It's Not Just a Memory

Chapter 3 So Long

I hear her voice again, who is she? Before I could think of my next thoughts I already heard the question being asked for me.
"Sorry that I couldn't protect you from those bullies for long. My name is Michi. What is yours?" The words of a younger me flow through the air.
"My name is Haruko Kara. Nice to meet you Michi!" She says ecstatically with a smile across her face.

I hazily regain my sight to see the tip of Venni's ax in my face. I scoff at the outcome of the match. Our once tied record has changed. I lost to him yet again. We lock eye contact with each other. An awkward five seconds pass before our laughter breaks it.
"Hahaha, you win Venni. But don't think you will have the lead for long. I'll tie the score back up in our next sparring match!"

"Whatever you say". Sarcasm spilling out of every pour I of his body. He helps me up as he finishes his snide remark. I dust myself off, giving myself a throw pat down. Coach brings us our bags as he comes down the stairs of the spectators booth.
"Here you two go. That was a good match, you two are a force to be reckoned with". He chuckles, satisfied with how the match turned out.

We hear the bell rings and the last day of our lives in high school.
"You ready to head home, Venni?"
"Yeah, I'm ready, let's go". He says still feeling the superiority from his victory. We grab our bags and start heading home.

*

Finally, graduation day is here, I made it.
"Michi Oterasu!" I hear my name called and I head up the aisle and shake the principal's hand and take my diploma and sit back down. Mom is tearing up as I go back to sit back down. The principal steps up to the mic and starts his speech.

"I am honored to be the principal of a school that has helped form the smartest and courageous class I have ever seen!" A collective aw sweeps the room. He goes on with his speech about how we are such a good class or something along those lines I couldn't tell. I was focusing on the crowd zoning things out. I don't really like the attention so I zone out.

Something catches my eye in the crowd. I saw someone in the crowd that caught my eye. Not because they are weird, but because I feel like I know them. I can't really put my finger on why or how I would know them. I zone back in by the sudden applause filling my ears. I turn to see that our principal has finished his speech. Bringing our ceremony to a close.

I find Mom and give her a hug showing her how happy her being here made me. I break the hug to see her tears sliding down her face. I pull her back in for another hug.
"I love you Mother! And you have done a wonderful job at raising me. I know Dad would be proud of how you raised me".

She breaks the hug and wipes her tears from her eyes. She then looks at me with the widest smile I have ever seen going across her face. She grabs my face and gives me a long stair.
"What did I do to deserve a wonderful son like you?" She spouts, breaking the tension and brings back the tears flowing down her face.
"I love you too Mother". I say to her and bring her in for one last hug.
*

Venni and I are on our way out for dinner to celebrate our graduation. We walk through the front door into the quiet loud chatter of the crowd throughout the building. We walk up to the employee at the dark oak desk in the entrance.
"How many are with you today?"
"Just us today ma'am". Venni replies to her in a gentle and respectful tone.

"Okay, right this way". She grabs two menus for us. Singling us to follow her with a small hand gesture. She leads us to our booth with a dark oak frame and red seat cushions. What would you expect from a restaurant called, Dark Oak's Steakhouse. We take our seats and start looking over the menu.

We only glanced at it for a moment since we mostly knew what we wanted already. I want to tell Venni about what happened during our match in school. On the other hand knowing his pride there would be two outcomes if I tell about why I blacked out. One is that he will shrug it off as a joke and laugh. Or, he will get upset and demand a rematch immediately.

Venni shifts his head to me
"So, what was with you blacking out during our match?" He frowns his brows to enforce his expression. I am partly glad he already knew something was up. Also, I am a bit scared of what his response to me telling him. "And cut the shit man. I know that it wasn't from the energy used in our fight". Making his rock solid stern look harder.

I trust Venni with my life, so I decide to tell him the truth.
"It...I...I, I don't know exactly? That was the first time I had ever blacked out". I say to him with my normal cheery expression flush from my face. To be filled with confusion and over analysis flowing to replace it. "I've been having dreams, or what I believe to be dreams recently". Venni lights up with fascination taking control of his mind.

A voice fills our small area in the restaurant before I can say another word.
"Hello my name is Diego and I'll be your server for tonight. What drinks can I start you out with?" We quickly shift our focus on the waiter and answer him.

Venni orders his drink first. Giving me time to think of mine.
"I will have water , thank you". Giving the waiter a small nod.
"And I'll have tea. I believe we are ready to order as well". I look at Venni who isn't raising any complaints about it.
"Okay then what can I get you?" He says with a little relief in his voice.

I decide to go first, since I was the one who brought up the topic.
"I'll take the six ounce sirloin, cooked medium rare please. For my sides I will have the mashed potatoes and the fruit bowl". He quickly finishes writing it down and turns back to me.
"Is that all for you?"
"Yes thank you". He now shifts to Venni to take his order.

"And what can I get for you sir?" Venni shifts his position before ordering his food.
"Yeah, I will have the same thing as him except I'll take the veggie bowl instead". I chuckle in my head to be respectful to the waiter. It's funny though we have always had opposite ways of thinking and yet have very similar ideas.
"Is that all?"

"Yes thank you". The waiter nods and walks away. Venni focuses his attention back to me. "You were saying?" Going back to our conversation.
"Yeah, I have been having what I believe to be dreams recently. And this is the very first time I've blacked out. And I've only had two of these dreams too".

I look to Venni who has his hand covering his mouth as he thinks of all of the possible things it could be.
"How many times has this happened?" He asks with curiosity on his tongue.
"I don't know? Two or three times maybe?" He looks at me with confusion. "I also can't dream. The doctors said that my subconscious only operates on a high enough level to keep my body operating". His confusion fades a little.

"Maybe those are one time things and you only blacked out because you're stressed over pretty much nothing?" Satisfied with his conclusion I agree as we wait for our food to arrive.