"I, the Aphelion."

PROLOGUE

The sun was shining brightly in the crisp, March afternoon.  Cameras were flashing and snapping photos everywhere, eager to record those proud and beaming faces along with their diplomas. Noise of cheers and congratulatory remarks filed the auditorium, making the atmosphere jubilant and light.

Her hazel brown eyes bore into that very scene laid before her sight. Somebody should paint this. Most definitely not me.

Engraving the happy thought on her mind, she continued to lean against the auditorium's wall brimmed with dark brown mahogany panels.

"Angeline, how about a photo? Everybody's taking as many as they could and you would prefer staring at them?" A teasing voice stripped her away from her thoughts. It shocked her. Knowing herself and her reputation, nobody would talk to her unless it was-

"It's me, your mom, Angeline. You look so surprised." The voice said once again.

Oh. Hey mom! Why take a photo? Angeline was too immersed in her thoughts that she actually thought that she was musing this question aloud.

"GRADUATION DAY. Earth to Angeline." Her mom said again, as if answering her thoughts. This answer seemed to wake up Angeline.

"Okay, mom. If you say so." she now replied, her voice so low and soft one may mistake it for a squeak. Now I'm squeaking.

"tsk,tsk, dear. We don't really want to waste your get-up by not getting a photo of it!" her mom said as she dragged Angeline closer to the stage.

Other parents with their graduated children seem to stare at her while she walked past them. She only look straight ahead.

Mom, you're gonna let me pose back at the stage! Oh, no way- not with those bright lights!  And once again, her mom didn’t hear her, for she found herself (thank God just here) just at the side of the stage and she was asked to smile for the camera. She tried her best.

“Alright, three, two, on-“her mom was interrupted when Angeline’s adviser, dressed in the usual and casual suit-and-tie, went towards them.

“Mornin’, Mrs. Ishikawa. A moment please?” he asked. Her mom looked from him to her daughter, then understanding that it was only her who was needed, she then lowered the camera.

“Angeline, dear. Meet me just below the stairs. I’ll be gone for just a while.” Her mom said as she walked away with the adviser.

”Thank you, ma’am. Congratulations, Angeline.” Her adviser said before he left.

Angeline sighed. Usual congratulatory remark. At least it’s all over now.

She then went down the stairs and chose to lean again on the auditorium’s panels. She felt at peace. Her peaceful retreat was shattered when she heard thunderous voices towards her way.

“Isn’t it Angeline?!?”

“My, my, Angeline- aren’t those medals heavy?” And some more damn interruptions of my thoughts.

Angeline then snapped her attention to the group of fellow batch mates in front of her. Them and their mocking smiles.

“Hey.” She only greeted. Why won’t you all give me a break, for pete’s sake! You’re just wasting your time…

“He-y! She speaks!” the leader of the group spoked.

I am not a specimen to be examined. Of course I can speak! I just don’t talk to people like you.

“what now, Laurissa?” Angeline snapped.

“oh you know,” Laurissa girlishly squeaked as she pulled out a very familiar guy from the back. “just introducing my boyfie.”

Boyfie? Must be boyfriend! Damn lady. Your girlish language doesn’t suit you.

“Hey, Angeline. How ya doin’?” the ‘boyfie’ asked. Oh you know, possibly dying with laughter with your choice of girl. Angeline’s eyes widened when they all laughed at her.

“she’s so devastated!”

“you’re so  in love with Zaire!” Even Zaire was laughing along with them. This shocked Angeline, but then she realized that she said none of her thoughts aloud.

Stupid! Oh, well. I do hope I pass that test. I want to get out of here.

“look at you, Angeline! You’re so shocked!” More laughter. It made some look at their location.

Better be quiet. Anything I say will make it worse.

Laurissa then wrapped her right arm on Zaire’s shoulder, gave him a peck on his cheek, and then faced Angeline.

“let me give you a friendly warning, Angeline.” Laurissa then said.

As if I have no choice but to listen to your insolent ramblings.

“Zaire never wanted you,” Laurissa said as she played on Angeline’s loosened dark lock on her ear which made Angeline detest her even more,

“it’s all because of what’s in there.” Laurissa then tapped her temple. “no one wants to be with a psychopath like you!” laurissa shouted, emphasizing the word psychopath so hard.

Angeline only blinked in response to her branding.

“thanks for the friendly warning. It’s a sociopath actually, not a psychopath. If you can actually know the difference between the two terms then I should be entirely obliged to you.” Angeline said this with so much sarcasm, that the group was surprised.

Laurissa’s cheek flushed in embarrassment. She then smiled at them and turned to walk towards her mother, who was now beaming with happiness.

“hey, mom.” she greeted as she forced a smile.

“oh, Angeline! I am so proud of you!” her mom bubbly replied.

“mommy’s so proud of you, Angeline! Wow!” Laurissa yapped, making most laugh.

“that is no laughing matter, Miss Eun.” Her adviser then appeared beside Angeline and her mom, silencing Laurissa’s part of the auditorium.

“why? Just because she’s so smart? Oh, please! She’s your little psycho alright!” Laurissa yapped then laughed, and her group laughed with her- but nobody else did.

“congratulations, Angeline. You did our school and country proud.” Her adviser then said to Angeline.

“sir?” she asked in amusement.

“you’re one of the only two students in our country who made it to STATS, Angeline.” He replied back, making his voice louder than usual. “you are going to Moralia and be a shifter.” He continued with a smile.