Buena Mano Book 1 (Unedited/Unrevised)

I'm O-Ok... Chapter 8: The Opening Requiem

Chapter 8: The Opening Requiem

I woke up to find myself disheveled on the floor of the room. The man left me to my own leaving only behind the fruit of our transaction. I looked upon my clock and it was almost quarter to seven.

"First day of class and I would be late." I thought to myself as I fixed myself in front of the mirror. It was a good thing that I had the insight to take a bath that night as I made my way up to the school gates.

There was no one there yet which puzzled me. But upon checking the schedules, orientations were moved to later that day.

So I spent my time reminiscing on Rachel and my mother.; thinking that I should make it right for them this time around. Moving toward our favorite spot, I remembered the times we had spent together...

Before long the students went pouring in the school gates. It became very noisy at that point and I became curious. As I stood up from behind the tree I noticed one girl that was set apart from all of them.

Her name was Lucy.

She was beautiful to say the least. But I was too shy to meet her.

"What the hell are you doing?" I thought to myself. Thinking of the times I was so indecisive to the point that I could barely even move.

I pumped myself up and strengthened my confidence. I went up to her and we became fast friends. I think.

She was uptight and I never really knew what goes on her head at times. But still, she was like a part of me that I could never get away from.

My memory was a bit blurry to say the least and I couldn't remember why I was held back. I only know that I was with Lucy the whole time.

I remembered one time that she was not in the mood. I was talking about some party before our graduation when I noticed she was a bit off...

I put my palm into her forehead and looked a bit concerned. "Well, you don't have a fever." I said.

She slapped my hand away and exclaimed. "I didn't say I was sick!?"

She screamed at me for absolutely no reason. Did I offend her?

Did I do something to hurt her?

I couldn't remember... I just couldn't...

I remembered I saw her somewhere after that incident... The women's restroom... I think... I... was searching for her. I wanted to apologize but... I don't know how to put it.

There was something malicious in the aura of the lavatory door... It was like I wasn't permitted to go inside... There were two other girls that went ahead of me. They didn't even bat an eyelid...

I thought maybe, they did not know me... So why would they?

They went out a few moments later. But still Lucy wasn't with them. I tried my best to resist the feeling of dread and opened the door roughly five to seven minutes later.

I went inside and saw her sitting on the floor.

"Lucy!" I called her in shock. She was shivering in fright of what is in front of her. I quickly dashed and held her shoulders from behind and she screamed at the top of her lungs. She fell to her knees and simply cried out. I was taken aback but I gave her a few minutes to recover.

She turned to me and I kneeled down to her saying. "Calm down. Ok? What were you doing here?"

I picked her up from the floor. Her skirt was wet and dirty from the foul liquid that enveloped most of the lavatory. She was shaking. Constantly looking on to the stall, seemingly waiting for something to appear. Or rather, wishing for it not to.

"This stall was closed even before I was a freshman here." I said reassuring her there was nothing to be afraid of. "There is nothing horrible in there with the exception of an unhygienic toilet."

She stopped shivering for a moment but still she held her gaze on the empty stall.

"I was taking a pee and then I thought I heard something coming from here. I took a peek and just when I was going to push it the doors gave out. Turns out it was termites." Lucy said trembling on every syllable. I turned towards it and checked. There was nothing there.

I turned towards her again and saw something wrapped in cloth.

"What's in your hand?" I asked.

"It's a gift. F-for my mom." She replied as she walked away towards a cubicle. I saw a glimpse of it as she placed it in her bag.

"Oh Ok then, as long as you're alright. Hmm.." I said as I noticed a razor gleaming on the floor.

"Curious... Where did this come from?" I thought as I bent down and picked it up. I got up and placed the razor in my pocket for safe keeping. I had to dispose of it properly.

"Jenna, you were saying that there's a party of sorts?" she said as I looked back at her.

"Yes, a graduation party. Well, it's tomorrow and it's the day before our graduation. So I know you have plans or.."

"I would very much like to come and I'm sorry for earlier." Lucy stated with her emotionless attitude. But I wondered if it was really emotionless. I ran up to her and gave her a hug from behind.

"Aww. It's alright friend. We'll have so much fun... You and I..." Reassuring her with every word.

"So where is the party?" she asked.

"You'll love it" I said as I opened up the door and led her out. I can't remember what happened next but... I know I was happy...

If only I had remembered that time... If only he had let me remember...

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