2 THE JOURNEY

"I know it's the first day of resumption but I will be giving everyone a topic to learn and before midterm, there will be a presentation of those topics, marks will be awarded" Mrs. Abiola stated leaving the whole class to erupt in disagreement. "To ease the workload you will be paired, listen to your names".

Many seconds later,

"Gabriella Johnson and Daniel Grayson"

Did I space out....no

"What?" I questioned for clearance

"I said, Gabriella Johnson and Daniel...."

I just spaced out

Me and Daniel... Daniel freaking Grayson

Oh no oh no

"Gaby"

"Gaby"

"Gaby", the voice shouted. I jerked up in shock looking around me to see that the class was already over. Turning my head just to find that same dark brown eyes staring at me or my soul. "Beautiful", I thought.

"What", I said shaking that thought away.

"Our topic is Evolution be at my house tomorrow by 6 pm sharp", he said and left the class.

OMG, he spoke to me... Lillian where are you when I need you.

Wait he called me Gaby.....Holy Mary

Wait did he just command me.

"Be at my house by 6 pm sharp", I tried mocking his deep voice.

Arrogant prick

And the bell rang. I arranged my books, stuffed them into my bag which I slung around my shoulders.

Lunchtime, finally

I went to my locker to drop out unnecessary books away before heading to the cafeteria. It's spaghetti and fish sauce today, oh my. Sighting Lillian with her braided hair tinted blue at the ends, I strolled to the table slumping on the chair helplessly.

"What happened?" Lillian said looking at my frowned face before passing me a plate of spaghetti.

"Daniel happened", I replied not wanting to say anything further.

"You mean the hottie Grayson", she smirked

"Who else has the power to ruin my mood?"

"Come on girl, I ain't God so spit it out", she asked hastily

"I may or may have not been paired with Daniel for Biology", I said sluggishly.

The crazy girl had to ruin this moment by screaming, all eyes at the cafeteria were on her. Damn girl, you need mental help.

"I'm so happy for you, now he gets to notice you. You are so dating him this year. I ship you both, Gabriel or Daniella", she squealed. "Power couples"

Is this girl for real?

I told her what happened so she can back me up but now she is so praising him, ship names....the heck!!!

"Seriously girl, seriously", I said shaking my head in disappointment managing to eat the food I had no appetite for nor was attracted to.

Traitor.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

Today went pretty well minus the fact that I was betrayed by my best subject. "Biology how could you do this to me, you just broke my non-existing heart", I cried internally.

Right now I am sitting in my car parked in the garage of our house, still trying to assimilate the events that happened today.

The nightmare

Biology with Daniel Grayson

Lillian constantly bickering after I told her I was paired with Daniel. My ears still hurt.

Boring Lecture with assignments to do.....it's just too early for this drama, so much for the first day of resumption.

Sighing in defeat, I entered the house more like a mansion. Running to my room, I slumped on my comfy bed slowly removing my shoes. My very own paradise on earth painted silver grey with a white ceiling and purple curtains. My bed is positioned some distance away from the wall. Picture frames of me and my mum and also Lillian were hanged on the wall. There is an oil painting adjacent to the bed, it kind of blurred in my eyes but mum said the painting is history and I will understand it later.

"Ella, are you there", my mum called. She was the only person that calls me Ella.

"Yes mum, come in"

"I'm going to work right now, will you be alright?", She asked.

"Very", I answered.

Home alone, I sang.

"Love you honey", she adds leaving my room to the garage.

"Love you more", I chip in not as she can hear me.

Preparing to dive into my assignments, my stomach starts rumbling in hunger. Ah, peanut butter sandwich. I dashed into the kitchen, food is important. Opening the fridge, I brought out bread and my lovely peanut butter while humming my favorite Moana song, how far I'll go. "Yummy", I sang while licking my lips and rubbing my hands maniacally.

What's that smell?

Sniffing the air, my countenance suddenly changed. OMG, what died in here? It was like Ammonia gas mixed with Hydrogen Sulphide sprinkled with Chlorine gas was pumped in the house. Tracing the awful smell it leads me to the basement.

I felt my insides shrinking at the sight of the basement. The only place I was forbidden to enter in the house. Don't ask me why because I have no idea. There's no way I am going in but the entire house stinks and I can't eat my peanut butter sandwich in peace.

Here goes nothing

I slowly unlock the door minding to block my nose from the smell. The wood squeaked the moment my foot touched it. I was astonished by the decoration. Round tall wood stood as pillars that held the basement erect. The basement was no doubt large and spacious with four doors connected to the hallway, two at each side. Red curtains were hung around in the hall. Poor ventilation and large cobwebs indicated that it hasn't been cleaned in a long time. A good sign.....no. The urge to check the basement out was strong but so was the ugly stench. Having no other choice I opened the first door to my right but it was dark and empty. The second was filled with cabinets with papers to stocked in them. There was a large table at the far end of the room with papers on it and old books covered with dust and cobwebs. No sign of a dead animal or whatsoever showed that it wasn't the right room.

Opening the first door to my left, saying I was shocked would be an understatement. Large picture frames were everywhere. On the walls and the floor, nothing compared to the tiny picture frame in my room. The painting was exclusive, the drawings were made to perfection. My mum was not artistic or so I thought but "who could have drawn them", I wondered. The first painting I stumbled upon portrayed the story of a black-skinned woman, she was pretty, dressed in white with a beautiful and well-structured emerald necklace dangling from her neck. What shook me was the fact that she was caged and pregnant. Her hands were tied so were her legs. Her facial expression showed nothing but pain. I felt pure sympathy toward her but shook the feeling away. The second painting showed a multitude of people dressed in white just like the woman from the first painting but without any necklace. They held their hands together forming a circle with a green flame burning in the middle of the circle. Strange.

Opening the second door on my left, the nostalgic smell of old antiques hit my nose. I was in a library with shelves filled with books. Taking note of the surrounding. I came across an underground leading door painted red. I was closer to whatever died, the stench at this moment was extremely concentrated.

"Go back Gabriella, you aren't ready for this", my head voice spoke to me.

It's not like I came here willingly, all I wanted was to eat my PJ sandwich in peace. Turning the knob the door didn't open, of course, it was stuck. After many seconds of pushing, it finally gave way. Immediately I stepped inside I never knew I was opening my life to unforeseen circumstances.