Antithetic's Tale

Chapter 7

“Zephyr!” a girl called this man's name. So, Zephyr is his name? The girl ran towards us while flashing a big genuine smile on her face.

“What are you doing here?” Zephyr asked her.

“I am looking for you. Why didn't you attend our class?” the girl answered. I guess she didn't notice my presence for she's too focused on Zephyr.

"It's not my responsibility to answer your senseless questions Mya,” Zephyr answered before looking at me sharply. He stood up and walked away, leaving me with this bubbly human. I was about to leave when this girl held my hand.

“Are you Zephyr's girlfriend?” she asked. I shook my head and forcefully removed her hand from mine.

“Sorry, I am Mya.” She said while offering her hand. I merely looked at her in the eye and smirked.

“I don't give a damn,” I said coldly. Her eyes widened in surprised with my response. Who wouldn't? She introduced herself in a nice way but that's the kind of response she received. She can't blame me though; I really don't give a damn. I left leaving her frozen.

"Athena, where were you? We thought you were sick so you didn’t attend the class. Sir Arthur was looking for you earlier," Jensen greeted me. Why can’t this two human being leave me alone?

"I was worried too! However, I was also happy because I was able to sit next to Dwight!" Lian giggled loudly. How would someone be happy with Dwight’s presence?

"Athena, let’s go to the cafeteria together," Jensen said as she pulled my arm. I let them drag me wherever they want to. I have no choice because they’re clinging on my arms like a child.

"Hey, Lian. I don’t have enough money. My father’s contract with the construction company has ended and he doesn’t have work as of the moment. Would you mind if I borrow some money?" I felt the sadness in Jensen’s voice. She was smiling and seemed to be joking but I can feel her true emotions.

"What else can I do? You should be thankful that I am your best friend. Don’t worry I would ask my father if there are vacant positions in our company." Lian said while caressing Jensen’s back. They smiled at me and left to buy food. I don’t even know why I am waiting for them to return instead of leaving this noisy and crowded place.

I looked around and saw different versions of people. Some were happily talking to their friends and some are eating alone. I looked at the table beside mine and saw a bunch of men looking at me while smiling boyishly. One of them stood up and walked towards me, luckily Lian and Jensen arrived.

"Here’s your food, Athena!" Lian said and handed me a brown food. It’s a banana wrapped in a crunchy wrapper and sugar. This is definitely my first time seeing this food. I took a bite and was surprised with the taste.

"Omg!" Jensen and Lian shouted in unison. Why are they shouting again?

"Athena, look at that handsome man!" Jensen whispered excitedly. Since I don’t care, I didn’t bother glancing at the direction she’s pointing at.

"He's approaching." I frowned at what Lian said.

"Athena." I raised my head and met his eyes.

"Let's talk," he begged desperately. What is he doing here? We have nothing to talk about.

"I'm sorry for what I did this morning. I didn't mean what I did. Promise, I won't yell at you anymore," he promised while raising his left hand.

"Yes. Go away," I finally told him. He smiled at me broadly like he won a lottery.

“I knew it! You're really good at me. Bye!" Ion waved his hand as he left.

"Athena, who is that?" Lian asked me while smiling widely. Do I have to answer her nonsensical question?

"Hey, Lian! He is mine!" Jensen shouted childishly. Are they fighting because of Ion?

"Why are you fighting over my brother?" Their eyes widened. I almost forgot that he is my older brother now.

"Is he your older brother?" I covered my ears because of the loudness of their voice.

"Should I remove your tongues you filthy humans?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Lian said while making a peace sign using her finger.

"Is that his name? Even his name sounds so manly," Jensen said while daydreaming.

"I really have a crush on him!" Lian screamed. I stood up and left because I might actually remove the tongues of these two filthy humans.

I went to the place where I slept earlier. I am actually hoping to see that Zephyr again. There is something strange with his personality. When I arrived at the place, it looks like he is not there so I just left. I'm just going attend my class. I went back to my department and unfortunately met Lian. She tightly held my hand and dragged me away from that building.

"Come with me to the comfort room, please. I'm going to pee!” she said while dragging me.

When we arrived, a huge mirror welcomed us. Lian immediately went inside a cubicle while I was left frozen. I slowly walked forward while carefully watching my own reflection.

I can’t believe I am seeing my reflection.

I touched my face. Finally, I had the chance to see my face through this thing.

"What are you doing there, Athena? Why are you so mesmerized with your own reflection? Well, I can’t blame you. I would definitely do the same if I was given that face and body." Lian said out of nowhere. I stared at my face again, memorizing every corner and features, before we left. This is my first time seeing how I actually look.

"Good morning, class," Miss Antonette, our professor in Genetics, greeted us as she enters the room.

"Okay, our topic for today is not related to Genetics," she continued.

"Today, we are having a discussion." Everyone looked at her in confusion.

"Were having a discussion regarding fantasy versus reality. Since you're only 14 in this room you will be divided into two,” she explained.

She asked everyone to pick a piece of paper from the box in front. The ones who would pick the black papers would defend fantasy while the ones who would pick the white ones would defend reality. I picked one and saw a black paper. Lian also got the black one so I guess we are group mates.

So, I would be discussing fantasy?

"Begin." She did not instruct any other instructions so it looks like we are free to do whatever we want.

"Reality, this is our world," the other group began.

"Reality is the thing that we can never escape. Yes, for some people, reality is messy and not cool. But still, it's our truth," said a guy. We have the same perception.

He pointed his index finger at our group so I began.

"Fantasy was created because of the stupidity of reality. Yes, we have different perception about that thing but I know that almost all of the human being wishes to live in the fantasy. We created it. You created your own fantasy to escape from your reality. Then, why are you still here? We don't need you here Mister. You're just fooling yourself," I said. This is the longest thing I have ever said in my whole life.

"Because I chose to live in reality even if it's hard for me to understand all the darkness in this world," he replied.

"Did you know that you can live in your fantasy? Literally." Their foreheads creased so I continued.

"Chaos in our reality is the fruit of our mind. So if you can make the real reality a messy one, why don't you make your reality a fantasy?" I asked him.

"Athena, how did you come up with that idea, that our mind created our reality?" asked a woman.

"Our mind is very powerful, if you wish to see a thing, your mind will automatically create images. So, if you think negative things, everything around you will be negative. Our fate depends on our mind. Everything depends on this," I said while pointing at my brain. I suddenly remembered when Mreine took a piece of my brain.

"Going back to our real topic, you're living in the reality and just accept that fact,” Jensen added. Maybe they were amused by the concept of the brain so they forgot reality versus fantasy is really what we should be talking about.

"That isn't the fact, Jensen. The fact here is we can do anything we want to do. We are free to think and make things possible with the use of our mind," I told her. I saw how her forehead creased with what I said.

"I want to ask you a question. Is your life meaningful or just a plain example of happiness?" I asked her.

"I'm happy," she replied.

"Then, you're living in your fantasy," I said.

"How do you say so?" they all asked.

"Because we created fantasy for us to be happy. So, happiness is found in our fantasy and you're now living in it," I said. She glared at me while pouting her lips.

"The same with having a meaningful life. We created our imaginary fantasy to seek meanings and answers, and if you are living a meaningful life you probably chose to live in your fantasy. However if you answered both then congratulations, you're living in the reality," I said.

"What? Why?" everyone asked in astonishment.

"Find it out yourselves," I replied. I cannot answer their questions anymore, I’m tired. A long silence followed. No one intended to speak.

"But don't worry, I believe in the concept of reality. It's more amazing than having your life in fantasy. I'm free to do anything if I'd stay here," I replied to everyone's surprise.

Miss Antonette clapped her hands.

"Take your seat, everyone." Everyone immediately followed her.

"I like the way you think. You are all good at defending yourselves," she praised each and every one. She smiled at me when our eyes met.

"I like your perception in life," she said. I looked away and focused on the window beside me. It’s better for me to appreciate the beauty of what’s outside than looking at her face.

"This is what I'm trying to imply to all of you. I know from the very start that Athena doesn't believe in fantasies. That's why I put her in the fantasy group. That's just the name of your group I never thought you won't get that," she said while laughing softly. Well, she's wrong. I believe that fantasies exist but I don't like the idea of that.

"She defended her perception and I like her for being true to herself. You don't have to change your stand to earn things. Be you, and you'll be perfect," she said.

"I like you, Athena. You're pretty cool," he said. I removed my gaze from the window and intently looked at her.

“I don’t feel the same way, though.”