1 Opok (Summer)

The ticking of the clock can be heard all throughout the classroom. The fifteen students, seated on their desks, were either listening to the teacher giving instructions regarding their summer assignments or , majority of them, were waiting for the hour hand to strike at four to end this class and begin the summer vacation.

The minority who listened attentively included a girl, with deep black hair who was seated on the middle of the class. She was taking notes while Mrs. Sanders pointed out the important topics that the class needed to research on

She heard the old, high pitched voice of the teacher saying, " Culture, tradition, or way of life has always been influenced by life and death. An individual is nurtured by these influences. What influences you? What is your belief regarding life and death? What does your environment, your family, your ethnic group think about life and death? You will have a lot of time gathering information about this report this summer. I expect a two page report on it with minimum 200 words."

A sigh could be heard from the class. Their vacation might not be a vacation at all. The girl laughed, oblivious to others, internally, as she peeked to hear the internal grumbles of her classmates.

' Task sound simple but how many of those does she even need..!'

"ha… there goes our family trip'

'if someone could just end the hour already!'

As if time heard the internal grumbles too, the bell rang signaling the end of the day. But out of respect of the teacher, the students let her finish her instructions for another five minutes.

The class stood up and greeted their teacher good bye. Most of the students ran out of the room. The Summer holiday now began.

The girl stood from her desk and arranged her pens, books, and pad in her bag. After doing so she heard her name being called from outside the door

"Emy ready to go?"

The girl who was called, turned to the direction of the voice. The one who called, even though she was a female, cannot help to be in awe at the sight of her cousin. ' Elegant Beauty' were the right words to describe this cousin of hers. Her waist length straight hair, her deep black eyes, her glowing fair skin, and her natural poised stature- all of these made her be dubbed the elegant beauty of the only State University in the region.

Emerald, or known as Emy to her family and closest friends, nodded and walked towards the door.

"Rue, did your classes finish earlier?"

"Yeah. I had to go to the club room to meet the guys since they were planning a 3 day volleyball practice during the summer."

"I see. You'll still be busy during the summer." Emy commented

Rue was Emy's second cousin from her father's side. They were on the same age and school year but on different sections. Emy was the academic type of student while Rue was the sporty type. Though they have different hobbies, Rue was the closest among Emy's cousins.

" and Jade did not come to school?" Rue queried.

After hearing the name, Emy frowned and shook her head, " Father said, she need not come to school since it's the last day. Besides, now she is stable, we did not want another attack"

Seeing the slight sadness from her cousin's face, Rue smiled wryly and replied, "Yeah, better for her to rest."

Silently they walked along the corridors and towards the university's main gate. But half a mile before they reached the gate they stopped and looked at each other. Both of them examining if the other felt the same.

'Something is wrong' Emy heard her cousin say even without the words coming out from Rue's mouth.