The Silent Game

Chapter 2

I was tick, tick, ticking. Blank spots and blinding colors surround me. I was floating and gliding in my wonderland. Lights danced around me, flickering gently, enticing me. They're ever changing. Glowing. I feel myself drowning in its beauty. 

Then darkness came, a navy blue darkness that laid like velvet in the skies accompanied by a lonely white light that cascades from a glowing sphere. A sound, a breath, from flowing waters mirrored the astral beauty of a galaxy from another wonderland - and in the middle, from afar, a prince stood patiently waiting. 

 For what? I don't know. 

 I walked closer. Tried to speak but no sounds came out from me. I ran towards him but it's futile. He's so faraway. 

 Then he was shimmering and bursting with light, reflecting it in every corner. Slowly, ever so slowly, he was fading, his form melting into molten silver right in front of me. I wanted to stop it but...I was powerless to stop it.

 I merely stood, lamely gawking as my prince melted into silvery waters, into nothingness. 

That's when something snapped, pulling me away from my dream, dragging me away from my wonderland. In the fading light, I hear a sharp voice that haunted the edge of my awareness, crashing me back to reality. 

 "Ms. Castro!" I jolted in my seat, finally seeing a very angry Mr. Roberts in front of me. I bowed my head and said sorry multiple times as he berated me, but the word-like spears he sent my way were all left ignored and dismissed immediately. 

 Classes blurred by after that. It was just another normal first day to add to my series of first days. I don't notice anyone nor do I linger long to catch any unwanted attention. It's an easy set-up that I developed after years of moving around and inconsistency. 

 Lunch time came. Oh, the dreaded lunch time. I mean, technically, it's not dreaded because food(duh) and no classes or lectures or essays to pester you but, goodness crap, the overwhelming noise and the students all cramped up in one room, nauseating the fuck out of me. God, I dread lunch time. 

 People passed me by in a rush towards the cafeteria. I walked slowly, not in the mood to be trampled over. My ears immediately caught on to the loud chatter from students as I walked in. I cringed, noticing the large crowd that was scattered all over the place. 

 Breathe in, breathe out, I chanted to myself as I make my way towards the line for the food. I kept my head down, tucking my hands in my pockets to hide their shaking. I was so focused on my footsteps then, so focused on keeping myself in check that I didn't notice the ball until it connected with my head, knocking me over.

 Oh fuck, I thought as my vision darkened then flashed with lights and blurry faces. Blinking and fading again and again and again. 

 It was weird, I knew that I was probably lying down on dirty cafeteria floor(ew) and being peered at by nosy people - who should definitely learn to mind their own business - but somehow, I didn't think of that. 

 Instead, I was reminded of my wonderland, my beautiful illuminating wonderland. And as black spots invaded my vision, I mused over how life manages to fuck up everything, especially the things we most cared about.