Chapter 5: Universe Light

I'm just lying on my bed, all morning. I didn't yet want to clean my room. I'm too tired and I felt doing nothing all day and I've been waiting for Sabrina's reply.

For the nth time, I checked upon my phone and fortunately, Sabrina is active now. I smiled widely, "Hey! Let's do a VC, now!" I said. I tried to hide my excitement, I want to tell Sabrina how boring to live in here. "Sure!" Sabrina replied. I call her and good thing she accepted my call.

"Jet lag?" She asked me, biting her lower lip. I gulped and looked away, "Slight!" I touch my nape. Sabrina stood up and get something, "Look at this, Jam. You already opened it?" Sabrina show me her emerald rosary. I felt guilty all of a sudden, she looks happy and jolly. "Yeah. Thank you, Sab! I like it!" I told her the other way around. I don't know why but I hate everything about stuff like that and, I don't believe in the power of rosary.

Sabrina smiled bitterly like she can read what's in my mind. "Well, good to hear that you like it. Anyway, how's your new house?" Sabrina seated like a Budhha and chew some popcorn and nuts. I don't know how to describe it but there's only one thing that came up in my mind. "Boring." I said, watching the ceiling. "I mean, nothing changed. Our new house is old but still beautiful and organize." I lift up my phone and let Sabrina see my whole room. "How creepy!" She told me seriously. She narrowed her eyes like she saw something else, "Look behind you, there is someone standing Jam."

Fuck! I panicked and turned my head to look behind and I saw a shadow. "Can you look outside of your room, please take care." I walked closer and I'm stumbled when I saw a black cat, running around. "Shit!" I take a long sighed and went back to my room.

"I saw a black cat, running around. Maybe, it's looking for a rat." I told her. But still, my heart beats so fast, I'm scared and afraid. "What! A black cat?" Sabrina look frightened and surprised. Why? I mean, what's with black cat. It is just an animal that loves rat, that's all.

"Yes. Why? I mean, why you're surprised?" I narrowed my eyes and there's a big question mark in my head. "Read this." Sabrina show me an article and it says, "In Western history,

black cats have typically been looked upon as a symbol of evil omens, specifically being suspected of being the familiars of witches, or actually shape-shifting witches themselves. Most of Europe considers the black cat a symbol of bad luck, particularly if one walks across the path in front of a person, which is believed to be an omen of misfortune and death. In Germany, some believe that black

cats crossing a person's path from right to left, is a bad omen, but from left to right, the cat is granting favorable times."

"Do you really believe everything about superstition? Bad luck and omen of misfortune or death. It's not true, Sabrina!" She's unbelievable, supernatural is not true. It's not yet proven scientifically. Sabrina looked at me sharply, "Believe me, black cat is an augury for pete's sake!"

I wagged my head back and forth. "Whatever it is, I don't believe in magic, rituals, bad or good omen and things like shit!" I'm getting mad. I can't control myself and I'm sweating. This is not me. I'm not used to be like this. I'm not the old Jamie, at all. "You're acting different Jamie. You've changed, I knew it. I felt and sensed it. Now, if you're still acting that way, call me if your steady and calm."

Goodness, Sabrina just hung up! I closed my eyes and in my anger I throw my phone on the wall. Part of it scattered on the floor, I don't care anymore! I clenched my fists in anger and punched the wall repeatedly when Michelle knocked on the door. "Jamie? We're going out to town,  your Dad wants to have lunch there." I wiped my bleeding hands and answered. "Yeah. I'm coming!" I went straight to the comfort room and take a quick shower.

It didn't took me too long to change, and I walked downstairs. Great! They're not yet done. "Dad, I'm waiting outside, at the old tree!" I shouted and sit on the swing.

This place seems so quiet and peaceful. But you can feel a sudden fear and you'll always hear someone calling out your name. I stared at abandoned houses next and before our house, grasses grown up. Winds blew up and leaves fall down.

"Mind to talk?" I almost fell when I heard a woman's voice at my back. She looks simple and innocent right now, no more thick mascara, no more make up, just her natural face and gingered hair. I was stucked looking at her but she clapped her hands at my face.

What the hell! I slapped her hand out of my face. "Why are you here?" I asked her. "I saw you here and you looked so sad and... and...torpid."

"It's none of your business! Get lost, woman!" I clenched my teeth as I spoke quietly and I put emphasis to every words. She pouted and acted like she's crying. I didn't look or try to console her, she's too exasperating. She's disturbing my boring and sucked life. 

"See you around, Mr. Kurtney." And now she's smiling like an evil. "In your dreams!" I raised my eyebrows as she walk away from me. I thought she's totally gone but I heard her screaming, "I'm Zhoe!" And she run like a professional marathoner.

"Let's go!" Michelle said, getting into the from seat. "Your new friend?" Daddy looked at me with a smile on his face, he started the engine and I know he's waiting for my answer. "No. She's not." Daddy shrugged his shoulders and focus on driving.

**

After lunch, Michelle told Dad that she wants to go shopping and watch a movie. The mall was in front of the restaurant so we can't say no to her.

Michelle is getting to my nerves now, she screamed on the top of her lungs. She chose that damn horror movie and now, she's afraid and thrilled.

Dad decided to go out from the movie room, maybe Michelle will buy clothes and everything she wants or just roam around the mall. I remembered that I don't have a phone anymore. Daddy narrowed his eyes while typing and looked at me. "Jamie, you're not out of coverage! Your Mom keep on calling you."

"It's not working, Dad. Tell Mom, I'll call her back later." I told him. Daddy put back his phone while choosing a stiletto for Michelle.

"Jamie, pick something you want." Daddy told me, looking at the tanned his heels. I shook my head and replied, "I don't need anything Dad. Excuse me, I'll look around."

Dad nodded, "Here. You better buy a new phone, Jam!" He give me ten dollars but I rejected it. "Don't worry Dad, I can buy it." He shook his head and wave his hand at me.

I don't like Michelle for Dad! She's too materialistic and she doesn't know how to cook and bake! How I wish Mom and Dad fix their misunderstanding and back to each other arms.

I looked around and my feet bring me in front of a phone shop. I went inside and checked the display, and then a woman stepped closer to me and said, "Good afternoon Sir! You're looking for a new, original but affordable phone?" "Yes." I replied.

The girl walked towards the counter and get a box of new phone. "This is original and affordable Sir, essential and popular apps are already installed. You can check it now by yourself." She handed it to me and I read the text on the back of it. "Universe Light." I don't know this brand. "Do you have the latest version of iPhone?" I asked her, still checking the phone.

"Not yet Sir. Our orders wasn't delivered today, so that's the only brand available here." She said, waiting if I would buy it or not. I don't have a choice, so I give it back to her. "How much?"

"5 dollars, Sir." She said and I give her 10 dollars. "Add one sim card with regular load." I know Dad's number but I can't call him of I don't have a balance. "8 dollars, all of these Sir," She was about to put it on a paper bag but I stop her. "I'll use it now." I told her, waiting for my change.

"Here. Thank you for shopping, Sir!" She told me and bowed. I shook my head and leave the place.

I call Dad and walked to the parking lot. I'll wait them here, "Dad, I'm in the parking lot." I told him, since I can't open the car. "Yes, we're paying out now. Good that you already bought a new one." Daddy laugh on the other line.

"I'm hanging up, Dad!" I replied.

I checked all the apps installed and I fortunately found the apps that I downloaded in my old phone.

I opened Discord and added Sabrina. I'll just wait her to be active and say sorry for messing up earlier. I'm just a jerk and childish.

I saw them coming so I put my phone on my pocket. "Let me." I told Daddy, he carried a lot of paper bags alone and Michelle just wear a sunglasses. I carry ten of it. "Thank you, Jamie!" Michelle told me as we get into the car. I don't want to talk to her so I nodded and keep my mouth shut.

There's so many people roaming around the town. I saw a family earlier, they're happy, they're four to be exact. One girl, one boy and their parents. I wish, me too. I envied them. I still hoping for my parents reconciliation.

I'm looking forward to a complete family and I still believe in,

love,

I still,

believe.