Chapter 5

NOLAN

A week has passed, and something unexpected happened. I looked at my back, I saw Orlene who’s now sitting and writing something on her notes. She apparently knew about the mermaid.

She said she accidentally heard me and Amansinaya talking to each other. She even heard that Credail is Amansinaya. What’s surprising is that she didn’t even freak out. Instead, she was amazed that Credail is a goddess. She even wanted to see Amansinaya’s power. Heck, she nagged us the whole week just so she could see the goddess’ power! Therefore, we have left with no choice but to show her. Amansinaya and I decided to show it to her after class.

I looked at the seat beside me. Amansinaya isn't early today, huh? Commonly she’s earlier than me every time we go to school. I looked at my watch, fifteen minutes left before our first subject starts.

“Nolan, did you do our homework?” I turned my back to Orlene. I looked at her cluelessly at what she’s saying.

“You didn’t know? We have homework to pass today!” Oh, fudge! Is it true?! My hand quickly went inside my bag.

“What is it?! I didn’t know!” I said to Orlene without looking. I panic; I’m not used to this! I forgot about our homework! 

I faced her, “Orlene, what the hell is our homewo-” I didn’t finish my sentence when I saw her holding back her laugh. Is she messing with me?!

She couldn’t hold it back anymore, she burst out of laughter. My eyebrows furrowed. What the hell? That’s not a good joke! “Sorry, Riley and I played a game of truth or dare before you got here.” I looked at one of our classmates, who’s now also laughing. Damn! That’s not a good joke! 

I shook my head in disbelief, I didn’t answer her. I freaked out, I don’t know if I should thank her because it’s only a prank or hate her because she pranked me. 

Orlene’s laugh stopped when the door of our classroom opened, there we saw Creda- err I mean, Amansinaya. She came with messy hair. As if she was in a hurry. Wow, a goddess is almost late to school! Ha-ha.

“What happened to you? You look like a mess!” Orlene exclaimed right after Amansinaya or Credail sat down on her seat. She just smiled at her.

She fixed her hair; after that, she turned to me. She was about to say something when our teacher came inside the classroom. “Good morning class!” Sir Nicholas said. We all faced him, other students returned to their seats.

What was she about to say?

Few hours have passed and finally! This is our last subject before our lunchtime! After a few minutes, the next teacher came. “Good morning Ms. Villanueva.” We greeted her. She looked at us with her eyebrows furrowed.

Whoa, she doesn't even know how to smile?! 

She proceeded with her discussion, we didn’t say anything. We listened to her as if her discussion is what all matters.

Two hours of boring discussion passed when finally, lunchtime! I looked at Orlene, she’s with Amansinaya. “Let’s go?” I asked. They nodded in response.

We went towards the cafeteria to eat our lunch, and Orlene volunteered to get our orders. I picked pasta and lemonade for my lunch. “So, at what exact time will you show me your powers?” Orlene asked Amansinaya, excitedly. 

“We’ll show you after class,” Amansinaya stated; I nodded at her answer.

Upon saying that, Orlene’s pupils dilated. She made weird noises because of excitement. “Orlene,” I faced her. “If you see it, please don’t tell anyone.” I continued. She happily nodded at me. I smiled because of it.

“Just curious, why didn’t you freak out when you heard that I’m a goddess?”  She said while toning down her voice. Orlene looked at her soup and started talking, “Why do I have to freak out?” Yeah, that’s Orlene for you. She believes that ghosts are real so it’s no surprise to see that she didn’t freak out.

“Because commonly, normal people would freak out…” Amansinaya stated. “However, your reaction is unlike any other people.” She continued.

”It’s because Orlene is unique.” I replied. Orlene looked at me with a face of aww-that’s-sweet. I think she took it as a compliment, which is definitely not.

We ate our lunch peacefully not until somebody shouted, “Fire!” We looked at the direction of that voice. I saw a teenage girl running; behind her is a building that caught on fire. I looked at the building; it is not that far from here.

I was surprised to see Amansinaya run towards the building. Will she use her power?! Heck, others might know about her identity if she uses her power in an overcrowded place!

I looked at her running, nervous at what she’s about to do. 

I was about to go after her when Orlene held my hand, “Whatever you're thinking, don’t do it. She knows what she’s doing.” She said calmly.

I looked at her hand, and then my head started hurting. I closed my eyes. After a while, I opened it. I looked around; I’m not in the cafeteria anymore.

“W-Wait me? (Will you wait for me?)” The young Nolan said then he held Asherah’s hand. The mermaid nodded, then Nolan smiled.

“Ok, back me. (Ok, I’ll be back.)” Nolan said, then he let go of her hand and headed home.

“Hey, are you ok?” My senses came back. I looked around and realized that I’m back in the cafeteria.

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied. I saw another part of my memory, I think it’s the time when I got home late at night, my mom scolded me because of that. 

“Hey, why are you smiling? You’re giving me chills.” Orlene said. I didn’t even know that I smiled. 

I just shook my head, “Nothing,” I said. She replied to me with a nod.

After a few minutes, we’ve decided to wait for Amansinaya in the classroom. 

“I’m excited!” She said. She might be referring to what will happen after class.

We waited for Amansinaya to return. After a few minutes, we saw her enter the classroom.

We asked what happened, she said that everything’s fine. I didn't asked the cause of the fire but I know that the fire started in Room 201 at the building of the Elementary students. Luckily, no one got hurt. They also suspended classes from Preschool to Junior High school. Fortunately, the fire didn't spread. Obviously, Amansinaya fixed it with her magic. I also asked if no one saw her use her magic, she explained that she made sure that nobody saw her.

Time flew fast, it’s the end of our class. Orlene seemed to be so excited. She hurriedly went outside, waiting for us to finish. “Let’s go!” She shouted then waved her hand at us.

After we finished, Amansinaya and I walked outside the room. 

Amansinaya gasped when her hand was pulled by Orlene. “Where will you show your powers to me?” Orlene asked.

“Follow me,” Amansinaya replied. We followed her, we arrived at the same place where Amansinaya revealed herself to me.

She then stopped, then she floated up the sky. She looked at us before her body was covered by water. I looked at Orlene who’s now amazed by it.

After she transformed, she cast something on her crystal spear. Then, a ball of water formed on the tip of her spear. The water became bigger and bigger, then it slowly went down the ground. Until I realized that Amansinaya is making a pool.

After she’s done, I spoke, “What are you doing? Do you want us to swim in that pool? We don’t even have the right clothes to wear!” I exclaimed. She looked at us like she just realized it. She then cast something again.

The next thing I knew, Amansinaya, Orlene, and I were covered in water. Until I realized that the water replaced my school uniform to swim trunks.

What the heck? Are we really gonna swim at the school?! The water slowly faded, I looked at Orlene and Amansinaya who are now wearing a swimsuit. 

Amansinaya gently smiled at us, “Now, you can swim.” Is this for real? Is she kidding me? 

A sound of splashing water was heard. I looked at Orlene, she’s now swimming in the pool! I sighed, really dude?

Few seconds passed, and I found myself also swimming in the pool. “Woah, this is so great!” I said, smiling.

“I know right!” Amansinaya said. Then she went to the pool with us.

After a while, I remembered something, “So, Amansinaya. You wanted to say something to me a while ago, but Sir Nicholas interrupted it. I wonder what it is?” I asked her. 

She turned to me before she spoke, “Oh that!” She stopped, "I wanted to ask if you have finally decided if you’ll find her?” I sighed, so that’s what it is, “Give me more time.” I said.

She then sighed and looked at me, “All right,” She said. 

“What were you two talking about?” Orlene asked, clueless.

We looked at her then I replied, “Nothing,” Upon saying that, she pouted.

Amansinaya looked at me before she spoke, “It’s about Nolan, I want him to help me find her beloved one.” She said to Orlene. I looked at her; I mumbled the words, “Why did you say it to her?” She just shrugged.

“Aww, did Nolan agree?” Orlene asked. Amansinaya shook her head. Then she suddenly looked like she’s about to cry.

“No! He’s so insensitive! He can’t even save his beloved mermaid!” She spoke, dramatically. I shook my head in dismay. She’s overreacting geez!

I slowly turned my head to Orlene who’s now also looking like I’ve done something dumb. “Hey, I didn’t say no! I said I’ll think about it!” I explained.

“Why do you have to think about it for so long?! Don’t you want to save your beloved merm- wait, mermaid?!” She said.

“Yeah, when she was still a kid, she met this mermaid.” Amansinaya said.

“Wow, Nolan didn’t even tell me that!” Orlene said. Of course! How could I tell you if I forgot about it!

“He forgot about it,” Amansinaya explained. “Huh? How did you forget about that?” Orlene asked me. 

“Amansinaya took it away from me.” I answered. “Ooh, that explains it.” She said.

Then, an ear-shattering silence rang out.

Few minutes when Orlene broke the silence, “So, when will you start finding her?” My shoulders dropped as I look at her.

“I said, give me some time!” I exclaimed.

End of Chapter 5