In the depths of rough darkness, I found myself hanging between dreams and reality.

The air stirred gently, suffused with a soothing calm that wrapped around me like a warm embrace.

Despite the obsidian veil that buried my surroundings, there was a strange comfort I found in my dream.

A gentle hand continued patting my head; this gesture was unfamiliar, but it felt like it was guiding me through my dream.

The touch was like a silent promise. A voice called out my name countless times.

I didn't recognize this voice. It remained shrouded in the shadows of this darkness.

{Bia, Bia.}

It whispered, the words drifting around me like an ethereal attraction.

But why did it call me Bia? 

I had never heard of anyone calling me by this name.

As the insistent call tugged at the edges of my awareness, I blinked open my eyes in the heart of the darkness. The world was still a blur around me. 

Suddenly, a presence grasped my hand, leading me onward. I rubbed my eyes with my free hand, attempting to bring clarity to my vision. The voice whispered once more.

{Wake up, Bia.}

At that moment, the darkness disappeared, and a soft light veiled my surroundings, revealing the familiar setting of the infirmary. The teacher's voice called out to me once more.

"Bian, wake up."

I covered my eyes from the sudden brightness and gradually adjusted to the light with a gentle pat on my head and a smile.

"This is the first time I've seen you sleep so deeply."

I lowered my hand and looked at her briefly before rising from the bed. Just before leaving the infirmary, I turned back to the teacher and asked her, 

"Miss, did you call me multiple times to wake me up?"

She looked at me and nodded.

"Yes, because you weren't waking up at the first call."

Expressing my gratitude, I left the infirmary. Despite her words, it somehow felt like I was being called in my dream.

I pressed my fingers to my forehead, then let go of these lingering thoughts.

I must have fallen into a deep sleep. 

Otherwise, it doesn't make sense that I don't remember anything after I entered the dream.

After a short while, I spotted Jia in the distance. She stood at our usual meeting spot, her eyes fixed on the path where I would appear at any moment.

Her face flooded with relief as she walked towards me.

"There you are! I was just about to come looking for you if you were a minute late," her voice tinged with a mix of relief and mild scolding.

I smiled sheepishly and hurried to give her an explanation for my tardiness. Jia's demeanor immediately brightened as she looked at me.

"You know, you look... fine. More than fine, actually; you are glowing."

My eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected compliment. At that moment, Jia burst into laughter at my reaction.

"Now that's the Bian I know."

Irritated by her teasing, I playfully flicked her forehead before making my way to the classroom.

Rhia leaned back in her seat as I entered the classroom. Without exchanging words, I settled into my seat.

"Your complexion looks much better than this morning."

Again, I was surprised by Rhia's compliment.

……First Jia, now Rhia. Was I looking that bad?

"Thank you."

After I responded to her, I turned my attention to organizing my homework. Rhia remained silent, focusing on her own tasks.

Even in the middle of everything, something tinged in my mind, but I couldn't grasp it.

When all the classes were over, I approached Jia. I had repeated the conversation in my mind a few times, yet now words seemed to be stuck in my throat. Jia glanced up, and our gazes met.

……So, how am I going to say that?

With a deep breath, I steady my nerves.

“Why are you making such a disgusting face?” 

However, before I could say anything, Jia said something completely nonsensical that left me speechless.

“What did you just say?” 

I attempted to calm myself and asked her.

… I could have misheard. Yeah, that must be it.

"I said, why are you making such a disgu... ouch." 

No, I didn't mishear anything. 

I punched the top of her head before she finished her sentence.

“Have you ever called me Bia?” 

Her absurd question erased all my hesitation, but now it's making my blood boil. 

Ugh, I want to punch her head a few more times.

Jia rubbed her head with a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding my question. 

"I felt like someone called me 'Bia' before, but I can't remember who did that."

"I've always called you 'Bian,' not 'Bia,' and I've never heard anyone call you that.”

Jia promptly replied to me without pausing to think about it. Just then, someone called out to me.

I gathered my bag. I still felt a sense of uneasiness. Alternatively, a thought came to my mind that I might have been overthinking things.

Lost in my thoughts, I said goodbye to Jia without looking at her and hurriedly exited the classroom.

All of those thoughts left my mind when I got on the bus. The kids were noisier than in the morning.

After coming home, I learned that my father had gone to another place on business matters.

During dinner, Mom informed us that we would soon have a new home tutor, although she didn't say anything further.

But her eyes conveyed a clear warning not to stir up any more trouble. Without a word, I left the table and retreated to my bedroom.

Click…

Before I drifted off to sleep, Vivi and Zain entered my room, their expressions revealing their discontent.

I signaled for them to come closer and asked, 

"What's wrong? Is there something on your mind?"

After a momentary silence, Zain spoke up, 

"We don't like that." 

I tilted my head in confusion, struggling to comprehend their puzzling statement. They remained hesitant to talk any further.

A thought came to my mind, so I questioned them, 

"Are you referring to the new tutor?"

"Yes," they responded promptly this time. 

"What if this teacher is like the previous one?" Vivi expressed their worries. Understanding their fear, I sought to reassure them.

"We can't judge before meeting the teacher. And if they turn out to be like the other one, then I'll..."

"Please don't.” Their interruption surprised me.

"Please," 

"Don't do anything this time, no matter what. We didn't like what Mom did to you last time."

I could find tinges of fear and worry in their voices. Their earnest plea gave me pause. I hadn't considered how they had taken that situation.

After understanding their concerns, a weight settled in my heart. With a sullen expression, I turned to them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think about how all of that could impact you."

My voice was laced with genuine regret.

Their eyes were full of concern, this time directed towards me. Mustering a smile, I reassured them.

"Don't worry. Nothing like that will happen."

To make them forget about this subject, I changed the conversation and asked them, 

"So when are you guys going to sleep?”

Glancing at the clock, they promptly bid me good night and exited the room. I lay down on the bed and looked at the clock as well.

A smile came to my lips when I remembered how they dashed out of my room when they saw the time.

However, a wave of sadness and regret quickly covered my emotions. I never wanted them to think like that. I never wanted them to take after me.

As the room grew quiet, the weight of their concern lingered in the air. Reflecting on the conversations, I realized the depth of their worries and fears.

Their words replayed in my mind. Despite my efforts, it was clear that everything left a lasting mark on Vivi and Zain.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes and drifted into a restless nightmare.