1 THE FADED SOUL

Suddenly I opened my eyes and I was not sure where I was. It was a whole new world for me like last night has brought me into a brand new world. It was like a fantasy...a story that is all happy.

But soon this happiness was going to be crushed into pieces like shattered glass.

“ Licia..! Licia..! Wake up girl. Teacher is here..!” Zoe said shaking me out of my lunch break nap.

“crap..! Has class already started? “I asked her rubbing my eyes.

“No...Teacher has just entered the class. It will start soon. Get yourself in position girl. How many times do I have to tell you should have a good night sleep? You always sleep in the class. This is not going to help you girl. You will lose this year also.” Said Zoe stroking my hairs tucking them I position.

“I know ZOE.” I said to her after drinking water from my water bottle.

“Still you don’t work on this...huh.” she said punching me lightly in my arm.

“Good afternoon class. Today we will be studying about the Newton’s law of gravity.” Teacher said. And she stared explaining the whole concept with the help of a tennis ball.

I was never interested in physics or in Newton laws. I was just looking at the teacher in the whole lecture. Ms. Joe. she is very elegant and intelligent. Her every movement was so smooth. Her features were very perfect to be called as god has taken enough time to make her so fine. Big black eyes with sparkle of universe...cherry red lips...slender body...perfect posture...everything about her was so excellent. I was wondering how a woman can be so perfect just when I looked out of the window toward school ground. And I was shocked what I saw.

He was there. Yes...it was him. I was not able to believe my eyes what I saw.

I slide my book toward ZOE to hit her and grab attention.

“What?” she said rubbing her arm.

‘Can you see someone outside there in the ground...?”

“No.” She said in a half standing manner looking toward the ground.

“Just look carefully...” I said as I turned toward the ground. And I was dumbstruck I was not able to believe what I saw. He was no longer there. But I just saw him a moment ago and he was there...standing beside the rails of the ground.

“Focus on lecture Licia...I don’t know what you saw...its nothing there.’ She said putting her attention back toward the lecture.

But I saw him. He was there. I know he was there.

“ Licia! Everything okay?” said Ms Joe.

“Y-yes miss.” I stutter a bit.

Saying okay she returns back to the lecture. Zoe gave me her water bottle. I took few sips of water and try to calm myself down. It was so terrific. My heart was beating so fast in fear.

After calming myself down I took some notes off the board and then bell rang.

It was a long day. Everybody starts to shuffle out of rooms for home.

I packed my stuff and moved toward my locker to bring other stuff.

I was busy in putting my stuff in and out of the locker just when

“Was there anything? Are you okay?” said Zoe with a huge bang on my locker.

“Huh..!’ I gasped.

“Yaa...you just give me a heart attack girl.” I said settling my breath to normal pace.

“Sorry...” she smiled at me putting her arm around my neck. “But what was that that you were asking in the lecture...” she asked me.

“No. Nothing. I was just...it was just I guess I saw someone in the ground at that moment. So I asked you.

‘I said faking a smile toward her.

“Are you okay?” she asked me checking time in her wrist watch.

“Y-yes. I’m good.” I stutter again.

She looked at me for a moment as if she knows I was lying.

I smiled again at her.

“Let’s go then.” She said closing my locker and tossing my keys toward me. I giggled at this and followed her.

As we pass by the place where he was standing... a cold breeze pass by me and I got startled at this. I feel heaviness in my gut. What was that..? What’s going on?

“You coming..?” Zoe yelled from afar waving her hand in air.

“Just behind you.” I gather all my thoughts and followed her back on my way to home.

“Is there anything wrong Licia..?” she asked me putting her hand on my shoulder.

“You can tell me...you know that right..!” she looked at me.

“It’s nothing...I’m just a bit tired. It was a long day. I need to rest more, as you said before.” I replied putting hand crossing her shoulder.

“Yes...that’s what my girl!”

On the way we talked about our upcoming unit teats and other random stuff. After coming at the corner of the street, she bid me goodbye and hugged my tight.

“See you tomorrow Licia!” she just crushed me in her arms as if she would not be able to see me again.

“Yaa...let me breath..!” I said pulling myself away from her. She chuckled and makes her way toward her residence.

And I looked toward my way toward home. The street was empty. Not even a single soul was there. With a heavy heart I started to walk toward my destination.

“I’m home.” I yelled as I entered the door of house. Taking off my shoes I made my way toward my room. I put my bag on my table when suddenly I saw a small paper note on my desk.

Who left it here..? I said to myself. As I opened the note...I was shocked.” You can’t believe what you saw.” I gasped and it slipped out of my hands and fell on the floor. And I was trembling in fear...my heart was beating so fast...I felt like I was chocking...I was not able to breathe. I ran toward my window to get some air but he was there...outside...right there...staring at my window. Out of fear I try to hide myself in the side of window.

“Is he really there...? “Thinking that I tried to peek through the window and he was gone. He was not there.

“Licia..! Licia..! Where are you dumb girl?” I heard aggressive steps approaching toward my room. I hurried and grabbed the piece of paper from the floor and pushed it inside my half open bag.

“What are you doing..? Don’t you know you have to made dinner for all, guests will be here soon. You are really a headache. Such an idiot. ‘My mother said.

“I was coming downstairs...I just need to take a shower...I’m really tired.”

“No!” she said dragging me out of my room toward the staircase holding my arm. “First you will cook. Then you can do anything.” Before I could say anything I was dragged in the staircase. I lost my balance and fell off the stairs as she pushed me from the top.

With a huge thud I landed on the last stair. I opened my eyes in pain and cried with pain. My hands were scratched badly. My feet were trembling in fear.

“Go to the kitchen...! Don’t you hear good for nothing brat.” She yelled at me as I got on my feet.

“Yes mother” I said trying to hold my tears back. I gathered myself up and made my way toward kitchen and started to prepare the supper.

After finishing the supper I moved to her room “food is ready mother. Can I go to my room now...?”

“Okay. But don’t fall asleep you also have to do dishes after guests leave. Do you understand..?”

Calling out a sad okay I left for my room.

I took a hot shower to kick out everything out of my mind. It was really a tiring day. A long tiring day. After completing my showering and changing in some comfortable clothes I head toward my table for my homework. Then suddenly I heard noise of laughing and giggling from downstairs. Guests have arrived. Thinking this I opened my door quietly.

“Oh...supper is very delicious...!” said the lady guest.

“Oh...I’m really happy that you like it.” My mother said with a fancy laugh.

I rolled my eyes at her reply.

“Where is your daughter...Licia...? I have-not seen her in a while.”

“She just finished her homework and went to sleep.”

“Oh...such a bright child. What about dinner?”

“Oh she just had before you came. I told her that you will be coming but she said that she needs to finish her homework and study for her class tests.”

“She is really a good girl.”

“Oh thank you!”

I was listening to all those lies when I felt a little dizzy so I head to my room and sat on my desk again. I took some sips of water and get back to complete my homework.

After about two hours...I heard her yelling again “do the dishes you good for nothing girl...!”

“Yes! Yes! I’m coming.” I yelled back making my way toward kitchen.

“You didn’t have had dinner yet. Don’t you.” I heard my bother behind me handing me the plate with food. “First eat and then you can do whatever you want.” He put the plate on the table and left the kitchen.

I took the plate and gulp every single grain from it.

“Dishes are not done yet..! What is it that’s taking so long..?” she said with a harsh tone as she held my arm and drags me from table to the kitchen sink. My arm was hurting so much.

“I will do it now. It only take a few moments.” I said as she let go of my arm.

“Huh...remember you have to get up early too.” And she left me alone with the noise of dripping water from the water tap. I did dishes and head to my room. I started to set my bag for tomorrow as that piece of paper fell out of my bag on floor. Suddenly I felt myself cold.

I took the piece if paper and head to my bed.

I was looking at it again and again.

“You can’t believe what you saw.”

I read it again and again. Who are you? What do you want? What do you have to do with me? How did you get into my room? I was thinking about him and I get to know that I haven’t paid attention to his looks how does he looks. In my memory he’s just a faded figure.

With all these questions I fell asleep putting that piece of paper under my pillow.