THE NEW STUDENT

INFIRMARY

Mya and Laura sat beside Alix's bed, nervous. Laura gazed down at Alixes and back at Mya, worriedly. She drew closer to Mya and leaned over her shoulder, "Do you think she'll be alright?", she mumbled but had no response from her since she couldn't hear or see her. She sighed, devastated and strolled back to her seat. "What am I even thinking? Definitely, she can't even see or hear me. What's the use_ been a ghost is so devastating and heartbreaking".

She faint into the chair and stared down at Alixes with teary eye. "Please be safe", she murmured softly_caressing Alixes hand.

Just then, Betty trod in, Mya approached her nervously. Laura stared at them expectantly.

"She's been like this for the past three hours. Do you think she'll be alright?", Mya queried.

Betty nodded with a smile," Sure, Miss Mya". She assured and glided towards Alix's bed. Mya paced after her with rapt attention.

"She was just in a state of shock_There wasn't any massive injuries to be worried about. She'll be awake in 30minutes".

"That's great", exclaimed Mya cheerfully. Laura stared brightly at them and chuckled. "I'm glad you're fine, Alixes."

Mya stared blankly at Betty while she checked Alixes' pulse and heart. Flashes of the scene that met her eyes earlier on kept running through her mind. "What was that? Is it some sort of magic or?(sighs) No, that can't be magic_or does this have any link to that encounter earlier this morning?". She gasped, wearing a brood look, frustrated with quite a sulky look as she kept fidgeting restlessly. "Gosh, why is it so difficult to understand anything. Wait! But who were those boys?", she muttered in her thoughts.

"Um, I'm done over her for now. I'll be at my desk", Betty's voice echoed through her thought.

"Oh, thanks", she exclaimed. Betty smiled and strolled off. Mya stared at her back, befuddled and curious. "Um, Miss Betty?".

"Huh?", Betty turned towards her with a quizzical look . "Is there any problem?".

"Um, not really but can I have a word with you?",asked Mya with a pleading look.

Betty gazed thoughtfully at her and nodded. "Alright, come with me".

"Great, thanks so much"

Betty lead the way and Mya briskly followed her. Laura gazed at them and back at Alixes and smiled. "Don't worry, Alix, let them leave. I'll stay with you, okay".

She muttered as if she was listening and chuckled with a radiant look.

***************

The class was quite noisy with chit_chats from the students. Some gathered in groups and others in pairs, conversing on the ghost story in the school and what happened to Ben and his friends. Ivy and Lupita were actually exceptional. They rather talked of the new teacher they overhead Mr. Hansel talking to when they trod past his office this morning.

"Guys, you won't believe it. I heard she's Laura's elder sister ", Lupita exuded with a radiant smile.

Raina and Jack stared at her, slack-jawed. "You don't say".

"Yes, Raina, Jack, you should have seen her with your very own eye". Ivy gasped and paused, dreamingly. Raina and Jack stared at her expectantly for her to complete her statement but she just stared dreamingly in space. Jack impatiently snapped his fingers at her. "Hey, stop day dreaming. Don't tell me you already fell in love with her....". He gasped and paused, leaning a bit closer. "Are you lesb....". Ivy pricked his forehead with a wolfish glare,"Hey, what do you take me for, huh?", she sharply cuts him off without waiting for him to complete his statement. Raina and Lupita laughed heartily.

"Ouch, what's that for? I was just asking", Jack witheringly exuded.

"And I'll break your neck the next time you ask that, gosh", said Ivy with a straight face and lift her hand as if to hit him again which made him sway away sharply. They all chuckled.

"Well, I can say, she's very beautiful and sure has the same intelligence as Laura".

"Wow", Raina and Jack mumbled. "Can't wait to meet her", said Raina, cheerfully.

"But", Jack stuttered with a sulky look. "I feel sad for her.."

"Why?", Raina queried. Ivy and Lupita threw a quizzical stare at him. " I'm trying to guess how she'll feel_teaching in the same school her sister committed suicide. Won't it be so hard on her?".

He stared at them expectantly, moody. They nodded, pained. "You're right, Jack. Laura was such a brilliant girl. I still wonder why she did that", Lupita cried.

Just then, Mr Mark trod in. "Good afternoon, class", his voice echoed through the class. Everyone rushed to their various seats and settled quietly. "Good afternoon, sir", they chorused.

"I've warned you not to be wasting time when there's no teacher in class. You can keep studying your notes. (sighs)Anyway, we got someone here I got to introduce to you". He gazed at the door and beckoned him to come. Everyone's attention followed his call to see a chestnut hair young man with grey eye colour in his 18s. He was totally every girl's definition of a perfect boyfriend.

Some begun to murmur among themselves after seeing him. "Come on, stand next to me", Mr Mark mumbled as he approached. He stood facing the class with a charming radiant smile. "This is our new transfer student(turns to face him) go ahead introduce yourself ". He nodded, "Hi, I'm Rubin Brown from Netherland and I'm glad to be part of this class". Everyone applauded_some of the girls begun blushing at the mere sight of him even some of the guys too.

"Gosh, he's so charming. I like him", Jack mumbled. " In your dreams, Jack Vicker. Not on my watch", Raina sharply cuts in. Ivy and Lupita glanced at them, perplexed and chuckled.

"You guys should stop this, I'm not sure he even got eyes for any of you", said Ivy amidst chuckle. Jack and Raina gasped at her with a pouted face. Lupita gazed at them and laughed.

"You can have your sit now, Rubin." He nodded and glided away. He got to Alix and Laura's desk and settled on Laura's desk since Alix's had her bag on it and Laura's own seems empty.

"Good, see you all later. Study hard, bye".

"Okay, sir. Thank You"

They chorused and Mr. Mark strolled out.