The Beginning Of Dawn

6. Frightening Encounter

                       **Please Read The Author's Note At The End**

Chapter 6 : Frightening Encounter

"Oh my god Eve! What happened to you?" Jenni shrieked so loudly that I had to cover my ears to avoid a serious deaf case.

"Lower your voice! Everybody is still sleeping."

I shushed her and walked towards the small closet under the staircase to fetch my jacket. It was still freezing cold out there and I didn't want to be sick from it.

Jenni followed me was gaping at me as if I was a sort of alien from another planet. I rolled my eyes at her being so dramatic and raised one eyebrow at her. She kept staring at me with an incredulous look, she was lost at words. Well that's a first. In another way I couldn't blame her for her reaction as I surely didn't look my best today.

I walked down the hall and stopped in front of a large mirror hanging on the wall to examine myself. To describe it simply; I was horrible. I had big puffy red eyes with a sad look in them. I guess all the crying of the night before did have an effect on my body. The dark circles under my eyes were more prominent, my lips; dry and cracked and my skin was as pale as a ghost. My horrible monster of a hair was the worst. I desperately tried to brush and kept it under control this morning but it was in vain. I even got the hair brush stuck in it and it was hell to take it out. My hair seemed like a bird's nest. Bed hair doesn't suit me at all. I frowned at my hair, ruffled and over the place and decided that a hair tie will do. I put it into a messy bun and stared at the ghost in front of me again.

Surely you'll scare the hell out of somebody today, my dear subconscious always with witty and sarcastic comments but I couldn't deny the fact that I really looked like a zombie or a ghost or both of them. Well I hope that no one dies of a heart attack today, was my only thought.

Jenni silently approached behind me and put her hands on my shoulders. I looked at her flawless features from the mirror and compared them to me, even if I knew this was wrong, really wrong.

Her brown shiny eyes contained sadness and sympathy in them and had a slight trace of anger. Her make-up was perfect. In fact everything about her was perfect. The way she smiles, showing her strong, perfectly lined white teeth. Her red full lips were set into a grim line. Today she opted for dark red hair which cascaded down her back in gentle waves. Her perfect figure with which she can be easily mistaken for a run-way model.

I managed to move the muscles in my cheeks and gave her a small smile but of course she didn't buy it. She opened her mouth ready to bombard me with questions but I wasn't ready for Jenni's Inquisition so I just put my fore- finger on my lips and pleaded with her to stay silent. Of course she was worried. I wasn't in my normal self; not even Grumpy. I was lifeless. I knew because of whom but I didn't want to ponder on this fact. I didn't why his rejection had affected me so much, why I was so attached to him. I was willing to do everything for him.

You're hopeless, my subconscious spat at me with a sharp-to-kill look. I ignored her and let out long sigh. How will I survive this?

"Good morning children or should I say Good-afternoon!” Mr. Newman let out a little laugh at his bad joke. Everybody else stared at him, bored. He regained his composure and continued with his serious tone. "I hope the given project is moving on. It is due for next week and those who doesn't return it in time... Well then you'll see. “He gave us a sardonic smile.”So to keep you well motivated... brace yourselves! Surprise test!"

I let out a groan with the rest of the class. Great! It had to be today! I stared at the empty cold seat beside me and wondered where Max was. It was not his usual to be late or absent. Normally he would already be seated flashing me a wide grin when I enter the class. My heart sank at the thought that maybe everything will be different because of the small exchange of yesterday. I sighed. Maybe it was for the best he was not here today.