FINGER FLICK

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Adrianna squeezed her eyes shut. Then opened them again. She sees a red taint in her vision. But strangely, her sight is much clearer.

What is happening?!

Adrianna hurriedly went around the back of the Tamarind tree and leaned back against its trunk. She breathed deeply.

When she felt calm, she opened her eyes again. Seeing everything back to normal, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Thinking about the pressure she felt inside the gym, she was really distressed by the noise, the smell and the bright lights.

Her eyes should be red earlier? Did her brain cells pop?

Her eyes were also red after she studied Math.

She should avoid getting stressed or her brain cells would be cooked like popcorn. Popping one after the other.

Adrianna breathed deeply and exhaled the air slowly. Calming her mind.

With her head up, she stared at the endless starry sky with a blanket of stars gleaming like a pinprick heartbeat with its repeated exchange between bright and faint.

Adrianna never thought a night could be so...enchanting.

The night skies are so clear that she can almost see the craters of the moon with its eerie claw and ethereal glow. A moon for lovers and tryst.

Adrianna closed her eyes in thought.

She felt him earlier. She is now familiar of his presence. He is like a part of her but at the same time not.

Damien....

It was him. The warm and sizzling power that calmed her the first time she played the music box.

The same presence in the dream she had with him. The same connection. The instant resonance.

How much of her past life did she muddled through?

Adrianna pressed the heel of her palm on her mouth. Her teeth is throbbing, pulsating.

Did she eat too much mixed fruits earlier? The fruits were sweet enough already but they still added condensed milk.

While still rubbing the sides of her mouth, Adrianna looked at the gymnasium not far from where she is hiding. Then she shivered.

She has the instant aversion from that noisy, crowded place. She wants to escape and find some quiet place.

She took out her cellphone from her shorts pocket.

21:20

Putting back her cellphone in her pocket, she looked at the gymnasium again. She wants to move and walk inside but her legs felt like lead. It just doesn't want to move.

At least not towards the gym.

She was contemplating what to do when she was scared to jump.

"Adrianna?"

Adrianna followed where the voice came from. Not far from her, she saw a well built guy of about 5'5 in height.

He is wearing an army green cargo shorts secured by a black, fabric woven belt and a white shirt with the top print 1998 then the face of Mulan, a Disney animated film.

Seeing Mulan's smiling face, Adrianna's face brightened.

How cute.

"Adrianna, are you okay now?"

Adrianna eyed the guy before her. It seems to be someone of her own age.

She just bowed her head a little and smiled slightly. A little embarrassed.

She doesn't remember him at all.

She searched her memory of someone with a dimple on his chin, soft chocolate eyes, high forehead and a small nose with a rounded nasal tip.

"I'm getting better. Thank you." Adrianna whispered quietly.

"That's good to hear. We missed you at school."

I see. A classmate.

"The mosquitoes will make a feast out of you if you continue to stay here."

"I just stepped out for a bit. Its quite noisy and crowded inside the gym."

The guy laughed softly.

He has a rich and deep laugh. This guy must have a lovely voice when he sings. Adrianna thought.

"Your here for the opening ceremony?"

"Yep."

"Would you be staying here for long?"

"In awhile."

"Where is your twin banana Steffie?"

Twin bananas. Haha.

Adrianna choked back her laugh as she raised her head and looked at the guy.

She remembered, Steffie and her are called twin bananas at school since they are inseparable.

"Steffie is inside. Don't let me hold you back. You can get inside the gym if you want."

The guy looked at Adrianna. Hesitation in his face.

"You will be alone here."

Adrianna tilted her head at the side as she heard incoming footsteps.

"I'm good."

"Would you mind if I stay here with you?"

"Why?"

"Tonight is just the opening ceremony. There is nothing exciting inside."

"No performances?"

"Paul!"

"Paul!"

Adrianna darted a look at the guy in front of her.

So he is called Paul.

Then Adrianna saw three guys and three girls. A group of couples?

They all smiled at Adrianna.

"Adrianna."

"Adrianna, how are you?"

Adrianna gave a slight smile to the group.

"I'm good. Thank you for asking."

"You all better?"

"uhm."

They looked from Paul to Adrianna and back again.

They must be speculating. Adrianna laughed inwardly.

"If you guys have an appointment with each other, please don't mind me."

The girls studied Adrianna as the guys were talking quietly with each other.

"Adrianna, there is something different about you."

"Yes, yes. Adrianna, you look even more beautiful. Like your...I don't know. What is it called? Something about the air around you.."

"Aura.."

"Yes! Your aura is different. I can't even take my eyes off you." The girl laughed.

"We haven't seen you for a week and you have changed already. You were beautiful before. But more so now."

Adrianna smiled but did not say anything.

While the girls were chatting, she heard another group of incoming footsteps.

Before long, she saw the incoming group. It looks like they just came from playing basketball. All sweaty and dirty wearing jerseys and sneakers.

And Mark was one of them.

Is this a golden opportunity for her to destroy the scumbag's image in Steffie's heart?

How she wish she can just blow this scumbag's head into smithereens!

Seeing Mark tying his shoes, Adrianna prepared to flick her finger towards him.

She imagined a bullet that would pass through his head and blow his mind off into brain juice!

She locked on her target.

FLICK!

Mark was blown to land on his ass!

With a loud thud, half of his body is reclined, his eyes wide, his face pale.

Then he unsteadily stood up, precariously swaying from left to right.

BAM!

In Adrianna's horrified eyes, Mark fell heavily on the ground, unmoving!