone.”

“How was Math?” It was a topic change and a mood change.

“I’d say it’s good, but we both know that’d be a lie.” I nodded indicating I was listening. “Today, Eliza Martinez asked him why he never gave anyone an A. Wanna know what the asshole said?”

I resisted scolding her for calling her teacher an asshole and nodded instead.

“Well, he said, and I quote, A is for God, B is for myself, C is what you would try to get,” she picked a fry from my plate and I slapped it out of her hand to the floor, “and D is what I will give you.”

“Well, at least you know you’re gonna get a D,” I took a big bite of my hamburger, “that’s good, right?” and granted her the sight of chewed food in my mouth

“Gross.” She scowled. “And I guess it is. I know I have a reason for getting one. That’s very good.” she eyed the discarded fry that lay on the ground. “You know that fry is wasted on the floor, right?”

“Better than you eating it. You know I don’t share food.”

“And you know I would have picked it up if it wasn’t dirty, cafeteria floor.”

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Ciara’s dad came to pick her up from school. I wouldn’t have joined them but I had a bag full of my sleepover stuff I preferred not to walk with and they usually passed by my house on the way to theirs. I used the time he drove to contemplate how I was gonna confront my mom. A full nine minutes and I came up with nothing.

I finally got to the house and I got down and said goodbye to Ciara. I noticed my parents’ cars were parked in the garage. They were both surgeons in the same hospital and were usually only home around this time on Thursdays, and today being a Monday made their being home was unusual.

I unlocked the door with my key and opened it. I stepped inside and almost instantly, I felt the presence of something. It weighed down heavily on me, making it almost difficult to breathe. The atmosphere was thick with whatever it was so I could almost feel it.

I dropped my bag at the door and walked into the living room. Unsurprisingly, I saw my mom and dad…and another woman. Her blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail and her light blue eyes seemed like pure electricity flowed in them. A longer look at her and she seemed to almost…shimmer.

“Hey, sweetie. You back from school?” My dad. I knew he was nervous because whenever he was, he asked questions that compelled a sarcastic answer out of you. I held mine in, in respect of the presence of the woman who sat adjacent to my parents.

“Yeah.” I bent my lips in what I hoped looked like a smile.

He must’ve seen me study the blonde because he cleared his throat and answered my unasked question.

“This,” he gestured to her, “is your mom and I’s…acquaintance. Sara. Sara, my daughter, Samantha.”

My hand was half raised, about to give a wave when something clicked.

Sara.

Sara?!

“Hello, Samantha.” A smile formed on her lips but I didn’t return it. I just stared in a manner that would be considered rude. Something didn’t feel right at all. She seemed strange but that was probably just me, and the heaviness in the air I felt earlier seemed much more intense.

Few seconds more before I cleared my throat and smiled properly, “Hey.”

“She’s beautiful.” Sara commented smiling at my parents and my cheeks heated up at the compliment. She studied me for a moment and I felt a tad bit uncomfortable as her eyes trailed down my form and seemingly on my hair.

“Ika eth subaktha’ak.” And my mother smiled at the nonsense words that just fell from this woman’s mouth, like she understood.

Sara stood up and walked to me. She inspected and began moving slowly around me, words falling from her moving lips. Watching them move felt hypnotizing and I heard some words. They sounded foreign and similar to the ones she spoke before.

Okay, something strange is going on and I have no idea what, and some weird woman is walking around me murmuring some nonsense and my parents…my parents are letting…it…happen…

My vision began dimming accompanied by a sharp pain in my head as I slumped against her, my mind slowly becoming numb. Unconscious.

A/N

Ika eth subaktha’ak – Her hair is beautiful, too