Another night, I dreamed again.
I stood in the school courtyard, the concrete cold beneath my feet. The rooftop loomed above me, impossibly high. A familiar pressure settled in my chest. I saw Camiela’s dead body lying on the floor, blood spreading around her lifeless form.
“AHHHHHH,” I exhaled, clutching my chest as I forced myself to breathe, trying to soothe the panic rising inside me.
The next morning, I went straight to the café and noticed a sudden visitor. Jophan sat by the window, relaxed as ever, sipping a cup of tea.
“Hey, why are you here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I approached him.
“Oh, you know,” he replied casually, flashing his usual grin. “I just miss your uncle’s pastries. Eat some, he prepared you tea,” he added while chomping on a baked cookie.
I glanced to the other side and saw my uncle behind the counter, carefully preparing my usual breakfast. Delighted, I sat across from Jophan just as my uncle brought the food over.
“Here you go, dear,” he said warmly as he placed the plate in front of me, my favourite apple pie paired with ginger tea.
“Thank you,” I replied with a small smile.
“Have you been getting enough sleep lately?” he suddenly asked, his tone gentle but concerned.
“Uh, yeah,” I answered quickly, startled by the question. “I just can’t seem to sleep well, that’s all.”
“You sure?” he pressed, studying my face.
“Yeah, don’t worry about me,” I said, forcing a light tone. “Let’s talk about your gigs. I haven’t heard much about your music lately. Are you going to perform this month?” I added, trying to change the subject.
“Well, not yet,” Jophan said while rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ve just been practising and composing as usual. I might enter a competition by December.”
“That’s great,” I said sincerely. “Keep it up, I’m sure you’ll be a successful musician. Don’t forget your number one fan.”
He chuckled softly and took the last sip of his coffee.
“Don’t worry, I won’t,” he replied, smiling at me with intent eyes. “But now that I’ve told you what I’ve been doing, let me ask, what about you?”
“Right now, I’m thinking of finding a job,” I said honestly.
“Hm, that’s odd,” he replied. “You can just work at your uncle’s café.”
“I mean, sure,” I said hesitantly, “but to be frank with you, he doesn’t give a great salary.”
“Ahem,” a sudden voice cut in from behind us.
“I’m the one putting a roof over your head.”
I groaned and turned to see my uncle leaning against the counter with a smug smile.
“Hey, have you been listening to us this whole time, Pops?”
“Well, it’s been a while since you two hung out,” he said calmly. “I thought it was a reunion, so of course I wanted to know what you were talking about.”
“Jeez, at least now you know what you’ve been giving me isn’t enough,” I muttered.
“Oh dear,” he replied dryly. “I think I gave you the right amount for taking care of my café. You’re just not content.”
“It’s because it’s little,” I argued.
“Just how much does he give you?” Jophan asked curiously.
“Three hundred dollars per day.”
“Yeah, I agree with your uncle,” Jophan said without hesitation.
“Thank you,” my uncle said smugly.
“What, you actually think that’s enough?”
“I mean, come on,” Jophan explained. “You only work here during your free hours from school. Your uncle works day and night and he’s also responsible for taking care of you.”
I sighed. “I guess you’re right. I’m just being a spoiled brat. That’s why I should find a full-time job, don’t you think, Pops?”
“As long as you get hired, I wouldn’t mind,” he replied.
“Oh no, it’s getting late,” Jophan said, standing up. “We’re heading out now. I’ll walk Roze to school.”
“Oh, really?” I said with surprise. “I didn’t notice the time we’re going now, Pops,” I said as I stood up.
“Alright, you two take care,” he replied.
We headed out and walked toward school. As we walked, something felt off about Jophan, though I couldn’t explain why.
“Hey, are you good?” I asked. “And thanks for the sudden visit. You can always come back.”
“I’m just worried about you, Roze,” he said quietly.
“Why?” I asked. “If it’s about my sleeping pattern, I’m fine. I can manage.”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“I was the one who saw you collapse in the courtyard,” he said, his voice tense. “I tried to wake you up, but you were unconscious.”
“Wait, what?” I stopped walking. “You were the one who found me? I didn’t know.”
“I checked your pulse, it wasn’t there,” he continued, voice shaking. “I leaned closer to check your heartbeat, but I couldn’t hear anything. I really thought you were dead, Roze.” He swallowed hard. “I panicked and headed you straight to the clinicand was supposed to call an ambulance until the nurse said it was just a faint. At that moment I should have been with you all this time.”
“Jophan, it’s alright.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I wasn’t there when you needed me most.”
“Don’t be,” I replied gently. “I was the one who left the team, remember? But I’m still here. You’ve been my friend since middle school, and you still are.”
Jophan smiled, relief clearly washing over him.
“Now that we’re good,” he said, “maybe it’s time for you to confront Emily.”
“Oh no,” I groaned. “Please, I’m still not ready.”
“You know her,” he said reassuringly. “She’s competitive, but she cares about you.”
“I hope so.”
“Haha, Emily’s not that scary.”
“I bet she’s still pissed that I lent her a music sheet.”
“You know that was hers.”
“Yeah, I could tell. Did you finally give it back?”
“Yep. She’s calm now.”
“That’s good.”
We finally reached the school and went our separate ways. As I entered the classroom late, all eyes turned toward me. I noticed Richard wasn’t there.
“That’s odd,” I thought. “Is he sick?”
I went to my seat, only to realise his bag was already there in front of me.
“Oh, he must have gone to the bathroom,” I assumed.
___________________________
“Damn it, I forgot my assignments,” I muttered as I walked down the hallway. That’s when I saw a familiar face.
“Oh, hi Richard. Aren’t you supposed to be in class with Roze right now?” I asked.
He gave a faint smile and slowly walked toward me. Something about him felt off, something I couldn’t quite understand.
“Just wondering,” he said softly, “if you can see.”
“Uh, yes, I can see,” I replied.
"But what else do you see?"
"See what?"
“I’m not sure,” he replied. “I feel like you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I wondered, but decided not to push. I barely knew him, he was still new.
“Never mind,” he added lightly. “Forget it. I’ll head back. See you at lunch.”
As he walked away, I smiled back, hoping he would finally leave.
“You really shouldn’t have been friends with him, Roze,” I muttered under my breath. “Now I’m being targeted.”
