A Different One

BLINDED by the sunlight beaming past through the window, Isla slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a couple of times, adjusting her vision. She put her arm above her eyes and moaned as she turned to the other side.
“Gosh!” she exclaimed when she saw Becca sitting on the floor, staring at her. She got up immediately. “What are you doing there?” she asked.
Becca heaved a sigh. “I’ve been trying to wake you up but you won’t. I then ended up sitting here, waiting for you,” she uttered, making her brows furrow.
“Are you being serious? You almost give me a heart—”
“I woke up when I heard a sudden noise—a different one. And I don’t know where it came from.”
Isla’s eyes widened and hemmed to clear her throat. “Unfamiliar noise?”
“It’s not that unfamiliar. It came from a woman, moaning.”
She frowned slightly, trying to act like she doesn’t know anything. “It could be your imagination because you’re good at watching porn—”
“Stop!” Becca exclaimed and stood up. She glared at her. “Excuse me, I’m not—”
“You are. We are,” she said and smirked as she climbed down to her bed. “What time is it?”
“It’s already eight—”
“What?!”
Becca crossed her arms. “Why are you shouting?”
she pointed herself. “Am I … shouting?”
Becca arched her brow. “A-huh?”
She flashed a smile. “Today’s Tuesday, right?”
Becca nodded.
“Great. Our classes start at nine. So, get out of my room and I’m gonna take a shower,” she uttered as she pushed Becca, guiding her out of her room.
“B-But…”
“Come on—”
“Didn’t you hear it? Haven’t you heard anything?”
She shook her head as she continues to push her away. “Nothing,” she replied.
“But it’s really loud and clear—”
She stopped pushing and gazed at Becca’s eyes. “Then you should’ve checked it out.”
“No way!” Becca barked. “What if it’s a ghost?”
“Pfft—” she covered her mouth, holding her laughter.
Becca glared at her. “Funny?”
She put down her hands, bit her lower lip, and nodded.
Becca then just rolled her eyes. “I’ll wait for you outside. Move quick and I’m already hungry,” she asserted.
She nodded and closes the door. She leaned into it and cursed inside her head. She doesn’t know if Becca is just acting or what. Her friend ain’t afraid of a ghost as far as she can remember.
If Becca heard those, she will look into it.
Does she know something and just act as if she knew nothing?
She shook her head because of that thought and went straight to the bathroom to take a cold shower. After that, she dressed herself up, wearing a white shirt and a denim jumper paired with white sneakers.
She grabbed her phone at the table but paused when she saw a text message. She frowned slightly when she read the sender.
From: Zero
‘Send me your class schedule.’
“Why does he need—”
“Isla!” Becca’s voice roared as she called her name.
She then put the inside her bag the phone and exited her room.
“What’s with the shout?” she asked.
Becca arched her brow. “You knew I hate waiting—”
“Then, you should go first,” she replied and walked her way towards the main door.
Becca scoffed and followed. “You’re impossible.”
She shook her head and they both walk their way to the parking lot.
“You know what. It’s great if you have your car,” Becca started, breaking the silence that filled the car.
“Apollo won’t let me,” she replied.
“Don’t mind Apollo. Maybe it’s time for a change. Look,” Becca glanced at her for a second then looked back in front, “I will consider my father’s will. I’ll be leaving you. Don’t tell me you’re fine with taking a cab.”
She nodded, eyes on the side—passed through the window, watching those tall skyscrapers. “I have to.”
Becca sighed and maneuver the car to the left. “Geez, Isla. You should practice how to be independent—to honor your word and obtain your freedom,” Becca uttered.
She frowned and looked at her. “You are really telling me that thing?”
Becca nodded. “A-huh.”
She chuckled. “Seriously, Becca? You’re the one here who needs that opinion—”
“So are you,” Becca interrupted.
She shook her head and glanced in front. “I’m good with whatever I have and whenever I am.”
“I can count my laughs to you. Seriously, Isla? If I need freedom for myself, so are you. Geez. Apollo is too possessive that he can even strangle you. You seem like a puppet—”
“Come on, Becca. We’re not supposed to be talking about my situation, right? WE… rather talk about YOUR situation,” she asserted which makes Becca laugh.
“Don’t worry. I have already made up my mind. Dad will never stop pestering me about it so… I’d rather go and do what you’ve said.”
She tilted her head to stare at Becca’s face. “Are you sure?” she asked, the brow arched.
Becca nodded and tilt the steering wheel to the right, entering the school driveway that leads to the parking lot.
“I am sure. I can’t prolong thinking about it. And what you said was right. Zero also has a point. And two years are not that long, right?”
She nodded and smiled. “Time always passes by, fast.”
Becca stopped her car on the rectangular block and unbuckle her seatbelt. “However,” she paused and looked at her.
“What?”
“It’s my first time staying away from you. I don’t know—it will be hard to adjust—”
“Of course, it is. We can’t always be on the easy way. But I know you can do it. We can chat and call each other by phone. Have facetime if we’re free.”
Becca heaved a deep sigh and met her eyes. “How about you, are you going to be okay?” she asked.
She flashed a smile. “I am,” she said and nodded.