The Embrace of the Frostborn

Chapter 2

I see Monica entering our class accompanied by him. How is it possible! He looks exactly like him. Why am I feeling cold again?

“Are you okay?” he asks me, his voice exactly like him. “Mon? Who the heck is he?” I turn to Monica abruptly, ignoring his question.

“Scar, be polite! Guys this is Kevin Damen, Kevin this is Natalie and Scarlett.” Monica introduces us.

“Umm… I gotta go.” I excuse myself as he extends his hand for a handshake. I am colder than ever.

Monica begins to stop me but Nat signals her not to. She knows it’s no use stopping me right now.

“Scar, I wanna talk to you for a sec?” s**t no. God, no. Please, not now. I really hope she hasn’t noticed. “What?” I ask her in my calmest voice. “You aren’t as heated up as you are comparatively.” How can I forget it’s Monica, my moon, she notices everything.

“Chill bro, it’s all okay just some chilled water I allowed to touch me this morning.” I wink at her and we are all laughing now. “Alright enough of the jokes now, let"s go back now, the bell"s over.” Natalie informs us.

We are still smiling when we enter the class, still in that moment of our goofiness. My gaze keeps on shifting back to the watch waiting for him to come. Finally, after what seems like years, Shabin, my brother, enters the class. He murmurs something to the teacher and her eyes divert in my direction. “Is something wrong Ms. Kaiser?” I ask her not to be able to contain my curiosity.

“No child. Shabin here says you are required in the auditorium, that"s all.” She tells me politely. “Oh that. Can I go and see what this is about, miss?” I ask her as patiently as possible because as much as I hate this, I have to stay away from him.

His presence is distracting me, pulling me to a world of sweet memories and past, giving in to those memories would do nothing other than to fail me again.

So, here I am in the Auditorium. Shabin, too, is surprised to find Kevin in my class, this close to me. He also told me that our week-long holiday begins tomorrow in lieu of renovations happening in the school. I am not the least bit bothered, neither are Natalie and Monica, because we three do not like being away from each other.

We will have those three days working when I hate to be with anyone- 30th, 31st of October and 1st of November. The dates I can’t and won’t ever forget, my life changed ever since these dates gained their significance.

The bell rang, marking the dispersal time, breaking my chain of thoughts and punching reality into my face that I was with my brother and I can’t daydream else he’d understand something’s up… I get up and walk to the podium in the hall then to the windows which are unlocked, for it is windy today.

I spot Eric leaning against the wall looking out of one of the high pane windows. The moment he spots me he waves me over.

Eric is a blonde. He might be just a few inches taller than average people. He is an easy person to talk to, without craning my neck or slouching down, just right to stand normally and talk. He is a very sweet boy from my childhood who followed me around, “coincidentally”.

“Hi!” I say warmly.

“Hey! Umm Scarlett there was something I heard a few days ago, thought I should let you know.” He tells me.

“Okay… Am all ears then.” I smile giddily.

“Well, I heard the teachers say something about a trip to the Philippines. Some sites they think are real beauty. I think they are going to make you the student representative for collecting registrations, preparing and approving itinerary, arranging VIP passes for some places etcetera.” He says and I am confused.

“Philippines? Why? There are a lot of beautiful places around the globe. Why the Philippines? Plus, why am I being designated for that position?”

“teacher"s pet theorem will be well-fitted here.” he winked and won a playful punch from me.

“Okay I think I should get going, your mum must be waiting for you.” I wave a bye at him and leave.

I spot mum standing under the bower with Shabin. I go there and realize Shabin wants to take me somewhere and mum has consented.

“How do you always get successful in convincing her of such things?” I hiss while he tells mom we’ll be back soon and mom says she"s not the least bit worried.

“I am her son, Sera, what do you think.” he smirks.

“I told you not to call me that in or around school.” I scolded him. “Anyway, why are you star-napping me?” I smile.

“Because we have a few things to talk about.” he says with finality and we walk the rest of the distance in silence till the Moonlight Mountain.

“Okay everyone come out quick come on, out.” Shabin calls out to no one specifically.

Slowly all of those who remember who they were, who they are, trickle out from behind the trees.

“Why is this unofficial meeting organized, Shabin?” I ask anxiously.

“We heard we are going to the Philippines.” he answers.

“So?” I ask.

“Scarlett, all of us know what had happened there the last time we were all there. The waters there relax you but the place itself has the ability to pull so much heat and energy out of you that you can burn anything that comes in contact with you.” he says in his matter-of-fact voice.

“Is the purpose of the meeting here to discuss, ‘me?” I am annoyed.

“Have you forgotten everything that has already happened or you have let dust blur your memory of how dangerous that place and you, both can be?” he questions.