Absences from the classroom

"How tiring," I commented in a tired voice as I watched the teacher talk through a presentation.

However, she was just reading each section automatically, which didn't help ease my fatigue.

Mondays have never been my favorite days, but this Monday seemed to be harder than usual.

It's been more than seven days since my birthday party, and things at home started to get complicated.

After the celebration, my father started acting strangely.

I thought it might be because of the calls and the conversation he had with Alex, but since I hadn't heard the whole conversation, I could only put my doubts aside.

He became more anxious.

He looked out the windows as if expecting something bad to happen. I even realized that he had sent some people to follow me to class. From my classroom, I could see one of the cars his employees used.

At one point, I considered reporting them as potential kidnappers just to spite my father, but since I knew they weren't guilty and were just doing their job, I gave up on the idea.

My mother, noticing my father's strange behavior, began to worry about his well-being and even had an argument with him about it. However, after that argument, her attitude changed completely.

I tried to ask her why my father was behaving this way, but she simply replied, "It's nothing to worry about, honey... Just understand that your dad is doing this to take care of us," using her usual caring tone. However, the expression in her eyes made me feel that the situation was more complex than it seemed.

During the past week, my father was busy almost all day. He left the house early and returned at night.

There were days when he came home exhausted, and others when he was stressed or in a bad mood. It was obvious that whatever he was doing was affecting him greatly. However, he tried his best to hide it.

On Saturday morning, I saw him drinking, something he hadn't done in a long time.

Two days earlier.

"Dad! What are you doing?" I asked with a disgruntled tone as I entered his office. Surprised and a little angry, I went up to him demanding an answer.

"Emily, honey... Take it easy, it was a mistake," my father tried to reassure me, setting the glass aside.

"But Dad! You fought so hard to quit, and you promised you wouldn't do it again," I yelled, angrily, stamping my foot on the floor.

"I know, I know... It's just that yesterday was a really rough day," my father tried to justify, without offering any further details.

"Is it because of Alex? Do you have something to do with him? ... I can talk to him and convince him to leave you alone if you want," I offered while I waited for his answer.

"No, Emily. Alex isn't involved in this," he replied firmly, giving me a stern look, something he never does.

"So, it's not because of him that you feel this way?" I inquired, crossing my arms in annoyance. "He dares to get angry with me when I'm worried about his well-being, and he's also defending someone I don't know," I thought irritably as I waited for my father's response.

"Well… he is related to him, but not in the way you think," he said in a softer tone, noticing that my previous reaction had affected him.

"Oh, then explain it to me," I replied, staring at him.

"We're organizing some things in case a pandemic breaks out… But it's just a precaution; it doesn't mean something like that will happen," he commented vaguely, though I noticed he mentioned the word pandemic again.

"I don't believe you. There hasn't been any recent news since the virus variant that appeared last year," I replied skeptically. "That's why this is just a preventative measure… You shouldn't worry about anything," my father said, trying to downplay the matter.

"So, what led you to drink today?" I continued, worried because I still had many questions.

"Some things went wrong… I even unintentionally put Alex at risk," he replied with a tone that denoted guilt.

"Did something happen to Alex?" I asked worriedly.

"No, nothing happened to him… We just had some issues that we've already resolved," he explained again, vaguely.

"I understand," I replied suspiciously. "You should stay away from him. Since you started getting close to him, your mood has worsened," I advised worriedly.

"I'll take what you say into account," my father replied noncommittally. "Emily, dear, can I ask you a favor?" he asked suddenly.

"Tell me."

"Over the next few weeks, I need you to follow along with everything I ask of you… It'll only be for a short while," she pleaded, looking at me expectantly.

"Hmm… I'll accept, but keep in mind that I don't plan on missing the anniversary party on Friday," I said after some thought.

"Wouldn't you rather stay home these weeks?" she asked, trying to convince me.

"No… I can't miss the celebration I've been planning for a year… Although I'll accept any other requests from you if you wish," I replied as I left her office.

Back to the present.

"Emily… Emily!" the professor exclaimed with an angry expression.

"I'm sorry, Professor," I apologized immediately. "All because I remembered that conversation with Dad," I thought, annoyed.

"Emily, I was asking you about the discovery of America," she said seriously.

"Oh, yes… During that time, Christian kingdoms sent explorations across the sea to find a different route to the East Indies. In 1492, an expedition led by Christopher Columbus arrived in the Caribbean islands, where they had their first contact with the Suaza Kingdom…" I responded automatically until I stopped dead in my tracks, feeling embarrassed.

"What the hell did I say?" I thought, panicking.

I remembered a novel called "Vinland Kingdom" I read the year before, about a fictional kingdom that resisted the European conquest of the Americas, and I accidentally mentioned that.

"I think you should review your notes again, Miss Emily," the teacher instructed me sarcastically.

"Sorry, Professor… What I meant to say was that Christopher…"

The next day.

"Emily, did you hear that the military closed down an entire park?" one of my friends asked me while we were having breakfast in the cafeteria.

"No, I didn't know that. What happened?" I asked her.

"It seems there was a conflict between the addicts who had built houses there, and the military had to intervene. Although…" she commented, trailing off.

"Although?" I asked her inquisitively.

"It's said the military took some people tied up and with their mouths covered… Gunshots were even heard in the park during the military intervention," she said in a low tone, leaning toward me so the others wouldn't hear.

"Are you serious?" I asked, surprised.

"It's just rumors… Although that boy who seemed to be an addict didn't come yesterday or today," she responded with an enigmatic and playful tone.

"Do you think he could have been there?" I asked anxiously.

"It's just a hypothesis… Well, if we're talking about absences, he's not the only one. Several classmates weren't there yesterday, and others haven't arrived today," she explained as if it weren't relevant.

"I don't think that's it," I murmured.

"What did you say?" my friend asked.

"It's nothing… Doesn't all this seem strange to you?" I asked.

"No, it's just a few no-shows, that happens every week… As far as the park is concerned, I think the military caught a criminal group selling drugs, and that's it," she replied while sipping her strawberry milkshake.

"Yeah, maybe it's nothing," I mentioned hesitantly, but my friend didn't notice.

"Emily, have you prepared your dress for the anniversary yet?" she asked me while flirtatiously eyeing one of the boys on the basketball team.

"Yeah, I already have it ready."

The next day.

"Emily, George from the basketball team invited me to the party Friday night," my friend said excitedly as she showed me a message on her phone.

"That's great, I thought if he took a little longer, you'd ask him to take you out," I commented mockingly.

"Hahaha… Don't say that I wouldn't do something like that," my friend replied, blushing. "And you? Did anyone invite you to the party?" she asked curiously.

"Yes, I got an invitation," I replied without enthusiasm.

"Have you answered any of them? Who are you going with?" she asked, looking excited as she took my hands.

"I didn't answer anyone. You know my dad won't let me go with any guy he doesn't approve of. Besides, I might not be able to attend the party," I said dejectedly as I slowly stirred my fruit salad.

"What?!" she exclaimed, suddenly standing up.

"Sit down," I said embarrassedly as the curious glances of other people in the dining room fell on us.

"Why aren't you going?" she asked, a little annoyed.

"I know we agreed to go together, but my dad is a little worried about everything going on in the city," I clarified, my tone reflecting my guilt.

"Nothing serious has happened in the city. Why is he so worried?" she asked, puzzled. "Well... I don't know how to tell him... he thinks another pandemic might come," I told her, my voice getting quieter so no one could hear.

"What?!" my friend yelled, suddenly standing up.

"Sit down," I said angrily as I took her arm. "Why do you always act like this?" I questioned with a serious expression, watching some people laughing behind us.

"Where did your father get such a crazy idea?" she asked almost in a whisper.

"I have no idea, but he even wanted me to stay home these past few weeks to be calmer," I stated ironically.

"But you're going to attend Friday's celebration, aren't you?" she asked, worried about leaving me alone with the anniversary preparations.

"Yes, although my father will probably still try to prevent me from going," I replied resignedly.

"You can't miss it under any circumstances," my friend said determinedly.

"I won't, but maybe…" I was talking to her when a teacher approached us.

"Emily, I need to ask you a favor for tomorrow," the teacher said in an unfriendly tone, interrupting our conversation.

"What do you need?" I asked while my friend gave her an annoying look.

"An exchange student from Japan will be arriving tomorrow. I need you to help her settle in, and if you can, I want you to include her in the anniversary preparations so she can settle in more quickly," she requested in a tone that sounded more like an order.

"Okay, no problem," I answered without hesitation, flashing a smile that wasn't genuine. "Doesn't this teacher know who she's talking to?" I thought irritably.

"I'll leave her to you... And you, Miss Amy, should stop yelling in the cafeteria," the teacher said, visibly annoyed, as she walked away.

Amy and I looked at each other, bewildered, but then laughed, though we tried to keep our voices as low as possible.

"That teacher is still unbearable; she hasn't changed a bit," Amy commented as she wiped a tear from her face.

"Don't call her that."

At night.

I heard my father's car pull up in front of the house, and after a few minutes, I heard the door close.

I went out to check on him. I noticed he seemed even more worried than usual.

"Dad, how was your day today?" I asked from the second floor.

"We should have a talk, Emily," he said gravely as he ascended the stairs.

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Emily's Diary

Date: November 18, 2026 (night)

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Aaaah!

Once again, my dad has come forward with his obsessions about the new pandemic.

Doesn't he realize this is a significant occasion?!

I know he cares about my well-being.

However, I've mentioned to him multiple times that I won't experience the same thing I did during the previous pandemic.

Also, why does he talk so much about Alex?

He's the one who suggests these things to him.

It would have been preferable if my dad hadn't met him.

And what does he mean by "Alex is helping us."

Clearly, he hasn't contributed anything positive; he's just complicating things.

He's even about to ruin my anniversary celebration.

I have no intention of missing the party on Friday, no matter what.

It's imperative that I be present at that celebration!

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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED

Hello everyone.

Here's a new chapter from our beloved and pampered Emily.

Everything was going well until the previous chapter, but things are starting to seem strange, not only at home with her father, but now at school, things don't seem normal.

By the way, I've posted a little promo for my other novel.

Did you notice?

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Read my other novels

#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.

#Vinland Kingdom: Race Against Time.

You can find them on my profile.]