Chapter 22 : Lie

Doodling on the paper like a madman, I could feel my eyelids dropping. Notes and books were scattered around me like the aftermath of a tornado, and I picked up a note and collapsed on my bed, drifting towards my dream world where I was a glamorous lady in a bikini, the cool ocean breeze caressing my body like a gentle lover's touch. A glass of exquisite wine in one hand and a beauty in the other, I felt a pair of soft arms slowly wrapping around my waist, sending shivers down my spine like a million tiny electric eels dancing on my body. Her hot breath tickling my ears, she whispered, "You dare to dream of others, sweetheart? Do you want to wake up or die?" She gave my waist a playful pinch, like a crab snapping at a piece of seaweed.

"AAAH!" I screamed, my eyes opening as wide as a startled fish, my heart pounding like a drum solo in my chest. I gulped, sweat forming on my forehead. Suddenly I felt a tingling sensation in my waist. I got pinched in a dream, and now I'm feeling it in real life? I glanced to my side... "Ah!" I jumped like a startled shrimp when I saw my mom standing beside me, her face as furious as a pufferfish. "Mom! You scared me!" I shouted, sitting up in bed on alert. "Scared you, huh! Exams are just around the corner, and all you do is sleep, sleep, and sleep!"

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!" I covered myself when she started to swat me with her hands. "Mom! I'm sorry! I'll study! I'll study!" I jumped out of bed and ran outside, with her chasing me like a shark after a seal. God, save me!

*Ding-dong*

"Hold on a moment, I'm coming!" A woman's voice echoed from within the house. Somiya patiently waited outside the door, her gaze drifting towards the neighbouring buildings. Her eyes were drawn to a particular house, its architecture standing out amongst the others. It was larger and boasted a unique design.

*Clank–*

"Somiya, how wonderful to see you! How are you doing!?" Demi's mother greeted her with a warm smile and an enthusiastic voice. "Namaste Aunty. I'm doing perfectly fine. What about you, Aunty? You seem to have reversed your age this year too." Somiya asked politely, her voice respectful yet playful. She removed her shoes and placed them neatly in the designated rack before following Demi's mother inside.

"C'mon Somi, don't tease this old lady. How are your parents? I heard they returned last month," Demi's mother said as she set out juice and cookies on the table. Somiya took a seat on the sofa, her bag by her side. "Yes, they did return last month. However, my father had urgent business overseas and had to leave yesterday. My mother will be staying for another month though."

"Is that so? I'm glad to hear your mother is here," Demi's mother replied. "Where is Zeya? I thought she would come with you," Demi asked, emerging from her room and walking down the stairs. Somiya looked up and met Demi's gaze. "I thought she would already be here, so I didn't go into her house." Demi nodded and took a seat beside Somiya. "What time do you expect to be back?" she asked her mother.

Demi's mother pondered for a moment, picking up a folder from the table. "I'm not entirely sure," she said, her voice uncertain. "I have two meetings to attend, as well as showing some properties to clients. I may be late, but just in case, if you need to leave, you can leave the keys in house 204. One young lady of that house mentioned she would be home all day."

"Aunty, you're leaving already?" Somiya asked.

"Yes, I just came back to retrieve these files. Please give your mother my regards. And I've prepared some lunch too. Have it while studying," Demi's mother replied.

Demi nodded and accompanied her mother to the door. "Goodbye," she said, waving as the door closed behind her.

"I'm feeling lazy," Somiya said, yawning and stretching her arms. "I'll give Zeya a call–"

*Ding-dong*

"That must be her," Demi said, heading towards the door and opening it again.

"Water! Water! It's so hot!" I exclaimed, hurriedly removing my shoes and rushing to the freezer to grab a cold drink.

Demi sighed and helped me place my shoes on the rack. "What the heck, Zeya! What if my mom had answered the door!?" Demi exclaimed, sitting down beside Somiya. "I ran into her on the way here," I said with a smirk, taking a seat on the sofa. "It's even bigger than before," I whispered, gazing around her new home.

"Yes, but it's not like we'll be living here forever. We'll probably move again soon because of Mom's job," Demi said nonchalantly, taking a cookie from the plate.

"At least it's a bit closer from my place now. I can visit whenever I want," I said with a grin. Demi simply rolled her eyes in response.

"Shall we study in my room or the living room?" Demi asked.

"In your room..." I whispered, taking a sip of my cold water. After a nod from Demi, the three of us headed upstairs to her room to prepare for tomorrow's test. Though I had a feeling we'd end up doing anything but studying.

As I expected, after half an hour of studying, we quickly got sidetracked and started chatting about random things, completely forgetting about our studies. "I've also heard about that cafe! How about we go tomorrow!?" Somiya asked, excitedly staring at us. "How about ditching the extra classes!?" Demi suggested, her excitement matching Somiya's. I shrugged my shoulders. If they were going, how could I say no? "I'm fine with it, but isn't tomorrow Mrs. Hailey's turn to teach the extra classes?" I reminded them.

They both groaned and collapsed on the floor. "C'mon! I hope Mrs. Hailey skips class tomorrow!" Demi said, clasping her hands together in prayer.

"Well, miracles do happen," I said, rolling my eyes. "But that, never will."

"Oe..." Somiya called, her voice slightly off. "What?" I asked, biting my pen. She sat up and glanced at us. "Let's call Sophia's group too." She suggested.

Demi and I exchanged glances. "But they were absent yesterday and the day before yesterday too," Demi said, her voice casual. "I don't think they'll come tomorrow either."

After talking in that music class, somehow they haven't come to school. I tried asking their classmates, but no one seemed to know the reason. I really hope Amaya's injury hasn't worsened. I really want to see her...

"You're right..." Somiya's voice trailed off as she stared at her notebook. "Oh, right!" Somiya suddenly exclaimed, startling us. "Let's go to my house! Didn't you say you wanted to watch a movie in 3D? Let's watch a horror movie!"

Demi's and my faces turned pale the moment she said "horror" in 3D. Is this girl out of her mind!? We might actually die if we watch a horror movie in 3D! It's like committing suicide! I shook my head, fear evident on my face, and glanced at Demi. She was just as terrified as I was, but Somiya, she was grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were fixed on us, and her voice sounded like it came from hell. "You guys haven't forgotten, have you? Whoever backs out has to do whatever the others say. Even if it means dating or licking shoes, remember?"

We had only said that in a fit of anger... I gulped as I heard Somiya's menace laugh. Demi and I sighed, deeply regretting our words. We had only said them to boost our egos, never thinking that Somiya would actually remember them.

"Fine," I said, trying to sound brave. "But don't blame us if you ended up having nightmares tonight."

Somiya's grin widened. "Oh, I'm sure I won't," she said. "But I hope you won't piss on your pants!"

And so, we reluctantly agreed to go to Somiya's house to watch a horror movie in 3D. I couldn't help but wonder if we were making a huge mistake.

As Demi locked the door of her house, we walked towards house 204. However, a sense of bewilderment washed over me as I recognized the address. 204!? Isn't this.. Amaya's address!? Though I have never visited Amaya's house in my last life, she did tell me her address. When we were talking at my house, she said down the street, house no. 204! Before I could speak, Demi impulsively pressed the doorbell. "No--" I exclaimed, but it was too late.

*Ding-dong*

It's not I don't wanted to meet her but I have never––

"Okay! I understand! Don't shout!" A male voice, which I immediately recognized as Seth's, echoed from within the house. Seth stood before us, engaged in a heated conversation with an unseen individual. As his gaze fell upon us, his eyes widened in surprise. "You guys!? What are you doing here?" he exclaimed.

All three of us were taken aback by his unexpected presence. Maybe he came here to just hang out.

"I live in that house," Demi explained. "My mom told me to leave the key here... Do you live here?"

Seth raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement crossing his features. "So, you're the one who moved in last month! It seems the world is smaller than I thought."

From inside the house, Sophia's voice pierced the air, laced with anger. "Who the heck is it now that has attached you to the door!?"

Seth responded with equal temper. "Shut the f*ck up! It's my house, not yours, so don't raise your voice! If I receive any complaints, I swear I'll definitely kick your butt!"

It was evident that Seth was deeply irritated by Sophia's behaviour. However, my confusion only intensified. I'm pretty much sure Amaya did say that house 204 was her residence. Then why is Seth saying it's his house?

"What did you-- Oh, Demi? Somi too! Oh, Zeya is here as well. What's happening?" Sophia inquired, pushing Seth aside.

"Who are you pushing!?" Seth retorted, his teeth gritted. He forcefully pressed Sophia's head against the door. Sophia tried to fight back, but against Seth's superior height and strength, she wasn't able to harm him.

"Erm..." Demi hesitated, her voice trailing off.

Sophia and Seth exchanged glances, their anger momentarily subsiding. "Hey, come join us if you don't have any other important stuff to do. We were about to watch a movie," Sophia grabbed Somiya's hand and pulled her inside, her words more like an order than a polite request.

With a nervous smile, I greeted Seth before stepping into the house. "Apologies for interrupting your movie time," I said.

He chuckled. "What are you talking about!? Everyone is welcome in my house."

A wave of confusion washed over me. "Is this your house?" I asked.

"Yeah it's my house. Feel free to roam around." He smiled and walked towards the couch where Amaya was seated, her bandaged legs resting on the table. Elli, like her pet cat, lay beside her, while she glared menacingly at Fred, who stood a short distance away. "You better hand over that remote, or I swear I'll kill you once my legs are healed!" she threatened.

Amaya, why would you lie about your address?