Chapter 01

It's me, Callista Brianna. I'm 18 years old. I love novels so much, you could say I can't live without a book called a novel, huh! I'm even willing to spend my school fees to buy my favorite novel. I don't care how often my mom and dad forbid, I'll still read novels.

My day is lonely without reading the book of the hallucinatory world, it's okay if I don't have a lover. For me reading novels can make me happy and sad alternately.

I even stayed up until late in the morning, to read every novel I bought.

This morning, I couldn't wait to go to school, to be more precise, I couldn't wait to stop by my favorite bookstore, the seller told me that there was a new novel out there. Not infrequently I also buy novels online at well-known shops that sell limited edition novels.

"Ma ... I'll go first," I allowed.

"Honey, it's still very early. Don't you have for breakfast first?" my mom asked.

"No, Mom! I have an appointment with my friend," I lied.

"Don't tell me if you want to buy that useless book again?!" reviled my mother, she was really against my hobby of reading novels.

"Mom ... come on! Don't be like this," I complained.

"You've gone too far, Ta, you forgot everything, your studies, and other activities were abandoned just like that, and it was all because of your useless novel," he was angry.

I was sick every morning, having to hear lectures from my parents, I chose to ignore it and leave my house as soon as possible. I don't care if my mom is angry. I feel like he's holding me back too much.

Arriving at Callista's subscription bookstore.

"Yuhuu ... spada ...! I'm coming!!" my joy.

"Ooii ... you've come babe! How about buying the novel I told you about last night?" asked my best friend, as well as a shop owner named Tera.

"So that's it! I ordered the novel in advance. It's complete, isn't it, the novel?" I asked to be sure.

"Of course," Tera took a box of novels that were still sealed.

My eyes lit up, looking at the pile of books. I feel like I won the lottery, a joy that I can't express in words. I really like and even love novels like my lover. I can't wait to open and read stories that will make my soul fly, imagining if I were a character in that story.

"Ta, it seems I feel you have crossed the line."

I don't understand what my friend said.

"Over the line what do you mean?"

"Yeah, you're like addicted to a novel, you see," Tera said awkwardly.

I just laughed a little.

"You're right, I'm very addicted to these books. I can't pass my day without reading," I said, I myself was also confused since when I was such a novel maniac. Until I feel happier living in the world of novels. Than in the real world.

"Come on, let's go, how about the payment for these books?" point Tera in the book in the box.

"I'll pay for it later," I said firmly.

"Ta, you're not going to use your tuition again, are you?" Tera asked worriedly.

"Hehe... sadly, yes." I said indifferently.

"Ra, sorry for your parents. He spent a lot of money on your education. But you actually spent that money to buy these novels."

"Ra, okay, don't be like my mom and dad. We are mutually beneficial, ok," I embarrassed. I'm too lazy to argue. I'm really annoyed, why is everyone forbid me?

Tera chose to remain silent without wanting to say more. Arguing with Callista will only make matters worse. Callista is the type of girl who is stubborn and doesn't want to give in.

"Ah, never mind. Let's go! We'll be late," Tera ended.

I just nodded and left Tera's shop, headed to the school where I studied.

Throughout the course, my brain couldn't focus. I only think of novels, I can't wait to read them. Oh, my darling.

As promised, I went back to Tera's shop and took my books. Don't forget to pay for the book. Of course I use the money that should be for my monthly school fees.

Oh, it's okay! Later I can ask again to mom and dad.

When I got home.

Mom and dad were already staring at me.

"What's wrong Mom, Dad?" my lazy.

"Callista, the other day the school contacted Papa. He said that the school fees had been in arrears for 3 months, and Mama said, Mama told you to pay it. So now Papa is asking, where is the money Callista?!" asked the middle-aged man flatly. When I got home.

Mom and dad were already staring at me.

"What's wrong Mom, Dad?" my lazy.

"Callista, the other day the school contacted Papa. He said that the school fees had been in arrears for 3 months, and Mama said, Mama told you to pay it. So now Papa is asking, where is the money Callista?!" asked the middle-aged man flatly.

I can only exhale tiredly. I'm too used to this kind of situation.

"Yes ... I was wrong. I was spending the money to buy my favorite novel, Pa," I said without feeling guilty.

"CALLISTA! How many times has Papa told you?! Don't ever buy unnecessary books like that again! What should Papa do to make you understand, huh?!" angry the man grumbled.

I feel emotion, I don't like being banned like this.

"Pa, I love my hobby!!!" I shouted.

"Papa knows, Papa did not forbid your hobby. But you have gone too far."

"Anyway, I will still collect my favorite novels, if Papa still forbids me. I will quit school," I threatened, disapproved.

Callista's parents could only close their eyes while shaking their heads in frustration.

I'm happy, nothing stops me. Let me disobey. The important thing is that I'm happy, getting the latest novels.

I even planned to ask papa to make a special room to put my previous novels.

"Dad ..." I called, clinging to my father's sturdy arms.

"What is it?" he said softly.

"I want to make a museum for my favorite novels, my room is full, Dad," I whined.

Papa just sighed and agreed to my request. Hah! I'm very happy he made it.

It didn't take long, my papa had made a separate room to put my favorite novels, I was so happy, I felt like I had my own heaven.

I'm the type of girl who can never be satisfied with something.

Until one day, when I lived my days at school. There is no time without discussing the subject of the novel.

And came a student, who I don't know, I didn't know him.

Suddenly he shouted at me.

"You're Callista, right?!" he exclaimed.

I looked at him in surprise, I felt like I never knew the figure. But how did he know me?

"You recognize me?" I asked.

"Who doesn't know you, novel lover," giggled the student.

I smiled awkwardly, it's true, what the kid said.

"Um, yes."

"Aye, did you know that there will be a novel exhibition in one of the old buildings at the end of the city?" he asked suddenly.

I rolled my eyes. Hearing the word novel, my brain felt excited for a moment.

"Really? Where?!" I asked enthusiastically.

"Here's the address, come over! Don't miss it!!" cried the figure, handing him a small slip of paper with the address of the place, thrusting it at me.

I smiled at the slip of paper in my right hand, full of interest.

I want to thank that person. But, why is he gone? Where it goes? Ah, never mind. It doesn't matter, I don't even know his name.

I want to invite my friend to come to the place tomorrow.

"El, will you, will accompany me to this place tomorrow?" I asked, to the figure of the girlfriend I used to call Eli, that.

Eli looked at the paper in my right hand, the girl didn't seem to agree with my invitation. It was obvious from the look on his face.

"This place is so far away, Ta," he complained.

"Therefore, tomorrow will accompany me ditching,"

"Ah, sorry! I can't, my father will definitely scold me later, if he knows I'm skipping school," he refused.

I pursed my lips, I knew he would refuse my invitation. Huh, alright! Maybe I'll go out on my own tomorrow. For the sake of the novel, I don't want other people to go first.

The next day.

"Mom, Pa, I'm going to school first," I said goodbye.

"Son, why did you bring breakfast? It's so bulky?" Tell my mom.

"I just want to eat Mama's cooking," I reasoned.

Mama just confirmed what I said, without suspicion. If I actually don't want to go to school today. I wanted to go to the place listed on the paper neatly folded in my pocket.

"I'll go first Mom!" say goodbye again.

For some reason I felt as if it was hard to leave home, and also my family.

"Son, be careful on the road, for some reason, Mama feels restless, Mama's heart feels uneasy," said Mama, very clearly when she was worried.

"Mom, I'm just going to school. Mama don't worry too much," I said soothing her.

I finally left by ordering a taxi online, my family has not allowed me to bring my own car.

"Sir, to this address!" I showed the piece of paper I had just taken from my pocket to show the taxi driver.

The figure of the driver was a little surprised.

"Son, this place is very far away. It's almost the city border," said the driver, a little shocked.

"Yeah, I know, just take me to that place, don't worry! I'll pay," I said lazily.

The driver just nodded and drove the car to my destination.

It's been almost three hours, but it still hasn't arrived. Did the kid who lied to me yesterday? My brain started to wonder.

But half an hour later, I arrived at my destination.

It was true, the place was so foreign and located on the outskirts of the city.

"Miss sure, this is the place?" asked the driver hurriedly.

"I think so, sir," I said, a little unsure.

"Madam, just check first, Mr. will wait for Miss here. If we go to the wrong place, we will return again," said the driver, I did not expect the driver to be so kind. Or maybe because it has become my subscription?.

I nodded in agreement and got down from the car, I stepped my foot into the area of ​​the old building there. Looks a little scary, because the building is located on the outskirts of the forest. And why is it so quiet, my body is a little limp. However, I have to be sure. For the novels that have become a part of my life.