The multiverse is the hypothetical set of all universes. It is believed that, collectively, these universes encompass everything that exists—the absolute domains of space, time, energy, matter, and information. The first step is understanding that everything carries an altered or transformed value.
Once regarded as mere conjecture, Multiverse Theory declares that whenever a choice is to be made, it is made consistently. This notion has led a few to grapple with a yearning for meaning. If life has no inherent significance because every conceivable choice occurs, why do our actions matter? The answer remains to be discovered.
I am here to observe you and your lives, woven in an intricate tapestry of endless possibilities. Understand that Multiverse theory is no longer confined to view; it is a fact. Whether this realization diminishes the uniqueness you ascribe to your existence is of no consequence to me. In a world where meaninglessness looms, another version of you won't bear the same burden.
As Alissa was captivated by the ethereal sense of peace of the outside world, her teacher’s voice reverberated through the classroom for all to hear.
“Don't forget," he droned, "you'll need to keep up with your studies if you wish to be anything short of successful. Most of you will be nothing more than a cashier at some mall, so don't be disappointed. For those who care about your future, work hard.”
Alissa rested her face in the palm of her hand; with a deep sigh, she continued to stare out of the classroom window, focusing on the cascade of dreams flowing across the sky by the setting sun. As the students dressed in sporting gear reached a climax in their game of soccer, their admiration for the sport was even more commendable, transforming the playing field into nothing more than a vibrant stage.
It was fun for Alissa to watch. It sure as hell beats getting all sweaty and exhausted. Not to mention, her peers' distant shouts and laughter were weirdly calming.
Sadly, this moment was short-lived as the echoing chime of the school bell disrupted her daydream, jolting her in place as students had already begun making their way to the hallways. Alissa began packing her belongings into her bag, slinging a strap over her shoulder before making her way to the exit.
As Alissa stepped into the hallway, a boy with messy blond hair holding a brown box rushed by her. A gust of wind trailing the boy slapped her across the face like a whirlwind formed. Alissa has seen him several times, but the two have yet to speak. Instead, they never needed to. Alissa made it her job to avoid this obnoxious loudmouth, but time after time again, it proved to be ineffective.
Alissa stomped her foot forward at him; boiling with anger, she shouted, “Watch where you’re going, idiot!” But by then, all that remained was the thought of him. Almost like a moth to a flame, their encounters seemed unavoidable. Still, With that thought in mind, Alissa curled her hands through her hair as if wiping away past frustration. The hallways were a sea of discarded papers students had rid themselves of on this last day of school.
Alissa was about to traverse the hallway when another girl with silky hazelnut hair and bright, sable eyes approached her,
“Hey, Alissa!” She says
“Rein, hey,” Alissa says
“Wanna go to the mall after school? Some new shop opened, and my mom’s letting me use the car.”
“Sorry, but I’m going to meet My boyfriend right now; he said he wanted to celebrate our last day of high school.”
“You’re still with that delinquent. Come on, Ali, It’s about time you start thinking about yourself.”
“Aw, come on, don't be like that, he’s trying. Look, he said to meet him in the gym. I’m sure he’s got something planned.”
“Well, I’m going to go. See you this weekend?” Raen asked with a lingering skepticism.
Alissa, seeking to disassociate herself from the tension, awkwardly walked backward, finger-gunning Raen.
Making her way to the gym, she sits along the bleachers, waiting eagerly for her boyfriend to show up. As the sun gradually surrendered to the approaching night, Alissa jolted, a sudden panic roused by a gentle tap from a passing custodian on her shoulder. Her disoriented gaze darted around as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. She rose abruptly, flushed with embarrassment, and offered a hasty apology to the custodian. With a racing heart, she hurried to the exit.
As Alissa exited the school building, a suffocating feeling grasped at her neck, pulling her to her knees as she knelt by the side of the building. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt a sense of overwhelming frustration. In the distance, the sound of approaching footsteps reached her ears.
Looking over her shoulder, Alissa spotted the familiar blond-haired boy from earlier, still clutching the same brown box. She quickly wiped her tears away and, with a pout, managed to speak, "What do you want?"
The boy's expression softened as he noticed her distress. "You're crying. What's up?"
Alissa bristled and retorted, "Why do you care? You don't even know me."
Confusion flickered across the boy's face, but then he calmly sat beside Alissa. Her startled reaction turned into flustered anger, and she shouted at him, "What do you think you're doing?" But he remained undeterred.
Instead, he pushed the brown box toward her, revealing its contents: a wounded black kitten, injured in its hind leg. Alissa recoiled, filled with a flood of questions. "Why do you have that? Take it to a vet!"
The boy's voice quivered as he replied, "I don't know where to find one, so I tried to patch it up, but it doesn't seem to be getting any better."
Alissa regarded him skeptically for a moment before decisively grabbing the box. She rose to her feet and, without looking back, said, "Are you coming or what?"
The two in the school sit in the nurse's office as Alissa stitches the kitten’s leg. “Where did you find him?” She asked.
“He was in the school. I didn’t know what to do with him, so I put some wrap on his leg and put him in the box. You don't think he’s gonna die, do you?”
So that’s why he was running through the halls. “ Of course not. He just has a wounded paw. Now hurry up and hand me the wrap; I'm done stitching the wound.”
After handing Alissa the wrap, he looks at her momentarily before asking his own question. “Why were you here so late? I mean, it’s the last day of school.” He looks to the sky, his mind a spiral of excuses but not quite landing on one. “Shouldn’t you be at a party or something?”
“I’m just not, okay?” Distressed, Alissa pouts once again, “Now stop talking to me. You’re annoying.”
The room is filled with cabinets and dressers, all for medical use. The boy begins reading the labels as a means to pass the time. Suddenly, Alissa called out, “Done!”
“Really? Nice!” He rushes to Alissa, reaching for the cat. She notices his hands are covered in scratches, and after further observation, his shirt is stained with blood. She pulled it away before he could grab the Kitten, placing it softly into the box. “Hey! What I can't pet it now-” Interrupted by Alissa pulling his hand, she sits him down. She covers a cotton ball in alcohol before applying it to the scars on his hands. He continuously whines as she cleans his wounds, but she pays him no mind, laughing from time to time.
Afterward, she grabs more wrap, covering his hands in it. His face lights up as he holds her hand, “Woah, you’re like some sort of doctor or something!”
Embarrassed, Alissa's face glows red, turning away. She grabs the box and hands it over to him, but he puts his hand up, “You take it; I don't know the first thing about taking care of a cat, plus my mom would never allow it.”
Alissa is then filled with surprise. Being tasked with a kitten's life seems too much for her. Still, before she can reject the idea, the boy dashes out of the room, yelling appreciation and gratitude from down the hall. Her mind rambled the many reasons as to why she liked peace. She stands pacing the room, “One day, you’re going to class, and the next, you have to take care of a cat.” In her fit, a small and innocent call from the kitty fell on her ears. She slowly made her way to it, peering over the side of the cardboard box as the cat continued to purr.
Left with only a kitten and many questions, Alissa made her way through the school. Many clubs celebrated their last days together before the summer, while others were closing for good. The silence was peaceful, something she constantly craved, but this time was different. This time, peace felt more barren, less of being alone. Instead, she couldn’t help but feel lonely.
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