Guardian Angel In Training

Prologue

I pushed through the crowd while hugging my books close to my chest. The smell of sweats, the noise from gossips and the looks of judging from them, I was way too adapted.

As the noise grew, I increased the volume of my music. The song blasted into my ears that I was almost deaf, but if that was what it took to deplete the noise, I'd blast anytime.

I stopped by my locker and unlocked it. My halloween themed (no judge, I love Halloween) decorated locker welcomed me, ready to store my books that I probably won't remember to collect today. I arranged my textbooks, notebooks and exercises vertically to keep more space and easy to find.

After I was satisfied with the casual arrangement, I suddenly sighed. I looked around me to find students walking in groups at the hallway and sometimes, couples having tongue wars at their lockers. Everyone seemed busy with their social life. They had something to do.

Me? I'm busy too. I'm busy minding my own business. Too much sometimes, I know but at least I won't get killed like in Cabin's Hood for going out with my friends. I slammed the door shut and locked it. I proceed to walk ahead, still with my headphone blasting my music. Cheer up, because today would be a long day.

-

I lost track of time. After school ended, I went to the rooftop for some air. It was exhausting having to tolerate people, so I thought I deserved a breather. However, I ended up sleeping peacefully throughout the evening. By the time I woke up,

...the sky had turned dark.

I looked at my watch and only to realise that I slept for nearly 6 hours straight. It was 7:00 p.m now and the school gate closed at 5:00 p.m. I bulged my eyes out. As everything seemed to hit me, I came to a conclusion that I was stuck at school. For a whole night too!

I grabbed my phone out from my backpack. I hurried to call for my mom. I hoped she picked it up. She must be worried that I was not back yet, right?

I searched for her contact and dialed her number. It rang a few times but she didn't pick it up. It went straight to her voicemail. I grunted. Not now! Your daughter needed you! I refused to give up. I called again.

... and again, and again, and again.

"AAAAARGHHHH" I shouted. Was I really not going back home? I tried again for the last time, as a notification popped out.

Your battery is very low
Please charge for 4 hours

I laughed light-heartedly. Oh wow now? Really? I shook my head. I could not believe it. I dialed my mom's number one last time, praying very hard that picked it up. God listened to me. My mom answered her phone after three rings.

"Oh hun I'm sorry, I was playing chess." My mom apologised, although it didn't sound sincere. I rolled my eyes. It seemed like she spent the whole evening with the neighbourhood mama community. She got something to do too like everybody else.

"It's fine." I answered lazily. I needed to hurry. "Listen, I need your help. I'm at the rooftop of my school because I'm stuck-" My mom cut me off. She laughed at the end of the phone alongside other women in her space. Was she even listening to me?

"I'm sorry hun, what was it again? You're at the top of your cool because you're fucked?" My mom asked. Her question in response leaving the room breathless from laughing so hard. "Oh my god your daughter is wild!" One of them said.

My eyes felt like they wanted to burst out of their sockets. Was she trying to avoid helping me and at the same time ruin my non-existent reputation? She was nuts!

"NO!" I shouted amidst those laughs. I had to make her focus on me! "GODDAMIT MOM-" I was cut off again. This time, it wasn't my mom. It was my battery. My battery died on me. It was my last string of hope.

I was as good as dead.

I threw my phone aside. I sat with my legs apart, folded. Where could I find a public phone?