Chapter 1: The Usual Habit

What if you have the power to foresee the future through your dreams? Would you try to change it or would you just let it happen? Is this a blessing or a curse? With such capability, I don't think I can handle these responsibilities given to me. I'm the only person who has this.

Being unable to control the future in the dream that's likely bound to happen, brings nostalgia to me. Being able to experience these moments multiple times became very tiring. All I can do is watch as they pass by, just like a repeated movie marathon. The sad thing is, I'll only realize that I've already had a glimpse of the future after seconds of it happening right in front of my eyes.

No words can describe the feeling of the mind being trapped between the present and the future because no one will understand if they didn't experience it yet. In the meantime, I'll remain as calm as a normal teenage student who comes to school to reach enormous ambitions.

I'm Violet Drimunan, a scholar of Einstein's Science High School for the Gifted, widely known as one of the most prestigious schools of the entire Southeast Asia.

***

4:30 AM

Violet POV

A guy with glasses held onto my hand, looking at me with sorrowful eyes, "Why would you let go of the gift which was given to you? Have you lost your mind?"

I hesitantly replied back, "I'm so sorry, I want to hold onto it but I cannot handle it anymore. I have to let go of these nightmares."

The alarm of my cell phone suddenly rang and the dream poofed away. Great, just as the thrill was about to unfold my imagination disappeared into thin air.

This became a habit of mine. I woke up early in the morning and began heating the water. I gazed at my dream journal and crossed out every fulfilled dream. Those dreams which became real. How would I distinguish imagination from reality?

Looking past those dreams were little details that I've observed written under each entry. Still, I knew that I could never change the future that's been set. I can't predict the exact time and place of the dream.

I've had glimpses of my future but I've also seen dreadful moments of despair in some dreams. I could also see the future of others through reading palm lines. Palm lines are like the map of destiny. It predicts the life span and shows a connection between their past and future. However, I didn't want to bear with their future sufferings. It was too difficult to handle.

How did it all start? I was born with this psychic power and never realized it until 4th grade. I believe that everyone has a sixth sense which is hidden within. Maybe I was lucky because it was already unlocked.

I quickly took my dream journal and started writing every detail of my dreams which I could remember.

"Journal entry #882018: The dream started with me sitting near a window pane in a local coffee shop. It rained really hard which made me wait a bit longer than our meeting time. A tall lean guy wearing a grey hoodie and glasses entered the shop. I smiled and he waved back to me. He gladly sat on the opposite side of the table. I couldn't recognize him though, however, I knew something was off because of his facial expressions. He mumbled under his breath. I couldn't understand any word he said, but I would say that he was too hesitant to say anything."

Who is he? I couldn't recognize him because his face looked too hazy in my dreams. Before, I would recognize the people in my dream easily, yet why did his face look blurry and unfamiliar? I'm only sure that whoever he is, I'll meet him soon.

I read past my previous entries and I noticed that I wrote in my journal that grade nine would be the most stressful year throughout high school. I closed my journal and lay on my bed. Am I really prepared for this school year?

After an hour, I fixed my things and headed to school early. I looked at the mirror again and told myself, "Remember your past and be careful of everyone's stances around you. You cannot read their thoughts. Anyone who seems nice at first may turn into a threat someday."

At school, I was pushed to the sides after a sudden crowd of students came barging towards the bulletin board. Out of curiosity, I walked towards it and tried to get a quick view of announcements posted. I took a clear photo of everything posted and hurriedly left.

I scrolled down to look at photos I've taken, they were posted lists of students per section. I immediately noticed that I'm not classmates with anyone I'm close with. My only bestfriend I've met since last year was in another section. Am I going to be alone again?

I took a stop in the near end of the canteen. I bought breakfast from the canteen and listened to music. I ate breakfast alone like I would usually do. I'm one of the introverted students in school so I'm used to this type of setting. I listened to music alone and read notes whenever there was a chance.

I looked at the students beside my table, happily sharing their thoughts and opinions. I wished that I could turn back into an outgoing person, however, certain circumstances stopped me. I didn't have a choice since I had to transfer schools.

After a few minutes, I stood up and gave back the used utensils and plate. As I was about to exit the canteen, hot brown liquid splashed and soaked through my blouse with its strong aroma sticking out.

The student just went past me as he returned the coffee cup to one of the vendors and dashed back inside as if he was rushing an important project.

I sneered at him as he ran without noticing. He didn't even apologize for spilling coffee all over my blouse. I covered my blouse with my jacket, zipping it all the way up.

I gazed at my phone and looked at the time. I didn't have any time left to remove the coffee stain from my blouse so I immediately went to the basketball court where the flag ceremony occurs.

Everything looked familiar all over again. The surroundings were swarming with students and teachers, last year's student council officers preparing the flag, and a choir ready to sing the usual opening songs. As always, the people around me talked about trending topics around the campus. I know that I've dreamt of this day, almost everything is exactly as I remembered from my list of dreams. Yet, there's something missing that I couldn't point it out.

This reminded me of my first day here. The people around me wanted to be close friends with me, yet after some time they formed their own group and I was left alone until I met my best friend here. Years did pass by so fast, yet I never had full control of my ability. I could never predict the next following moments accurately.

I looked around, trying to familiarize new faces around.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder. "Hi Vi. How are you?"

I looked at the person behind me. It was Daniel, one of my closest friends before his ex-girlfriend got jealous with our closeness. Right now, it still feels a bit awkward speaking with him ever since they broke up just a year ago.

I only replied briefly, "Oh hello. I'm fine as always."

His expression changed, "Was the coffee too hot?"

I stood a step back. So he was the one who spilled coffee on me?

I responded with an irritated voice. "It was warm, but I can bear it. You could've at least –"

"I'm sorry, I should have been looking to where I was going. Here, have this handkerchief to wipe it off."

I took the handkerchief and wiped some of the coffee off. "Thank you, it isn't a big deal. Why were you in a hurry a while ago?"

He mumbled, "I had to submit all of my follow-up requirements for enrollment. I had financial problems during the last vacation so I couldn't pass required medical tests. How about you? How was your vacation so far?"

"I had to study during vacations. My parents insisted that I should study some topics included in this year's curriculum. I can't believe that we're already grade nine already."

Honestly, I never thought that he would ever have a conversation with me again. I felt a bit comfortable around him. Yet, after a broken friendship caused by a rumor, I tried to avoid him.

I tried to escape every conversation with him. I had to stop my heart beating hopelessly towards my friend. I hid my feelings from him for two years because I couldn't ever be near him. I liked him but he shouldn't know. I wanted to smile again right yet I resisted the feeling.

I shouldn't let my feelings take all over again.

I'll wait for the moment when my heart beats faster just with a smile from someone I'll meet. Someone I hope will understand me.

"Let's eat lunch together with the others, just like before."

I shook my head, "Thank you but I'll decline. I'm not even close with your best friends."

A teacher's voice echoed, "We will now begin thr flag ceremony."

I felt a bit relaxed. He stopped the conversation as soon as the national anthem played through the speakers.

***

As soon as the flag ceremony had finished, we went straight towards our designated classrooms. Just like every first day of classes, introductions were made by the students and the teachers. Some asked about interesting facts about ourselves and future goals. I had to say the same thing all over again.

Since we don't have any seating arrangements yet, we freely choose our spots and with the people we would like to be tablemates. I sat beside Pauline and Anna, the duo who can't be separated since grade seven.

They are friendly but I couldn't join their social circle since I usually get "out of place" in their circle and I make awkward situations in their atmosphere. It's fine for me. At least, I won't attract unnecessary attention. I can share my thoughts and opinions critically during recitations and debates.

Even though it looks like a normal school year, I felt a peculiar feeling towards this person I haven't met yet. My mind wandered off from the discussions of my teachers. I set my cellphone on record so that I wouldn't miss any important details.

Why couldn't I identify the guy from my dream? Was he important? Or is my ability fading away all of a sudden? Who is that mysterious guy with glasses?