Chapter 2: WAVES

Walking down the streets, I could remember the ordeal that took place today. The Principal reassured us that Mr. Beck was gonna be fine without doubt as he was receiving treatment for the hay fever he was diagnosed with. I knew it wasn't true but who would I have told? Besides, there was nothing I could do. I skipped the rest of my classes just so I wouldn't be reminded of the guilt I'd been feeling.

"Janie" I heard. It was Mike the homeless man. "Oh!, Mike" I smiled, I gave him the pancakes. "Thanks, Janie" he responded. "Could I sit next to you, I asked"?. Mike had been homeless for almost a decade, I remembered moving into the neighborhood with my Dad when I was six. Rumour had it that Mike murdered his family by setting their house ablaze but there was no evidence to prove he was the instigator. He did survive the fire and was unscathed but no one associated with him.

I sat next to him as I bowed my head, sniffing. " A penny for your thought," he said as he offered me some of the pancakes. "No, thanks" I responded saying I had eaten earlier which wasn't true. I was famished.

Looking over, I asked him if the rumors about his family were true. He was quite hesitant as he pondered why I asked the question despite not saying anything over the years about it. "Janie, what do you think?" he asked. "Frankly, I don't know, everyone looks at me like a weirdo for always interacting with you" I responded.

"Why aren't you in school", he said changing the topic. " Don't tell me because you have good grades you don't need the classes" he said further. "Well, that's true and I feel like an outcast in school so I'm here" I responded. "Go home Janie, get some rest". " Home," I thought, not a place full of chaos should be called a home.

"Yes, I'm going home" I smiled at Mike, "see you tomorrow buddy" I added as I ran off. No one was home, that was great. I unlocked the door and rushed to the kitchen. My stomach rumbled "Damn, I'm so hungry" I said as I fixed some bacon and eggs for myself and ate hungrily. Satisfied with the meal, I smiled. Today was mentally exhausting but I needed to find a way out of the mess.

It was past noon, and Lizzy was gonna be home by 6 pm. I washed the dishes and cleaned the house then I went to my room to take a nap. I slept and had the most interesting dream, my life wasn't a mess and I was loved by everyone. "I'm gonna call you Pearl," a boy said. "Who are you"? I asked. " Isn't this what you wanted, to find someone who adores you", by the way, I'm Nicholas he added. I opened my mouth but no words came out, is this a dream? why does it feel real?

"Janeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" Lizzy screamed from the hallway. I woke up trying to figure out why I had that dream. "Get down here girl," she said. I ran as fast as I could. I greeted Lizzy but got no response. "Wash the fruits and vegetables and prepare dinner" she commanded. "OK, Lizzy," I said.

Dinner was ready I served mine, ate to my satisfaction, and greeted Lizzy goodnight without her responding. "She must hate me," I said quietly.

It's been almost a year since Dad passed away, Lizzy had no kids and was in charge of Dad's properties. According to the lawyer, I could take sole ownership when I clocked 21. That was Dad's request.

I lay on the bed, biting my fingers. I miss Dad, never knew my Mum, Dad didn't speak of her, it was his way of showing he didn't care about her. What history could my parents have had, maybe I would never find out.

Dad died mysteriously almost a year ago, before his death, I had a nightmare. It was the first time I saw the old hag. Remembering how the old hag took his soul made me sob, he was the first victim and I was clueless about the whole situation. The nightmares kept coming after that incident, Dad died at the fire station. He was a heroic man who loved saving people, and a fierce firefighter. A memorial was gonna be held soon in his honor.

Dad was my best friend, we had so many fun memories together. I wondered why he married Lizzy two years ago because we were always happy without a third party. I couldn't imagine living life without him when he died, I was sick for days but Kate always visited. " Kate," I said, she must be worried about why I left school earlier. I picked up my phone, "6 missed calls and a text" from her. Tomorrow is Saturday, no school, I was glad.

Finally, I could take a day off from seeing everyone at school. Trying to force myself to sleep but I couldn't. I stared at the ceiling and could see the flickering bulb about to go off, I need to change this bulb. My room was a typical girl's room painted pink with a pink curtain that prevented the rays of sunlight from penetrating the room. My reading desk and chair were right in the corner with my laptop placed on them. The wooden wardrobe was tightly closed, and my clothes were neatly packed, and well arranged while some were hung. The air conditioner made the room colder as it was 16 degree Celsius, and my heels, sneakers, and flat shoes were on the shoe rack. I love sneakers they are my favorite. My bed space was quite comfy with my huge teddy bear right on the bed, and my pink and white bed sheets were well tucked into the bed.

I took my AirPods and listened to "Waves" by Ella Kess. Ella was my favorite artist, Dad bought all her records and I derived joy from her lyrics. She died at the age of 79, old and happy, her lyrics forever live on.

"You think the world doesn't need you, do you feel alone, get a better view that you are what the world needs, you're loved" I sang heartily. Ella Kess was my idol, her songs were interesting with a sweet melody and rhythm. If she was here, I would hug her tightly and let her know she is a lifesaver. I mumbled the lyrics and laughed, for some reason I found joy. Dad and I danced to "Waves", I felt nostalgic, I stood up and was swirling in an unusual rhythm. Yes, I'm a terrible dancer, not that it mattered. "She's about to sing my favorite part" I screamed. "The ocean waves are always beautiful to watch, it's amusing how our lives could be compared to waves, oh waves, waves, your life is a wavelength".

Yes, my life is a wavelength, I can't predict what's gonna happen.

My phone buzzed, it was Kate, I rang her back.

"Hi Kate, I missed your calls," I said.

"Jane, are you alright, I've been worried," she asked shakingly.

"Yes, I'm fine, I felt a headache, so I left school" I lied.

"Mr. Beck was discharged today, the hay fever he was diagnosed with was a misdiagnosis," she said excitedly.

"He's alive?" I asked confusedly.

"Yea, Jane, he is".