Don't Open Your Eyes

Chapter 02

Meiah's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked like a piece of big and juicy pimple. Everyone will leave me in this World but not my pimples. They're too loyal to do that.

I grabbed the book that Calyx suggested to me. I can't stop myself from smiling. In the past four months that he's my seatmate. That was the first time that he talked to me. I thought my invisibility is effective on him too. But he actually noticed me.

I applied the cream on my face. The woman said it can get rid of my acne. I'm wearing my ultimate favorite shirt that my Mom gave me last Christmas. It's a blue V-neck shirt with a crescent moon print on front. I love wearing this whenever I sleep. It's very soft and comfortable. It almost feels like I'm sleeping with my Mom.

I jumped on the bed and opened the book. It doesn't have much pages in it. Is this really a novel? I scanned the book and I can say that it looks fine.

"I can literally finish this book tonight." I mumbled to myself. I didn't know that he likes short stories like this one. I carefully lay down and read the first page.

"Help me to sleep and put smile on my lips." I read.

I quietly read the book. I feel so light while reading it. It's a beautiful story but I couldn't remember the previous page whenever I flip another one. What I only know is that it's a beautiful story. Two hours later, I felt sleepy. I could almost finish the book but I want to close my eyes so bad already. I should continue this tomorrow.

I put the book on my bedside table. It's already 11:11 PM when I glanced at my clock. I didn't notice how late it is right now. I stared at the pastel pink curtain dancing on the blew of the wind. My eyelids became heavy as I let myself drifted to sleep.

Kring Kring Kring

I opened my eyes but I closed it again when I saw how bright the sun was from the window. I had a really quick sleep. Maybe it's because I slept so late last night. I turned off the alarm and went downstairs with my half closed eyes to eat breakfast.

"Good morning, Nanny." I greeted with a sweet smile on my face. I kissed her cheeks as she cooks for our breakfast. I sat on the dining area. I can hear the television from the living room.

News are still the same on TV. Murders and corruption. Nothing is new except for the typhoon that the reporter broadcasted. I looked at the food that Nanny put on the the table.

"Eat while it's hot." Nanny said. It's my favorite breakfast. Bread and scrambled eggs. I sip the hot milk and we eat together.

We talked about our plans for today. We only have the two of us in this house but we don't miss a chance to have a talk at each other. We're not rich not poor. We're just average.

I have to save money if I want something. "I'll take a bath." I said. I brought the towel and went to shower.

I noticed that my pimples are starting to dry. It's not stingy anymore as I wash my face with soap. Was that cream effective? That's good then. I thought I got scammed again by them. I've tried a thousand beauty products already. But nothing seemed to change on my skin. This is the first time that something actually happened.

I wore my uniform and combed my long hair. Nanny told me that long hair makes a woman more beautiful that's why I'm maintaining this long hair of mine. I used to have a short hair when I was younger. My playmates made fun of me because of it. They said I looked like a guy.

"I'll go now, Nanny." I said while wearing my black shoes. "Here's your allowance." She handed me money and my packed lunch.

"I still have money on my savings, Nanny." I said and didn't accepted the money. "Savings are meant to save. Take this." She insisted. I smiled and and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you." I said wholeheartedly. One day, I will return all her sacrifices and hard work. I will study well.

I hailed a jeep and arrived at Seaside Highschool. I didn't see Kris today at the jeep. I quietly walk to our room and was surprised to see Calyx at this time. He's early?

He usually enters the room late. It's because he's avoiding our girl classmates that talk to him at vacant times like this. He's a real snob. I approached my seat and carefully sat beside him. I remembered the book he recommended to me yesterday.

I cleared my voice and tried to speak. "T-The book is great." I stutteringly said. I want to hit my head on the wall in embarrassment because he acted like he didn't hear me. He just ignored me.

Just because he talked to me yesterday doesn't means we're friends already. I'm assuming too much. I shyly bowed my head until the class starts.

I couldn't focus because of my stupidity. What if he's thinking that I'm an assuming nerd? I couldn't help but to feel conscious because of what I did.

"Yes Miss Punzalan?" I startled when our teacher suddenly called me. I hesitatingly stand up.

"Y-Yes?" I asked.

"What is the answer?" Our english teacher strictly asked. I bit my lip. I wasn't listening. I remained silent because I do not know the answer. I don't even know what's the question.

If I asked our teacher to repeat the question she'll know that I wasn't paying attention to the class. It will make everything worse. My classmates were all looking at me because I've been standing for a long time and not answering. This never happened before.

I looked at Calyx when he raised his hand. Teacher nodded and he stood up. "Medusa is not evil. She's more than anything else a victim." He answered. Our teacher told me to sit which I shyly obeyed. Calyx saved me from this embarrassing scenario.

"Medusa was no friend to humanity, but she doesn't meet the criteria for 'evil' either. She was just blinded by her faith to Athena. That's why she got betrayed and disdained by her. She's not the evil one. It was Athena whom she trusted so much." He explained.

"What did you learn in her story?" Teacher added. He glanced at me and answered.

"Not all the people you trust are sincere. Some secretly hates and envy you. Some just use you for their own sake." I looked at my friends who seemed to feel guilty from what he said.

Calyx looked at me. "You should be careful of the company you keep." Those are the last things he said before sitting beside me.