Clouds of dream

I tried to stay awake during Mr. Jake's lesson about the Medieval Europe, but I stayed up so late last night that I couldn't even properly open my eyes. Besides, I hated any type of history. I looked away from the board and stared outside the window. Autumn was completely upon us, and the leaves had started to turn into a crackling orange and sunset red color. I hated autumn, too. It reminded me of the fall season, the days when my mum could only lie sleeplessly on her bed, while telling me stories as I sat beside her on her favorite antique chair. Those were the times when I barely saw her smile. Sad days. But then after that, I never got to see her anymore. It was as if her body fell to the ground like the leaves, and my life withered along with it.

The bell rang loudly and jolted me up in my seat. I hadn't realized that I had already fallen asleep. Everyone else had gotten up and left the room, and I knew that I was going to be in real trouble for dozing off during class. When Mr. Jake saw me awake he walked towards me with arms crossed, and he didn't look happy, but oddly he didn't scold me either.

"This is your third warning, Alexis. And you still haven't changed. You're lucky I'm feeling generous today, so I won't be putting you in detention. For now," he said and shook his head.

I didn't say anything. I stood up and started to gather my things. I thought I heard our history teacher sigh. "Alex, aren't you tired of getting into trouble every single day? Because I'm pretty sure the principal is fed up with your little pranks. You're not gonna make your father proud of you this way."

"He's never proud of me anyway. What's the point?" I muttered and headed for the door.

"You know I'm here if you need help, right?" he called out, his hands placed on his waist. I paused but didn't turn around to face him.

"Heard that lie before," I said and left.

The hallways and classrooms were deserted. I guessed everyone else had already gone home and I'd been asleep for a long time. There were only a few students left, those I recognized as Maisie Watt and Gabriel Anderson, the Year 10 representative and the president of the student council. They were always seen together because it was their responsibility to resolve the problems and concerns of the students in Kensington Hill Academy.

As I left the school grounds, I suddenly heard a sweet female voice humming melodiously, with a side of melancholia in his tune. I suspected it came from the school canteen, but after break time, it usually closes, so nobody could be in there except a few janitors and canteen ladies. I've heard this voice before, usually whenever no one is on the school field, or during the end of class. It was like a secret mystery, that no one else was aware of besides me. I recently called it the 'siren's song' as there are legends about a killer mermaid that lures fishermen to the sea at night using their beautiful melodies. But I wasn't going to fall for that trap, despite being in a school, not the sea.

But it wasn't threatening, and there wasn't an air of danger in that tune whenever I hear it. It was like a broken girl's cry of help disguised as a cloud of dream. If I were honest, I'd probably relate to the song, if it ever had some lyrics.

On my way home, the evening air seemed colder than usual. Perhaps it was because the cold season was arriving, but winter isn't expected until December, and it was still three months away. Or maybe, it was the feeling of being alone. Honestly, it doesn't bother me anymore, after being alone for six whole years. I mean, sure, I'm not completely by myself in our house, but when your most beloved person dies, that's what it'd feel like.

The lampposts brightened the whole street. There were not much stars in the sky since it was a cloudy night, but I could see some fireflies fly around, creating a calm atmosphere surrounding me. But I was more disturbed by the sight of the bright insects, so I quickly swatted them away and walked up the hill, to the gloomy place I call home.

"I'm home, Dad." I said automatically, taking off my shoes and putting them on the shelves by the door. As always, there was no reply. Dad was usually propped on the sofa, drinking beer and watching some television. I could hear some noise coming from the kitchen, so I assumed that Adrian had been cooking dinner. I preferred my older brother taking over the kitchen than me. I couldn't even trust myself to cook a simple breakfast meal.

"You're late," said Adrian, as I went inside the kitchen. He mixed the broccoli and the chicken bits on the pan.

"What's the point?" I said, grabbing a plate and waiting for my brother to finish cooking.

"You're supposed to be home by 6:15 PM, giving you 15 minutes to walk home from school. It's 6:20."

"Yeah, so?" After he turned off the stove, I quickly spooned some food from the pan onto my plate, taking only the chicken part, and shoving the broccoli to the side.

"At least eat properly, Alexis." Adrian pleaded, with an edge on his voice. "I didn't cook those vegetables for taste. I worked my tail off to give you a proper meal, so at least give it some appreciation."

"Yeah, whatever." I said. My brother sighed. I ignored him and trudged up the stairs to my cramped room.

I ate my dinner on my desk, writing a poem about the singing voice I'd just heard from earlier in school. It was my 6th poem. I'd been hearing that voice for months now, and yet I still didn't know who was the girl behind it. Of course I didn't think our school was haunted, or that it was a ghost. I'm far too level-headed to believe in those nonsense. It was mysterious, and peculiar. But I didn't have much time to look for the source.

The voice was like a lullaby, and it gave off a sense of peace that I never felt ever since my mum passed away. But her voice did remind me of something my mum used to love: butterflies.