AGAIN (Underground Flames)

Chapter Two

Flashback

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Clock ticks.

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I started packing everything as early as 5:00 in the morning. 

Not too excited to leave for uni, huh?

Tension, excitement, and a lot of mixed emotions consumed me, several what ifs filling my head.

To be in a new place with new people... scary!

My classmates used to call me a weirdo and I was a favorite target of bullies. That was after my brother graduated and left me in that psychological prison.

I wondered if they still exist in college, but I'd seen a lot of movies about it, I knew it'd be worse. Oh god. These and more worried me.

Plus, I'd surely miss my cozy mansard room, our peaceful neighborhood, and even my former school.

Although I could count with my fingers those few good memories in high school. 

As I made my way to grab Mr. Cookie to put him inside my bag, my mom, who's ironically named Mercy, snatched the teddy bear from my hands.

“No, no, no...” I snatched it back from her and hugged my dearest Mr. Cookie.

“For godsake, Dale! You're not a baby anymore. You can't bring that plush with you.”

I rolled my eyes.

My mom grabbed my teddy away from me again.

“There is no way I’m leaving Mr. Cookie here! No. Never.” I glared at her, pulling it from her grip.

“Jesus Dale!"

She pressed her eyes close for a second.

"Listen to me...

Aren’t you even worried about what your roommate might think? The world out there is huge -- and not everyone’s nice.

Some people are kind, but others? They’ll take advantage the moment they see weakness.

I’m done talking about this. Don’t be stupid. Just give it to me!"

Stepping back from the woman who had the same pair of emerald eyes like me,  I brought Mr. Cookie even closer. She tried to pull it again but gave up eventually, tugging her shoulder-length brown hair in complete frustration.

The telephone started ringing downstairs, just my luck, and soon she was gone.

I sighed in relief.

I just couldn’t leave Mr. Cookie. He’d be sad. He'd die broken-hearted. I stared into my teddy’s glossy eyes, lingering there for what seemed like eternity, until it finally hit me.

I thought of my brother. He studied and worked at the same time to help pay the bills. Perhaps, I could be just like him.

I'd been pampered too much since I was a kid but guess it wasn't too late to change. I wanted to be independent.

After 10 minutes of processing everything in my 5-year old brain, I turned to the shelf and gently placed Mr. Cookie. I swore he looked like he was about to cry. I wanted to grab him back.

Let me go. Move on, I heard him say.

I shook my head and for the last time, I stared at my teddy and gently patted its head.