Chapter 3 : The Past and The Present

14 years later

Julia’s Pov:

(Ayeee! Who’s excited? It’s the MC finally!!!)

My alarm dinged again, shattering the peaceful silence of the morning. It was ringing repeatedly after five minutes for the past thirty minutes. I groaned in my pillow for the tenth time of the day. My left eye opened (as if it had a mind of its own) and saw the time.

Dang, it’s seven am.

Why did I even set up the alarm at six thirty? My memory isn’t working. Does it open at 9 am like the banks? I think so, cuz the memory bank seems to be closed at the time of our school’s regular history quiz at 8 am.

“Wake up, Jul! Do you want to be late on the first day of your school?” my mother’s voice came up.

(Typical story. First day, getting late but magically not getting late, blah, blah, blah. Sorry. Bear with it)

I jolted awake. My hand flailed on the ringing alarm (again, as if it had a mind of it’s own) and knocked it off on the floor.

Boundary.

Great.

I snorted and removed my comforters. Yawning, my feet landed on the floor and carried me to bathroom. After finishing my work, I came back.

Wait.

Is there something missing?

Did I forget to do my homework? I think not. (My mind-you sure ‘bout that? Me-shuddup)

I forgot to introduce myself.

Sorry, everyone.

The name is Julia Travis. I am fourteen years old, and I am currently living, I mean moved on to San Francisco. I have no siblings, just me, mom and dad. My dad has this job which requires moving to different places in America. Last year, we were in New Orleans, and this year we moved on here.

And today’s the first day of my school-HOLY CRAP I forgot to dress up.

I hurriedly slid on my school uniform. It was a white shirt, blue sweater with white pants. I tied up my hair in plaits. My eyes squinted as my sun-kissed face reflected itself to my mirror. I don’t know why but I’ve checked out myself a lot lately. Today was also the same. My head grew bigger in my eyes as I analyzed my face.

The first thing came to my notice are the things which help me catch sight of this beautiful world, which means my eyes. Strangely, they are a pair of golden orbs. My hair is black and frizzy, falling straight because of the braid. Plain, toned skin. I’ve never had freckles but wish to have some. Freckles make people adorable.

My mom called again, this time louder, following with the sound of hitting spoon. I huffed and opened the door. Our house is a two-story building, with my room and mom and dad’s room in upstairs and other rooms downstairs. As I descended, the smell of fresh muffins hit my nose; causing me to shut my eyes for a second. Muffins in breakfast are all I crave for the morning.

I arrived in the dining hall and saw mom and dad already sitting on the breakfast table.

“Good morning!” I greeted and hoped on my chair. After a while I was stuffing my mouth with delicious muffins. Yum.

“Make some friends in school today, Jul! And oh, try not to blow up the playground!” dad said cheerfully.

You’re probably thinking-blow up. What does that mean? Does she make missiles or something?

Chill, guys. I’m far away from making those. It’s just-sometimes blowing up becomes my thing. Let me explain it clearer for you.

As I’ve told you before, me and my family had moved to different places since my birth. So, I’ve gone to minimum thirteen schools in a span of fourteen years. Yeah, not that much.

It happened when I was seven years old. That day was the first day of my then new school. I was sitting in math class and not paying attention.

I hate math. Why learn math when you have a calculator?

I stared outside the window. The school didn’t have any field or something. It had a concrete lot which was used as a playground. Seriously, what do elders think they are doing sometimes?

I sighed as I saw the deserted, grey parking lot. Then suddenly a thought came to mind-What if this lot was a big, grassy field instead of concrete? My mind immediately stimulated the thought as my imagination kicked in. I unknowingly pictured-green grasses, wild flowers growing here and there, a fountain bursting fresh water in the middle. Some massive trees with thick branches rising high with birds chirping in its every bunch. A smile tugged on my lips. Perfect.

Was it really perfect? No, it wasn’t. Read what happened next.

My eyes almost bulged out of socket when I saw green grass bugging through the ground. Enormous trees came out, breaking the once beautiful white walls. A cool breeze started blowing as thousands of chromatic birds suddenly entered the lot like-PARTY HERE?

My classmates and even the math teacher were staring at the now fertilized school garden instead of the concrete lot with wide eyes and unhinged jaws. The girl beside me screamed as she saw a green snake slithering across the wildflowers and grasses (Hey there, little friend). A small fountain was bursting in the middle of the garden.

“OK.” the teacher fixed her glasses. “What were we doing before?”

It’s funny, I know. I just created a large school garden out of nowhere in, like, what-five minutes? Nobody wanted an explosion. Nobody cared. They acted as if the garden had been in the previous parking lot for centuries. From that day on, I discovered my new ‘power’ and also developeed a tremendous interest in nature.

Whenever I go to new places, if there isn’t enough ratio between grasses and soil, I blow up the whole place with my ultimate cultivating power. Thankfully, there are massive gardens every house we move on, so there weren’t that sort of problems in here.

Oh, yeah. My mom and dad also know all about my blowing up thingy but didn’t bother me about it. They have accepted me for who I am-and man, ain’t I grateful about it.

Sometimes I think what if I had another type of mom and dad-what would they do with me? Probably organize a magic show titled as ‘Julia Travis’s Awesome Magic with Grasses’ or ‘Learn how to cultivate with Julia!’ or worse-send me straight to a zoo or a mental hospital.

“Don’t you worry, dad. Last time I didn’t blow up the playground, remember?’’

“But you blew up the hostel, remember?” mom deadpanned.

“OK, OK, I’ll try not to blow up.” I huffed.

Dad snorted like-SURE THING.

“Anyway, as I was saying,” mom started. “Our little Jul is a grown-up girl now. She can surely handle these little things, right?’’ I nodded.

“Sure she can.” dad munched his cereal. “She is a grown-up girl now. As I can see, she is wearing two color socks on her toes.”

I looked down and the bright orange and yellow colors socks mocked me.” “Dad,” I rolled my eyes, “There was this reason”-suddenly I stopped. My eyes widened as cold sweat appeared on my neck. My throat became dry. I was looking ahead where the window was set, and the creature was far away from any other thing I have ever seen, not even the friendly green snakes in the gardens I make.

“Uh… guys?” I whispered and pointed my finger forward. “What is.. THAT?’’