Reader (countryhumans)

8: Nightmare...?

Desk, chairs, and blackboard; in a room not so wide, not so small, the room gave off a familiar feeling.

It should be the happiest time of my life was supposed to happen here. Sadly, it's not. It didn't. It's just happiness for a short while.

"Why am I even here?"

I asked but nothing replied.

Looking around, no one's inside.

The classroom, where the second home of every normal kid should be, I'm in such a place.

A place where dreams for others, no value, the it's-okay life, and... Nightmare for some. Like me.

I'm not afraid at first but...things happen.

I'm scared, like most of us, during exams. Excited when its break. And celebratory when sudden cancel of classes or short periods. Just like a typical high school student, it makes me feel the same.

Until... The oh-so-fateful day.

Riiiinnnnggg! Riiiinnnnggg! Riiiinnnnggg!

"Ha! That loud ringing bell shouts the break time's over, never thought I'll get a chance to hear it again."

Then people rushed inside. The empty room then filled with different kind of students.

And in that corner at the far back of the right side was our corner. The corner which all of us, 'friends', gathers.

Most seat has been occupied.

And there's me, one of the corners laughing with others.

Nostalgic. And disgusting.

Narrowing my eyes to elsewhere, it landed to someone else.

Former best friend. We're always together, not now. It's been so long.

The surrounding shifts.

I already know, this is a dream. After all, how could time, the most expensive above all, that no value could be exchanged to, turn back?

Only memories regressed in form of dream.

I may be stupid, but not a fool. Not a delusional, and not a dreamer. I'm just me. Just me.

Like these thorn notebooks, vandalized table, and missing supplies.

It goes like... How many times/days again?

"Haaa..."

Sighing in such sight, I don't want to watch. Hanging this head, watching the ground, the skirt and black shoes I wore, moves.

It just happened so fast... No, maybe it's a long time that I didn't notice. Why would I dilute myself to the past?

'No, I need to wake up.'

"But then why can't you step out?"

Voice rang from behind. A voice so familiar I can't deny.

For some reason, my body trembles. Why...? Why?

"Because you're not only stupid, ignorant but also a coward."

Despite being angry, I lash out. Too angry.

'I have never been a coward!'

"I'm! I'm! I'm..."

"You're what? Brave? Then why can't you face me?"

My body visible flinched. It jumps that I don't know who control this body anymore.

Just... What's going on?

"You fear me. You fear this. You fear them."

Every word, it sends me shivers.

"Admit it."

"It's all true."

Another voice agreed.

Not wanting to know who, my eyes travel to run, however.

It led to another person known.

Someone I'm very familiar... before.

"Why are you doing this?!"

Somehow, that words escape my mouth. It's not like I'm the one controlling myself in this time.

"..."

"..."

Both fell to silence as I continue to consult the body, to obey me.

'Don't be. Stop trembling. Just stop. It's fine. It's oka–?'

'It's fine??'

"I see that you never change."

The girl with glasses says. Pushing it back, she looked at me. Someone who's lower than her.

Instead of getting mad, I get shocked instead. Just why?!

She then turns her back and left, vanishing together with all the surroundings around us. Slowly evaporating.

"You never learn."

The voice the same as mine spoke.

The 'me' who I don't want to face.

Worse, this body don't stop trembling.

Grinding my teeth, frustrations continue to rise.

Covering my 'self,' as if protecting myself from everything, I cover my ears, curling into ball.

Why?!

Tears threatening to fall, I quietly shouted within.

"..."

I don't see but I can guess what 'that' is thinking. No wonder I'm frustrated!

Just stop mocking me! Just stop the pity!

Then unexpectedly, she spoke words I would never guess before everything truly vanished. Including her.

"No wonder, you're going to be hurt again."

"...What?"

I turned but she no longer there. Nothing but white space.

At last, I finally woke up to this fantasy-reality.

I feel my body waking up. And so, I did. I open my eyes, stare the ceiling for a while.

After dozing and reflecting to that...dream, I sit up and mumble...

"What's does that even mean?"

"..."

Clack, the door speak.

Thanks to that it reminds me to wonder.

'Where am I in the first place??'

Before I could come up with answer however, someone comes in.

Yep, I could clearly see myself widening her eyes in shock.

What is she doing here...?!?!

"Oh, you're up. Good morning! ...though it's actually night..."

Then she keeps mumbling things at the end of her sentence. But I don't have time, instead it's me who can't calm being idiot...?

"Wha- wha..??"

"That's right, hehe silly me. I'm Malaysia Kedah, nice to meet you!"

She grins, eyes folded in closed. Beautiful but...

"What's your name?"

What the f*ck is going on here?!

But horrifying!