Chapter 4: New Normal

I'm ready to leave, my mother, my girlfriend, our house and my friends. My things are ready and we're just waiting Dad and his new girlfriend, Michelle. We've been waiting them for almost two hours now.

I watched Mom for the last time, and I realized that she loss too much of weight. She became plain and torpid lately. She couldn't put a little bit of foundation or even a lip gloss to look fresh and beautiful. She must have been enduring the same pain that father caused.

For the last time, I turned my head to my beautiful and kind girlfriend, standing beside me, Sabrina. I saw sadness and tears springing into her eyes. If only I can decide for my own, I would never leave with Dad.

"Sorry, I woke up late." Father said, putting his necktie.

"Mom, please take care of yourself and call me if you need someone to talk to. Okay?" I hold her cold hands and looked at her teary eyes. Mom shook her head and hugged me tightly. "I will. I'm going to miss you, son." She whispered and caress my back.

"Me too." I said. "Call me when you have a chance, Jam. See you again." Sabrina told me and hold my hands and put it to her chest. "You're here, forever." Sabrina smiled at me and bursted into tears. "Shhhh. Promise me that you will stay happy and jolly. Promise me that you will take care of yourself. Promise me, Sab." I cup her face and leaned closer.

"I promise." Sabrina replied, sobbing. "Let's go now, Jamie!" Daddy told me and I saw Michelle, holding two luggage. I nodded and wipe Sabrina's tears. "I love you." I told her as I have the chance to tell her how much she mean to me. I slowly let her hands go and carry my things.

I wave my hand, as my goodbye and they're both crying. Dad and Michelle walked fast and I run towards them.  But my heart skip a beat when someone hugged my back. "I forgot to give this to you. "I closed my eyes as I turn around and saw Sabrina, giving me a small box. I narrowed my eyes at her because I don't have any idea. "Open it, when you're taking off. I love you too, Jamie." Sabrina kissed me for the first time. It was warm, sweet and full of love.

I put the box on my pocket, and I smiled at her. As I turn my back at her, I cried secretly. "Your son is a good person, Chris, and I proud of it." I didn't mind Michelle opinion.

Father and Michelle seated on my right side. I remembered the box  and get it from my pocket. It was an amethyst rosary, my birth stone. It was beautiful indeed but I don't need this. "Ohh! I'm sorry, I'm too careless!" The rosary fell on the floor. A girl with black eyes and chewing a bubble gum, just thwacked my arms.

I looked up at her irritatedly and I narrowed my eyes at her. "Next time, be careful." I told her. I get the rosary and put it back on my pocket. "Don't hide it, man. You don't need that stuff!" She told me confidently and walk out of my sight. She looks like a member of a gangster or an addict because of the way she dress up. She wore a thick mascara and too much eyeliner that made her eyes look, darker.

"What's with that face? You look irritated and uneasy, son." Father looked at me relentlessly. I shook my head and replied, "I'm fine Dad. Don't worry." I said.

Father turned his head and look at Michelle. They're talking about something and Michelle would laugh flirtatiously and often covered her mouth and hit Dad's arm. "Excuse me, Sir." I was starled when a flight attendant talk to me. I looked at her, confusedly. "Coffee or tea?" She told me, smirking. "Tea." I replied. She walked away and looked back.

I'm not comfortable, so I decided to get my phone from my bag. The glass was broken on the upper right side but it's still working and functioning well. It must have been ruined when it's accidentally fell on the floor.

I read some of the messages of my friends and Sabrina. "From Sabby: Call me when as soon as you get there." Active thirty minutes ago. I

Sabrina's simple message didn't fail me not to smile. I replied, "Aye Aye Captain!" I told her.

I scrolled down and I realized that I've been added  into a group chat. I don't know who just added me without my consent.

1 new message. I opened and read it.

"Mr. Death: Welcome to the world of Magic!" Active now.

I felt a strange fear and it gives me a sudden goosebumbs. It feels like, it's not a normal group chat. It seems like, there's a mystery behind it.

Annabelle is typing...

Chuckie is typing...

Sam is typing...

2 New Messages

I clicked the chat head and read all new messages.

"Mr. Zombie: Thank you for the warm welcome, Mr. Death."

"Xin Louie: Great. Great."

Maybe I'm not the only new member of the group chat. I read back and I observed that almost of their username are related to mystery and horror movies, like the famous killer, Chuckie, Annabelle and etc.

"Dear passengers, please turned off your phone. We are about to take off in two minutes."

I'm still reading back their conversation and I didn't give a damn to turn it off. "Your tea, Sir." I swallowed it without savoring and put back the cup on the tray. "Thank you!" I said, scrolling up.

The girl was still in front of me, standing and raising her eyebrows at me. She's too annoying! "What!?" I asked madly. She giggles and tucked her hair. "Turn it off, now." She told me in a soft, gentle and straight out way. I don't have a choice but to follow her. "Done!" I raised my two hands like I'm surrendering. "Good boy." She replied and pinch my cheek before leaving.

"We're taking off, please wear your seatbelt now!" I rolled my eyes and watch around. "Jamie, let's sleep." Daddy invited me but I shrugged my shoulders and said no.

I looked at the window and it's so amazing. The blue sky, the clouds, everything. I'm watching until I fall asleep.

**

The place was full of tulips and roses and I'm standing on the center of it. It's unfamiliar but it gives me solace, it makes me calm and warm. I looked around but I couldn't see anything except with the breathtaking scenery.

A white butterfly landed in my hands. She was too beautiful and big. But unfortunately, the butterfly fly away. I run and tried to catch it but I fell into a deep cliff.

The place became different, it's too dark and quiet. I can't see anything except, darkness.

"Jamie!"

I touched and caress my back and I heard someone called my name. I looked around and stood up.

"Jamie!" I looked at my left side.

"Jamie!" I turned my head to my right side.

"Jamie!" I looked behind me but there is no one here. The sky was too dark and wind blew up and embraced me.

"Jamie! Wake up!" I opened my eyes and I saw Daddy in front of me. It was just a dream.

"Come on now!" Daddy shouted and went out. I looked around and all I can see are empty chairs. Fuck! I was too carried away with my dream, not a good dream to be exact.

I carry with me my travel bag and my luggage. There's a car that waiting for us. Daddy, put our things in the back seat. The two of them are on the front seat and I'm on the backseat with our things.

I watch a lot of things that I would see on the road. Birds, trees, abandoned houses, junkyard, a gasoline station and the quiet street.

"We're here!" Daddy said.

I opened the window and  look at the old house in front of me. It looks familiar to me. The old tree and this house. "Jamie, help me with this!" I hurriedly went out and help Dad bringing all of these inside of the house.

Upon entering, I heard Michelle said something to Dad. "What an old creepy house!" She rolled her eyes and roam around.

I touched the door and there's no trace of dust. There must be a caretaker who kept this house clean and organize. "I already told someone to clean this house so all you need to do is to organize your things upstairs." Daddy talked to Michelle, she looked so disgusted and disappointed with this house.

"Good then! I don't have plans to be just your cleaning lady here." Michelle walked upstairs. "Find your old room, Jamie." Daddy told me and follow Michelle carrying their things.

I couldn't believe that I'm here now. That I'm with my father and his new girlfriend. That I'm living in an old and creepy house. Michelle is right.

I opened the windows and I turned my gaze to the portraits hanging on the wall.

"That's Grandma!" I uttered in my surprise. I know it! This is Grandma's old house. I smiled, realizing everything.

I was about to go upstairs when I heard a dog, barking so loud. I put my things on the floor and I went outside. I saw a car parked, and there's a girl went out from it. I look certainly at her and I'm surprised.

The girl turned her head at me and shouted, "Good to see you here, Mr. Rosary!" She walked towards her house, hugging her dog.

I shook my head out of frustration. Of all places, she's living her too. How ironic.

I walked back and for the last time, I sighed deeply. This is my new home now. This is my life now.

Welcome to a "new normal, life."