The Absent Years

Chapter 2: Glitch

”I like your dream” I was speechless, I stared at my phone for god knows how long, who is this random number, and what dream? Was it my recent dream? I don't understand, is someone reading my mind? are they f*****g with me? I sat down on the concrete steps and held my head. I'm recalling if I gave anyone my number, but I only have my parents' contacts, Angie's and Nancy, I never gave anyone my number yet, if I did it's only for group projects but it's mostly on social media, I sit there and organize my thoughts.

"I like your dream" a male voice whispered into my ear, I stood up and looked around me, no one was there, I ran to the bushes and saw if someone was tricking me. Empty, people keep on staring at me like I'm a mad man. Was it a voice in my head? Am I going crazy? No, it can’t be it, maybe I’m just too sleep-deprived because I’ve been working in the kitchen the whole night to perfect a recipe. I checked my watch.

"11:30?" My eyes widen. "11:30 Already?? but... I swear it was earlier than 11:30" I checked my schedule if I have class at 11:30 it was my English class, I ran to 3A3 wishing the instructor was late. I reached the classroom and peeked inside. The English instructor is already there writing down something on the blackboard I quickly and silently sat in a vacant seat.

"Jason Canaan, why are you late?" The instructor said while writing on the blackboard. I wasn't late, I was on time, right? I checked my watch again.

12:00

What?! I thought... it was exactly 11:30.. or 11:34... I swear. Is my watch broken? but I got it yesterday. I don't understand.

Slam

Everyone was shocked to see the English instructor mad. I was still questioning the time when he went in front of my table, hands on his hips about to yell at me.

"Mr. Canaan, did you hear what I just said?" His loud voice seems like it's echoing from a distance, It feels like he looks down on me like a giant and I’m the ant. He pointed his finger on my desk, his nostrils were flaring up and I'm still questioning my reality, but I quickly answered.

"No, sir..." I lowered my head to hide my face from my classmates who were gossiping behind the instructor and looking at me. I was in complete and utter shame, I had never had a bad experience with an instructor before. I am always early and do my best in school. But, why now? Was I thrown off from the text message? It was eerie for sure, I guess I’m too paranoid already. The room began to shift into a twist, eyes just staring back at me, whispers that can’t go away. What is happening to me, I don’t think it’s stress or sleep deprivation anymore, I hold my head and chant to myself “I’m not crazy, I’m not crazy” screams are beginning to mix in with the whispers, laughter as well. I can’t take it anymore.

“Murderer” A soft voice is heard from a distance, I could hear the voice even with all this chaos.

I lifted my head and saw the instructor back at the blackboard writing like he didn't get mad at me earlier, I even looked at my classmates who were just copying what was on the blackboard, It looked like it never happened, I tried to shake it off and started copying the ones on the blackboard. That horrible thing still is stuck in my mind, I tried to convince myself that I was daydreaming.

The English instructor faced the class and began doing the lecture, again it looks like he didn't get mad at me a second ago. I was gonna find out if he did, so I raised my hand to his question.

"Yes, Mr. Canaan? what's the-" I stood up, cutting off the words of the instructor, he raised his eyebrow and clasped his hands together while smiling, he looked impressed. I should feel a sense of relief but my mind is just jumbled and confused. I managed to answer his question and sat down, looking at my watch it was only 11:45 am

The school bell rang and all my classmates packed their bags and head out as the instructor packed his stuff as well, I couldn't shake on what happened to me a while back, it felt like I had time traveled in just minutes, maybe I haven't had a good night sleep last night, I also had that dream too, I still can't recall the dream its all just a blur to me. I grabbed my bag and headed out of the classroom, I checked my phone and looked at the text messages I received while I was in class. Nobody messaged me yet, not even Angie who messages me every time I’m in class. I opened my inbox and tapped on Nancy's message this morning.

[ Hey babe, Too bad I can't meet you at lunch, but if you need me I'll be at the college library just re-reading my notes. Love you. ]

I smiled and put my phone in my pocket, seeing Nancy’s texts made me feel better already, I checked my class schedule and my next class is at 1:00-3:00 pm Culinary Class, I remembered about my recipe and searched my bag for it, I stopped and look for it in the library instead, as I walk there I was thinking if I'm going to tell either Nancy and Angie about my experience a while ago, maybe they won't believe me and call me crazy, Nancy will but I know Angie won't cause she's into paranormal or supernatural stuff since we were in high school, she keeps on talking about ghosts or anything that scientist can't explain. At the thought of Angie, I messaged her.

[ Hey Angie! I'm going to be alone for lunch, maybe you could come with me to the cafeteria to get some grub? ]

I stared at my phone for a reply, my phone dinged and saw the text of Angie pop out, man, she's fast to reply.

[ Aw, sorry kiddo I have friends ;D I'm kidding, but I really can't maybe tomorrow????? ]