As Time Passes By

Chapter twenty-one: investigation

The entire last weeks of December were me and stupidity being eerily quiet with burning emotions– love, hate, concern, and even desperation on just going home and rushing to Noah's place.

I would often stay in bed for a few hours after waking up, fatigue shaking on my energy.

Most of my cousins–Giselle and Miki, noticed the change of demeanor that was fueling my attitude.

I became more distant and mostly–zoning out and daydreaming on going back to the past to fix everything.

Today was the day. The 5th of January 2023 finally ticked on the clock: We were going back to the Philippines once and for all.

I got up early before anyone could. It was fucking 2am in the morning but I don't give a shit about how much my energy wasn't fueled enough.

"Stupidity, we have time to sleep on the plane. So, stop fucking around to make me fall asleep." I muttered to myself. Well, clearly it was for my conscience; Stupidity, the fucking shit ass who helps me have a choice in life.

I entered the bathroom and threw a bath bomb, which was in SpongeBob theme before I eventually slid off my robe and dipping to the bathtub.

"Oh, yes." I sighed in relief as I felt the warm water touching my body.

****

After almost an hour, I got out of the tub and dried up, preparing to get dressed.

I wore some baggy jeans and an oversized hoodie with a green scrunchie to keep my hair up.

Just then, out of nowhere, Giselle walked in. She's still in pajamas with the first buttons of her top undone.

Her eyes widened once her eyes roamed on my body. Perfectly all dressed up and prepared to leave this place.

"What. The. Actual. Fuck?!" Giselle yelled in sarcasm, loud enough to echo the whole room.

The lights from the other rooms turned on after a moment, as if they heard sirens screaming on their ears.

After a few seconds, Layla came running in with a frying pan. Half awake and eventually hitting Giselle hard, enough to leave a bump.

I get it, my cousins are crazy as fuck.

Eventually, Miki and Kiki intervened while I sat there, confused about what just happened between the frying pan and Giselle.

After Kiki took Layla and Giselle back to their rooms to talk, Miki stepped in.

She looked at me with confusion and also; a hint of concern.

She sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under her weight before resting her own hand to mine.

"Ellie," Miki started, her voice groggy from sleep.

"What happened to you? Is something wrong? You have been silent for the past weeks since we came here." Miki forenamed, her voice becoming more betrayed by the grogginess and concern.

Should I tell her? No, no. I could ever not. I would be reflected as a girl who made somebody try to kill itself.

Stupidity, listen to me!

I took a deep breath, ignoring the protests of Stupidity. I have been ignoring conscience for many days; as if it never even existed when I opened my eyes for the first time.

I wanted to cry, scream, yell, and go crazy in front of everybody with shameless scribbled on my face.

I hated the way I was expected due to how I behaved for 13 years; now, I was treated like some kind of princess who would find her prince charming.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine, Mi. I'm fine." I sniffed, as if I was holding back emotions in a jar.

Miki

Noelle's a liar, a motherfucking liar.

I could see it deep on her eyes, trying to cover an intense secret that would strike England bare if I dare to try her.

I bit my bottom lip, trying to not make the harsh words slide out of my tongue on wanting her to just spit that fucking shit out because it's making me irritated.

"Ok then, I'll just take a quick shower so you can have some space." I got up from the bed before turning my back and walking towards the door.

I let out a deep sigh as I closed the door fucking shut, reminding my boarder on not pressuring anybody with my painted attitude.

I got downstairs to the kitchen, my eye taking a glimpse at Emelia before finally walking up to her.

Her eyes were barely even holding on to consciousness while the evidence of her drinking coffee to keep her awake was scattered on the table.

I let out a scoff, sitting beside Emelia with a stern look on my face.

"You're makin' yourself look fucking older." I teased, the same look on my face evident on my voice.

"Shut up, Mi. I'm trying to maintain consciousness or we're all dead." Em replied with annoyance scratching on her tone.

I chuckled, making Emelia's nose wrinkle as her eyebrows furrowed. I wanted to slap her back in a playful way, but this bitch is an overreactant than a cow would be.

To be honest, my thoughts consumed on Noelle's look in her eyes that reflected on mine. Her gaze was enough evidence to realize that something was wrong with her.

And I–we need to find out before some random shit would happen.

"Have you noticed?" I stated, my eyes darting on a space trying to process how to tell Emelia without her become overreacting.

"Noticed what?"

"About Elle..."

I hesitated to tell it to Emelia, as if I would wake up the next morning with the info I gave her is now all over the internet.

Emelia rolled her eyes in irritation before I pinched the bridge of my nose and shifting on my seat.

"Ok, ok. Noelle has been... different lately and I'm kinda–"

"Oh sweet motherfucking shit I thought I was the only one who would notice!" Emelia exclaimed dramatically after she just slapped my back.

"But seriously, Miki. She's been fucking distant and it's hella distracting." She marked, her words serious but the tone amusing.

Well, she has a point. Elle was never a daughter that is a total introvert. In fact, her cheeks, her smile, and her looks are genuine on the Nichols.

Nothing is called the fucking ignorant in Noelle's entire personality. Her details are made by blood and her attitude is just as adjoining like anyone else.

I'm–we're not stopping until we found out what the fuck is happening.