How Midnight Minds Wander: Exploring the World Of Insomnia

Chapter 1: The First Encounter

Narrator's Pov:
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At school

In the bustling classroom, the class president tries to rally everyone for a quick task before the Students Association arrive. "Listen up! We need to get this done immediately before the Students Councilors get here!" The noise persists as students decorate.

Amidst the chaos, Eloise, with her messy hair covering her face, unexpectedly drifts off to sleep on a cardboard box. "Pst, look at Eloise, she's sleeping," says one of their classmates, and they all glance at where Eloise is. Some ignore it and continue with what they're doing.

"Eloise, Eloise, wake up," says Eyra, her friend, trying to rouse her. She keeps tapping Eloise's shoulder until Eloise finally wakes up. Eloise groans and looks at her friend nonchalantly.

"Why?" she asks Eyra while fixing her hair and putting it in a bun.

"Did you not get enough sleep again? By the way, Miss President wants us to get some decorations in the stock room" Eyra explains. Eloise just nods and starts to walk away, not even waiting for her friend.

As they walk down the hallway, Eloise continues to yawn, her friend Eyra catching each one. The soft echo of their footsteps resonates in the quiet corridor, and Eloise's tired demeanor is evident. Eyra, concerned, glances at her friend and remarks, "You really need more sleep, Eloise." Eloise responds with a half-hearted smile, acknowledging the fatigue that seems to weigh on her.

When they reached the stockroom to get supplies, Eyra briefly shared a story. "Did you know that this room we're standing in used to be a former abandoned classroom?"

Eloise, intrigued, responds, "Really? No wonder it has that eerie vibe. Imagine all the stories this room could tell if walls could talk." She glances around, contemplating the history that might linger within the silent walls.

They scan the room; it has drawers, cardboard boxes, and other items commonly used in schools. In the middle of it, there is a large space with a tent. Eloise's eyes catch the tent, and she contemplates the idea of taking a nap there.

"Hey, Eyra. Is this all the things we need?" she asks.

"Yes, I think we should go back," Eyra replies.

"Here, take this. You go first; there's something I want to find here," Eloise insists. Eyra hesitates initially, but seeing the seriousness in Eloise's eyes, she walks away from the room and returns to their classroom.

She watches her friend walk away from the room, and then she starts walking toward the tent. Eloise yawns and bends her knees to get inside the tent when suddenly she hears a groan. As she peeks inside, she discovers Cade, peacefully sleeping inside the tent. Surprised, Eloise hesitates, contemplating whether to wake him or find another spot to rest.

To be continued..