How much time does it take for a person's life to completely change? A decade? A year? A month? A day? Well, it depends to the person, right? In that case, the answer to this question would be 'In a moment' or 'Momentarily'. It depends to the crowd that are spectating on that person life. Since Moments can't be measured, we can only assume that the change would happen soon. Even if it's a decade, a year, a month or day, we can only presume that it will inevitably happen. Hence, Momentarily.
Moments can be the only thing that can separate usual and unusual. A thin veil that segregates what we think is normal to those that is definitely not something of this world. Something that is so thin, almost unnoticed, yet something that reaches those that are drastically far-fetched. A gap that is so simple yet so wide and deep. That is why you should live like there is no tomorrow, because you don't know when everything will change.
A person's life always changes. And all of us, albeit not simultaneously, will face these changes. That is why it is preferable to live your life at its fullest cause you'll never know when your life would change for the better or for the worse.
I guess that by now, you are wondering why I've been talking a lot about Change and lives and Moments like it was some kind of an essay for English class. Well, I've also got no idea why hahaha. It always happens to every person when they are bored enough, they began to ponder about the world, philosophy, and a series of hypothetical situations. We can say that boredom awakens the genius in all of us.
Some of you might already be aware but I'll say it anyway. Welcome to my story, albeit uneventful, I hope that you will enjoy it as much as I enjoy telling it. A couple of sentences from now, we will start the story and I'll be once again be unaware of all of you. But no worries, I am confident that I would be able to tell you the story without being bored, even if it's just my uneventful daily life as a student. Well, enough of this 4th wall breaking for now and let's start this story with a clichéd 'Once upon a time'... Wait, I forgot... This is not a Fairy Tale!
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"-up"
A muffled voice...
"-ke up"
Can't you clear your voice a little? I can't understand it.
"Wake up"
There, an understandable voice. Wait, 'Wake up'?
"I won't be bothered about him, if I were you."
"But, Lunch time will be over soon. He's already asleep even before lunch time started, he should've had enough by now."
Noisy! I'm trying to sleep in here. Can you just lower your voice?
"Knowing him, I bet he's up all night reading about anything that interests him. You'll just be exhausted if you keep on waking him up."
"But... Hey, you sleepy head, wake up... I said WAKE UP JOHANNES!!!"
"Whoa, calm down, I'm awake... just five minutes more."
"Don't just go back to sleep after you've just been woken!"
"Ow! What the hell!"
A girl holding a book with an angry expression and a boy looking somewhat uninterested, that's what entered my sight at the moment I woke up. It seems that I've been struck by that thick book that the girl is holding.
"How many times did I tell you that hitting someone while sleeping is rude, Mira? And Eric, don't act like this is none of your business, you should've told this fella over here that hitting people with the book is rude in every sense of the word."
"I tried to stop her, and you should've known by now that Mira is just that kind of person. You're also at fault here, you're sleeping even though there's still a class."
"Mira, even though we're childhood friends, that doesn't give you the right to bash my head with what you were holding. That's still rude."
"If you don't stop bitching about everything, I will hit you with this book one more time, got it?"
"Yes, I got it, just stop with the hitting."
"An acceptable answer."
I somehow managed to calm the demon and her wrath. But she's smiling at me... I feel scared.
"Now that you're awake, let's focus on the current problem in hand."
"What are you saying, Mira, what problem?"
"The fifth period is math, and there's an assignment there."
"Let me guess what you want to say."
"What?"
"You haven't done your assignment yet and you want to copy mine, right?"
"Wow, you really are a gen..."
"I refuse."
"I haven't said anything yet and you're already refusing? How rude!"
"I bet you were occupied by your drama last night that you forgot to make your assignment, right?"
"Hehehehe, just as you said."
"*sigh* Only this time, I will not let you copy my assignment again, remember that."
Mira suddenly lunge to me and gave me a hug.
"Thank you, Hans! You really are my best friend."
"I really can't say no to you huh, Mira."
"Hehehehe, were literally stuck with each other."
"Um, I hope you're not forgetting about me, one of your childhood friends."
"Oh, Eric. I forgot that you're here."
"Wha-. Hey, you never really forgot about me, right? You never really forgot me, right, right?!"
"Of course, that's just a joke."
"Well, leaving that aside, can you let me copy your assignment too?"
"Even if I say no, you will copy it either way, right."
Eric approached me and put his arm around my shoulder.
"You really know me. As expected of my dear friend."
"Stop dilly-dallying and start working. You only have 5 minutes before the bell ring."
""Ok""
They replied simultaneously.
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Elmira Aslanov(Mira) and Eric Hagelin(Eric) are my Childhood Friends. We've been stuck together ever since Kindergarten. Mira and I are next-door neighbors. We met Eric on the kindergarten school and we've been stuck together ever since. Mira and Eric would often go to my house for study groups, although I'm the only one teaching the two of them. Mira belongs to the volleyball club while Eric is at Karate Club. Basically, they are both muscleheads. They are both athletic but weak at studies, that is why I'm always the one tutoring them. We're 17 y/o and the three of us are currently at our Sophomore Years on high school.
By the way, I am Johannes Aarvold. I like to acquire knowledge, no matter what medium. Surfing the internet, reading books, listening to radio, watching television etc. All for the sake of gaining more knowledge. I do not belong at any club because it would conflict with my Library visiting times. I'm always at our school library to read. By now, it is not an overstatement to say that I've already memorized everything in that library. It is my joy when I read new books in that library.
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A few minutes have passed since they started copying my assignment, the bell rang. A few minutes after that, the teacher entered the classroom.
"Okay, go back to your seats, the class will start now."
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
"""Ok!"""
The class simultaneously replied.
"Hans, thank you for the assignment, I'll treat you when we go home."
"Of course! That's not free you know."
"Hehehehe, I'll treat you too, even if it's expensive."
"No need, Mira. I know you're in a tight spot right now because of your allowance."
"So you noticed, huh. Well then, I'll just accompany the two of you and we'll eat together. Of course, it's your treat, Eric."
"Huh?! That's not fair!"
"Hey, the three of you in the back, take your seats, the classes are starting."
"""Ok!"""
"This talk is not yet finished, we'll decided this after school."
"Just give it up Eric, it's settled."
Eric looked like he was going to cry at any moment while Mira happily skipped towards her seat.
The Afternoon Class Started afterwards.
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After class, Mira head towards the Volleyball clubroom while Eric head towards the dojo. I don't have anything to do. I've been left behind.
"*sigh* I'll just head to the library while waiting for their club activities to end."
While heading towards the Library, I saw a truck beside the entrance. The truck was full of books, old and new. My eyes were glittering with this development, I can't wait to read the newly arrived books. Therefore, I increased my walking pace to be able to reach the library sooner. As they say, 'No one can ever stop a man longing for knowledge'. I guess I'm the only one who said that. Anyway, off we go, to the Library!
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"I can't get enough of this smell!"
I've reached the library and headed towards the newly-added books.
"The smell of new books really stimulates me!"
To many good books, I can't decide what to read first! I have plenty of time so might as well skim through all of them.
"This looks interesting. Oh, and this too... And this too. Oooh, they have the sequel now. Yes, a new series from that author. I heard he changed his style of writing. Oh wait, they have this too. Ahh, I am in heaven!"
After skimming through the seemingly endless pile of books, I've selected the ones that I would read. I currently have my hands full of books that I can't wait to read. I immediately head towards one of the reading cubicle at the corner and drop all the books I'm holding.
"Now, I can finally start reading all these masterpieces. Ahh, I really am excited. Ahh Ahh... Wait, I've almost lost myself there. I need to be careful not to be misunderstood and be labeled a pervert by someone that would walk in here."
I reached towards a book in the table. As I'm holding a book, something else caught my attention. There was a book in there that I didn't remember picking up.
The book looks like a normal hardbound leather books. The leather cover is blue with what appears to be metal forming an 'X' shape with round in the middle on the round is what appears to be a coat of arm of a country. The coat of arm has a shield in the middle with both Dragon and Lion on the side and what appears to be a crown at the top of the shield. The coat of arm can't be compared with the ones that exist in the other countries. Looks like this is a coat of arm of a small kingdom that I am not aware. At the side of the book there seems to be the title of the book written in a language that I don't know. Considering that I've known all the different languages existing because of the research I conduct during my younger years, this is definitely a first for me. I put down the book that I'm currently holding and reach towards the Blue book. The moment I held the book, the writings on the side of the book changed into English. The title of the book appeared on English language. I was surprised by what I saw. Apparently, the title of the book is 'A new story in a new life', Pretty vague for a Book title.
"Might as well read this. Looks interesting enough for me."
I started reading the book. The content of the book is nothing special. The story is about the daily life of a boy starting from his childhood. It was a normal Daily life story of a boy with his friends. Even though the story is simple, I can't shake the uneasiness in my system. The story is weird in a sense of the characters having no names, only their characteristic. The Boy has friends called the Girl and the Other Boy. The story itself is awful. There is no great development and only focuses on the life of the Boy which is the protagonist. As I continue reading the book, I realized something.
"The story is strangely similar to the story of my life."
The characters, their role, everything seems so similar. The Boy is strangely similar to me. Also, the Friends of the Boy is weirdly similar to Mira and Eric. All the events in the book seems to be from my own life. Even though my memories were a bit fuzzy from when I was young, It still feels like I've been in that situation before. It becomes more and more weird the further I read it.
I was so engulfed with the book that I didn't notice that the sunlight's already gone and the stars slowly resurfaced. I didn't even notice that someone is approaching me from behind. Someone suddenly pat my back and in my shock, I jump from where I was sitting.
"Hey, Hans!"
"Whoa! Mira, stop with those kind of greetings, you might give me heart attack. Oh, Eric, you were here too."
"We've come to pick you up, Hans."
"Okay, wait a minute, I'll just borrow this book."
After borrowing the blue book from the librarian, the three of us exit the library and went to the nearest fast food chain.
"So, I'm really the one that will pay for all of this, huh."
"Sorry to drop all the expenses to you, since Mira is short right now, and I already spent my allowance to buy new books, I hope you will understand us."
"Sorry Eric, I will treat you someday."
"Okay, I understand. Since Hans helped me in my assignment, I'll be the one paying for all of this."
"Thanks Eric! You really are my Best Friend."
"You've already said that to Hans during the lunch period, right. Conniving Woman."
"""Hahahahaha"""
If I were to describe the scene right now, I would say 'calming'. It really is calming when I'm with this two, even though they are a bit hyper, I can't imagine myself without them. I would be a loner by now if I hadn't met these guys. And because of that Blue Book, I can even appreciate my friends more because it made me remember all the things that we did... All the things that they did to support me. I can't ask for a more reliable friend than of what I currently have. That's why I love them both.
After eating, we went straight home. Eric departed from us first. Right now, only Mari and I are walking together.
"Ahhh, I'm full. I can't go on."
"That's what you get when you try to eat 3 quarter pounder and fries. Why can't you act more girly every once in a while."
"You really know how to ruin someone's mood, don't you, Hans."
It seems like I pissed her off a little.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. It's just because... you're cute Mira, you have the curves in right places. I can say without a doubt that you are beautiful. If you act more girly, then men will begin to flock you even more than before. You'll be popular."
Mira became silent for a while, then she suddenly talked with a soft and gentle voice.
"You know what, Hans? I don't really care about the other people, I don't really care about what they want to see from me. I just want to be who I am. I don't want to be flocked by men and I certainly do not want to be popular. Being with you and Eric is enough for me. I can be myself when I am with you both."
My cheek unintentionally blushed, who would've thought that a demon woman like her has a softer, gentler and cute side like this.
"Hehehehe. Heck, I don't even care if I won't be married. If I cannot be myself when I married a guy, then I'll not marry anyone."
"You know, if everyone doesn't accept you for who you are... I will be here to accept all of you."
Silence follows.
Holy Shit! What did I just say, it looks like I proposed to marry her, didn't I? Oh My God, my heart is beating so fast, I really am nervous right now. Hans, you idiot! Why did you say that? This is the most embarrassing thing that I said to a woman, moreover, to my childhood friend. Hold on, why is she so quiet.
I glance to Mira and saw her covering her face while her ears are really red and her smile can't be hidden by her hands.
Oh My God, she's overjoyed. What the hell! So, all this time, she also has the same feelings for me like I feel for her. This just turned into something out of hand. What should I do, what should I do? Should I be the one to break the silence, Should I wait for her response? I don't know anymo-
"Is that true?"
She Broke the Silence! I need to answer fast, I need the right answer.
"Y-yes, it's true."
"R-r-really?"
I need to calm my nerves.
"*sigh* All the things that I said, it's all true. I will not back out of my word."
"Then-"
She went in front of me and stand close to me that I can feel hear her breathing. She smiled so sincerely, different from the smile she showed me before. This smile will make even the most stonehearted person's heart skip a beat.
"-I look forward to that day, Johannes."
I can't breathe right now. I didn't know that my Childhood friend could be this cute. I really want to kiss her right now if she permitted me, but I won't do that, I'm a gentleman after all. But it is true that I want to keep her. She's so cute! Wait, I need to give her a reply. After what she said to me, I have to make sure that I reply sincerely.
"It's my pleasure, Elmira"
Our trip home has been engulfed in silence. Not in an unnerving manner but in a calming one.
We reached our houses a few minutes after that exchange. Mira is still blushing and so am I.
"Good Night, Mira."
"Good Night, Hans."
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That night, I can't seem to calm down. All might nerves are still wrecking me even after 2 hours have already past. Whatever I do, I can't seem to erase Mira's face in my mind.
"Haa! I need to find something that will keep me busy. Anything that can be used to redirect these feelings right now. That's right, I have the Blue Book with me. I should've read it sooner."
I reached inside my bag and grab the Blue Book. I lay to the bed while then I read the book.
My nerve wreck immediately disappeared as I continue to read the book. The story became more and more familiar to me. Now I can really conclude that the scenes in the story are those that I've already experienced. The further I read, the weirder I feel. It feels like I'm spectating my own life. I know what will happen and that is really what is happening in the story of the book.
I don't know how many hours have past, I don't even care. I was nearing the end of the Book. As I came close to the ending, I felt a lot more unease. As I Flip to the last 12 Pages, what I saw was definitely chilling. It was about the things that happened today. From the moment I woke up to the moment I slept in the class, It's all in here. It feels like someone is deliberately stalking me and recording everything it saw. I can't control my unease. I felt a lot more scared and weirded out. Even my exchange with Mira is in here. All the words delivered by us was written there precisely. As I flipped to the last page, what I saw brought chills in my spine. It was describing me, laying in the bed while reading the book about my life. At that moment, I felt genuinely scared. I don't know why but I can't stop shivering. At that moment, the last page shined. I was barely able to see because of that. The moment that my eyes are able to see, I looked in the page that shined a while ago and there are new words written on it.
"Welcome to the New World, welcome to your new story."
After reading the added words out loud, the book closed itself. The coat of arm in the middle of the 'X' design moved like they are pushing the seal out of the way. After they pushed it far enough, the 'X' designed retracted itself. The only thing in the cover of the book is the blue leather cover and the 'X' design and the coat of arms are nowhere to be seen. Then the book burst open, the pages shining. My mind can't comprehend what's happening, and so is my eyes. My eyes were blinded by the light emitted by the book. Few moments after that, as my eyes were able to see, I looked around only to be surprised. I was engulfed by light and it looks like I am floating in a space without any thing, an empty void engulfed in light. At that time, only one thing comes onto my mind and I'm itching to shout it.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!!!"