DECISIONS

LAUREN'S POINT OF VIEW

The light coming from the rising sun paints my skin so warmly. The trees around us are dancing ladies, choreographed by the wind, in perfect time with one another. They are the life and soul of this early summer morning.

Lorelei and I currently sitting on the bench inside the garden where we usually spend our leisure time.

The days went so fast. The last semester will start in a few months. Actually, I didn't pay that much attention to my studies- which is very unusual of me. I'm a self-proclaimed grade-conscious student who gets frustrated whenever my marks don't meet my standards. I literally burn candles to the ends every time we have an exam, but not on this school year.

You cannot blame me though. The recent happenings occupied my system. I couldn't even focus on class discussions. It's also a mystery to me why the University doesn't seem bothered of the killings of my classmates. I don't know if they are just letting the authorities handle the case or they simply don't care.

The latter verdict is too outrageous, Lauren.

I was pulled out of my trance when Lorelei speaks out of the blue.

"Do you want to have a sleep over in our house? It's been a long time since we spend time with each other. At least we'll have good memories together before we probably get killed," she said with a lopsided grin.

I rolled my eyes and lightly pinch her arms. "You're ruining the mood, stop saying gruesome things, you imbecile."

"What?" she chuckled. "I'm just being realistic, no one knows if we'll still be alive after this school year, the killer already made it clear, they will not stop until we're all bathing in blood."

She said those words so casually, as if  death is nothing, as if it's simple as attending class. And it pains me that she's slowly losing her hope.

I heave out a sigh. Too much things are in our plates right now. We're too young to experience all these bullshits. Damn.

•••••

"Mom, I will not be sleeping here tonight," I said while we're in the middle of eating our dinner.

My mother arched her eyebrow. "Why? Don't tell me you already have a boyfriend and you'll stay in his place tonight? I'm warning you, Lauren, I will beat your stupid ass if you'll get pregnant while still studying." She was pointing a fork at me while saying those words.

I rolled my eyes. "First of all, I don't have a boyfriend. Secondly, Lei invited me to come over their house and spend a night there. You should seriously stop watching too much drama because you're being dramatic too," I said scornfully.

"Fine. Just be careful and don't mess around. Update me when you arrived in her place." She stands up and puts her plates in the kitchen sink. "If you're done eating, just leave your dishes here."

My eyes followed her as she climbs up the stair. I notice some subtle changes in my mother since the day she told me to transfer to another school. She's starting to destroy the walls between the two of us. I never seen her drinking liquors and smoking cigarettes too. I'm quite curious of the reason with her sudden changes, though.

I finish my food to prepare the things that I'll bring later.

•••••

I press the door bell of Lorelei's house. A middle age woman wearing a maid dress came out of the huge double door and hurtled towards me. I beamed when I recognized the woman.

"Aunt Cora!" I screamed her name joyously, not minding that it's already quarter to eight in the evening.

She opens the gate and squinted her eyes on me. "Lauren?"

My smile widened. I nod my head fervently.

She comes closer and holds my cheeks, scrutinizing my face. "It's been almost a year since you last visited here. You became a more fine and beautiful lady."

I blush with her compliment. "Thank you, Aunt Cora."

She guides me inside. "Are you looking for Lei?"

"She actually invited me to have an overnight here, Auntie."

As if on cue, someone sprinted towards us while wearing a Doraemon onesie, a bright smile was plastered on Lorelei's lips.

"Laureennn!"

I rolled my eyes because of her loud scream. I bet their neighbors even heard her.

Aunt Cora lightly slaps her arms. "Your voice is disturbing other people's sleep."

The latter pouted before hugging me. "I miss you best friend!"

I chuckled. "We're literally just together hours ago, stop being dramatic."

The three of us entered the house, or should I say mansion, because this is extremely huge. Their house has a warm and cozy ambiance. The walls are painted in mostly blue and white hue. The huge and glimmering chandeliers at the top adds more to the elegance of the place.

"Lei, bring Lauren to your room first, I'll just finish cooking the dinner," the old woman said.

"I already ate dinner, Aunt Cora."

"Then eat again, duh," Lei interjected before dragging my arms.

I sit on the soft mattress of her bed when we reached her room. "In all fairness, I kind of miss your room."

Lei, on the other hand, was busy finding a good movie to watch. "What about this one?" she asked and shows me a horror movie.

I grimaced. "Seriously?"

She chuckled. "Let's just settle with a romantic one, then. I'll ask Aunt Cora to make us popcorn too."

I nodded my head and went inside her bathroom. Since I already went here several times before, I wasn't surprise anymore of how spacious even her bathroom is. I wash my face and fix myself a bit.

"Where are your parents, by the way? I didn't see them earlier," I asked Lorelei while lying on her bed.

I heard her heavy sigh. "As usual, busy with their respective businesses. I'm starting to doubt if they remember that they still have a daughter," she muttered with so much bitterness. "I kind of envy you, to be honest, you experienced having a loving parents at least, while I never experience being pampered by them. All they do is to give me bunch of money, thinking that it's all that I need. Bullshit."

I pulled myself up and sit next to her on the floor mat. "Let's just try to understand them more. I'm sure they love you, it's just that, they are showing it in a different way."

I'm not really good in giving advices, so I just embrace her to make her feel that she's not alone.

"Ok, enough for the drama. I don't want tears tonight."

We both laugh with our moment of melancholy. We stop when someone knocks on the door.

Aunt Cora peeks from outside. "Get down now, you two. The foods are already served."

The three of us had a loud and happy dinner. And when we're done, Lei and I immediately climb up the stairs. We spent the night watching movies and talking about our dreams.

"What do you want to be, Lauren?" she asked her while we're standing at the balcony, staring at the dark sky strewn with glimmering stars.

"Me? I'm actually undecided till now. I still have years to decide though, I'm sure my heart will eventually find what I really want. What about you?"

She beamed lightly. "I want to be a psychologist someday. That was my dream ever since I was a kid. I want to know the complexities of human behavior and mind. I also want to

help them learn how to cope with stressful situations."

That made me smile as well. Seeing her having a certain path to walk stirs a blissful feelings inside me. A moment of comforting silence rose between the two of us. We just let our eyes feast on the mysteriously beautiful scenery above.

"Let's achieve those dreams together, shall we?"

She looks at me and smiled. "We definitely will."

This night, I made a hard choice that will probably cause my life, but I'm willing to risk it.

I'm sorry, Mom, but I will never leave this woman beside me alone in this catastrophe.

•••••

"Mom."

She averted her gaze from the TV and looks at me with an arched eyebrow.

I pull the hem of my shirt to calm my nerves, because I'm fucking nervous. "I want to stay in Ridley University."

Her forehead creased, and the questioning look in her eyes is enough for me to expect her disapproval.

"We already talked about this, Lauren," she said calmly.

I heave out a sigh. "I know, and I understand that you're just thinking about my welfare. But Mom, I don't want to leave Lorelei alone," I explained.

"Lauren, transferring you to another University doesn't mean cutting your connections with her. You can always visit your friend."

I was tongue-tied, because she's right. Truth to be told, what I said is just one of the reason why I want to stay. It's also because there's this urge that is forcing me to catch the killer. Stupid and reckless may it sound, but it's true. Despite starting off of a wrong foot with those bastards, I still want to save my remaining classmates.

"Mom, please trust, just this time, alright? I-I can't tell you all my reasons yet, but I can assure you that everything's gonna be alright. All I'm asking you is to trust me," I muttered sincerely.

I was stupefied when I saw tears pooling in my mother's eyes. All of a sudden, she lunges towards me and encloses me in a warm embrace. My mouth fell open, and at the same time, my eyes began to water.

"Why are you like that, Lauren?! You and your father are very much alike, both of you are so damn hard-headed. Why did I raise such a stubborn child," she whispered while crying. Her hands are caressing my hair as she say those words.

And I can't help but to smile. Slowly, I raise my arms and return her embrace.

"I guess it runs in the blood, you are stubborn as hell too, Mom," I said with a light chuckle.

She broke free from our hug and cup my cheeks. Her blood-shot eyes gleaming with concern are looking at me intently.

"Forgive your mother, Lauren. I'm sorry for blaming you for your father's death. I'm sorry for my negligence and not fulfilling my duty as a mother. I promises that I will make it up to you."

I nod my head fervently. "Ok, and start it with assenting me to stay in the University, Mom," I said with a grin.

She pinches my arms. "You one cunning bitch.

We both laugh with each other before slumping on the couch with smiles on our faces.

This feels good.

"