Into the Stars: Pneuma

My book

“NATALIAAAAA” I heard a woman screaming as I woke up. Woah that’s the most unique alarm I ever heard in my life.

I opened my eyes,,, wait a low ceiling house?

Ughhhhh another body? Seriously?? I already like Jastine’s life why can’t she be mine??!?! Grrrr!!

“NATALIAAAA” another scream coming from the other side of the room. A middle aged woman enters the room where I am sleeping.

“HEY YOU LAZY WOMAN GET UP NOW YOU’RE ALREADY LATE FOR SCHOOL WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH YOU LIFE??!?!” I suppose she’s the mother

I look up at my phone to see the time.

WHAT ?? ITS ALREADY 9:00 am? WHY THIS GIRL DOESN’T EVEN SET AN ALARM?

I got out from my room carrying my bag and clothes for school. A little guy throw me the towel. An 8 years old Little brother I suppose.

Compared with Jastine’s house this is so different. Because we’re living in a customized 2 trailer van that is connected to each other.

This house got 2 small rooms. I got my own room and mom and my little brother is on the other room. A small living room with one 3 seater sofa, a average size center table and a television. Then a mini kitchen with stove, refrigerator and sink. There’s no dining room because they eat here at the living room. Maybe to minimize the space that they use. Her father is a great carpenter and good at customizing things and he’s the one who design the house. He’s not staying at the house because he got a lot of work.

*yes I already picked up all of natalia’s memories that’s why I know a lot.

I walk straight to the bathroom. As I expected it’s crowded. It’s a 1.5 by 2 meters bathroom with a shower near the toilet. Under-wears hanging at the other side and shampoos and soap are on the other side.

I took a fast shower and got out immediately. I hugged mom and she hug me back too.

Wow a sweet mom with a loud voice haha I didn’t expect that.

I saw my brother on my way out but he’s sleeping again on the sofa.

As I step outside I saw a green field of grass and trees. We’re on the middle of the forest? What is this? Yes it is pretty but how can I go to school?

I looked at my bag and get my ID

Silver valley university? I thought only rich people go there? I looked at the back of the card and saw the word “Scholar”

Oh yes of course she’s a scholar. A volleyball player freshman.

I looked around again and saw natalia’s black mountain bike.

So this is my ride.

I ride the bicycle and follow the trail until I got to the road. This is nice,, biking in the morning feels refreshing. It’s not even exhausting at all maybe because this body is used to it.

The wind brushes to my skin feels refreshing. By the way in terms of looks Natalias appearance is like in an average level face of teenager. But I’m sure she’s prettier than Jastine she just need a little retouch.

I parked my bike at the parking lot and put a padlock. I saw a gray wrangler parking at the other side. That’s Jastine I’m sure.

I saw her going out of her car. She’s back in being a empty shell. No reaction no anything but not every empty shell is like that. It’s just that jastine has that personality or what pure human called introvert.

Oh right I’m late already.

I ran as fast as I could to the classroom. I can hear the teachers’ voice while I’m running.

I enter the back door and silently go to my seat. I looked around and they are all focus at the class. I successfully settled at my seat and with the thought that I really succeed…

“Miss Miller!!” I heard the teacher shouted

I didn’t mind it and just bring out my sketch pad and pencils

“MISS NATALIA MILLER!!” He shouted again

Wait I forgot that Miller is my surname

I slowly look up to the front of the classroom and saw my teacher looking at me in a serious face.

I raised my hand slowly “present” and smile awkwardly

I heard the whole class laugh. Gosh I don’t know what to say.

“You’re going to submit 10 designs of furnitures next week” he said with a calmer voice

I just nodded but still

10 designs? Is he serious? How can I do that within a week??!?!

“I can’t tolerate students who’s slacking off at my class, understood?” The whole class nod as he continues his discussion.

Natalia is an interior design student maybe she got it from his dad. I’m still coping up with her body and I still don’t got her skills how will I handle this assignment ㅠㅠ

After 30 minutes of discussion the grumpy teacher finished and ended the class.

Where should I head first?

“Hey Nat don’t forget, we need to greet our seniors player tomorrow at the court, don’t be late” her friend Aria, fellow volleyball player since high school, also a childhood friend. A pure human.

“Okay okay see you” I said as I smile at her

“I’ll head out first I need to go somewhere bye” she waved at me then got out of the room.

I cleaned up my table and leave the room also. While walking at the hallway I can see a lot of pure humans here. Maybe 70 percent of students are pure humans.

“Hey have you heard from the fine arts department? Someone collapsed yesterday at the library” a group of students sitting at the side of the hallway.

Wait are they talking about Jastine? I remembered that I’m at the library yesterday. Then I passed out and…

MY BOOK !!!

“Maybe she’s pregnant” a girl with a short skirts and red lips filled with makeup on her face.

“Hey someone might hear you” another girl whispered

“I don’t know the reason but she just collapsed “ the first guy stated

The whole group are so busy thinking about the reason

“I heard a guy carried her to the clinic”

A guy? Blue guy? What was his name? I can’t remember or maybe I really don’t know

I run towards the group and ask the guy who’s gossiping about Jastine.

“Hey who is that guy who brought the girl to the clinic?” I ask, I sound rudely sometimes haha

“Don’t you have manners?” The guy stated

I grabbed his collar and ask again

“I won’t repeat myself, who’s the guy?” I ask in a serious manner. I admit natialia got this intimidating aura that even guys can’t handle.

“Okay chill, I don’t know okay. I already said I only heard it” he raised his both hand like he’s surrendering

I let him go after he answers.

First I need to check my book. He didn’t really got it right? What should I do

I run to the library and immediately enter inside

“Young girl, you can’t run inside” the guard stated and I nod.

I walked fast because I can’t run. I reached the history section in a short time.

IT’S GONE

MY BOOK IS GONE

HE’S DEFINITELY THE ONE WHO GOT IT.

The information desk, they always record who use the book right?

I lined up for at the information desk to ask question.

“Hi what can I do for you?” An old lady with a presentable look asked

“Hello May I ask who borrowed the book at the history section. The brown one without title. The boring one” I asked hurriedly

“Oh that my dear?” I nodded

“Sorry dear I can’t give you his details, he always warn us not to give his information and also about the books he’s been reading because of the privacy of his research” she explained

What is he a celebrity? A privacy for his research?

I guess I can’t get any information here

“Okay thanks” I said. I need to find him. I can’t let him read the book. All information that I know about pneuma are inside and also my whole life is inside. I don’t want to lose it.

I need to see Jastine maybe she knew that guy

“Fine arts department”

I’m in front of their building. Maybe she knew who brought her to the clinic.

I entered the building and go straight to her classroom. I saw Trisha typing at her phone, Jastine’s friend, near the door.

“Hi excuse me” I called Trisha and trying to pretend I don’t know her

“Yes do you need something?” She ask politely

“May I ask if Jastine is here?” I asked to her back

“Yes there she is” she looked at the back of the room near the window and pointed Jastine.

“Okay thank you Trisha” I accidentally said her name

I saw her looked confused. “ sorry I called your name I saw it on your ID” I said while pointing his ID card hanging at her neck.

“Yeah right haha” she just laughed at me. I still felt guilty about what I did to her last time.

I go straight to Jastine’s table

“Hi I’m Natalia” I started my sentence with an introduction because I don’t want her to think I’m creepy.

“Hello” she replied shortly.

“I heard you collapsed yesterday at the library, I hope you’re okay” I said politely

She just nodded at me and go back at staring outside the window.

“May I ask who is the guy who brought you to the clinic?” She look at me like I’m a weird girl.

“I’m not interested with him don’t worry” she said while making a cross using her hands.

“No it’s not that. I just need to get my book from him, it’s really important to me” I said

“Sorry I don’t know him but maybe he filled out information to the clinic. Hope that helps” she slightly smiled at me.

I stared Jastine with a smile, I really thought you’ll be my last shell.

I thanked her and go straight to the clinic.

I knocked at the door before entering. A tall brown haired young man in white uniform. Why does he look like where in a same age.

“Hi May I ask about the name of the guy who brought Jastine here yesterday” the man looked at me “ she fainted yesterday and a guys in a blue hoodie brought her “

He pointed a table beside me “ look at the log book, I didn’t check it yesterday”

I opened the book and scanned the dates. I can’t find the matched date from yesterday.

“Excuse me are you sure this is the right log book” I asked and he nodded. A nurse entered carrying first aid kit and saw me

“Hi what are you looking for dear” she asked

“The logged information of the student who fainted at the library maam” I said.

“Oh that” she opened the log book “here it is”

Name of the patient: Jastine (fainted at the library)

“That’s it? Why there’s no name of the person who brought her?” I asked again

“Sorry he said he need to go somewhere important yesterday so he just told us what happened and left”

I’m hopeless, what should I do.

I left the clinic without any information about that blue hoodie guy.

Maybe if I see him again I will recognize him

Time passes while searching for him. My legs brought me to the cafeteria. I guess I’m hungry and tired. I roam around the school and still can’t find him.

Pure humans are everywhere. Where should I go.

“Natalia” I heard someone called me.

I saw a group of people sitting in the side table of the area. They my friends, I mean natalias friends. Her character is really different, she’s so close with a lot of friends. She doesn’t have a pneuma friends they are all pure humans.

I smiled at them and sit beside Aria. I looked at the 6 people one by one. He’s Aries the good looking guy with an innocent face, she’s Rain the cute girl with a thousand followers online, the other one is the intelligent guy fifth, the happy go lucky girl Dominique and the last one. The tall brown haired guy in a white uniform at the clinic, Samuel. I saw him a while ago but he greeted me like he doesn’t know me.

“Hey where have you been?? Don’t you know that lunch is so precious that you should not waste it” Dominique is nagging me.

“She’s roaming around the school since morning” Samuel looked at me

“So did you find him” he asked

Duhh he didn’t mind me a while ago but now he’s speaking to me. I just shake my head as a sign of no.

“What Natalia you are searching for a guy?? Is he handsome? Are you dating someone? You should just told me I can help you” Rain excitedly asked me.

“Nooo I need to get something from him. The problem is I don’t know his name” i said

“The problem is you’re hungry and you need to eat” Aries said then winked at me. Aries is a caring friend, he looks innocent but he also always looks like he wants to flirt.

“Okay” I stand up and go to the stall to get food.

I’m still eating while they are laughing at each other gossiping and talking about their day. Everybody is noisy except for Samuel he is still quiet and drinking his juice.

Last bite from the burger in my plate I saw a blue hoodie from the other side of the cafeteria. I can’t be wrong that was him !!

“Guys I need to go see you” I said hurriedly

I run as fast as I could to get him.

“Hey you should clean up too” fifth shouted but I didn’t stop.

Where did he go?? I am sure I saw that hoodie that day.

Now I’m at the side of a building and still don’t know where to find him.

“Man I told you they are real. Look at this, I think one of them wrote this book. Isn’t that amazing. I can continue my research because of this information.” I heard a man talking at the back of the building. Because I’m a curious pneuma I peeked at the side hiding at the bush.

“Noah I told you many times we don’t have any real evidence. They might think you only made that book to make it look real. “ I guy shaking his head and walked away from the bench.

Wait that guy Noah, the blue hoodie guy. Now I got you plus the evil laugh.

I need to get the book. I immediately got out from hiding and attempting to snatched the book.

5 more steps from him. Wait I can’t just get it from him. I can’t say that it’s my book because I might get caught. What should I do? Think Natalia!!

I stopped before I reached his place then suddenly he looked at me with a questionable look.

I raised my hand and just said “hi”

“Hello” he awkwardly replied

I need to start the conversation in a comfortable way so he won’t find me weird.

“I’m Natalia, sorry I overheard your conversation a while ago with your friend” he looked away from me and chuckled

“So you think I’m weird too” he said with a fake smile.

“No no I’m just curious about what are you talking about. I really like supernatural stuffs too” I said.

He looked up with a brighter expression. “really?” I just nodded and seat beside him at the bench.

“The truth is I’m researching about this supernatural souls roaming the world. Pneuma” he stated. How is it possible for him to know things about us. “New word right? Some people really don’t know that word is existing” he even know what we called. I just continued listening. “I once had a friend, Vince, a pneuma and he told me things that I can’t even explained to anybody but sounds real for me.” He looked at the skies while telling the story.

“Where is he” I asked

“He disappeared, one day he just stopped going to school, I can’t even reached him at his home. They said they move to another place but their neighbors don’t know anything about it” he stated

Why would a pneuma disappear, just because he told Noah things about pneuma? Maybe he triggered almighty and he punished him to vanish into thin air. Just thinking about it makes my whole body cold.

“I know about pneuma too. Can you tell me more about them” I tried to ask him more because maybe he knew more things about us. I might get a new information about how I can stay in a shell forever or where we came from. I’m still curious about a lot of things.

He stand up “your classes are finished right?” I nodded. “Yes”

“Okay let’s go I’m going to show you something” he grabbed my hands and dragged me at the parking.

Wait where is he taking me?

“Hop on” he told me to ride at the back of his bike.

“Nah I have my own I’ll just use mine” I said while walking in front of my bike.

“But wait where are we going” I asked

He smiled at me and said

“We are going to my research place”