Chapter 3: SWEET CHAOS

It's been a month and a couple of days since the nightmares seized, I was glad but frightened at the same time. No one I knew died since Mr. Beck recovered last month. "Could the old hag have repented or she suddenly hates feasting on poor humans souls?" I couldn't help but wonder. Well, I needed a rest from the nightmares, I could remember a total of 10 people losing their lives as a result of the usual ritual done by the old hag monthly.

Monday was, here again, surprisingly I had a good feeling about today. Kate and I bonded after Mr. Beck's incident. We had a sleepover at her place and it was a fun time. Our friendship was blooming, I never mentioned the nightmare to her because I didn't want her to be scared.

On the brighter side, life seems better for now.

"Hi Lizzy," I said excitedly as I rushed down the stairs, she looked at me with a smirk probably wondering why I was elated. I took a glance at myself in the mirror in the hallway. I'm average height, with greenish eyes, slim and fairly beautiful so I thought but everyone thinks I look so pretty but I refused to believe that.

I saw the pancakes and syrup, picked them up, kept them in my bag, and said "Thank you, Lizzy, hope you have a great day" Then, I ran out without checking her reaction. "Hi Jane", Mr. Mark said as I entered the bus, " Hope you had a good weekend," I asked. He smiled as we exchanged pleasantries. I sat at the back of the bus, with my headphones, I listened to Ella Kess's first music "Insight". I closed my eyes and let the lyrics take over my soul as I thought about my encounter with Lizzy when I first met her.

Lizzy and Dad weren't the ideal couples, Dad was jovial and very optimistic while Lizzy was grumpy. I remember vividly when Dad introduced her as a new wife two years ago, I didn't want to be selfish so I welcomed her with open arms hoping our family will be happier.

Dad never brought anyone home before her as a fiancee. I remembered vividly as she approached me with a wide smile reaching out for a hug. I didn't reciprocate because I was confused. "Meet Elizabeth, I'm getting married to her soon". Dad laughed. My jaw dropped, no way did he plan to marry her without letting me know if I was cool with it. " Hey don't be selfish", I thought to myself. It's gonna be fine, it wouldn't get worst.

"Jane!, Janet, Jane!'' I could hear Dad call, as I ran hurriedly into my, slammed the door, and kept it locked. I sobbed silently and wished Dad & I wouldn't have to include anyone I barely know as a family. " Is Dad gonna replace me? would he still love me as much as he did?" Those were my thoughts. Unlocking the door, I could still hear their voices as they discussed in laughter. Whatever they were saying would be more important as Dad didn't follow me when I ran into my room.

"Give her some time, let her come out of her shell, she would love you" I could hear Dad say as he rubbed Lizzy's cheeks and gave her a peck. I was agitated and in despair, I couldn't do anything and was helpless seeing that, Dad was definitely in love.

"Ouch" I shrieked as my foot hit the barricade at school. "Jane, why are you so lost in thought, you could have gotten a bigger injury," Kate said as she helped me with my foot by applying a band-aid. I smiled at her in pain from my foot hurting. "Thanks, Kat" I replied as we walked into our homeroom. The first period was a bit boring I was sketching on my biology textbook as the class went on. "Put your books away, we are having a test now," Ms. Mai said. The class murmured "Quiet you all!" she said.

A couple of question papers were shared with everyone. I smiled as I looked at my papers, "easy peasy" I mumbled. I could see everyone with a frown on their faces. I wrote my answers confidently and submitted my paper. Nevertheless, I help Kate with some answers as she hurriedly wrote them down. After the impromptu te,s,t the whole class was in despair as everyone complained about Ms. Mai's test. We had other teachers come in to lecture us but the atmosphere wasn't so good as most of my mates were still upset about the test. Kate and I were the only ones who weren't worried about the test outcome.

'" Grrrrrghhhh, grrrrghhhhh" the bell rang. It was time for lunch. The hallway was filled with students as everyone hurried to the cafeteria. " I don't feel too good, my stomach hursts'" Kate said. "Is it the time of the month?" I asked. "Maybe" she responded. I offered to follow her to the restroom while I stood outside. "Are you done?" I asked as she was in there for a while. "Jane, I need a sanitary towel," she said. " Oh shit, I didn't come with one" I replied.

"What am I gonna do? I can't stay in class looking all bloody" she said fearfully. "Don't worry, I'll get you one at the clinic, the nurses should have a pack. I would request for it, hold on, I'll be back" I said as I rushed out. The clinic was 5 blocks away from the restroom, I walked as fast as I could because I realized lunchtime was almost over. The nurses at the clinic weren't so nice from what students reported but my friend needed my help, I couldn't care less about their rudeness. This was my first time at the clinic, I had never been sick at school or seen the need to visit the clinic.

I walked into the clinic, greeting the nurses. I looked at their faces and was deliberately on who I was gonna approach for the sanitary towel. I walked toward the nurse at the corner, she seemed friendly as she interacted with a colleague.

"Hi nurseeeeee Kelly," I said as I read the name on her tag. "Yes, dear" she responded. "Please I need a sanitary towel, it's urgent" I pleaded. She looked at me with a smile and said "I'll be back". A few seconds, she came with a pack of sanitary towels. " Thanks, Nurse Kelly". "It's Kelly," she said. I smiled as I hurried out of the clinic. Kate must be feeling uncomfortable I need to get to her in time.

"Hey! watch where are you going," a guy with a husky voice said as I bumped into him. I tripped as the sanitary towel came out exposed from the wrapper Kelly kept it in. I picked it up feeling a little embarrassed. I looked up and there he was standing over with a grin. "Should I help you with that?" he asked pointing to the sanitary towel. "It's him, it's him, the guy I saw in my dream, the one who called me Pearl," I told myself.

"Hi, I'm Nicholas," he said reaching for my hand. How could I forget your name, Of course, I know you, maybe I don't but you were in my dream. I thought. "And you are.........?." he asked still reaching for my hand. "I'm Pearl" I mumbled. Before I could realize what I said he held my hands and said "Nice to meet you, Pearl, I guess I will see you around" he said as he walked away. I'm not Pearl I tried to say but he was far away.