A Friend from the Past

After my sister Esmerald hit my head, I left the house. And not too far away, I heard them screaming for help, but not one of their neighbors even bothered to look. However, I can't seem to remember the path leading to the highway. Although as I continue walking, hoping to find the right way, I somehow stumbled upon a familiar place.

In front of me is a basketball court. There is a chain-link fence with a door that has a padlock on because of curfew. However, inside of it is a playground and some tables that strangely felt at home. Surprisingly when I checked the door if it's locked, the padlock seems to be opened.

When I went inside, I didn't notice it at first, but I suppose my body still can't handle this kind of fatigue. Rested lying on the table, I gazed upon the starry night, seeing them shine bright. Suddenly, I saw a memory from the past similar to what is happening today. Lying on this same table I am resting, my eyes were filled with tears in the middle of the day, dreaming of that lady I saw in my dreams.

During the three months of my coma, I finally met her in my dreams. Whether I time leaped or something inexplainable doesn't matter. Whether it was a dream or a reality, it is enough of a reason to be grateful. Although I want to believe that she might be true, I shouldn't let myself lift my hopes up because of this something unbelievable.

However, my connection with her became understandable, and that's what matters the most. There were places that I envisioned in my mind, so I decided to visit them to regain the memories that I have lost. Places like a street where I always take a jog to relieve my stress, the store near my former house where the owner was kindhearted. And people and places that have influenced me in the past.

For the sake of those memories, I'll visit every last of them. But that wouldn't change the fact that I am who I am today.

Throughout my search for my memories, there's somewhere that I suddenly felt stuck with. Some memory that I can not seem to remember correctly. Maybe because I have been away from my body for too long. However, someone suddenly jumped behind me, poking me from behind. Stressed out already, I yelled at the person, making him startled.

"Who the hell are you? Want me to kill you? Aish, how annoying," the person poking me from behind turned out to be a man who seemed to have some connection with me. Judging from how he reacted to my sudden outburst.

"Hey, Xavier. Why are you being like that? Long time, no see. I guess you were released from prison. Nice one!" I can't comprehend this guy. Who the hell does he think he's talking to? Acting as if we're close.

"I'll repeat, who the hell are you? My mood is a bit cranky right now, so you better stop acting up, or I'll beat you up for good," Suddenly, the tone of his voice became polite and humble.

"Oh, please forgive my rudeness. However, dont you remember me? My name is Emmanuel. I was the guy whom you met at the rooftop of our school six years ago," Would you look at that this guy does somehow look familiar. However, because I dont fully remember him, there's nothing left to discuss.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but the only Emmanuel I know is someone whom I would gladly sell my soul just to make him suffer. You dont ring any bell in my mind, so just shut up and get lost before I lose my cool," Whoever this guy might be, I couldn't care less since he doesn't seem to have any significance or use to be one of my so-called friends.

I was supposed to resume with what I was doing when suddenly he stated something about that guy earlier in the hospital called Augustine.

"Dont be mad because of how nosy I am, but I heard from Augustine about what happened to you. So I just want to suggest if you would like me to accompany you to our former school? Maybe it'll help you recover some of your lost memories?" Didn't really think I could use him for something like this. Well, it's enough of a reason for me to let him go after showing me around our former school.

"Okay, I'll let you help me this time. However, if this would be a complete waste of my time, then mark my words, I'll kill you on the spot," He then led the way.

The school was only a couple of blocks away from one of the places where Emmanuel met me. Which is a cafe named Empire. Before I could even stay put in the front of the gate outside of the school. Memories came rushing in while I observe the buildings of the school. Can't believe that I was actually a student of this school, cause it was really huge. It has four structures, to be exact. The indoor gym is still not included. Plus some of the other facilities, so I must say that this school has almost six to seven structures all in.

However, it seems that this school, Seiruno Highschool is one of the most expensive schools in Japan. But how can I afford the tuition fee here in the past? If I remember it correctly, my family struggled financially. Still, how could I attend such a prestigious school? I feel that something is hiding behind all of this. That day, when my alternate personality was kidnapped, where it was also the day I came out after six years.

That phone call with John using the kidnapper's phone, he mentioned something about claiming my rights. What the hell is going on?

"Xavier! Hey, Xavier, cant you hear me?" Spaced out, I didn't notice that the man who was with me was calling my name.

"Yeah, no need to yell! How annoying," I know that I was the one at fault for spacing out, but I still find it hard to accept that I was in the wrong.

"Oh, my apologies, but you've been standing there stunned. So let me tour you to the whole school. That way, there is a high possibility for you to remember some of your memories," Quite dumbfounded at how this man acts so composed even after being malignant towards him.

We passed through some of my old classrooms in the past. In one of the classrooms where I have attended in the past, I saw the table where I sat back six years ago. Although, it was already changed to a new one. However, this guy suggested that we proceed to the rooftop since some worn-out tables were brought to that place.

It was sudden, but I suddenly saw a vision of myself running around the corridors of this school. From my first year of junior high school to my last year of senior high school, the growth from all those years brought me to where I am now. However, there was one thing I couldn't stop but notice. How my smile changed throughout the years.

Somehow, I'm proud of myself for enduring a lot of things since I was young. Eventhough things turned out different from what I have imagined. There will come a time that would be meant for me in the future.

"Xavier, we're here," Again, I was spaced out while I was walking to the point that I didn't notice we already reached the rooftop.

"Well, things haven't changed that much since six years ago. So what's so important that you wanted to bring me here? You better have something important, or you know what will happen," He was baffled but proceeded with revealing some of the memories we shared on this rooftop.

"You probably forgot about it, but this is where everything started. I was the one who spread the rumors about you being a criminal with a case relating to attempted murder. The reason for everything that happened to you. Plus, the reason why the whole school was terrified of you for six years straight. You cant even enroll in other schools anymore because you were expelled right off the bat. Yes, my name is Emmanuel, the same name as one of the people you hate the most, your half brother," So he was the reason why this happened to me.

But strangely, I dont feel any resentment towards this guy. I would have already pounded him to the ground, but I can't seem to let myself hurt someone innocent. Maybe because I can feel his regrets that it made me soft for just a moment.

"So that's what happened in the past. I can't believe how cowardly I am in facing setbacks. Well, thanks for the tour, but I'll let you know that I've already chosen the road I want to cross. Also, I would've gladly appreciated it if you refrain from calling me by the name Xavier. From now on, I forbid anyone who'll address using that name. I'll legally change my name to Nicholas Kim, so if you dont want any trouble, then do as I say," Well, even if I knew what really happened. That doesn't change the fact that everything already ended.

We cannot return to the past and fix everything, but rather, the thing we could do is try our best in the present. Before leaving the rooftop, I saw my old table near the entrance filled with many writings. My wishes and some words of encouragement from people whom I dont know. As if they preserved my table only to show me the day I could be free again.

The one thing that stayed in my mind after reading all of the encouragements.

"Please be safe. You'll be able to find the person you've been looking for in the future. Please be free!"