Chapter 2: Signs

We shall leave Jamie and Charlene in the library for awhile, and focus our attention to one of the Chemistry classes in the Science Laboratory, located directly on top of the library. Vivian, the batch salutatorian, was once again on her 'selfish leadership mode'. Their Chemistry teacher was not around due to illness, so she was in-charge for that particular session, a thing she was more than willing to do. It was one step closer to popularity-- at least in her world. "Okay classmates, listen very carefully. Since we are in the lab, we are all expected to wear our masks and our lab gowns. Also, remem-" She was distracted by her classmates who didn't give a damn on what she was saying. "Don't you dare ignore me like this!" Vivian said with authority, but nobody still cared.

On the farthest corner of the room, a group of four students already started the experiment. "Vivian really needs a therapy. Am I right or what?" one of them said. "You're so mean, Art" Sam, the only girl in the group sarcastically said. "Guys, I think we should just ignore her. She's quite hard to understand anyway. Eric, hand over that test tube" Jeremy, the group leader, asked. It was no surprise for Jeremy to act on his own even without Vivian's instructions. He's a natural genius, though not as diligent as Vivian, making him fifth in the batch ranking last year.

"Alright! Just one drop of hot water from this test tube and we're good as done" Jeremy said, pouring the content of the glassware. It was perfectly well, until he noticed something strange with his hands. Slowly, it glowed abnormally, revealing powder-like particles scattered on them. To his surprise, smoke suddenly came out coming from the test tube he was holding. "Fire!!" Art shouted in terror. In panic, everyone ran out of the laboratory. Jeremy remained motionless due to shock. "Jeremy, let go of that thing!" Eric tackled Jeremy, who accidentally threw the test tube away. Eric pulled him with all his strength, then immediately ran for the door. A few seconds after, an explosion was heard. Thanks to Vivian's instructions, nobody from the class got hurt; however, it was not the same for Jamie.

The explosion caused the old ceiling of the library to crack. This made the chandelier fall into the ground, setting the carpeted floor into flames. "Jamie!!" Charlene cried, as she saw Jamie trapped in the fire. Luckily for Charlene, she was saved by the guard at post outside the library. "Help! Anybody!" Jamie desperately called, as she was being suffocated. Charlene was fighting so hard to be released by the guard and help Jamie, but the guard won't let her. Slowly, Charlene's voice seem to fade in Jamie's ears, as she fell into the ground. "Good Lord, is this it?" Jamie said in prayer. "If it is, could You at least get rid of my father's bad memories of me? I want him to be very proud of me. Please, oh God. That way, I could be a little help to him. That way, I could at least make him happy..." with a smile on her face, Jamie prepared herself for the worst. Just as hope was about to fade for Jamie, a young man suddenly pulled Jamie's feet upwards. "Are you an angel? Why are you coming from up above?" she uttered dreamily. "Wake up, moron!" the angel in Jamie's eyes suddenly transformed into a sight she preferred more. In his arms, she lost consciousness, but she felt safety just holding on to them.

Waking up, Jamie was greeted by a worried Charlene sitting right beside her.

"Oh thank God, you're alright!" she cried.

"Where are we, Charlene?" Jamie asked.

"At the infirmary. The doctor said you were not badly hurt or anything"

"How about my savior? Is he alright?"

"Oh, Evan? He's fine. You're so lucky that he was at the class upstairs. He saw you trapped in the fire from above the ceiling, so he destroyed the old ceiling in order to save you. You're one lucky girl"

"Really?! It was Evan?! I-I need to thank him!"

"I don't think that would be a good idea"

"Why is that?"

"Evan doesn't want that kind of treatment. He's know to be the coolest guy in school, so it follows that he doesn't entertain anyone. You know, to maintain hi status, he's trying hard to appear isolated"

"For real? Isn't that a bit sad?"

"Well, Evan is Evan"

Their conversation was cut short by the entry of a man about 33 years old. It was Jamie's father.

"Are you alright, my daughter? Does your body hurt?"

"I'm fine, dad. Thank you"

"Good evening sir. My name is Charlene. I am Jamie's friend. The doctor said that Jamie could be discharged right away"

"Alright. Thank you for taking care of my daughter"

Jamie's dad talked with the doctors, packed up, then left the infirmary with Jamie. On their way home, Jamie opened up a talk with her father. “Dad, how did you meet my mom? I really want to know”

“And why’s that?”

“Well… let’s just say that I’m in the mood for a love story right now”

“I’m not. You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady. You can’t divert my attention”

“Oh, come on dad. I was about to die awhile ago. Can you spare me the confrontation ‘til tomorrow?”

“Fine, but you’ll spare me my love story as well”

“Oh, daddy! You’re so mean! I’ve been waiting for that story since I was a kid”

“Just fasten your seatbelt and don’t be too stubborn. We’ll be home soon”

Back at their house, Jamie immediately ran to her room. She was so relieved to actually feel the warmth of her bed that night. Jamie was so ready to die during the fire in the library. Still, she couldn't deny the fact that she became more attracted to Evan after what happened. Good looks, high popularity, and now her personal hero - what more can she ask for?

Just as she was about to close her eyes to sleep to dream about him, Jamie felt an uneasy sensation in her back. Little by little, her room seem to be hotter for her, too hot that perspiration suddenly ran freely all over her body. Slowly, her back hurt more and more until she couldn't bear with the pain that she shouted as loud as her voice could carry. Her dad rushed to her room. "What's happening to you Jamie?! Answer me!" he asked her worriedly. "My back! I-It's hurting so much, it feels like burning!" she answered in pain. Jamie's father tried to look on her back, but there wasn't anything to be found there, not even a bruise. In a matter of seconds, Jamie suddenly stopped screaming. "What is happening to you? We'll see a doctor tomorrow, okay?" her dad said, hugging her tightly.

The next day, at the principal's office, one can feel the height of emotions inside the hollowed room. "But Principal Cith, I really saw smoke coming from the test tube!" Art tried to explain himself. "Smoke! Not fire! If I wasn't too careful in leading our classmates, we are all toast!" Vivian said angrily. Art became speechless. "It was my fault" Jeremy interrupted. Sam, Vivian, Art, Eric, and Principal Cith were surprised by his sudden speech. They've been there for about an hour and it was the very first time that Jeremy spoke. "If you guys will excuse us, I would want to be alone with Jeremy. Please wait outside" the principal asked nicely and the students immediately followed his order.

"What is up with him?" Art suddenly uttered.

"What do you mean?" Sam was confused.

"Well, normally Jeremy is not like that, but since the fire I noticed that he's a bit different. I've never seen him so sure about something wrong he did in the last six years that I've known him. Usually, he'll let others talk on his behalf whenever things go wrong"

Eric was just silently listening to their conversation.

"Looks like he's going to be punished and he's going to be punished big!" Vivian butted in.

"Oh shut up, you old fag! We're not even talking to you!" Art answered back.

"You don't have the right to call me that, you lowlife!"

Just before Art could say another word, Jeremy suddenly came out of the principal's office, facing the floor. "What happened?" Eric asked. Jeremy stared with a blank face. "What now Jeremy? What happened? Tell us already! The suspense is killing me!" Art eagerly asked. "I-I'm dropping out of school for awhile..."

His last statement totally shocked the world of Eric, Art, Sam, and even Vivian who thought that if Jeremy was out, it'll mean less competition for her. But another shocker for that day was what Jamie shared to Charlene.

"WHAT?!!" was the only word that came out of Charlene's mouth.

"Yep! You heard that right! From now on, I'm going to do whatever it takes to become closer to Evan, even if it means I have to become his slave!"

"Are you out of your mind, Jamie? Don't you remember what you did before just to do that? You haven't even finished your job at the library"

"It's postponed due to the fire, remember? But, I... guess you're right. I should have a little respect for myself"

"That's more like it"

Just then and there, Jamie saw a boy wearing shades and leather coat, seemingly hiding his identity from the people. Looking closely at him, she noticed the watch he was wearing.

"Charlene! It's Evan!" Jamie immediately followed him secretly, trying to see what he was up to.

"Oh, she never changes" Charlene tells to herself.

The following week, the very first club activity meeting was held for everyone. All students in the school are required to attend clubs of their choice, as stated in their student manual. Everyone was looking forward to it, especially because it means that class hours are cut for the club meetings. In one of the smallest club in the campus, the Campers' Club, half of the members was pleased to attend the first ever meeting, the other half was the opposite. It was because of their newest member who is none other than Evan Mcgulligen. Half of the population of the club was girls so you probably know now why they're very delighted.

"Okay, let me check your attendance now, guys. This is a requirement for your academic completion after all, doesn't it?" the club adviser stated. "Wait!" All of the members' attention was diverted to the young lady who was rushing her way to the club room, gasping for air. "Is this the Clampers' Club? I've been so dizzy looking for the club room" It was the most unpredictable lady to ever grace the school, Jamie. "It's Campers' Club, dummy" Evan commented, making the guys laugh and the girls go crazy for his coolness. Jamie answered it with a sweet smile.