"We're finally done with this school year," Ella sighed with a light smile. She smiled back at her. They were having a short, friendly talk.
Ella was her classmate. They weren't that close at school, and she only considered Ella a classmate. But what puzzled her was why she remembered Ella and the boy classmate who had invited them to take a class picture, yet she couldn't recall the previous woman and boy—allegedly her brother, who had taken a picture with her, nor the title of the comic she was making. She still remembered the principal's name. Today was their moving-up ceremony. Her high school life had been good. She was in grade ten, and she was...
"Can't you hear us? You've been stunned there."
She snapped back to reality when she noticed her classmates were looking at her and already positioned for the class picture, while she remained standing at the corner, about two meters away from them.
"S-Sorry," she stammered, quickly taking her spot.
Why can't I remember my name?!
A cameraman stood in front, holding his camera, ready to take their picture.
"We're done with acads, but you look like you still haven't slept, ***. Hahaha!"
"Pst, stop that! ***, make space for us."
"***, that must've been draining you."
Why? Why was there a word she couldn't hear? There was a blank in what they were saying. She was stupefied by her thoughts, unable to focus on what was happening to her.
What is going on?!
*click*
The group became noisy after the picture was taken.
"Aye, what's with the mad look?"
"You, okay?"
"Isn't it time for you to treat us to lunch?"
They asked her, but she didn't know. She recognized about half the class, mostly classmates she wasn't close to and barely talked with.
"Hey! You okay? Got your stomach hurt? Anyway, I'm excited to celebrate this day!" A pretty girl with curly, short hair approached her. Maybe she was a classmate. She didn't remember her.
"Where are we after? Mall or food trip?" queried a girl with brown eyes, a ponytail, and eyeglasses. She didn't know her either.
"Let's do arcade first!" a boy approached the three of them. He had braces, messy hair, and an undone button on his polo. He seemed cheerful from the vibe he gave off. She didn't know him either.
"Duh? Do you really think we're doing that? By the way, I know a newly opened restaurant near here!" the girl with bangs giggled.
She wouldn't know any of this if she didn't ask. "Uhm," she gulped. She knew she'd sound strange if she asked, but the situation left her no choice.
"Who are you, guys?" she questioned the three of them.
They paused chatting for a moment and peered confusedly at her. "Stop pulling your pranks on us, hahaha!" The girl with curly hair laughed at what she had asked.
"Wait, this is her first time pranking on us. Let's hear her out!" the boy exclaimed.
She did not say anything because she had nothing to say. She wasn't trying to make a joke at anyone. She intended it to be serious, but they interpreted it as a joke.
"***, is there something wrong?" The girl with a ponytail seemed to get her. She's the only one who didn't laugh.
She couldn't ask their names directly as she might seem to be rude. She was spoiling their mood. It seemed like she had formed a group of friends here, and unfortunately, she didn't know them.
They sounded so excited about what was going on, which was contrary to the excitement that she felt right now. A worse kind of excitement turned to anxiety.
They just kept talking, and she was shaking with confusion because she did not recognize some people who seemed to be close and dear to her.
Did I just have a short-term memory loss? Or amnesia? Did I encounter an accident and have brain damage?
It seemed that she had a selective memory of specific people and events only. This was bad. She checked herself to see if she had a wound or injury. She touched her head, shoulders, arms, stomach, back, thighs, knees, and feet. Everything felt normal. She did not have body pain that could damage her brain.
Does this mean that she had an internal injury instead? She should get herself checked by a doctor. But how was she going to do that? Where should she start?
She sighed at the thought of it. She bit her lower lip. She was frustrated. In the meantime, she should stay away from them, especially from these three and from the middle-aged woman and the boy she's with, whom she called her brother. It's bad, and she might hurt their feelings when they find out she doesn't know who they are in her life. She needed some time alone to think about what was happening. Wandering around the campus and neighborhood might help her remember something.
She walked away from the three as they happily chatted, but got confused. She simply ignored them when they called her and left them puzzled because of her actions, until she bumped into someone. There's still quite a crowd; not all parents and students have already gone home. She should be careful where she is heading.
"Sorry," Then she bent her head down as her way of saying a sincere apology. She raised her head to see the one she bumped into.
He smiled at her, but changed his expression instantly. His brown eyes widened, looking over her head as if seeing a ghost. He surprised her when he pulled her suddenly, and they ran away.
"Is there a problem? Who are you?" she questioned him as they continued running, and they stopped at the school garden, which was quite secluded, surrounded by plants and trees, because people were busy flocking around the school's gymnasium, where the ceremony was held.
She gasped as he stared at her seriously. He frowned at her. She was about to speak and ask him who he was and why he did that to her when he hugged her abruptly. She wondered about his actions. She struggled because she did not know what this boy was thinking.
"No, stop!"
He let go and held both her shoulders. He gazed into her eyes. "I'm sorry, but I have to do this. This is the only way, and I won't hesitate to do that one thing to save you." He forced a smile, but sadness could be seen in his eyes and tone of speech.
"What is it?" she murmured irritably.
What is this guy talking about?
She didn't have time for this prank. Because of his bizarre actions, he completely pissed her off. She's already having a bad day since meeting people who are strangers to her, but they treat her like someone close to them.
He grabbed her right hand and pulled a necklace out of his pocket. He showed the necklace to her, and his hands rested on hers. "Don't worry, I will protect you," he assured earnestly, staring at her.
"Protect me from what? Am I in some sort of danger?"
He closed his eyes and left her speechless.
"What's happening? I don't understand!" Among the strangers whom she met today, this guy was the strangest of them all.
"Ahhh!" she shrieked. The necklace he was holding abruptly lit up after he threw it on the ground. It got smashed. Its warm light hurt the eyes. She closed her eyes and covered them with her hands. Slowly, she was feeling weak, as if there was electricity flowing through her whole body. Her senses were numbing. Why was it that this boy, who pulled her and forced her to run here, did all of this? She didn't even know herself, so who was he to her? Who are those people in her life?!
She completely lost consciousness, and the surroundings darkened.