The necklace gave off light that it covered the whole room. I closed my eyes. It was no use. I unconsciously put my hands in front of me. I felt there was something on it. And when I opened my eyes, the light was gone. On top of my hands was a small sack bag. The kinds that we see in movies, where they put their money during ancient times, it had a sling on it.
As I came back to my senses, I dropped the bag on the floor. It was empty though, it landed safely on the floor. I tried to take off the necklace but it was stuck.
Whatever was happening, I didn't like it. I could feel my hands shivering. I took the bag from the floor and examined it. Seconds later, I heard footsteps and voices coming towards the room. I quickly shove it inside my bag and sat on my chair.
It was Hannah and Fionna who first entered the room. I expected them to ask about the light but they just walked pass by me. One after another, my classmates entered the room. Not a single one of them asked about the light. Could it be that they didn't see it? But it was impossible, it could be seen easily even from outside the school.
But there I was, I had the necklace on and a small sack bag had appeared on my hands.
Haley entered the room followed by Alexis and Julie. Together, they approached me. Could it be? They saw it? And now they're going to ask me questions. Or so I thought.
They just passed me and went straight to their chair. Something weird was going on and no matter what I do, I can't seem to understand it. Even if I told someone about it, they would think I'm crazy. For all I know, Haley must have thought of that too. She's been beginning to avoid me, we didn't even eat lunch together. I push the thought out of my mind.
After class, I went to the rooftop of the school. Haley and I used to come here but as the years passed, she became distant. But it doesn't bother me, most times I'm grateful for it. Whenever we're together, she always talks about boys. She believes she'll have a fairy tale ending with her prince charming.
I sat at the corner and took out the sack bag. Some how, I know it wasn't any ordinary sack bags. I could feel power radiating from it, and from the necklace. I gently place it beside me and tried to take off the necklace. No matter how hard I try, I couldn't. Instead, I tied the sack bag on my waist. Then, I heard the door open. I quickly ran to the back part of the door.
I could see them clearly, but I know I saw a girl and a guy entered. I moved inches closer and took a peek. It was Ryan, one of my classmates. He was known to be the most popular guy in school, with girls crushing over him. I moved an inch closer to see the face of the girl but he was in the way. At that moment, I already knew what was going on, the girl was going to confess.
"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Ryan said, his face blank.
"I-... I wanted to tell you that I like you" Somehow, I hoped this wasn't happening. I knew this girl. "And I want to know if you like me too"
Haley. It was Haley. And she was going to confess to Ryan.
Ryan is our childhood friend. He was always there for us. When someone bullied me, and Haley wasn't there, he was. I never even knew Haley liked him. None of us thought this would happen. And too see her right there, in front of him, I froze.
At that moment, my heart was beating so fast. My hands were sweaty. Thousand of questions went through my mind.
"Yes, I like you" said Ryan as he put his hand on her shoulder. Haley's smile got wider. And somehow, I felt like someone pinched my heart. I felt numb. It was as if the world was spinning around. A lump formed on my throat, I couldn't talk. But even if I could, what would I say? I didn't want to blow my cover.
And suddenly, I no longer doubt that I liked him. This pain that I was feeling was more than enough to tell me my feelings for him was real. But it was too late. I felt like I was out of air. Tears were falling from my eyes.
Haley reached out to him in order to kiss him. But Ryan stopped her.
"I like you, because you're my friend. Please don't misunderstand it"
"But-..." said Haley as she stepped back. "I meant what I said. I know you know what I mean"
Ryan nodded. He hugged her. A lump formed on my throat.
"I like someone else. I'm sorry" The words felt like a slap to me, to us. "I hope we can remain as friends"
I took a step back. I leaned on the wall and wiped my tears.
"Who?" Haley asked. She was crying. Of all the years we've been together, she never lets anyone see her cry. She hugged him. "tell me"
I envied her, she was able to accept his rejection. And I felt embarrassed, I was here, crying, feeling as if the world had ended, when I wasn't even the one who got rejected. I wiped off the tears streaming down my face and tried to calm down.
"I like-..." Before he could finish, he took a deep breathe. I leaned in closer but I hit my bag and it fell. It made very loud crashing sounds. I winced.
And as I looked up, Ryan was there, and gave me his hand. I took it and stood up.
"Ava? You were listening? How were you able to-..." said Haley but I cut in.
"Actually, I was here first. And I hid when I heard footsteps coming. I didn't mean to listen" I explained. I took my bag and headed to the door but Ryan stopped me.
Seeing him made my heart feel like it was getting crushed.
"I'm so sorry. I have to go. It's getting late" I said and took a few steps before Ryan grabbed my hand to stop me.
"Let's go together" Then he dragged me out. When we passed the door, he let go of me. "We'll see you again tomorrow, Haley. Take care"
We didn't talk. We just walked together. And again, I felt the pain.
"I'm going to pass a short cut. See you again tomorrow" I said my head lowered and I head off.
Upon arriving home, I ran to my room, dropped my bag on the floor, and cried silently on my bed. I could still feel the pain. And no matter what I do, I knew it wouldn't go away. It would just come back and get more painful.
I wanted to disappear. I didn't ask for any of this. I wanted to leave the place, so I can no longer see him. So I can no longer feel this pain. I wanted to escape from this place that had only brought sadness and pain in my life.
And at that moment, the necklace began to radiate the same brightness, no, much brighter, I closed my eyes. I felt my body floating. I felt like I was being wrapped by the light.
It wasn't painful. In just seconds the light was gone. I fell beck to the ground. Wait, ground? I was stepping on pebbles and sand. I opened my eyes in confusion.
My jaw dropped and my eyes got wider. I was no longer in my room. I was somewhere else. I was on a mountain.
