Chapter 02: The Awakening

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On foot, Tiadora walked on endlessly. Passing by people who wore different kind of clothes. At first, she asked around many people for help but none did. The skies changed its mood into the gloomy night. Tiadora was exhausted by the walk. She needed a rest but where? There was no sign of a castle anywhere. So in the narrow corridor, she sat against the concrete wall of a huge building which was surrounded by trees. Soon, she fell into a deep sleep.

A handsome young boy happens to just walk by and noticed Tiadora. His eyes widen at first, like as if he knew her. However, reluctantly, he carried her into the building. He laid her on his spare bed, staring at her strangely. Something didn't seem right, he thought. But he just slept on as he thought if she were to find herself in a boy's room, she'll go away in the morning.The Sun's rays touched gently on Tiadora's eyes as she immediately opened them to check her surroundings. She slept pretty comfortably last night surprisingly. She scanned through her surroundings to find herself in a room. It reminded her of a commoner's room but with more bright colours.

"Where am I?" she said to no one. The room was in a mess. To her, this will be unacceptable in the castle grounds. And she left herself to wonder in her thoughts.About 4 hours earlier, Jason, a cool hot senior, was running over to his 3 friends at the usual vending machine before school started.

"YO! What's cooking?" Jason said when he reached."Oh, your sister's starting on diet coke. Stop her, please." a sexy chick, Kiara told Jason.

"Huh? She not even.." Jason left it hanging as he saw his sister, Cornelia gulp down a can of diet coke.

"And you need this why?" Jason stared aimlessly at her after snatching away her drink.

"Ms Suzanne said that I grew 1kg from the last visit..." a thin pretty girl in her jersey, Cornelia, mumbled until Jason continued again.

"...which was exactly last year. Nilly, I don't think you're even 30kg. Look at yourself. What I see is some skeleton." Jason rebutted.

"But..but.."

"No buts..anyway..where's David, Kiara?" Jason changed the subjects.

"Hiding somewhere dark, I guess," Kiara answered while sipping a sprite. But not far away, a boy with most of his black fringe covering his eyes, walked towards them. He wore a light blue cashmere collar-shirt and comfortable jeans.

"Speak of the devil. Dav, how many times must I tell you. Never cover your eyes with that hair. It doesn't attract the ladies." Jason said while shifting away David's fringe.

"You've been un-gothing him for 3 months and its still not working. He's not going to change his mind," Kiara whispered in Jason's ear and continued to speak to David," You like being Goth, right?"Slowly, David nodded his head.

"I won't fail!" Jason shouted

"Since when have you passed?" Cornelia joked, making everyone, even David laugh at Jason. David, who's in the same class as Kiara, is Kiara's childhood playmate. Ever since first grade, they were always in the same class of the same school up til now. But both turned out differently. Kiara become a popular, photogenic model in school whereas David became a committed Goth. Even though of the huge reputation gap, David and Kiara are still best friends.

"Ha-ha. Very funny. Whatever. Oh yes, before I forget about it. I have something to tell you, guys" Jason said.

Everyone looked up at Jason. Jason was the school's best soccer player. Though he doesn't really like the sport that much, he still contributes to the school's team. He is also a jock and a girl magnet to many. His charming looks make every girl faint as he waves his blond hair gracefully. But unlike any jock, he doesn't like to be so popular among people and has a kind heart and also very well-organized. But like any jock, his grades don’t show much of a scoring student.

"Okay. Well, you see remember I went to the library to get some books for my History project. Then when I came back at about 11o'clock at night, I saw this girl." Jason remembered.

"When I saw her from far, she looked like someone doing a cosplay of a princess because there was this crown on her head. But when I came close, the girl looked like Sally!" Jason explained.

All at once the 3 friends said in shock, "SALLY?!"

"And what's the weirdest thing is that she was wearing TWO ponytails!" Jason continued.

"Wait..Wait. Sally hates cosplays. Plus, she double-hates TWO ponytails." Kiara said.

"Hold on. Let me explain. Somehow at first when I looked at her, something told that she wasn't Sally but she looked like her..." Jason said again.

"So you're saying that YOU saw someone who looks like Sally but it’s not Sally?" David combed his hair back over his eyes again.

"Yeah. So I carried her to my room.." Jason began again.

"You carried Sally into your room?! It must be heaven for her," Kiara said.

"Wait. Why did you carry Sally?" Cornelia asked.

"I found her asleep outside the boys dorm and she looked dirty, tired. And I really don't think she is Sally. I mean I won't even let Sally in my room!" Jason said.

"That's what I thought so. And?" Kiara asked again.

"When I came here, she was still asleep. So I just left her," Jason finally said.

RING!!!! The school bell rang, interrupting their conversation.

"Okay. How about after school we meet up here again and we're going to your room together to check on it?" Cornelia suggested.

"But what if she woke up and left?" David asked.

"It'll be okay. Just look out for anyone who looks like Sally with a crown in two ponytails." Kiara said.

“Alright!" everyone said together on queue