Power 35

Chapter I: Nightmares

Lianne Angelita Hacinto

I sat up with a start. I was shivering from head to toe. My skin was deathly pale. Groaning, I rubbed my eyes. Why do I keep having this dream? No matter how hard I try, I can never understand it. Just who was that girl? I grabbed my phone from under my pillow and checked the time. 4:46 am. Shrugging, I went out of bed. Just about time I woke up anyway.

After doing a few stretches, I grabbed a towel and walked to the bathroom. While showering, I thought about the dream. Ever since we moved to this place, that same dream haunted me every damn night. It made my sleep much lesser than on normal days. And truthfully, it wasn't helping me feel better about blending in to this new environment we moved in.

Each night, I dream of the same thing, a person being murdered inside a dark room. It was either a boy or a girl, always random, just like the way the killer kills them. Sometimes, she tortures them to death. Like, slowly scraping off their skin or mutilating each limb one by one. On those nights, I wake up and puke my guts out. And sometimes, well, most of the time, she kills them quickly, like a simple blow to the head or heart and strangling them to death. Yet... This was the first time I saw the victim's face clearly. Thinking about her and her horrible death made we want to throw up on the floor. I should probably visit a psychologist next week. Maybe that will help. After the shower, I dressed up and brushed my teeth. I checked the time, 5:24 am. I still had time before breakfast. I opened the doors to my balcony and stared at the scenery below.

London was indeed, very beautiful. But it was nothing compared to home. I hugged my shoulders. I hope grandmother is doing alright... It was still early in the morning, so there weren't many vehicles around. That's good. And so, I just sat there, listening to my music and waiting until my alarm rings.

After a few minutes, I heard the familiar buzz of my phone, signaling it was 6 am, and I went downstairs. As usual, I heard the blabbering of my ten-year-old brother, Angelito. How can anyone be that jolly in the morning? Smiling, I sat down at the dining table. At least I had something to make me smile.

"And they were like, "Woah! You're from the Philippines? I heard it's very hot there!" And I said, "Yeah, but nothing I can't handle." After that we talked about cars." Angelito beamed while talking about his new best friend who lived a block away from us. "Oh, that's very interesting dear..." Mother said, acting not interested at all, while taking a bite of the blueberry pancakes. I sighed. I was the only one who saw through our mother's façade. Ever since what happened with Dad, this is how she acts around my brother and I. Cold. Emotionless. And always tired. But Angelito never notices it. It's better that way. We won't have to deal with his tears.

The meal continued silently, the only sound being the clanking of the fork and knife and Angelito's stories. "Ate, is it true that you will be living in the school?" I nodded absently. "Why? Is it because you don't wanna live here anymore?" I stopped eating. Mom put her fork down. "Lito. Your ate is going to stay in school because she needs to. And the school your ate will go to is also very far, so it is better for her to stay there." Mom explained. I lowered my head. Chuckling, I ruffled my pouting brother's hair. I looked at Mom who was busy reading the newspaper. Liar.

Before I knew it, it was already 7 am, time for school. First, I had to drop Angelito to his new school before I get to mine. I waited in my car as Mom kissed Angelito goodbye. "Bye Mama!" Angelito exclaimed and got on the passenger seat. I glanced at Mom one last time. She nodded in my direction. I sighed and started the engine. Mom had lied. The school was only 20 minutes from our house. And it wasn't necessary for me to stay in the dorms. Still, it was me who chose to stay there. It wasn't because I did not want to see my brother. On the contrary, I wanted to see him every single second of the day. But, I need this distance. Mom needs this distance. I need more time to reflect on what I know.

"Ate, do you think my classmates will like me?" Angelito suddenly asked. I looked at him in surprise. "Of course, they will. Why do you ask?" Angelito fidgeted with his fingers. "Because I'm new and I come from across the globe... And I look different." He pointed at his skin, which was a rich brown color. I ruffled his hair once more.

"Listen, Angelito. It's normal for some people to hate you and for some to like you. Life isn't fair. So, when you come across these people, just remember to hold your head high and be yourself. Because having real friends who like and support you is better than having fake friends who only like you when you become someone else." I finished. Angelito stared at me in awe. "Ate, you're so smart!" He said with a bright smile. I smiled back at him and put my focus back on the road. "Nice words Lianne. But does it apply to you?" A voice in my head taunted. I pushed it away.

After dropping Angelito to his new school and filling out some forms, I drove towards the place I would be staying for the next nine months. Everleigh Institutes for Gifted and Talented Minds, a famous international school where many wishes to enter, with the one here in London being the base. With a title like that, the school sounds like a place for rich kids, and it really is. The Institute has high class education system and facilities that most schools don't have. But, it isn't the fancy name or the education that make the school famous. It's the students that go there.

Students, who with precise caution, were tested and proven to be people with above average logic and analysis. Students, who were chosen from around the world to enter and represent the school. Students, who knew the answer even before the teacher asks it. Students, who had the faces of gods and goddesses. Students, who were rumored to be smarter than the government itself.

But the most phenomenal thing about Everleigh Institutes is its top class. A class, consisting of different students from different age groups. There is only one top class each school year. It could be from any year level but this year's group has the attention of the public. Ever since they entered high school, they became the top class, beating their own seniors. It's like a caste system. Now, they're in 2nd Year College, still being the top class for six years straight. Class 1-Alpha. Simple name but extraordinary students. The ideal class, the crème de la crème, the best of the best. The so called, Power 35.

And now, I'm part of them.