Grant My Wish

CHAPTER 2: Into the Beginning

MONDAY AT SCHOOL

"Gosh, I can't believe it. To think that the teachers let us look around alone for three hours in this beautiful, remote town. And the

The smell of great coffee all over is just-!!! Woah!" Sky said, his eyes practically shining.

We've been great friends for like 3 years now. All I can say about him is that he's really the jolly person in the group. Yes, the one

who brings light, joy, and happiness everywhere. But mind you, he's a stubborn one. Really stubborn.

Well, today is the first day of our field trip. I can't even help but admire this remote town found just near Jackson City.

There were stone-built buildings and wooden ones that looked shiny like vintage-looking ones. To add up, there was just this

great smell of coffee everywhere we went. Of course, we ended up buying one as it was also basically morning and the sun.

It was just too good of a view.

"Hah, don't get too excited. We don't know if they're just up to something later on." Liliana said, who is my other female best friend.

and also classmates

I couldn't help but laugh at the side remark from Liliana, who has been my friend and classmate for two years. She is a straightforward person, as you can see, and really cautious at all times. Well, I'm cautious too, but I'm not as straightforward as she is. She's the kind of person that you'll really think of as smart.

Looking through the stores as we walked side by side, I looked for where we could buy gifts, and that while also walked other people

enjoy their time here. There were those who had a smile on their faces while drinking a cup of tea with their friends and relatives,

kids chasing each other laughing loudly, and those who were buying fruits and fresh vegetables while happily chatting with

the vendor.

"Yup, I kinda' agree with Liliana, you know. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious. Who knows if they'll make us go into physical activities?

later on? It's not entirely impossible," I added.

Sky only rolled his eyes at us, whispering that we were 'buzz killers'. Which only made Liliana and I shrug our shoulders off.

"Of course, it was only just a reminder. We're here to have fun after all. "Liliana then replied while also eating her leftover burger earlier.

I pat Sky's shoulder just as a*****e caught my eye just a few meters away.

That looks like an antique shop.

Wonderful.

"Liliana's right. Now, enough of this talk. How about we treat you to a good food later? Will that suffice in exchange

for you not to be angry at us anymore, our friend?" I said and smirked, knowing he wouldn't be able to reject my offer.

He only walked ahead of us before we heard him say unto the wind, "This is to scam y'all. How did I even get myself entangled with

such people?"

Shaking our heads, I chased after Sky, but then saw an old lady suddenly turning around the corner just like a medium-sized truck.

make its way to her back. It was all too sudden and I just found myself lying sideways on the floor. Sighs of relief were heard and

numerous people helped me and the lady looking if there were any bad injuries.

Geez...that was close.

Really.close...

"Alexandra!"

"Are you hurt anywhere?" Sky

"Where are you badly hurting?" Liliana

"Gosh, child. Are you alright?" said the driver of the truck.

I pushed myself up, and said that I was okay, and not badly hurt anywhere.

Of course, there were scratches and stings just a tiny bit.

No, it actually kind of stings.

"That's wonderful. I wouldn't know what to do if you and the lady got into an accident because of me. I should've paid

more attention a-" driver of the truck

Shaking my head, " No, it's alright. it was really sudden so no one could have predicted it coming."

Oh, right. Where's the old lady?

She was also carrying a basket full of vegetables and fruits earlier and now some of our scattered on the floor.

I hope she's not injured. Did I push her too hard? I should apologize properly.

I'm not being boastful but strength even though I'm a girl is just...Ughhh

It all just happened so fast, and all

"Guys, where's the old lady?" I asked my friends who were still eyeing my body for any major injuries.

"Oh, they took her inside the cafe. They're checking up on her. You know that an elderly's body is really fragile."

"I'll go see her, so wait for me here." me

They nodded and told me to be careful and call them if there was a need.

Pushing through the glass doors of a black-brown themed cafe, I scanned the place even though it was a bit crowded.

I then found the old lady earlier being taken care of by the staff.

When I reached their table, I immediately bowed my head to apologize.

I felt myself go pale imagining how she must be surprised because I suddenly pushed her, and that maybe I overdid it somehow.

I'm so embarrassed of myself right now. Seriously.

Ugh, damn you, Rayle.

"I-I'm really sorry about earlier, madam. I think I pushed you too hard and that's why you have wounds right now.

I really should've been more careful. I hope that you'll forgive me for my rudeness. It all happened in ins-"

I was just speaking nonstop when I heard someone chuckle before I stopped to talk.

"Hush, child. You only did the right thing. If it weren't for you, then I probably would've been at the hospital now and even

in a worse condition. You know that, don't you?" said the old lady with her calming, soft, smooth, and reassuring voice with a

hint of humour.

W-what should I say?

Hiccc! I pushed her too hard, huhu!

My conscience is just going nuts right now.

"Well, I-I, I guess so...?"

She chuckled at me before asking a favor from one of the staff for her belongings. I watched her silently as she got her basket back with fewer fruits and vegetables than before. Rummaging inside it as if she was looking for something. I saw her pull out a pretty thick, somewhat odd, but good-looking book. There was a ball-shaped gem or design. I don't know what it was called, but it was really

Captivating, there were two skeleton hands-on reaching the gem on both sides. The hands were odd, but it was not that scary

skeletons

looking. It just somehow looks odd and mysterious, magical looking in a way, in addition, like it was a vintage book.

I just couldn't take my eyes off of it.

It was just breathtakingly beautiful and enticing in a way.

The lady smiled at me before handing it in front of me.

"This is a story book that my deceased Mom bought for me when I was a teenager. It's a really interesting one, and I think

Now it has found its rightful owner. Will you accept this humble gift of mine as a token of gratitude for saving me, child?"

Clearing up my throat as I look back to the book, and to the old lady, I couldn't help but fall to the seemingly pleading eyes of

hers. Getting the book in front of me, I saw the colored gem moving.

What?

What was that?

I put it near my face and examined it once more, but it wasn't moving or anything at all.

Was I just hallucinating?

Gosh, it's probably the side effect of me hitting the floor earlier.

"It's wonderful, madam. However, are you really sure about this? If it was from your mother, then wouldn't you want

to keep with you?" I asked, at which she only smiled.

"Child, it has been with me for years. I think it's time for another person and such a wonderful child to read a wonderful story.

that resides in that book now. Just please take good care of it for me, and you have the happiness you've been seeking.

after a long time of enduring and suffering."

What?

Enduring and suffering?

What does she mean by that?

I was about to ask her when I saw my friends knocking on the glass wall and pointing out their watches. I looked at my phone.

and realized that we didn't have much time left.

Oh, no...

Looking up, I was about to say that I needed to leave and had already left the old lady when I found her already nodding at me.

As if she already understood what I was about to say.

Bidding our farewell with a smile. I turned my back, holding the book to my chest tightly. I don't know why, but I feel like

This book is special in a way. It's what my instincts told me so.

Does it have magic in it? No, does magic even exist?

Rayle, Rayle, put yourself together now, shall we?

After I made my way out of the cafe, we all ran to the antique shop I had seen earlier. We're running out of time.

I tried to look at the cafe again to see the old lady but there were just too many people blocking the glass walls.

Shrugging, me and my friends tried to make our time worth it around the town as much as we could. We had fun even despite the time

was limited.

What a very fun, peculiar, and interesting day it is.

Isn't it?

___________

It’s been a week since our field trip and I’m now currently cleaning my apartment as my older brother is coming to pay a visit.

We are a family of 6 including me. I have two older children, and another brother who is younger than me. I am basically the third one. My family isn’t ordinary in some way. Grandfather and my dear Grandmother are both business tycoons, and as such, they left some of their properties to Mother and Father to manage. However, the problem lies with the expectations and attention that is given to all f us.

My Grandparents didn’t say anything about having any expectations for us, but at some point, it lived within us. And it led us to constantly prove ourselves worthy. It was like there was an outspoken set of rules that is always behind our backs watching our every move.

I’ll be a college student after this school year already, which means I will already be eligible to handle some of the work in my family’s businesses. The relationship between us is neither good or bad We talk to one another, and we don’t have any problem with one another. But we’re not really that close enough as a normal family would even if it’s to pick a fight or something.

After washing the remaining dishes, dusting the cabinets, and cleaning the floor, it didn’t take long enough until I heard someone asking for my permission to visit my apartment.