8th Chapter: "Shadows of Her Past (2)
Morning began with Sao waking up to –
A sudden headache, but strangely –
"Memories flashing before my eyes...
Ahh, it hurts – what's happening?!"
Visions of someone running from another person appeared –
Sao shook her head – "Forget about this..."
Downstairs, Thyme awaited
"Let's go," Thyme said.
Sao nodded – "Okie"
At School:
Strange visions continued intermittently, causing discomfort.
Chang offered snacks during class break – Sao accepted and giggled.
Math teacher, Mr. Calix, assigned exercises for exam prep.
During work time, Sao completed half the assignment but –
Glitches returned – visions and pain intensified...
Jean noticed – "Sao, what happened – are you okay?"
Sao brushed it off – "Yes..."
Then Roger appeared, teasing Sao about rejecting Dew –
Sao stood firm, but Roger escalated –
physically attacking Sao, grabbing Jean's hair too!
**Something snapped – Sao transformed –
Let her go
Sao said firmly,
punching Roger in the face –
"If you touch me or my friends again –
I'll break your mouth!"
Class gasped – "What just happened – Sao punched Roger?!"
Sao hastily exited with Jean and Chang –
"Sao, what occurred – you suddenly got angry?"
After School:
Kavin picked Sao up – Thyme's friends visited their house.
Dew approached – "Sao, really – you punched Roger?!"
Sao deferred conversation – "Tomorrow, Dew – hurry now."
At Home
Sao saw Thyme laughing with friends, especially Lilly.
Kavin teased – "Should I reveal about Roger..."
Sao pleaded – "Brother, just this once – keep secret?"
Kavin agreed with a smile –
Thyme's friends noticed Sao –
"Who's she?" Jack and George asked.
Thyme replied – "My cousin."
Roy added – "Cute and pretty – maybe I've got a chance..."
Sao's eyes narrowed slightly at Roy's comment
**SCENE SHIFTS FROM ROY'S HANDSHAKE ATTEMPT TO UNCLE SMITH'S INTERRUPTION**
Roy's hand was extended for a handshake –
But before Sao could respond, Uncle Smith appeared –
"Sao, your Aunt Sharlin is calling you –
something about dessert preparations, I think."
Sao breathed internally –
"a timely rescue from Roy's flirtation attempt!"
She smiled politely at Roy and the others –
"Excuse me, nice meeting you all – duty calls, apparently!"
Roy chuckled and withdrew his hand –
"Saved by dessert duty – we'll catch up later, Sao?"
Sao playfully rolled her eyes and turned to Uncle Smith –
"Yes, Uncle – leading me away from trouble, thanks!"
Uncle Smith laughed knowingly and guided Sao towards –
Aunt Sharlin, who was indeed stressing about dessert in the kitchen –
"Sao, help me decide – cheesecake or chocolate cake for Thyme's friends?"
Meanwhile, back in the living room –
Kavin whispered to Thyme –
"Your friends already smitten with Sao – especially Roy..." Kavin tell me a parcel came from uncle jasper.
I walked into my room with the parcel, heart racing –
Aunt Sharlin followed silently and closed the door behind her –
She revealed softly –
"It's medicine from Uncle Jasper...
to help prevent those glitches and nightmares, Sao."
My eyes widened –
"Aunt, YOU KNOW about all this?!
The visions, pain, and... everything?!"
Aunt Sharlin nodded gently –
"Yes, dear, I do. Uncle Jasper briefed me –
you've been experiencing this since childhood, intermittently."
I felt stunned –
"No one ever mentioned anything –
not even Uncle Jasper directly to me!"
Aunt Sharlin explained –
"Uncle Jasper wanted to protect you, Sao...
let you live normally until he found the right treatment."
She opened the parcel, revealing –
A letter from Uncle Jasper
Bottles of specially labeled medicine
The letter read:
"Sao, take as directed.
And I will explain soon about this dear. – Uncle Jasper.
What happened Sao
Aunt but that nightmare feel so real
Aunt What?
Aunt Sharlin's abrupt reaction puzzled me –
Her "it's just a dream" claim seemed forced, nervous even...
But before I could press for truth, she shifted topics –
"And Sao, actually, I need your help with something else...
Your mom – my sister – has been closed off in her room since morning."
Concern replaced curiosity about my nightmares –
"Momo's upset about something, but won't talk to me or Uncle Smith...
You're close with her, dear – maybe she'll open up to you?"
I nodded immediately –
"I'll go talk to her right after changing out of these school clothes, Aunt."
Aunt Sharlin smiled slightly, looking relieved
"Thank you, Sao. Your momo values your thoughts –
maybe you can uncover what's troubling her heart today."
I quickly changed into comfy home clothes –
Then headed to Momo's room, knocking softly –
"Momo... it's Sao – Aunt said you're upset. Can I come in?"
The door creaked open slightly – Mom's red eyes met mine .