Chapter II

Somewhere in the 2000's 

POV: Lyka

White...feathers, red stars, maps...

The alarm rings at 6:00 A.M. I wake up. Same as everyday. I'd have these weird dreams. Well, just dreams. Can't think about that. Have to think about school. Speaking of, 3rd year in Computer Science just sucks the life out of me. 

"Lyka! Hurry up! You're going to be late." My mother shouts from the kitchen downstairs. 

I shower, get dressed and pack my stuff. I kiss my mom on the cheeks.

"Good morning, Mom!" 

"Here's your breakfast. Clean up the dishes, ok?"

"Sure, sure. No problem." Then I stuff the bread in my moth. 

My mother leaves the house to catch the bus to her office. I'm left alone to clean everything. How many pans does she need to make breakfast? Can't do anything about that...so just finish with breakfast, clean and go to school. 

School..university life wasn't exciting as I'd hope to be. I'm currently in a scholarship program which I'm very grateful. Uni-life can be extremely expensive. Just one more year and finally I can help my mom. 

I go inside my first class, which is one of those boring programming courses. I go to my assigned computer station, open up my computer and fish out from my bag the lesson plans. 

"Hey? Did you get to finish the lab work?" My seatmate, forgot his name, was just trying to copy me work. So lazy...I pretend to not hear him. He bothers me again after ten minutes. 

"So did you finish it?"

I lied. I did it last night and was just pretending to do some coding. "No, still figuring it out." I said.

"Ughhh...just let me know if you're done." He sounded annoyed that I wouldn't let him copy me work. Never mind..such a leech. 

Two classes down then lunch time...finally. 

I've always been alone. Didn't have friends. I've always felt different., outsider, weirdo, creep. Don't get me wrong. I looked normal, plain, boring. It's just that I have different priorities like finish my education, get a job, help out my mom. Dating was definitely out of my priority. I never felt empty. Waiting for the right one? Maybe, I guess.

I bought my lunch outside of school grounds. Food outside is way cheaper. Rice and some sweet and sour chicken. There are a few tables from the place I bought my lunch. I sit down and eat. Next class isn't for another two hours so I ate my food slowly. Unlike my first few years I'd eat my lunch in ten minutes to cram my assignments, quick study fro next exams in just an hour of lunch. Anyway, I was minding my own business when 'he' passed in front of my table. Let's call him 'X'. There's something way off and intense about him. I noticed his left arm. It had like a tattoo of weird figures, stars, comets, then it disappeared. 

By standards, he is attractive. Tall, brown messy hair, brown eyes, pale white skin, sharp jawline...but there's something off about him. I don't know. He suddenly looked at my direction. Was I that obvious for staring at him? He approaches my table. I open my bag and pretend I'm looking for something inside. 

"Miss, can I sit down at your table?" He asked. 

I just nod. He pulled up a chair then lighted up one of his smokes. At least he exhales it away from me. Anyway, we're outside, sitting in silence. I can obviously see the women passing by looking at him. Can't blame them. Now he's making me uncomfortable. I couldn't finish eating my lunch. He questioningly looks at me. 

"You're not gonna finish that?" He points at my lunch. 

"Not hungry anymore." I said.

He stares into my eyes. I hold my gaze. I can't break away from it even if I wanted to. He starts to say something but I don't hear it. Then he left. Like, what the hell was that? He just left. I didn't call him back. That would be so desperate of me if I did. I got up to walk back to the school grounds. I tap my I.D. at the entrance and went to one of the stone benches. I sit down and open my notebook. Some quick review for my next class, Economics for ComSci. 

A guy tripped in front of me. His notebooks, pens and papers fell to the ground. I help him gather up his things. When I raise my head from the ground I see 'X' again, just staring. 

They guy thanks me. "Miss, thanks. Can I have that paper?"

"Oh sorry, here you go." I hand over the paper then 'X' was gone. He was there, at least fifteen feet from me. He couldn't disappear like that. Stalker? I don't know but why would he stalk me? 

Officially, this day went from boring to creepy. I can't wait to get home. My last class was uneventful. It was almost 5:00 P.M. when our professor dismissed us. I catch the jeepney on the way home. After about thirty minutes, I arrive safe and outside of my gates., small gates. Got my keys, open the gates and the main door to the house. I put down my bag on the couch when my phone rings. 

"Hello?" I answered. 

"Lyka? I'll be coming home late, ok?" It was my mom. 

"Oh, ok. Sure no worries, take care."

"Take care too." She then hung up the line. She's always so busy. 

I went to my room to change my clothes. I'm still thinking about 'X'. Maybe I just imagined him. Could be stress that I made him up. I lay down on my bed. I start to feel sleepy even if it was too early. In my dream, this time, I see brown eyes but they were too piercing, it scares me. Then I see a man, he turns his back to me. His back starts to burn, then fire rise up in the shape of wings. I feel my left arm burning. I could only scream but I don't hear anything. Empty screams. I wake up and I could faintly see a star imprinted on my left arm. Then it disappears, not leaving any marks.