The life we live here

Chapter 2- Is Seeing, Believing?

By the 19th August, things started getting a bit strange to say the least. It first happened to Skyla, but she wasn't fully aware what was happening in the moment.

It was a hot day and she was inside the lecture hall going over her notes. Usually she would feel very refreshed during the day, as she was very diligent to her daily routine. Ensured she slept 8 hours to have enough energy for the day ahead. Suddenly, she started feeling really hot and humid. Turning up the aircon, she really felt like she was burning out. Before she could get up to get some water, she passed out face down on the desk. Skyla had a weird dream that her mother was with her in the lecture hall, trying to get her attention by calling out her name, but she wasn't responding. The more her mother called, the more she could only watch her and still not respond. After five minutes, Skyla felt a tap on her shoulder. She jolted awake and sat upright in her chair. Looking so perplexed, as the only one in the room with her was Alex her colleague who stood next to her.
"Are you okay? Do you want some water?" he was so concerned.
Skyla couldn't fathom what just happened and was speechless to his questions. Her temperature was back to normal and she was even getting a bit chilly with the aircon raised up so high. Clearing her throat, she reached for the water in Alex hand first. Taking a sip, she still was trying to puzzle together what just happened.
"I'm fine, thank you. Must probably just be the heat getting to me"
"You sure you are not sick? Or burnt out?"
"I'm fine, really"
She gave Alex a small smile, but she still felt odd about what she just experienced. Getting her head together before the class started, she pushed the incident to the back of her mind and continued with her day as per usual.

Back at Star Events company, Paige was finishing some admin. She had downed a hectic morning already by executing a breakfast launch for a publishing company. Paige's day already begun at 4am and now by 11:30am she was feeling a bit strung out. Walking down the street to get an ice coffee, she felt like someone was watching her. Looking around she saw no one in sight. The feeling was not easing up, but she thought she was probably delusional from lack of sleep. Before she entered the office again, she looked around once more. She couldn't believe what she saw. It was her mother standing on the opposite side of the street, their eyes locked and Paige stood frozen staring back. Rubbing her eyes out, the image was still the same. She blinked several times, but her mother stood still and smiled at her. As she wanted to cross the street, a car came speeding down and honked so loud at her that she jumped back to the sidewalk. When she looked up, her mother was gone. Feeling like she was going crazy, she looked to see where she might have gone, until she realized she probably looked crazy and then stopped. Entering the office, she went to the bathroom and washed her face with cold water.
"Get it together, Paige!" she reprimanded herself.
Not sure what that was about, but before she could process it any further, she got a call for a consultation for another event. She slipped it to the back of her mind, so that she can decipher it further later.

The girls were not aware of each other's encounters and how they were all feeling extra paranoid that day. It was close to dinner time, and Ten was leaving the university library to walk back to the dorm. Usually she did not plan out her evenings, as she could go with the flow of whatever popped up. She loved the thrill of being spontaneous. As she was strolling back, she met up with some of her campus friends.
"Hey Ten! What you up to tonight?"
"Hey guys! I have nothing planned. Where are you guys headed?"
"One of the seniors is throwing a get together at his parents place, not too far from campus. Want to join?"
"Sure! Let me just go drop my books in my room and then I'll meet you out front"
She ran back to her room, dropped her things, freshen up quickly then dashed back out the door. As she met up with her friends, her phone rang and it was her brother Trent.
"Yes?" she answered abruptly.
"Yes? What are you some sort of animal to answer your phone so bluntly" he teased.
"What do you want my darling, annoying brother?" she said through gritted teeth.
"Funny! When are you coming home?"
"That is why you calling? You miss me?"
"No! I need to talk to you about something"
"Why can't you tell me over the phone?"
"No, it's an important matter that I need to speak to you in person about"
"Urgh! I'll be home next weekend. This better be important, I'm not coming all the way for something silly"
"Yeah, yeah you animal!"
Trent heard the banter and rowdy noises of Ten's friends in the background.
"Where are you?"
"On my way out with some friends"
"Ten! It's a school night"
"I know, I'm not a kid anymore! I can handle late nights and also I can take care of myself"
He sighed heavily over the phone, annoyed at Ten's nonchalant behaviour.
"I'll be fine! Can I go now?"
"Yes, but be sure to let me know when you get back to your room. Or let one of the girls know"
Trent always referred to his female cousins as "the girls" as they all had a groupchat where they communicated in. Over the years, the older ones barely communicated much, but Skyla, Paige and Ten still kept it alive by wishing each other on special occasions if they were not in the same city during that time.
" Yeah, yeah! See you!"
Ten hung up then put her phone in her bag as she walked further with her friends.

Arriving at the house, it was quite a huge property. They could hear the music blasting as they entered the big gates by the driveway. The place was crawling with students and everyone was up for a good time. Ten game for a night of fun, walked around and greeted those she knew as she checked out where everything was. She was quite popular, as everyone knew she was always down for a good time and she was far from a party pooper. Walking to the drinks table, she got herself some punch, but she wasn't prepared for the strong kick it had. The evening was quite humid, so Ten gulped down 2 glasses of the punch. She walked around to where the game area was then asked to join the game of pool. The effect of the drinks were slowing kicking in, as Ten started feeling extra warm and relaxed. Josh, the guy from Ten's class noticed and went over to check up on Ten. He had a soft spot for her and recently started crushing on her hard. Josh was quite shy and wasn't sure how to tell Ten about his feelings for her. He really admired how outspoken and carefree she was. They spent quite a bit of time together.
"You okay? How much did you have to drink?"
"Josh! I feel great!"
He worryingly went to get her some water.
"Drink this or else you will feel worse tomorrow"
She gave him such a big smile, then drank some of the water.
"You're so sweet!" she teased him.
Josh cheeks flushed, as he felt like this might be the green light to confess his feelings tonight.
"Uhm.. Can we go talk somewhere privately?"
"Now?"
"Yes, please.."
She left the pool game then walked with Josh to the garden. Some of the students were there making out and some smoking, but they stood far from them.
"What's up?" she asked, smiling so brightly that her eyes were glossy.
As Josh tried to scrape the courage together, he came closer to Ten and held her arms on either side. Ten thought he wanted to kiss her and she had enough liquid courage to go for it. She lunged forward and kissed him. Surprised to say the least, Josh was definitely not expecting that. He kissed her back passionately without hesitation.
"Take me away from here" Ten whispered against his lips in between kisses.
He waited for no further invitation, as he grabbed her hand and they went back to his place. The night however was far from over, as a surprise awaited both of them that night..