The Life of Her

Stroll on Surface

Amber has been exasperated since the time she saw those callous girls in the hall. I sighed in front of her and sipped the milkshake with chocolate frosting which I bought in their cafeteria. She didn’t allow me to spend my leisure time there. Perhaps, she’s trying to let me avoid those people and the others. She kept touching those on the other bench, even if she was just passing through them.

She was having fun in the meantime as I sat on one of those wooden benches in the playground. It was recess time, so the place was hurled with children, pacing as they enjoyed playing around. Some were taking their food while others were chatting with their friends. I turned around and saw the high school students going to the cafeteria from the distance.

Guiltz squealed as he sniffed my food on my lap. “Can I ask for a bite?”

I smiled and took a small piece of my cinnamon and gave it to him. “Here you go.”

His thin hands slowly raised to grab the food and immediately nibbled it. Galvin was on a swing together with his classmates. They were taking turns with it, pushing each other to enjoy the ride. I let the child do his thing. Probably, he’s contented that I’m with him right now and taking the guard for him. Mrs. Aliana was also glad that I volunteered in going there. She told me to process my enrolment today too.

Amber came back and sat beside me. She was watching the children roam around in front of her. She took an excruciating sigh as she wiped her sweat off. Her white dress was worn out already and her hair was in a messy bun.

“Do ghosts also take their baths?” I asked her.

She gave me a dubious face. “Of course not. Why did you ask?”

I moved near to her and whispered in her ear. “Because you need one.”

She flicked my forehead, pushing me away from her as she rolled her eyes. She smelled her armpits.

I laughed a bit and finished my drink. In a while, Galvin ran in my direction. His shirt was covered with sweat as well as his face and neck. I opened his bag and pulled out his white towel and new cotton blue shirt.

“Big sis! Did you see what I did a while ago?” He asked smilingly.

I shook my head in a response. “No. Why?”

He made a pout. “Well, I jumped in mid-air.”

“Oh. That’s good.” I pulled his arm and slowly wiped off his face. He smelt like rust. I took off his shirt and changed it into a new one. Galvin turned his back and I put powder on it. I combed his hair and when I was done, he turned to thank me.

“Thank you, big sis.”

“No worries.”

The bell ranged in the main building and it was the time for them to get inside in their respective classes. I gave Galvin his bag, giving me a thumbs up in exchange. He immediately went inside the building together with his classmates. The child seemed to be energetic. When the sound ended, I was able to open my bag and let the tiny creature mesmerize the surrounding. A smile was plastered on his face as he watched the flowers surrounded by bees, swaying with the arid wind. The apple tree was blessed. I heard Amber hummed a song beside me.

I took her documents for me to pass for enrolment. She glanced over it.

“Are you going to send it to the office?”

I nodded. “Yes. Your mother wanted you to continue your studies, just like what you wanted.”

She raised her shoulders and said. “Yeah. Going to kick my butt for dragging myself in this place I promised myself not to go ever again.” She let out a laugh.

I arranged the papers well and stood from my seat. It was getting hot and we needed to find a new place to run our errands. I was about to enter the building when something caught up in my mind. I glimpsed over her and a smirk was curved on my lips, making her filch a gulp.

“W-What?”

“Why don’t we have a tour around the campus?”

“No.” She promptly answered.

I made a pout. “You’re a killjoy.”

“Likewise. Just like you back in our house.”

“Hmm...” I faced her. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll pass these documents, then you’ll let me roam around the place. It’s up to you if you’re going with me or not.”

“And who told you that I will be making a deal with you, Mr. Trenton Singh?”

“Obviously, it’s me.” I winked at her and started to walk. “Come on, take us to the registrar.”

She took a sigh and stretched out her arms. She popped beside me and moved to lead the way. “Can you put on your mask? And oh, try to add the black cap too.” She demanded.

“Fine. I’ll look like a suspicious lady.”

“You are.”

Amber and I went to the other building a few meters away from the elementary one. The hallway was a bit forlorn. A few students were sitting on the chairs, waiting for their names to be called.

“I don’t know why you wanted to take those documents here with you, when you can just pass them online.” She stated.

“I just wanted to have something to do while I wait with your brother,” I said.

“I don’t easily recognize someone as my family, Mr. Singh.”

“Whether you like it or not, Galvin is already part of your so-called family. What’s the use of eluding when you could just try to know the child more.” I added.

“Easy for you to say that.”

“No, it’s not. Just like you, I’m still not getting used to having a child near with me, but I’m trying my best to cope up with the situation.”

“Well, I guessed I got a lucky draw. Just deal with him for a while. And once we’re done with this mission, you’re free to do anything you want and leave the house. But just before we could, I wanted to make sure that Mom, together with Galvin will be in good condition. I wanted to see them happy before I leave.”

I smiled at her and tapped her back. “Okay! Don’t be such a gloomy today. We both know we still got time to make things right – the main mission.”

She bit her lip and raised her eyebrow. “Fine. And…Why are you wearing that kind of clothes?!” Her voice raised.

My shoulders fell. “It’s my style…” I told her timidly.

“Style your ass. You should have worn my red tattered pants, white cropped top and heels.” She continued to blabber.

“Y-You wanted me to wear those five inches walking in this place?!” I ridiculously stated, making the others who were settled down to look at me. I felt embarrassed and went to the corner.

She simply nodded her head, as she followed me and crossed her arms. “You should try it soon if you don’t want to make the others question your identity,”

“Wait. When you were in that apartment, your sense of fashion was altered. How is that?”

“Because, I’m a different person that time, Trent,”

“Well, why don’t we change your fashion into that kind?” I commented.

Amber took a sigh and rested on one of those chairs. I was still holding her papers.

“They don’t know about that side of mine – wearing those black stuff and thick boots and eyeliners. They would probably laugh at me and also you, as you’re the one holding my body right now.”

“Then they should laugh until they couldn’t breathe.” I bluntly said.

“It’s not like that, Trench.”

“Whether it’s not like that and this, I would definitely choose those stuff that they don’t know about you. If you’re that sick to keep up a good reputation, then why don’t we act like the real us? I would do my best to adjust, just give me this one favor…to let me wear those stuff.”

She took a deep sigh, closing her eyes. She was thinking. I gave her a minute, until she was able to give me an answer. “Fine. As long as it benefits the both of us. Just don’t do anything unnecessary, okay?”

“You can count on me.” I whispered.

In the end, she was able to convince me not to pass her documents right now and just through online. I am trying to think that this young lady is just like me – a scaredy-cat when it’s about being in public places. Still, I am thankful that she was able to let me wear those clothes she got in that apartment. Just thinking of it, I wondered how the others will see her in a new style.

Amber suddenly changed and was able to gain a good mood. She was the one who invited me instead to roam around the campus, in return that I wouldn’t take off my mask and cap. We made a deal, then we started to take a tour.

First, we decided to go to their cafeteria where a young, vivacious lady in her mid-thirties, wearing her apron greeted us over the counter. There were only a few students coming inside the facility. Most of them were buying water bottles and bread. The walls were painted into polygons shapes of light pink and blue. The air conditioner was in a blast, letting the whole place get chilled. The woman was following our movements as she stood still over the counter. Her smile was glued to her face, clasping both of her hands.

White tables and wooden chairs were on both sides. A white, marbled pot with plants was on the right side. We moved to the counter and saw the menu plastered behind the woman, on top of the wall. The lights were yellow.

The fugitive smell of freshly brewed coffee and garlic bread caught my attention. My eyes gleamed when I saw the different sets of pastries being displayed. They’re also serving teas and milkshakes, and I should say that their food is worth for the price.

Amber drooled as she rubbed her belly, watching the food.

“Mr. Barry is making all of this. How I wish to taste one of his pastries.” She said.

“Good morning, Amber. What do you want to eat? It’s been so long since the last time I saw you on the campus. Did something happen?” The woman asked with a worried tone.

“Oh, she’s Ms. Vivean. She works here for almost two years now. She’s very helpful and she’s quite known by the students here, especially those in high school. And…I call her Ms. Vivi.” Amber said.

I looked at the woman and smiled at her. “Good morning, Ms. Vivi. Well, yeah. I took a vacation for several months. You know, when your head is about to explode, you need…something to cool it off.” I said.

She laughed vigorously. “Hell, yes! It was the right thing to do child. And, I’m also quite sure that you’d still be able to pass the examinations.” She gave me a thumbs up and a wink.

The woman walked and opened the jar of chocolate-dipped cookies. “Do you want one?”

I nodded and pointed to the other. “I’ll take one of these also.”

“Okay dear. Dine-in or take-out?”

“I’ll just take them out,” I answered her.

“That would be eighty-five pesos,”

I pulled my wallet from my pocket and gave her the exact amount. She thanked me and in a moment, the kitchen door opened and a man with a plumped stomach came out, bringing with him a chocolate moist cake. His white apron was dented with chocolate and sugar. His big rounded curls were good to look at. He gently placed the cake beside the cinnamon bread.

“Did Mrs. Ferventy come?” He asked.

“No, I haven’t seen her.”