Magic Shop

12 | HIS THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES ARE NOT REALLY RELIABLE

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Time ticked signaling Dawn that he was blankly starring a piece of paper, holding a pen on his left hand while he tried his best to recall his memories. However, after Mr. Anderson left and was replaced with the next teacher again and again only did he realized that his memories, thoughts, and his brain was completely useless for he can’t seemed to remember anything nine years ago.

Dawn’s gaze left the paper and stared at the Math teacher discussing algebra. Dawn frowned as the headache he was feeling intensified more when he saw the symbols and numbers on the blackboard.

Dawn was not clearly listening. Thankfully, the paper and pen made a good camouflage to trick the teacher making her think that he was taking notes carefully and listening attentively to the class. Dawn sighed inwardly. Before coming to the past he felt like the protagonist in those fantasy movies and books that can clearly pin point what had happened in the past and do their very best to prevent the tragedy. However, now, Dawn felt useless as he felt like he had become an i***t without any brain at all.

He can’t recalled anything. It seemed like his mind was playing tricks with him and decided to foil his plans. Dawn was frustrated he wanted to pull his hair but since there was a teacher in front he held his urge to smack despite his hands itching.  

Fucking useless brain. Dawn scoffed on his own brain thinking that his brain was only good at overthinking and making fake scenarios but when he wanted to use his brain for matters regarding saving his friend, it seemed to hibernated.

Feeling tired, Dawn withdraw his gaze on the blackboard back to the piece of paper without any words. Dawn pursed his lips as he felt more irritated than before as the white sheet of paper reflected on his eyes.

Sighing as he felt defeated, he held his pen once again and wrote the  names of his friends.

SEJIN

ROEN

AYASE

KEIL

AIDEN

RIVER

Dawn stared for a moment before writing the months under their names. Only then he felt his brain had a sudden reboot. He remembered one thing and that was Sejin’s words to him nine years ago.

He closed his eyes and using his right hand to support his head as he felt a sudden massive headache. A scene flashed in his mind. The scene was blurred and he can only recall some of the words spoken.

“I feel like that house was eating everything of me.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing, I just feel tired. Do you want to sleep over? I have some great board games for us to spend the time.”

Sejin asked us to sleep over? Dawn said to himself trying to interpret the sudden scene that appeared on his mind. When did he said this? Nevermind that since I’m going to sleep over to their house today. The matter is, there seemed to be an issue about Sejin and the house or his family.

Dawn opened his eyes. His lips curled up as he felt like he finally had a starting line. It was not something big but for someone who really had no clue and who felt useless it was a big thing. As he realized this, Dawn crumpled the paper and since there was no trash nearby, he just tossed the trash inside his bag as he drifted with his thoughts not giving a piece of attention to the teacher in front.

Since I remembered something, it’s a good starting point. If there was something that troubled Sejin I can confirm this later. But, if I can clearly remember, Sejin always smiled at us and boast his money. He always treats us with food and from time to time he always find time to be with us. Back then, I really did not give a thing about this for I thought he was living his life but now, How f****d up Dawn.

Dawn suddenly realized as he think back Sejin’s previous actions. This made him understand that back nine years ago, all he did was focused on himself without asking his friend for he thought that he was always the miserable one without a mother. Dawn subconsciously clenched his teeth.

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The bell rung signaling the end of the classes. Dawn put everything on his back. After zipping it, he saw five pairs of shoes surrounding him. He tried so hard not to show his smile as he felt happy deep inside his heart.

“Let’s eat some street foods, I’m hungry.” Sejin suggested.

“I don’t have money right now.” River grumbled but Sejin scoffed at him. Ayase put his arms over River’s shoulder and whispered to his ears, “Don’t need to worry, Sejin’s treating us.” Ayase chuckled.

“Isn’t that right?” Ayase looke at Keil asking him to agree with him and he just nodded.

“Am I your wallet?” Sejin scoffed but he did not deny what Ayase said. Dawn stood up and walked beside his friends.

“No, you’re our precious friend.” Ayase added. Sejin jokingly punched Ayase’s shoulder.

“Let’s just go, there might be many people.” They all walked beside each other. Dawn’s eyes focused on the hallway that seemed so nostalgic for him as he had not seen it for a long time. He remembered that he doesn’t really like going to school but now, he can only wished inside his heart that he could remain here forever.

A sudden ticked sound echoed on Dawn’s ears making him suddenly stopped. He harshly to looked back wondering where did the sound come from. Ayase and the others eyed each other for they can’t understand the sudden actions of Dawn.

“Did you hear something?” Dawn looked at  in front them and was welcomed with four pairs of eyes with hidden curiosity and before Dawn could continue his words, Ayase widen his eyes and draw a cross in front of his face. He even clasped his hands and prayed.

“Let’s visit the cathedral, maybe you’re really cursed. You’re giving me goosebumps!” Ayase exclaimed and hide behind Kiel back. Kiel felt irritated and nudge Ayasa gesturing him to move away.

Dawn frowned at Ayase’s reaction. They all walked again. “You’re irritating!”

“Let’s all just go, maybe we can catch Aiden.”

“Let’s do that.” Keil agreed. Dawn thoughts still lingered on the sound but after a while, he tossed it out of his mind as he enjoyed the company of his friends. As they reached the first floor, they immediately saw Aiden carrying his bag pack and was talking to a girl classmate.

As usual, Ayase exaggerated what he saw and run to them. That f*****g i***t doesn’t have any shame! Dawn heavily criticized Ayase. He saw Keil in his peripheral vision shaking his head. Dawn knew that they both have the same thoughts.

The sudden appearance of Ayase made the girl flustered biding her goodbye and run away making Ayase dumbfounded. Aiden on the other hand flicked away the arms of Ayase over his shoulder.

“You’re so annoying, Ayase!” The youngest member of their group, Aiden said and welcome the others.

“He’s always annoying,” Keil said. Roen on his side nodded agreeing to what Aiden said. While Dawn’s gaze followed the girl running away.

“Who’s that?” Dawn asked meeting Aiden’s eyes. “Your crush?” Dawn smirked and teased Aiden. He saw his ears redden confirming Dawn’s theory. Dawn chuckled.

“Such a pure child.” Dawn teased even more and all of them except  Aiden.

“Stop teasing me.” Aiden grumbled. “Are we going to eat outside?” He asked. All of them nodded. “Yes!” Aiden threw his hand up and instantly his stomach made a loud noise making them all laughed at each other.

Everyone was tease each other on their way to the store.

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After eating some street foods, All of them part ways and now Dawn was with Seijin and Roen as they walked to the brother’s house. In their way home, Sejin seemed like he was excited. He was talking different things. From his games, his rooms and his interest while Dawn and Roen just listened to him and from time to time, they were giving some response.

After walking for how many minutes, Dawn was welcomed with a big gate and a big white house. They were greeted with maids and house helpers. Sejin instructed the maids to prepare dinner with good dishes.

“I’ll be changing.” Roen said and Dawn just nodded his eyes were still lingering on Sejin’s back before surveying Sejin’s and Roen’s house. There were many furniture. White sofas and some plants as decorations. There was a flat screen T.V that not all people can even afford in this year.

Suddenly, Dawn realized how loaded his friend Roen and Sejin was. He also understand that he did not mind treating them almost everyday especially River since he sometimes can’t afford his lunch as he was always short of money. River was a scholar and had three more siblings. He worked different part time jobs to help his family. Sejin understood this and agreed on helping River with his lunch.

River first declined before accepting the goodness of his friend. But now, the longer Dawn surveyed the house, he felt something cold deep down in his heart. He suddenly remember the cold house of his father that always welcomed him.

  Sejin walked towards he seemed to be finished talking with the maid. Dawn blankly stared at the face of Sejin. His smiles were wide and he seemed like he was beaming with energy however, at the same time, Dawn felt a sense of loneliness on his friend’s expression.

“Dawn?” Dawn jolted when he realized that Sejin was already in front of him. He grimaced and composed his self before staring again to Sejin’s face and to the room that had white walls. He frowned as he remembered the interior of the mental hospital he once in. Comparing to his mother’s house to Sejin’s house, it was odd. Dawn knew how big Sejin’s family are but there was even no one to welcome the siblings. Dawn never noticed it before because Roen was always silent focusing in his games and Sejin was always beaming with energy but now, looking at this,  it felt incomplete to him. So, subconsciously, he said,

“Are you okay?”

Sejin found it odd as he stared to Dawn, but his pupils suddenly shook as he heard what Dawn had muttered. He gulped and heaved his breathe silently making sure that Dawn won’t notice it.

“What are you saying? Of course I am okay!” Sejin laugh echoed to the place but Dawn did not feel at ease at all.

He knew he was not that kind of person who judge the house because of the interior. He also felt weird as if he was sensitive to something. He can’t pin point it but the changes that were happening to his surroundings were so visible to him.

Is this the result of traveling back to the past?

Dawn clearly don’t have any answer.

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