A Stranger to You

Light Reaches the Void II

Nathan's POV

I let myself get engrossed in the Mobile Legends game. I cursed, ranted, and vociferously trash talked other players. If anyone could see me right now, they would probably think I'm a lunatic. But that's just it about this game, it's crazily addictive. I have no idea why Kai and Daniel doesn't play this game much. They both prefer Fortnite of PUBG. I'm just too professional at that game that it bores me, heh!

I was surprised when an unknown number texted me about meeting at this place at 9:00am. I came here an hour early that's why I have time to play a couple of matches. I know that coming here is dangerous especially knowing the fact that I don't even know who texted me and why he/she wanted us to meet. This place is also deserted, although it's a park and not a desert, hehe. I wonder why people don't go here. It's really a nice place to be. Maybe it's because it's a bit far away from the city. Which I think is better because pollution is less. I'm just going to hope that the person I'm seeing isn't a serial killer so that I can still bring Kai and Daniel here. 

"Wooh!" I elatedly shouted. Winning streak! My hand flew to my mouth when I heard footsteps behind me. Is this the anonymous person who summoned me here? Did he see me scream? I shook my head in embarrassment. I slowly turn towards the anonymous and—oh, he's a she! Oh, no, nope. That's not what I'm surprised about, of course the anonymous sender is a she! I get texts from girls a lot. I don't even know how they get my number. I just had to change sim every month. The disadvantage of being born strikingly handsome. What I'm really surprised to see right now is Serenity. She's my anonymous she. I smiled when when I finally recovered from the surprise.

"I was just playing a game." I blurted out trying to explain why I screamed earlier.

"Oh, I'm guessing you won," She replied with an awkward smile. 

"Yeah! Six times in a row," I said with puffed chest and a head held high. "Anyways, why do you want to see me?" She looked down and her hand pulled the hem of her white shirt. 

"I..." I lifted my brows while waiting for her to finish her sentence. "I was just curious why you knew my name," she bit her lower lip and avoided my gaze. I scratched the back of my ears, trying to figure out any alibis.

"I heard one of your classmates call you once. I don't remember when though," I gave her a convincing smiles. She nodded but I noticed that she was hesitant. I really am bad at making excuses. I was relieved when she did not ask anymore questions. Nothing else was heard after that except the whispers of the wind and the flapping leaves as the wind hit them. She remained staring at her shoes. Looking awkward to insist another exchange of dialogue. I too remained quite which is very unlike me. I never run out of words to say but right now. I'm tongue-tied. I sighed and sat underneath the tree we both are currently below at. She looked at me and I patted the space beside me. 

I licked my bottom lip and gathered some confidence to speak again. "So," I finally said. "Was that all you came here for?" I asked her. She still did not make eye contact with me which bothered me.

"Y-yeah."

I tilted my head while trying to read her. She's so reserved and timid. In my dream she was so chatty and shares almost everything about her. That was the reason why I got my interest on her. I guess dreams are really just dreams. My phone buzzed inside my pocket. I reached for it to see who's calling. It was Kai. I looked at Serenity and nodded at me figuratively allowing me to answer the phone. I stood up and took a couple of steps away from her. "What's up?"

"Where are you?" He asked in a dull voice. "I want you to come at my place right now." He then hang up the call without even letting me answer back. What a douche. What am I his toy? His clown? Does my face look like it's for entertainment purposes?

I looked at Serenity. She's just sitting there, not making any movement, and just vacantly staring at thin air. If I was in a horror movie, I'd probably think she's possessed. Wait, she's not, right? I shook the thought away and went closer to her.

"It was Kai." Her attention was shifted to me at the mention of my friend's name. Her actions brought my dream back to my mind. Why can't I get rid of this weird feeling that that dream wasn't just an ordinary dream. Aside from the fact that I finally managed to pull out a lucid dream—which I have always been trying since I was a kid—my gut tells me that it was true. That it was really Serenity I was talking to. If it is real, I'm worried about her. Dannon has already set his eyes on her. She's heartless when it comes to breaking a girls heart.

But if it is real, getting Dannon close to her would make her happy. I then remembered the look on her face when Kai spat out spiteful words at her. She was trying hard to keep her tears from falling. Her emotions were like a proof that my dream wasn't just an ordinary dream. It was like a sign that she needs me. But is it enough? Were those emotions enough for me to believe that she needs me?

"What did he say?" Serenity asked.

"He told me to come to his place." I intently looked at her eyes. Her eyes were asking me millions of questions that I cannot grasp nor fathom. I swallowed the lump on my throat and gave her an encouraging smile. If my gut is right, then, she needs encouragement because I'm taking her with me.

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