PROJECT NIRVANA | ONC2020 ✔️

Chapter 1.

It was a few days after I'd forgotten about the glitches.

They had been fleeting, momentary skips in time. Deletions of incidents that I could have sworn happened. Or events that had occured, yet I had no recollection of.

But it wasn't like I could tell anyone about them. So I had forgotten about the glitches, tucking them in the area of my mind labelled 'Strange Occurrences That Make Me Question My Sanity.'

"I don't think I'm ready for marriage," I said as me and my bestfriend Kasey got our nails done in a salon.

Getting married at eighteen didn't seem very practical to me. Not when I had college to look forward to and had barely started my career as an artist. It didn't make sense to rush, especially because I would be bound to someone I didn't care about.

The manicurist in front of me carefully painted my nails a soft pink before sprinkling on some glitter. Then she used white polish to design intricate, tiny flowers on the shiny surface.

"You're just stressed out about the engagement," Kasey said. "Loosen up."

She wiggled her toes playfully and I laughed. Kasey always knew how to cheer me up even though we didn't always agree on things.

I closed my eyes for a second, inhaling the sweet smell of strawberry mixed with vanilla. The glowing warmth of the scented candles gave the store a cozy feeling that felt like home.

Hand-sewn rugs had been thrown around the wooden floor, creating bursts of color and gouache paintings hung on the creamy walls. Some of the paintings were my early works which I'd gifted to the owner.

Having a CEO father and famous fashion model as a mother had always made me subject to the public eye. Of course there have been some bumps on the road, but I've never really had to struggle, never had to go outside my comfort zone.

However, getting married to Avron Daniels was definitely out of my comfort zone. I glanced at the diamond ring on my finger and grimaced. It would take some getting used to.

"Why do you have such a sour expression on your face?" asked Kasey. "Avron's a pretty nice guy. And hot."

"Nice?" I exclaimed. "Kasey, have you met the guy?"

Kasey rolled her eyes. "Of course I've met him. I attended your engagement party the other night. Remember?"

A blank expression formed on my face as I racked through my thoughts. What engagement party? The marriage proposal was clear in my mind but that was where my memory ended.

Kasey gasped. "Don't tell me you forgot your own engagement party."

I sunk deeper into my seat, slightly embarrassed. Why didn't I remember anything? Was it because of the glitches? Or was I actually becoming crazy?

"The party wasn't very memorable," I mumbled, pretending that I wasn't suffering from subjective memory loss. "Probably because I'm not in love with him."

Kasey grinned cheekily. "Well if you don't want him, I'll take him. It's not everyday that you find a guy who's both good-looking and down-to-earth."

I scoffed. "Avron's not down-to-earth. Just rude."

It was clear that she knew nothing about him. As his betrothed, I'd had to endure his disagreeable nature and mood swings. I'd tried really hard to at least be his friend, only to be ignored or cut off with biting remarks.

There was no reason for me to make an effort if he would continue to act stoic and disinterested. After all, it takes two to tango. But then, I'm not even good at dancing.

I contemplated this when an ominous feeling suddenly crept up my skin, causing me to suck in a harsh breath.

There it was again, floating just inches in front of my face.

The Tear. A spiraling black hole swarming with a strew of  swimming ones and zeroes. The numbers seemed to stretch into eternity and I strained my eyes to see what was at the end.

But there was nothing but darkness. A chill ran down my spine, making me shiver. It was the middle of summer, but my fingers already felt numb, as if they were infected by frostbite.

What would happen if I stepped inside, I wondered. Would it swallow me whole before obliterating me into non-existence? Or was I just hallucinating everything? Did I need to see a psychiatrist?

"Felicity?" Kasey waved her hand in front of my eyes. "Felicity?"

"Huh?" I stuttered. My mouth felt dry and raw, as if I'd been eating sand.

The Tear had disappeared, replaced by translucent air. What looked like electricity crackled in its absence before quietly flickering away.

Kasey and the employees stared at me, lines of worry etched into their faces.

"Are you okay?"

It took my brain a while to process her words. "I'm fine," I said, barely managing to keep the shakiness out of my voice.

I forced a smile, but my heart continued to pound against my ribcage as I struggled to breathe. What had I just seen?

Kasey didn't seem to be convinced. "Maybe you should go home. Get some rest."

I nodded, wiping away the beads of sweat that had formed on my forehead. "That's a good idea."

We paid at the front desk before exiting the salon. Kasey held my arm protectively as if afraid that I would fall. She helped me into the light blue Mercedes Benz and slid into the driver's seat before revving the engine.

Soon we were on the road, speeding past the city's towering buildings and crowded streets. Music blared, sending vibrations through the air and the mouth-watering scent of fried chicken penetrated the glass of the window, making its way to my nose.

I've grown up in Nirvana and never wish to leave. But sometimes it creeped me out how perfect everything was, as if the city was specially made for me. But that was impossible. As impossible as the black hole I'd just seen.

"Kasey," I said after a moment.

"Yeah." Her eyes were trained on the road as she navigated through traffic.

"Please don't think I'm crazy and hear me out."

Her eyebrow rose and she spared me a glance. "Okay...Then what is it? You need to explain before I decide whether you're crazy or not."

"I think I'm seeing things," I blurted out. It felt good to finally be telling this to someone. I could feel the pressure slowly lifting off my chest.

"What kind of things?" she asked.

I swallowed, attempting to calm my racing thoughts. What I said next might change the course of our friendship and even my life.

"There was something strange at the salon," I said, running my hands through my hair. I was already regretting this. but there was no way to backtrack now. Her interest had already been piqued and I knew she was listening with full attention.

"I think I saw a black hole." The words came out in a rush.

Kasey was silent for a moment before parking on the side of the road.

I bit my lip, wondering what she would say.

"You and Avron are a match made in heaven."

"What?" My eyebrows scrunched together. What was she talking about? What did my hallucination have to do with Avron?

"He was telling me the same thing the other day," Kasey exclaimed. "That there was a black hole and that  he was the only one that could see it."