The Aces

C H A P T E R 6

Mel’s POV

I woke up with the sound of my alarm clock. “7:00” I said then turned it off. I dozed off a little,well, I guess it’s everybody’s habit whenever they wake up in the morning,right? While dozing off I remembered dad who always scold me when he caught me dozing off in my bed. Its like a waste of time according to him. I heaved a heavy sigh and literally said,’I miss you,dad.” I feel like tearing up. I’m not used without hearing dad’s voice in the morning. The smell of our viand every morning,the sound of water in our bathroom, his voice,I miss everything. If only I can go back and drag dad in here I will really do it but,I can’t. Its still a mystery to me why did some people attacked me and why did dad decided to bring me here. Am I for good here? Or are they people or bad creatures? I swayed that negative thoughts off and just leave it like that. Just go with the flow,I guess.

I rose up from my bed and walk into the bathroom. I undress myself and slowly went into the bath tub and after a minute the warm rose fragrance water hugged my body. I feel so refresh after washing up. I searched for food and the only food I had here is fruits. I first ate orange. I find it fascinating when I peel the orange. I was a fruit vendor so I know it if the fruit  is still fresh or not. This orange is so big that when I squeeze it, it can fill my cup. And it taste so sweet. I decided to make an orange juice in it and took an apple for my breakfast. As I enjoy my so-called lunch, Aida called me.

“Hi,Aida. Good morning.” I said then sip my cup of fresh orange juice.

“Good morning,dear.” I just felt happy when she called me ‘dear.’ Maybe I was longing for that.

“How’s your sleep last night?” She asked me.

“Well,I had a good sleep and a good dinner with  3 guys. They told me they are in the Maple Class.” I think I trust Aida. I mean, she’s incharge of me here,right?

“Oh. Did you confirm it? Did you tell them your leaf?” She asked consistently.

“Yes,they let me saw theirs and yes,I told them my leaf,too.” I said in one breathing,

“Just be careful,okay? Don’t let others see your leaf. Its dangerous when they see it.” She said concerned.

“Yes,I will. That’s my last time. Don’t worry,Aida.” I said assuring her that I’ll protect myself and my leaf.

“Very good,now,you have to enroll yourself. The enrollment starts at 10:00 AM. You have to be there at 9 to get your nearest slot.” she said. She sounds like a mom. So,this is what it feels like when an mid-aged lady is reminding you.

“hahaha chill,Aida. I will and can I ask you one question?” I said while laughing.

I know she’s shaking her head there but yeah, I have to ask this.

“Sure,what is it?” She said.

“Aida, are you a mom?” I asked then laugh hard.”I just feel like you’re a mom. The way you speak sounds like a mom. But.don’t get me wrong okay,I never felt the feeling of having a mom” I continued.

Aida on the other line remains quiet and I think she’s listening to me but I don’t know.

“Aida? Aida,are you still there?” I asked. Did I get over my limits?

“Yes,I’m here.” she said then I heard her sniff. Did she cry?

“Are you crying?” I asked. Oh no. I made a mess. Now its awkward.

“No,I’m not. I was once a mom. My daughters died when they were born. They are twins.” she said. Now, I feel sorry. But how about his husband? When you’re a mom, you have a husband right?

“I know you are going to ask about my husband. He’s not here. He’s outside and we never communicated each other since he left.”she continued.

“Outside?” I asked. “You mean in the human world? Outside this realm?” I asked consistently.

“Yeah,apparently.” she said then sniffed again.

“I am so sorry Aida.” I said. I started it and I must feel sorry.

“No,it is okay. Now, prepare now and enroll yourself today.” she said then hung up. Another culture shock, no goodbyes.

I looked at the clock and wow time flies so fast, its 9:00 in the morning.

“10 is the opening of the offices,I must go their by 11 before lunch”. I said then drink my last sip of orange juice. Drinking that every morning can make me healthier,prettier and stronger. Kidding aside and of course,I smiled with that thought.

I did my small laundry and I hung up my veranda at the back. I just realized that every room has their own verandas at the back. While I was hanging my clothes, a cold wind hugged me. I know it is Wei,according to Min. Lucky for him I remembered his name.

“Hi. I’m Melody.” I said while smiling. My hair flips and maybe the wind is checking my figures? I don’t know. Then there’s this feeling that someone is looking at me. I kind of getting scared because I can really  feel the stare. Its a little similar feeling when someone is looking at me while I’m going home. I cannot take it anymore and I decided to go inside my room and lock the door. Making sure that someone’s not going in without my permission.  Luckily I finished hanging my clothes. The laundry rack is swaying and the wind took one of my shirt.

I thought going in here will become peaceful? I don’t think that wind is Wei. That wind took my shirt and went off southward. I’m really curious about what’s happening.

I brush it off,I’ll make a call to Aida later.

“Its 11;15. Sh!t! I must enroll before afternoon.” I open my closet and decided to wear my baby pink mini-skirt with a touch of baby blue and lavender then paired my white cherry crop top paired with butterfly like earring and plain white sneakers. I did not brought my bag with me. I put a pearly pins on my hair and put up some super light make-up. I looked myself in the mirror and voila! “I’m done.” My body figure is showing perfectly. I love it. This is may be the perks of selling fruits HAHAHA

I went off my clean and organized room. The moment I stepped out, someone behind my back said ‘Hi’ I was in doubt if I’ll turn or not but her voice is like a soft music and I lost it. I turned around and I saw an angel looking at me. She looks so perfect and she looks so happy.

“Hello. I responded. Maybe it is that obvious that I’m new here. Everyone asked me whenever I come out of my room.

“I’m Zel.” Introduced herself and so do I. We chitchat a very small chat when I remembered its passed 12 noon.

“Anyways, I gotta go. I have to enroll.” I said then leave her confused.

I mean,why do are they confused?

I did fast walk and everyone is staring  at me. Some guys are looking at me from head to toe then smile. Some girls are chatting over me. Girls, I can literally hear you. I never mind them and just do my business. Aida texted me to protect my leaf. No one must see my leaf. What in the world is the importance of this leaf. Are everyone like this? I observed and I saw no one talking about their leaves of showing off their leaved. Maybe its a rule.

Mystery for me but I still followed then and there I remembered what Kim told me about the leaf. I decided to protect it by wearing a handkerchief on my wrist. I’ll reason it out as a style later.

“0022,please go to the Window 6.” that’s my number. I immediately went to Window 6 and saw a lady. She’s a little similar to Aida though.

“Hi Melody. I’m Ayna. Aida’s twin sister.” she said then bow. I was aghast when I saw it. No wonder.

“Hello.” I said then smile. But at the back part of my head,I find it really cute.

“I assume you know about the rules here.” She said strictly. Oh no.

“Some,Miss.” I said nervously.

“Please don’t call me Miss,Mel.” she still said strictly. I nodded and she said,”First, you  cannot let everyone show your leaf. Second, you cannot show your abilities outside the classroom. You can only use it when you’re helping or with your pedagogues’ permission. Third, Your name Melody,will cut into Mel. And lastly, always bow 90 degrees. It means showing high respect” She said in one breathing. Okay so from now on,my name is Mel and wait-abilities?

“Abilities?” I asked

“Yes, you’ll find it out soon.” She said.

“Here’s your confirmation card for your dorm,star number and class number.” she said.

“Thank you.” I said. I was about to go out when she said,”Welcome to Maple Realm. We waited years for your return.” She said then disappeared.

I freaked out! “What was that?” I said but no one answered. ‘Are they the one’s who attacked me and daddy? What is the meaning of her words, we waited years for your return?’ I thought. I guess, this is not going to be a smooth ride.

I went back to my door while thinking what she said when I suddenly bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry.” Then bow 90 degrees. Even though I am occupied,I still have to listen and apply it carefully.

“Its okay.Are you new here?” she asked. I looked up and saw a beautiful creature. Her eyes are like galaxies. So pretty. I snapped back to reality when she claps her hands in front of me.

“Maple realm to you,Miss.” She said with a swag.

“Oh I’m sorry. I’m occupied. “ I said carefully. She’s a goddess but I can’t trust her.

“its okay. So you’re new here?” She asked again.

“Well, sort of.” I said playing safe.

“Playing safe I guess.” Then she smiled. “By the way,I’m Bella.” She said then bowed 90 degrees.

“I’m Melo- I mean Mel.” I said. I’m used of using Melody as an introduction but I can do it.

“Nice meeting you,Mel. See you around.” She said then closed her book. Oh so she’s reading. I just smiled at her “Oh and by the way, I like your style.” She said then left.

So my feet dragged me to the library without my knowing. What a perfect place to be.

I looked around and saw stacks of books in the shelf. The book shelf has no dust. The books are like brand new. I checked it and saw it was used by many. I am so amazed by this place. I took one book from the bookshelf and sat on the chair near it.

I spend my afternoon reading books and poems and I like all of them.

“6:00” I said then my stomach agreed with its noise. I looked around to make sure no one hears it. And luckily, no one heard it.

I made my way back to the dorm. There are still students who’s staying in the school but most of them is at the garden or the cafeteria. I’m peacefully walking when the wind hugged me again. This time I know its Wei. She got some dried leaves,twirl me and pour the leaves above me. Now I feel like magic. I thought. I was smiling and enjoying Wie’s company when I heard someone said,”Even the wind finds you beautiful and attractive.” Wei stopped pouring me and left. Leaving me like unattended.

“Kim,right?” I said looking at his amber eyes.

“Glad you remembered me.” he said then smiled. I just like his smile. No more.

“Well,what are you doing here?” I asked while getting the leaves off my hair.

“Here let me help you.” He come near me. As in inches apart. He caged me into his arms and took the leaves in my hair. I can hear his heart beats fast. His sweet breath wants me to look at him but If I’ll do  that something UNEXPECTED will happen. His smell as a guy is so sweet. I wonder if his room’s fragrant is manly and sweet,too. I can feel my heart beat pumps fast and this position is slowly melting my legs. He stroke my hair and I can feel the sparkle burning my face. He suddenly moved a little and looked at me in the eye.

“there, there even though you’re hair is a little messy earlier, you’re still beautiful.” he said then wink.

Okay, I must breath. I must breath. This guy is driving me nuts. f**k!

“uhm-a-I must go inside, Its- a-a little chilly.” I said while stuttering.’What the heck Mel, stop stuttering!’ I said to my mind.

He looked at me intently and said,don’t be shy whenever you stutter. Its normal.” He said.

‘Okay!What the f**k is happening? My goodness!’ I thought.

He laughed at me and said,”Come on. Let’s go inside. Its chilly right?” I nodded then we went inside the dorm.