Nethania

Chapter 3: Eyes See You

AVIA

I SLAMMED the door of my walk-in closet when I got out of there after getting myself ready for school. I threw my bag on the bed and went in front of a giant mirror. I stood and stared at my reflection, looking up and down at my body.

"Avia! How many times do I have to tell you that you should look out for Avelyn?"

"She's already fifteen, Dad. She can manage herself."

"No, though she's growing up, you should look out for her often. We couldn't afford to lose her."

I regret what happened, Ave. Could you forgive me? Your sister? Tears began to fill my eyes. I closed my eyes and turned my back to the mirror and pressed my back against it.

"Avelyn!"

"What happened here?"

"Avia, I told you that you should look out for your sister!"

"I didn't mean to, Dad. I did look out for her, but—"

"You irresponsible child! Look what you did!"

I opened my eyes and wiped off my tears with my handkerchief. Crying wouldn't change the past. Sulking wouldn't bring the past back. But how could I move on if the past was still haunting me? I should have forgotten everything from the past and went on with my life, but how the hell would I forget if my world was still anchored in the past?

"Lady Avia, your breakfast is ready downstairs."

I stood up and faced the mirror again. I combed my dark blonde hair and put on light makeup. I grabbed my bag and went out of the room, slamming the door.

I reached the kitchen and I saw my Dad having his breakfast. He held up his gaze when he noticed my presence and went back to eating his breakfast again. He didn't even bother to greet me. I lowered my head and walked towards the table and sat one seat apart from him.

"Good morning, Dad," I spoke softly.

I wasn't waiting for his reply because I knew that he wouldn't answer anyway, so why bother waiting? I began chewing my breakfast and all I could hear was the clanking of the silverware.

This was the everyday scenario in this mansion. My Mom was on a business trip and Dad was left with me because he had to manage our business here in New Binmaley City. My other relatives were also busy managing their lives, so they didn't even think of visiting us occasionally. My life was boring and sad. Sometimes I thought of starting a rebellion against them, but I cared for my mom, I couldn't afford to lose her too.

"How's your studies, Avia?"

My eyes widened and I stopped eating. For the first time in four months of ignoring me, he talked to me again. But I knew my dad wouldn't talk to me if it wasn't important and urgent.

"It's fine and good," I answered, without turning to him and continuing my meal.

After that precious small talk, no words came out again.

I finished my breakfast and decided to go to school since I didn't want to stay inside the mansion any longer.

"Bye, Dad," I bade farewell to him and went out of the mansion. Not waiting for his response.

I got in my car and drove my way to the academy. I parked my car and got out.

I was rummaging through my bag to find my phone when someone bumped into me. My bag fell along with my jaw onto the ground and my blood began to rise and boil.

"How dare you—" I hadn't finished my statement when I saw nobody in front of me. I looked around. No one was near me, I was in the middle and I was the only one standing here.

Who the hell bumped me?

I began to feel a chilly breeze of wind touching my skin. I wrapped my arms around me. It was cold. It was strangely cold.

I immediately picked up my bag and walked as fast as I could. It was weird to have that feeling. I was sure that someone had bumped my shoulder. It was so strong that I was able to let go of my bag and it fell to the ground.

My mind is confused right now. I didn't know what had just happened. I kept telling myself that it was just nothing, that it really never happened. But how could I shrug it away when I could still feel the contact of the bump earlier? This was my first time encountering that thing.

Was there someone who really bumped me? Or maybe I was just so preoccupied with my morning scenario that I wasn't that aware of my surroundings.

I shrugged and continued walking, but this time slowly. I put my hand on my chest and breathed deeply. I needed to calm myself and I had to let go of the weird feeling.

"Hey, you okay?" I almost jumped when someone touched my shoulder. I turned to him with a puzzled look.

"Really, Jamsen," I said, raising my eyebrow and flipping my hair.

His lazy eyes stared at me. "I'm sorry to startle you. I saw you, but it seems you were a little disturbed today, so I checked you out," he replied, combing his hair backwards with his long fingers.

I diverted my stare to somewhere else, then looked down. "I know it's absurd, but something's bothering me."

"Like what?"

"Like paranormal encounters?"

He stared at me and kept silent. I looked at him and somehow my heart felt relieved when I knew someone who might believe me. But his lips began to curve and it eventually turned into a laugh.

I frowned.

"You're just imagining things, Avia. There's no such thing as paranormal! You're exhausted and perhaps you couldn't move on with what we encountered yesterday." He patted my back and caressed it. "She was insane and we had nothing to do with her. Forget about it."

I nodded. He was correct. She was insane and we shouldn't give a damn. Maybe I was just paranoid about the things that have been happening lately. It was just unusual and strange. In my long stay at this academy, I hadn't encountered even a single strange happening that occurred here, not until now.

"Let's go, we have to meet them in the room."

We went on our way. I simply couldn't erase the image of the insane girl in my mind. And in addition to that, there was our family problem that became acute after my sister, Avelyn, passed away. My world became messy and screwed up.

We reached our classroom, which was on the third floor of the main building. It was exhausting going up and down the stairs, so I slightly panted when we reached the front door of the room. Jamsen turned the knob and opened the door, revealing an empty room.

I gasped. "Where are our classmates?" My heart began to race. Was this one of the paranormal scenes? I hope it wasn't.

"You're antsy again. It's just 6 o'clock in the morning. It was too early to go to school," Jamsen informed me, checking his wrist watch.

I ran my palm over my face. Because of what happened back in the parking lot, it got me occupied and I didn't even remember that I left the mansion too early. I wasn't able to check out the time.

I faced him. "So why are you here? I mean too early before our class starts," I asked, crossing my arms across my chest.

He leaned his shoulders against the doorjamb. "Why? Is it wrong to come to school early?"

I twisted my lips, then raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember you going to school early since the school year started. It's kinda strange," I said, flipping my hair.

"Are you saying that I shouldn't change my time of arrival, and changing it means something strange? Avia, I am not even sure if this 'early arrival' will last longer. Who knows?"

I sighed. "Yeah, sorry if I acted eccentrically. My world began twirling again, you know, problems and anxiety."

"I understand what you feel. No one is an exception to that. We all feel anxiety and face problems, but it's up to us how we handle it."

I felt relieved. "Let's just go inside and wait for them to come here."

He nodded and we settled into our respective chairs. We talked about our school assignments and projects, and even our love lives! Jamsen sometimes had his screw loose in his head. He would talk and talk and even conspire with Vino to do some ugly things.

"Are you two having an intimate conversation?" I flinched and cringed when I heard Vino's loud voice reverberating across the room.

He was with Hilary and Hannah. I awkwardly glanced at Jamsen, who was staring at them silently, and returned my gaze to Vino.

I stood up and faced him. "What the hell are you saying, Vino? We're just having a light conversation here. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Yeah yeah, but apparently it appeared that you two were having a date," he chuckled.

Jamsen sneered. "As if it might come true, Vino. You know how Avia hates dating, right? Because of that certain person," Jamsen added, caressing his eyes.

"As if you knew! You—"

"Guys! We found something interesting!" Hannah exclaimed, dragging a chair and quickly sat on it.

I shrugged and sat in my chair. Thanks to Hannah, I would have punched these two jerks for teasing me if she hadn't gotten our attention. Hilary sat on a chair beside me and leaned closer to my side. The room was still empty and only the five us were here. A perfect time to tell some private phrases and sentences.

"What are you going to tell us, Hannah?" Hilary asked, furrowing an eyebrow.

"I just heard somewhere that there was someone who committed suicide four months ago. Isn't it interesting!" Hannah beamed and excitement was obviously etched on her face.

What was so exciting about knowing that someone had committed suicide? It was tragic, dude, not exciting.

"Hannah, suicide isn't exciting, it's forbidden. And critically tragic," Hilary spoke in a low tone, bowing her head. Showing sympathy.

I clicked my tongue then flipped my hair. "First of all, it's a gossip and it's natural that there's at least one student that could commit suicide. Think about it, people. It's shallow, you know," I argued and received nods from them.

Hannah sighed and played with her bracelets dangling on her wrist. "Okay, okay, you win. It's just gossip and there's no chance that it is true. Fake news is hovering around the place and we should be aware of it."

Hilary began twirling her long black hair. "That's right, Hannah. A gossip is a gossip. There's a less chance that it's true."

"Hilary is right," Jamsen conceded and fell on his arms after yawning.

"Hmm... But why is it known just now after a long time ago?"

We all stared at Vino who was holding his chin and probably thinking about the suicide thingy. It was just so strange that he said something relevant and logical. Most of the time, he was joking and nothing important would come out of his mouth. Yet, that made me think also. Why was there a gossip about it just now when it had already happened four months ago.

I shook my head. "Again, there's a possibility that someone could commit suicide. It's not a big deal anyway."

I caught Hilary staring at me sharply. Like she was throwing darts at me. "But Via, it's an act of self-murder. It really matters. It shouldn't be ignored."

Self-murder or not, it was the choice which came first before the act. Was it our fault that he had done it? And then he came back from the afterlife to frighten us with his ghastly ghostly appearance. If he hadn't entered this academy in the first place, he would have been enjoying his life now!

I stiffened when I realized something. Strange happenings began yesterday, Paranormal encounters, if I may say, and gossip about the suicide thingy were circulating around the campus just now. Were the two related to each other, or were they just coincidental?

"Remember the girl we encountered yesterday?" I asked hysterically, leaning closer to them.

"Oh, that insane b*tch? Yeah, vividly," Hannah answered, rolling her eyes, and the rest of them, except Jamsen, nodded.

"What if she was the girl who committed suicide and now she's back, frightening us—"

"What are you trying to say—Avia—is that, that insane girl whom you called a ghost is back, haunting us so that she can get her revenge? It is drastically hilarious!" Jamsen exclaimed, then laughed.

We eyed each other. Jamsen has a point too. I was just saying my point, but I didn't even have any proof to prove anything that I said. There was a possibility that, that girl was just losing her mind and getting insane and it was coincidental with the gossip about the suicide thingy. We aren't sure, nor do I, that it was really the girl who committed suicide. Besides, it happened four months ago and the gossip was still there even if the world ended.

I flipped my hair. "Yeah, maybe Jamsen is right, the ghost thingy doesn't exist. There's no such thing as that."

We nodded and the class started soon after. We ended our hours of listening to tedious lessons and discussions that even made Jamsen dream on his table.

I stretched out my arms to get my nerves working. Sitting for a long time made my butt numb. It makes me torpid.

"We should get ourselves a nice and delicious lunch, guys!" Hannah suggested, adjusting her black scarf.

"I agree with you, Hannah. My eyes should get a rest after a long time staring at the white board. I get tired of wearing eyeglasses sometimes," Hilary said, resting her head on my shoulder while walking.

As we were making our way to the cafeteria, I unconsciously landed my sight on the classroom that was located beside the walls. It was far from us, but I could still see its dilapidated condition.

Until I saw something moving beside the window.

I stopped that made them alarmed.

"What's wrong, Avia?" Hilary pulled my sleeve gently, trying to get my attention.

Without pulling away my gaze from the room, I said, "I-I just saw something there." I pointed out the room where I saw something moved.

"Uhm... Avia, you're seeing things again," Jamsen commented, "We had talked about this earlier, right?"

I tried to focus and zoomed in on the room, hoping that I was just seeing things like Jamsen said.

I gasped and took a step backward when I saw it again, peeking at the window, looking at us.

A girl.

"There!" I shouted that made them flinch and stare at me with eyes full of puzzlement. "She moved and peeked through the window, I swear!" I began to panic.

"I see nothing," Hannah said, trying to see what I saw.

"Same with me," Hilary informed us.

"Nothing strange. Austin made you cry once, then you began seeing things oddly," Vino chortled.

Vino's statement was nonsense. Don't mind it.

"But she's there!" I insisted.

"Perhaps you're hungry, Avia. Let's go and get some food," Jamsen held my wrist and pulled me, but I pulled away my wrist from his grip.

"I'm serious! She's over there, waving at us!" I asserted.

How come they didn't see what I saw? We saw that girl yesterday and they should see it now! But why was I the only one who could see her?

Jamsen chuckled. "Austin really had a huge impact on you, Avia."

Hilary nudged Jamsen, shutting him down. "Stop it."

Good thing Hilary was at my side. She always saved me from the teases that Vino and Jamsen fired at me. And Hannah didn't even dare to tease me with Austin, and I was fine with that.

"You go first," I said firmly. I was determined to find out about her. She had been pestering me since yesterday and I wanted to verify if she was just insane or really a ghost.

"What? We can't leave you here. You're seeing nonsense," Hilary grabbed my hand and tried to pull me, but I didn't let myself be dragged down.

"No, I'll stay here, you go first," I insisted.

"Via..."

"Go. I'll catch up."

They left me alone and I was still standing while looking at the dilapidated room. I looked at them and I learned that they had gone from my sight. When I was sure that no one was around, I stepped and walked towards the location of the room.

I could only hear the crackling sound of dried leaves breaking under my feet while walking. As I got nearer, my heart began to pound hard and race inside my chest, I could even feel its beat.

I'm gonna make her pay for messing up with me.

The vivid desolation of the room was clearly revealed to me when I was about ten feet away from it.

It was absolutely abandoned and dilapidated.

My heart was racing. Small beads of sweat began to wet my face. I looked around but I still saw nothing, not even a girl.

I stepped forward and peeked through the wrecked window. Suddenly, my eyes widened and I covered my mouth in surprise when I saw a bloody ballpoint pen lying in the middle of the room. I gasped for air. I breathed heavily. My heart wanted to burst because of its hard throbbing.

I went in front of the door and opened it. I shouted when it fell from the hinges where it was connected. I covered my nose with the back of my hand when the dust spread in the air.

I stepped into the room. Switching my gaze from left to right.

Chilly winds broke in and gave me shivers.

Nobody was here.

I went straight to the middle where the ball point pen was lying and scrutinized it to see if it was fake or real.

I smelled a rusty odor.

The blood was real!

"Psst..."

A whisper.

"Who are you?"

"Psssst...Avia."

I stiffened.

My eyes widened in horror.

My heart was almost crushed. I panted heavily while holding my chest.

I saw her.

She was outside the window and grinning from ear to ear. Her face was stained with blood and her hair was disheveled.

She really sent me shivers and now that she was...

Waving her bloody hand at me!