3 The Stalker (1/2)

Meek morning light, alarming clock noises, and the nightmare made me sprang up. Feeling like going through a hard party last night with a bit hangover, I went for a shower, leaving cold water running down on my head. Feeling like there were many shit last night, I did not want to shit and instead had my teeth brushed, dressed up as the mirror told me I was not dreaming.

An ancient-looking symbol was sitting smugly on my forehead.

I went back to my bed, closed my eyes for half a minute, and got up to the mirror again.

It was still there and I decided to go back to bed once more, only to see the circle remain engraved on my face.

The process went on for an hour before I really did give up. ADHD came back for a moment with slight alteration; Annoyance, Disappointment, Hunger, and Desperation. I had been hoping it was a really bad dream. While I looked in remorse at the reflection of myself, an intense realization almost blew me off my feet.

Hey!

I'm alive!

I touched all over my body and pinched on my arm to make sure everything was still normal and in its place. The pain was overcome by delight when I was sure that I was still breathing and kicking, and not dead like I had thought yesterday.

Nonetheless, the celtic-symbol on my forehead still reminded me that I was not curse-free. But as long as I live, I have hope.

Grabbing scissors, and with one swift cut, I found myself observing my new full bang. I thought it look weird but I had no choice since walking outside with something tattoo-liked on your forehead was far weirder. I arranged the bang hoping the hair was enough to hide the mark, remembered now that last night I had rubbed it with everything I could find, soap, shampoo, Vaseline, sunscreen, collagen, salt scrub, beer, orange juice, coffee, and even cabbage, but not the slightest fraction would come off. I would just put another plaster beneath the bang as well just in case.

Downstairs the kitchen was deserted but the TV was on. Morning news about heart attack causing by summer heat was a disturbing subject for breakfast. The weather had been exceptionally, unbearably hot this year and that was why it rained so hard last night. I tried to look for mum, but she was nowhere to be seen when a message from her came in. It was saying that she had an urgent trip to Arizona about the heart attack case, she asked me to turn off the TV, and that she would not be back for a week.

A reporter and a sudden trip were two things that couldn't be separated. I was used to it but also felt lonely sometimes. But for once, this might be a good timing for escaping mum's question about this thing on my forehead.

I sent her a 'good luck' sticker and told her to take care and not to worry then set out for school.

I live. But it would not be long before the curse consume me. Something must be done before that happen!

People were streaming from every direction into the school gate like every other morning. I looked from side to side, flipped the hood over my head, then thought it was going to attract attention and pushed it back. I bit my lower lip knowing that I had to face Dylan anyway if I was to settle this. The hood went up and down a couple of times until Dale called me.

”Morning Leigh! Wo—wow! What's the occasion?”

He stared at my bang. ”Morning Dale.”

”This is new!” said Dale as we walked through the busy morning corridor arriving at our locker. ”I like it though.”

I ignored Dale's comment on my hair as he went on showing me the brochure for his concert and puffed up proudly when I complimented them. He made those himself refusing the help from me even though he knows very well of my skill. I was a little upset at first but well- Then, he looked at the time on his iPhone. ”Shoot! I'm gonna be late for the concert sponsors' meeting. See you later Leigh.”

”O-kay-”

I did not have a chance to talk much or tell him about the curse, about Dylan Ziarre. Actually, I was not sure if I should. Dale had his own to worry. I did not need to add anymore of mine to him.

”Back away! The Queen's coming!”

I turned in time to see seven girls stepped on Adam's assignments stamping dirt on them as they made their ways. Viva La Juicy filled up the space. The girl in the middle brushed her curly long blond hair and something seemed to be glittering on her neck. Heck! It's a real diamond necklace!

Somebody cheered while somebody sighed with boredom, but none dared to block their way. Everyone knew something not very nice would happen if you mess with this squad, especially Natalie or the pale blue-eyed girl with the diamond necklace. But she was pretty, very pretty that she became the school's most popular girl—or the Queen—within one week of our first year.

I took another turn to avoid the Queen and ran into Conner. Our eyes met and I quickly ran away. Damn! Why do I have to run away? I sighed as I saw that he did not follow and moved on.

Sonnia was waiting in front of Geo checking on her make-up and hair. She was a pretty girl and with the pale pink tank top that we bought together last week, a mini-skirt jean, and the perfect big curl on her copper red hair, she looked just like a model. She dressed exceptionally well today.

”Hey! Nice bang!”

I hated that everyone just had to talk about it and reminded me of the curse.

Sonnia gave me a big smile like always. She put the pocket mirror away, straightened her top, tilted her head slightly until her overly sparkling red hairpin speared through my eye. ”What about me? How do I look?”

”You're pretty.”

”Oh right! I know!!” Sonnia beamed with pride. ”Let's go.”

It was as if time had slow-downed when I was about to cross into the classroom threshold. I was dreading and counting down in milliseconds. Nervousness had me doubt whether I could succeed my mission.

My first class was Geology.

I repeated the plan I made this morning.

1. Follow

2. Observe

3. …..

Umm…

3. ….

I cut off the thought, leaving number three blank to adjust along the situation and feeling like I had such a great plan.

Two guys in white clothes caught my eyes first instead of the huge crowd surrounded my target that I had expected. They were the DW, the delinquents, which was led by Don Winter and usually wore dark. The lighter color had become weirdly popular with Seth Lee's arrival. Also, the fact that they came to class today was another mystery. The unused corridor at the back of the school was their regular habitat.

It was briefly before I turned to my main target. I could not see him but I knew he was there. His friendly and sweet voice was drifting from the group from time to time.

Sonnia darted over there and was swallowed amidst the giggling horde. I heard her unusually high voice screeching and greeting, and the center of attention guy amiably answered in return. She was one of his admirers.

I went straight to Michelle who was already in the room saving seats for us. Her face was behind a glasses and a book like always. ”Morning. What are you reading?” I tried to act normal while keeping a look out at the crowd. My forehead tingled, the mark tingled.

”What happened to your head Dylan?” Sonnia's voice rose and the noises in the room suddenly died down. Those who were not circling him also looked at the direction. A hole between Jessie and Rose loosened and I got a sight of a figure with mystical onyx hair who was dressing nicely in grey leather jacket, blue T-shirt and black jeans. Dylan Ziarre, or the monster, the super popular monster and the center of the crowd's attention, had a bandage wrapping around his head. I froze.

”I fell down the stairs.” He said and turned a fraction towards me. I got gooseflesh and quickly looked away.

The curse was really from him!

”What happened to your head Leigh?”

I jumped at Michelle's voice as everyone started to resume their conversations. It took me almost a minute to get what she was saying and what should I tell her? ”Oh—oh this? This?” I pointed at my bang, relieved that I had it now. ”I just feel like a change—”

”No, I mean the plaster on your forehead.” said Michelle and I froze for the second time.

”I—I—” Since he took the stairs then—”I hit my head with a wall.”

”A wa—?”

”Anyway, what are you reading?” I cut her fast, not wanting to continue the subject. ”Oh, I see you've been reading this one for ages!”

Michelle shifted her glasses like all the professors did and glimpsed at the cover. ”Yes. It's so addictive. I'm reading it the twentieth time.”

”Twenty times!” I exaggerated my scream.

”It's about a sea monster who fell in love with a human girl.”

I did not really care what it was about. I cared about my life more. ”That's disgusting.” I talked to her just to keep her out of my forehead.

”No no no not at all! The sea monster is in human form and actually very intelligent and good-looking.”

”It's still disgusting. Knowing that the guy will turn into a monster at anytime.” And that reminded me—the monster! Oh no!