1 A New Beginning

"Flowers! Fresh flowers for you lover! Flowers!"

My eyes flung open.

My body rose. I turned my head scanning the environment I was at, panting like I just ran a marathon. I'm out of breath and my face was covered with sweat. It was noisy outside - cars were honking, people were shouting and yelling, it felt like I was surrounded by a construction site. Waking up this heavy didn't feel good yet it was familiar to my body.

"ALEXIS!"

My blood rushed through my veins as the wind brushed through my entire body. The electricity I felt inside my body, the blood inside my body started circulating at a rapid rate, streaming to different parts of my body. The energy I feel inside was awakening.

"Are you not done?! Let's go! We're gonna be late for school!"

Jiya.

My bestfriend.

"Yeah! Just a little more combing here and I'm out!" I shouted back and hastily made my way to the bathroom to take my quick shower.

"I'll wait for you in the lounge! Hurry up!"

I hurriedly finished my shower, put on my uniform and headed down the lounge, brushing my hair frantically. I don't think I even wore my neck tie right but that was the least of my concerns and no matter how it looks, as long as it's there, it's going to be fine.

When I reached the lounge, I saw Jiya standing by the front desk with her arms crossed. "Did you stay up late again watching your stupid 2D anime shenanigans?"

I grinned guiltily, scratching my head. "I might have overslept a little but all's good though!" I chuckled.

She sighed in dismay and we both headed out of the dorms.

It was too early in the morning for me use up that much energy - running, taking quick baths and more running. It's only eight in the morning and I'm already sweating like a pig under my school uniform. I should set more alarms so I can wake up early next time and prepare without any hustle.

"How's Alax, by the way?"

Alax...

"I still can't believe you're the only student they accepted for the internship. I'm so jealous! I wanted to work at Alax more than you ever did!" Jiya cried and I just chuckled.

It's true that we both applied for Alax Laboratories for our internship along with many other students who were aiming for the top. To be honest, she's the only reason why I applied in the first place. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't even be accepted there. We wanted to work together in the laboratory so we can apply for a job there once we finish college but turns out their acceptance rate was far more overwhelming than we expected.

Alax Laboratories is the top Science Tech corporation in our state. They own the best of the best technology there is in this world and no one can beat their steady advancements in many aspect of the modern world. It's a privilege to get to see the inside during the interviews even so to be the only one accepted for such prestigious company is an honor.

"I'm happy though. At least one of us gets to live our dream."

"I can happily sneak you inside if you want." I joked and she slapped me by the arms instead. Alax really is a big deal to her. She hates it whenever I make fun of that laboratory and it's fun seeing her get annoyed.

"Stupid! If you do that, they're going to ban you from accessing that lab!" She exclaimed and I just shrugged. It's true that you get more benefits when you go to top companies for internships but I wasn't that bothered. Any company who would accept me is good enough for me. I just need one to secure my future and it doesn't have to be the top one. I'm just lucky I got into a top one thanks to Jiya.

"I'm okay with that for as long as you get to see the awesome inside lab works I'll be helping out with." I teased more and her whole body shook in jealousy.

She started sobbing like a kid. "You better not ruin this opportunity that was given to you, Lexis!" She yelled and I laughed even harder. She gets too emotional over the most petty things. "I swear to God, I'm going to kill you if you let them kick you out!"

Julia is Jiya's real name. Only me and her boyfriend are the only ones allowed to call her that. We've been friends since I can remember. Ever since we became that way, we ought to protect each other. She protects me and I protect her. That's how it's always been for the both of us.

Most people would think we have such inseparable bond but to be honest, we're not that clingy to each other. If anything, we can live without each other. We always believed that distance or the amount of time we spend with each other shouldn't define our friendship.

I have other friends, she has other friends. We don't eat together during breaks, we don't hang out together during vacants. One thing remains the same, is that we're each other's company no matter where we are - no matter the circumstance. What's important is we're there for each other when one calls. It's what makes our friendship stronger than any other friendship there is.

"I'll see you back at the dorms!" She exclaimed waving at me as we parted ways.

I guess I'm on my own again.

"Alexis! We're heading to the library after lunch to work on the assignment. Are you coming with us?" One of my friend from my department, Raia, asked. She's one of the friends outside my friendship with Jiya.

I smiled, shaking my head. "I think I'm just going to relax this time. I'll just do my homework back at the dorm."

Raia bobbed her head, walking out of the room with our common friends. "See you tomorrow then, Alexis!" Then they left.

The moment our teacher announced that he won't be meeting us today, everyone fled knowing that this was our last class for the day. I suppose I should get myself out of the room as well but I'm not sure if there's anything I can do at the dorms that would entertain me if I decide to head back there.

Maybe I should walk around, get some fresh air and not stress myself out. Ice cream sounds great. I should go buy some ice cream while I'm at it.

I headed out of the campus and walked straight to the convenient store near our school. The strong breeze of the wind was a good sign that I'm making the right choice to walk around for the rest of the afternoon.

Our school is naturally gifted with benefits for the students. We can access the stores nearby, we have a beautiful park just across the stores, the mall is a few blocks away from us as well. We were technically the center of the places that are necessary for our lifestyle.

The park seemed peaceful today too. There were a few couples here and there that were hanging out there. People running with their dogs - which was odd considering it's the afternoon and most people exercise with their dogs in the early morning.

I sighed. I got too much to think about that aren't even important.

As soon as I reached the convenient store, I was welcomed by the loud ringing of the bell that hung above the door's frame. I turned to the counter and saw Nate waving at my direction with a wide smile so I smiled back.

"What a surprise to see you here this time." He commented.

"Teacher got lazy so I got free time." I shrugged.

He chuckled and leaned over the counter. "Are you here for your daily dose of ice cream?"

I grinned. "Like even miss a day?"

He bobbed his head in agreement. "We just restocked the ones you like so much so help yourself."

Nice.

I marched my way towards the chest freezer where they kept their ice creams. I slid one of its glass lids and eyed each of the flavors that were available. What should I have today? I haven't had strawberry in a while.

"And Julia?"

I glanced back at Nate, arching my brows. "If you're so worried about her, go see and not ask me. You know we don't often see each other in campus." I turned back to the freezer to grab a cup of the strawberry flavored ice cream.

He laughed. "Yeah. You and your stupid friendship rules."

"It's not a rule." I replied, walking towards the counter with the ice cream. "It's a given."

Nate is Julia's boyfriend. Despite them being lovers, Nate and I were pretty close. I can't say I'm close to him as I am with Jiya but we can talk to each other comfortably. Nate doesn't go to school. He stopped attending because he wanted his younger brother to not be in irregular - it was a pretty warming sacrifice.

"Sure, I understand." He responded sarcastically. "I'll trust you both with that."

This is the only way.

What?

Trust me.

"URGH!" The sudden electricity I felt stung my head.

"Alexis!"

I touched my forehead in confusion as the pain slowly drifted away. My chest felt heavy and I was panting so hard like I just ran a marathon. I looked around me, and I already felt less flimsy with my surrounding. The slight moment of experiencing that felt so real. What was that?

"Are you okay?"

I haven't even realized that Nate was already next to me, holding me by the arms to help me stand up straight. I still felt a little dizzy from that but I tried to shake my head hoping it would ease the drowsiness I was feeling.

"Do you need some water?"

"I-I'm fine. I was just a little stressed out from school I guess." I pushed him away from me and straightened my posture slowly. "Two dollars right?" I pulled out my wallet and grabbed my lowest bill, five. "Keep the change. See you around, Nate."

This is the only way... Trust me...

I never felt that kind of pressure before. If that was a dream that rushed back to my memories, I don't want it at all.