Chapter 7

Skyla

(Past)

From the day I had a little talk with Carl, I became felt comfortable around him. Besides my study, I started to spend most of my time in music class. I was having fun learning Violin from him. He was a great teacher. That boy, Mason, he tried to approach me so many times, but I took off wherever he tried to come to me. I couldn't risk his life no matter what. Whenever he came in front of me, I felt that same familiar stare on me. Just like other night, I heard something fell on the balcony at the night. I knew my stalker threw something again. My heart dropped in fear. Gathering my courage, I slowly stood up from my bed and went to open the french door of our balcony. I looked at the ground and saw a wrapped paper. I squinted down and took that paper ball in my hand. Unwrapping that, I saw something written in red ink.

"If you want to see him alive, stay away from Mason." 

I didn't cry. I couldn't be a coward all the time. It wasn't as if I went after him. He was constantly bugging behind me. But why that person didn't want me near to him, I didn't know. I couldn't share with anyone what was happening with me. I still remembered the way my foster father died over me. I don't want to admit, but that person was horrible. I was a little girl, how could he tried to force himself on me! I was saved by someone that day, but in a horrible way that snatched my sleep away from me. I still got nightmares of that horrifying day. I decided to leave that thought and tried to stay awake by completing my assignments and studying. I refused to disturb my granny. She was my strength, and I wanted her to stay fit and fine.

The next day in the morning, I immediately showered and went downstairs to make breakfast only to see granny was there with our dining table filled with foods and there was one container. I frowned but asked nothing. She told me cheerfully, "Today I am the first one who entered the kitchen." 

I smiled lazily and kissed her cheeks. "Morning granny."

Her smiled dropped and she said, "You didn't sleep, did you?"

"No, granny. I have a test today. So, I needed to stay awake late at night." I lied to her. 

She caught me effortlessly. She said with a hard gaze, "Young lady, stop lying to me. I know very well you don't need to stay awake for study as you have already done with your chapters when you stay with me in my bakery." She wasn't wrong. I preferred to complete my syllabus of any examination earlier than the expected date of examination, as my brain doesn't function at night at all, even if I try harder. 

One of my previous school teachers used to say, "Studying can't be done by force-feeding. You should choose your time when you feel like your brain is ready to function." 

I heard her saying, "Hello, I am talking to you. You again zoned out!" 

She put both hands behind her hips and preparing herself to scold me. 

Before she could say anything, I hugged her. I said, "Why are you being so grumpy this early, granny? Do you think I am lying to you? No! I have a test, no- two tests today. I promise I will sleep when I come back from school. Now, please give me food. Or, I am going to miss my first class. You know right I can't afford to miss any lectures now, can I?"

I moved away. I heard her huffing in annoyance. She said, "From now on you are going to sleep with me. I am not taking a no from you, Skyla Davis. Understand?" She gave me a stern gaze, in which I gave her a nod. She served me my breakfast and forwarded that to me. She also sat with me. 

I was chewing a waffle, I heard her saying, "Skyla?"

"Yes, granny," I answered without looking at her. 

"Do you remember once I told you about Mrs. Turner having triplets, who are in the fifth standard?"

Looking up, I looked at her face briefly. She did mention before. I gestured her to continue. 

She said, "Well, she asked me if you could be a private tutor to them. She even told me, you can give choose any time and any place- I mean in our home or theirs'. I didn't give her my word as you decide whether you want to tutor them or not. She even offered a huge amount of money. What do you want? I thought to call her to my bakery and let you talk and decide later. But seeing your condition today, I decided to call her to come tomorrow after school. What do you think?" She was holding a hopeful gaze.

My all tiredness was gone. I jumped from my seat and run toward her. I hugged her in a way that made her laugh at me. I gave her pecks all over her face. I said, "Ganny, you made my day. I have been looking for part-time jobs but didn't get one. I am ready to talk and finalize the date and time with her. I so wanted a job, granny. You are my guardian angel, you know. I love you so much." I showed her face with kisses.

She laughed at me and said, "If I have known before that this news would make you this excited, I might have told you earlier. Your eyes are shining as if I gave you a gift or something."

"Well, granny. This is the best gift ever." I said with a smile. As my eyes fell on the clock, my eyes widen in horror. I yelped, "Oh, God! I am late. I am going to get my backpack." I gave a run through the stairs. 

"Careful, Skyla." She warned me before I could slip from the stairs. 

I came back with my backpack downstairs and saw granny was standing with a container in her hand. I narrowed my eyes in which she grinned. I huffed but took that container with a smile. I teased, "My violin teacher would get addicted to your food one day, you see." 

She laughed and said, "It would be an honor to prepare a tiffin for a nobleman like him. He is just a student, but he is more adult and mature. Give him the respect he deserves." 

"Of course, granny." She gave a smile and sped off on my bike to my school. As usual, I felt someone was following me. I sighed and ignored that uneasiness in my heart. I enter our school premises and parked my bike. Then I went to my classroom. 

My tests went well. I finished my paper earlier than others and left my classroom. I decided to go to Carl's music room. It was before time. I entered that room but didn't see him there. I closed the door and went to sit in one of his armchairs. He kept two armchairs in that room. I kept my backpack on the floor. I pulled out that tiffin container from my bag and kept that on the desk. Then I sat in the armchair where I sat before. 

I waited for him to come, but I didn't see any trace of him. I leaned my head against the chair. I felt my eyelids getting heavier, and I had a hard time keeping my eyes open. I eventually dozed off, not caring for the nightmares. Then felt something, a feather-like touch over my left cheek. For some reason, I didn't feel weird, but that was quite opposite. I found that comfortable.