Family Day

-CEDRIC-

I woke up the next day to the booming sound coming from my alarm on my phone that was placed on top of my side table. Well, it was pretty much my mistake since I connected it with my Bluetooth speaker… that I regretted doing now.

You know, I don’t have a best friend anymore who is going to wake me up from now on.

Once the momentum of sleep is now gone from my body system, I immediately got up and fixed my bed first before proceeding to take a shower. I was about to go inside the bathroom when I heard someone knocked on my door.

I wonder who it is…

“Oh, hi Mitch,” I said as soon as I opened the door. Mitch’s sleepy face was the first thing I saw upon opening it.

“Not that I’m complaining… but could you at least turn the volume of your alarm a bit down? Or avoid using a Bluetooth speaker. I’d very much appreciate it.” he said, which got me confused since I made sure that the sound of my alarm will only be audible on the four corners of my room.

“Oh…” I scratched the back of my neck and gave him an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay. Well, see ya’ round later.” And without waiting for my response, Mitch went back inside his room.

I closed the door of my room as well and went straight to take a shower. I still find it odd to know that he was disturbed by my alarm though. Well, I guess he’s just kinda sensitive to sounds, that’s all.

***

Moments later, I am now off to go towards the general student building where our classroom is located on the fourth floor. When I stepped inside the said building, I can see several students in a panic mode as they held their phones close to their ears. Frustration can be seen on each of their faces.

O...kay? What is going on around here?

“Good morning Cedric!”

I turned to look to face the person who greeted me in her usual energetic tone, and was glad to see Kylie wearing her bright smile on her face.

Suddenly, I remembered the weird thing that happened with her after the night that we went to the school’s science lab.

When I asked her, three days ago from now, if she could remember what she saw back there, she replied with a confused look and stated that she can’t recall going there...at all.

It’s as if her memories were erased in an instant!

In the end, I can’t do much about it but to give up and accept the fact that she indeed forget all the things that happened back in the science lab.

“Good morning Kylie.” I greeted back.

As we pass the ground floor of the building and walked towards the stairs, I cannot get off my confusion towards what is going on here. Well, better ask my classmate about this.

“Do you happen to know what is going on here?” I asked curiously.

Kylie looked at me as if I’m not from planet Earth and treated me like an alien from another dimension with her stares.

“Seriously Cedric? Everyone knows that today is Alpha Section’s annual Family Day celebration.” Then she grimaced at me. “It was clearly written in our student guide book, in the events section.”

“Ohhh…” I responded in awe before my hand went to scratching the back of my neck. “Not all students care to read the student guide book, you know.”

In fact, I forgot where I placed it at all. Sssshhh!

“Sadly though, Alpha Section doesn’t participate in that kind of event. It’s only for regular students from sections 1 to 6.” she quickly added.

My forehead instantly creased. “Why’s that?”

“I don’t know either. For privacy purposes, I think?” I saw her pushing her glasses upwards before proceeding. “Some parents are not aware of their children’s properties… like me, for example.”

Oh, I get it. Even my lolo Juls, who was the one who raised me alone like his own child, doesn’t know that I possess some kind of supernatural power.

Although the funny thing here is, I also don’t have any idea what is my property myself.

We went silent for a while as we finally reached the staircase and started climbing up the stairs.

“I think that is one of the sad parts of being an Alpha Student.” I stated as I looked down on what’s happening in the ground floor.

“I don’t think so. Most of our classmates much more prefer their parents not to visit them in school. At least, that’s what I heard from them.” she quickly responded.

“That’s cruel…” I beg to disagree, then immediately looked away from her. “If I only grew up with my parents, I would surely want to participate in these kind of events.”

In my peripheral vision, I can see her looking at me with that sympathetic look of hers.

“Oh, that’s... sad.”

“Nah, I was used to it already. Ever since then, lolo Juls was the one who raised me like his own child.”

A few moments later after I said those words, I was a bit surprised when I saw Kylie stopped walking midway when we reached third floor, and pulled me towards her before surrounding me with her tight embrace.

My eyes widened behind her…

She immediately pulled away and smiled at me. We’re all aware that hallways are packed with lurking students anyway.

“W-what was that for?” I asked in a confused tone while looking at her.

“It’s just a gentle reminder that you have me, Mitch, and your lolo Juls as your family that will never abandon you.” she smilingly said.

My eyes mentally widened, again, upon hearing Kylie’s words just now.

“Gee, thanks.” I awkwardly said then unconsciously scratched my nape for the nth time.

After that brief, awkward conversation with her, we then proceeded to go up the stairs once more to reach the fourth floor.

***

When we finally reached room 409, which is our classroom, we headed straight to our asisigned seats. I was a little bit shocked to see Mitch seated already in his chair next to mine, who is now sleeping as usual.

“Did you know that our school is having its annual Family Day today?” Upon entering the room, Karen- that girl with electric powers- bombarded us with this question before going to her assigned seat.

“Who cares? It’s not like we are allowed to bring our families here anyway.” replied by one of the twins, the one who looks like a geek.

“I’m fine with it. I don’t want to be in a hassle of bringing my dad here since he’s always busy with his business trips.” said Sasha sarcastically.

I remained silent as I listen to their conversation and mentally facepalmed myself. How come they are acting like this? Didn’t they know that not all kids are blessed to have complete families like they have right now?

“Good morning class.”

Everyone went silent after we all felt Mr. Cruz’s presence inside the room. I eventually noticed that piece of short-sized bond paper that he is holding on his right hand.

As usual, I turned to face my sleeping classmate and woke him up.

“Before proceeding with our topic for today, I would like to tell Ms. Sullivan here that your mother is currently waiting for you at the Student Council Office.”

I was a bit shocked to hear that from our adviser which caused my head to turn to my classmate who was just called out by Mr. Cruz.

“You are now excused from the class.”

Both Mitch and I watched our friend stood up from her seat, picked up her sling bag, and went out of the classroom. I thought we will not be joining today’s Family Day celebration? Then what is Kylie’s mother doing here?

I raised my hand all of a sudden in which Mr. Cruz saw and called out my name.

“Sir, do you know why is her mother here?” I asked curiously. Even Mitch is waiting for his answer.

“I’m sorry but I can’t disclose regarding that matter...for confidentiality purposes.” answered Mr. Cruz in his serious tone.

Wait… what?!