I woke up alone in my room completely dressed. Leo didn’t come home.
It had been three days since the day Jane confronted me and I had been attending school as ordered by the Heathly family.
I got up and changed my clothes, ate my breakfast, and headed to the school.
“Good morning, Selene!” I turned and Doe greeted me.
“Good morning, Doe.”
Doe Green was my first friend. She was very nice and a bit introverted so we matched up to hang out. She wasn’t fussed with me being Leo’s personal assistant. Although recently, it appeared that I was not his assistant since he had not been showing himself and I had only been listening to the orders from the Vampiric Council.
“What’s with the sad face?”
“Huh? Ugh... No... It’s nothing.”
“By the way! I’ve been meaning to ask but don’t you actually know James?” She pointed to James who was playing basketball with our other classmates.
I shook my head. “I really don’t know who. It confuses me as I don’t actually have a good past.”
“I’m sorry.” She held my arm. “Don’t be! It’s all in the past... It’s just that no matter how much I want to remember if I do know him, it doesn’t work… not even a bit.”
“I think you shouldn’t be forcing yourself too much. It will come to you at the right time.”
“Thanks, Doe.”
James turned to us and smiled, waving happily. He then signed at our direction to wait. I believe that was what he meant. “I think he’s into you.”
We waved at him as he signalled for us to wait for him. “How’d you say that? I think he’s just friendly.”
“Nah. I think he likes you since he saw you days ago. We’re in the same class last year so I can tell.”
“You observe everyone sharply, don’t you?” She was wide-eyed then smiled. “I guess you’re right. I’m not into cliques like other people.”
“Well me, too.”
“Thanks for the wait, guys!” James panted as he got to us.
“I’ll just go to the toilet so can you guys go ahead?” Doe started running off, leaving me with James by the window.
“What’s with her?” He asked me.
“I actually am not sure.” I remained watching Doe get smaller in my view. “Should we get going?” James asked.
“Ah… sure.”
“Isn’t she Leo’s P.A? I wonder where Leo is!” I heard girls talking a little distance from me. “I heard in some fan groups that Leo’s out of the country.”
“Is he?”
I wish I had known myself where he was, but I didn’t and I was not supposed to ask anything. He was still my master for the remaining… twenty-five days.
“Are you okay, Selene?”
“Huh?” I turned to James who had a worried face. “I was asking if you were alright?”
I smiled at him. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
He rubbed his forehead before returning to me again. “No particular reason.”
“Uhm, James…”
“Yes?”
“I wanted to ask you since the first day why you acted like you know me? I had been wanting to ask you actually.”
He was startled then smiled. “I guess you really forgot it, eh?”
“I guess? I dunno. That’s why I wanted to hear if you’re sure I’m the Selene you were talking about.”
“Hm… Let me think. You should have three dots on your back shaped like a triangle.”
“What?! How did you do?” He smirked cutely.
“You told me about that when we were young. And you used to call me Jamjam and I called you Lenlen.”
“Really? Cute nicknames.” I giggled. I could not believe the story but he nodded. “No way! They sound completely girly!”
“Well, it’s real.”
“But you still agreed to hook up in that name… Jamjam?” I chuckled as he looked half-pissed and half-blushing.
“And you also…” He paused with a sad face replacing all the fun emotions in a split second. We stopped in the hallway as students continued passing the rooms.
“What? Also, what am I?” I questioned his unfinished statement.
“Nevermind. I don’t think it’s even right to tell you when I’m not sure you’re the same girl. Let’s go?” He started walking to the stairs and deep inside, there was this weird sensation that wanted to know what it was. I jogged and stopped him halfway up the stairs.
“Seriously, just tell me.”
“Ugh… I said forget it, Selene.” He turned around but I pulled his arm.
“James? Tell me?” He sighed before turning. “You won’t stop unless I tell you will you?” I nodded.
“Okay, fine. You… I mean the Selene from before said she’ll be my bride and stuff. I guess I held on to those childish words. But don’t worry, you don’t need to be pressured or anything. Let’s just go or we’ll be late.” He pulled his arm and continued walking. I looked at my hand and guilt filled me.
Why? I was not that Selene, right?
I just felt this weirdness because I forced him to say something, right? That was all there was, right?
Classes began and whenever I looked at James’ back, since he was three seats diagonal from mine in front, I would always see his face trying to look in my direction. If only I could know if it was me or not.
But to tell a person honestly, ever since my parents were killed, they said I had a psychological trauma making me shut and seal my own memories when I was a kid so maybe…. It could possibly be me.
“Help!”
I blinked multiple times hearing a voice from far away.
“Help!”
It was a child’s voice coming from somewhere. I couldn’t remember anything that happened next as everything turned pitch black.
Fire engulfed the place and the house was crumbling. A little boy and girl were crying as they stared at the mad flames.
“Help!” they screeched to the top of their lungs.
“Selene! Selene!”
I opened my eyes and a familiar face appeared close to my face as I saw him clearly. He was squeezing my hand close to his cheeks. I could feel his warm breath near my face.
“James?” He stood up, getting closer. “Are you okay, Selene?!”
I nodded.
“You scared us, girl!” I turned to my left and Doe was sitting at the other side with a worried look.
I sat up and soon realized where I was. “Infirmary? What happened to me?”
“You suddenly collapsed in the middle of class. Here.” I grabbed the water Doe passed on.
“Thanks.”
“Honestly, girl, are you okay? Is this related to Leo?” My hands automatically gripped on the glass as I looked at my hands.
“N-no, this has nothing to do with him. I just lack sleep… I think.”
“Okay. Anyway, while you were out, the class talked about the upcoming camping next week. You think you can come? If you don’t come then I’m not going too.” Doe pouted. James and I chuckled. “Well... Sure thing. I can come.”
“That’s good.” I looked at James and he was smiling warmly. I just replied with a smile back.
I still felt guilty when I saw his warm eyes gazing at me. I really needed to talk to him to know about Selene from before and… I needed to tell Leo how I felt before our time ran out.