Chapter One - How I Met Her

California has issued at least 6 drivers licenses to people named Jesus Christ. That's a fact! Most dreams last only 5 to 20 minutes. That's a fact! 'Jedi' is an official religion, with over 70,000 followers, in Australia. That's a fact! The school will start at 8am, and 7.45am I'm still sleeping in the bed. That's....

'...A...FACT?!' I screamed after a peek at my alarm clock. 'Bet, I should have threw you cracked piece of metal is a fact too!' Great, I'm late for the first day of school at this 1st chapter!
Washed my face, brushed my teeth, changed my clothes, and my shoes on. Did I missed anything? Guessed not! I grabbed my bag and left the house. I snapped the door with a touch of my heel. A long way still from school, so I started to hop my step. There are 3 turning point for me to the school like a big "Z" on the map, I just passed the 1st one which is the street for my favorite Ice-cream shop, Ice-Soda it named. And there's 2 more still, so I speeded up again. At the next turning point, I made a sliding break with my black Nike in order to enforce my speed over the direction which similar to a car's drift. Unfortunately, I crashed on a girl, and she fell on me. We were so close that I could smell strawberry on her lips. When she awared her position, she quickly shoved off backward. Quickly, I thought of asking her name and hoped she gave her contact along. Unluckily, when I was going to make my move, she rushed off like she's late for something...

'Late huh....ack, SCHOOL!' I called out in shock that her rushy act reminded me.
'Hey Nim, what so hurry! See ya at school, Monkey Boy!' Henry shouted out from his car window while I'm breathing hardly from my steps. Henry Kurma probably who are my friend for longest time. He got a little gentle side, but mostly he's a bastard who like to slam other with his unfairly big size. And that's how he get his nickname, Polar Bear. Speaking of size, Henry is not the tallest. James Tuna, six and half feet tall guy. With his flapping and unmoved swimming style, he earned the tuna-whale for his nick. "Speak of evil, and evil arrived." James standing at the gateway with his Man of Steel Award which he stood like a steel, and not the annual award from the rugby league. I bet he is having his stalking project shifted earlier.

'hu..hu..hu..whua..what...time is it, tuna-whale?' I breathed out the words.
'7.57, oh, why you're so sweated up?' James replied. Same old James as I thought, always asking this kind of question. And so, I gave him an obvious look. 'Oh, sorry.' He said after awhile when he figured out.

'Hi-hi, hi-hi, my clumf-syy brother, goof morphing!' Jin called out behind with her humorous 'fu' tone and pat on my shoulder. Jinny Toff, my sister from another parents, my god-sister or you could call that. Actively funny person who living in the humor world. 'Ah...da...Mr.Tuf-na is also here!'
'Good morning!' Stephy said dimly. Jin's classmate and best friend, Stephy Keon, a shy little girl but she also possessed a perfectionist within. She noded down her head and shifted nearer to Jin's back after seeing a weirdly grinned Tuna's face.
'Mista..Tuf-na, you're scaring the pure-hearted life there. Stop glancing weirdly!' Jin said aggresively and pointing at Stephy. She's being protective to her friend, but sounded not so convincing with her 'fu' tone though.
'Ah...you're sure energitic everyday huh, Jin.' I said and pat on her head. She quickly tamed from her "not so angry face". 'School almost start, we have to go. Let's go James, and stop doing that, you're embarassing me.'
And so we head off to our class, and so do the girls.

Our school, the Wise Internation School of Eastland (WISE), which have the big 4 words as the logo. It had several new building at the right side, teachers department and offices at the left side, the center nested with a sport stadium, and some old building at the back which had been abandoned for almost 50 years. And my class located at the most front top which took me ran over 5 floor of stair-cases to reach.
The stair-cases almost took away my breathe as it seems also dryed the metal-fish up to half-dead.
'How pathetic, both of you!' Henry said after approached us with his sourceless pride on face. 'Can't even take a couple of jog, huh?'
'Like you would, you fat Polar.' I replied harshly.
'Why can't him?' James asked with his confuse face.
'Damn you flappy whale, which side you're in?!'
'Are you two argued yesterday?'
Both me and Henry sighed. Then we left the wonder fish wanderring alone with it's own confusing mist.

I sat on my seat wondering where the girl heading to while waiting for our teacher to come. Darn, I should at least get her name. How regretful!
'Stand-up!' Our representative called out as usual when the teacher walked in. 'Good Morning, Miss Ho!'
'Okay, sit down!' She replied and everyone chattered a little while siting down. 'Quiet!' Miss Ho harshed her tone this time and everyone turned the attention to front. 'Listen, we got new transfer student today. Okay, you can come in now, Miss Knight!'
Miss Knight...what a fierce surname for a girl, she might looks fierce too, I thought in my mind. 'Thank you, Miss Ho!' A low sweet voice said.

'Oh my gosh, is she?' I called out unintentionally.
'Who? You know her?' James asked as he sat beside me.
She looked around, and she shaked a little when she saw me.
'She is Katty Knight from next town. Please be nice with her. Class, understand?' said Miss Ho.
'Yes, Miss Ho' everyone replied with a cheerful tone except me, spaced out.' With her pretty appearance, everyone started to discuss around. She had gaven a seat just right in front of me. What a fate between us, I thought. And I wonder she remember me or not.

*Ring...!* The recess bell rang.
'Alright, everyone, class dismiss! Go for you lunch!' Miss Ho shouted. And most of the student started shift off the classroom for their break-time.
'Hey, you there!' Katty called me as she turned back to me.
'Yes...?' I answerred.
'Can you stand up to let me have a look?' She called out! 'Can I?'
In my mind, I was thinking what's this about......

End Chapter One

chapter 2

Sail stopped crying. Henry became more silent. I just stand and stare at them.
So what should we do now? said Sail with her low voice.
We should ask for help, I answerred. I checked my cell, no signal.
From who? Henry sighed. Other people? Most of them down there. He pointing at the collapsed Mall.
My mind can only went blanked. However, Henry walked away and started looking around. Seeking for help or maybe just like those disaster movie that the survivors seeking for tools that can be useful.

Sail looked towards me with a "what to do" signal. Before I could react, Henry waved at us for help. We both went over.
What are you searching for? said Sail.
I'm just looking for any useful tools and provide some helps to other if needed, Henry replied naturally.
Wow...you're really experienced, what should we do next? I said. Both of them stared at me while I quickly found out I spoke wrongly. Sorry!

Alright, stop your bullshit and get me some help instead, said Henry with his face annoyed. We going to set out soon!
To where? Sail and me almost asked in synch.
To find who you had waited so long for, Henry replied and continue his searching as he passed some tools to us to hold.
We got metal-pipe, some T-shirts, a Nike bag, and an umbrella. Well, we can't expect more as we're at the front gate of a shopping mall, not in it. I passed only the umbrella to Sail. Henry busying alone, and we're like shopping at the street.

An explosion from a flaming car bring the both of us back to the reality. Henry seem also stopped searching.
It's time to move, he said it like he got the whole planned already. We started walking towards the coast area. Horrible scenes everywhere, corpses and people coverred with blood who sufferring pain from their teared skin. We hardly can see anyone walking around like us, unwounded. They did called us to help, but we just ignored and moved on as we knew that we're helpless and there were too many of them. Building collapsed, some car exploded far away, more moaning, more calling for help, and more dead flesh as we walked further.

Why is this happening? said Sail and she started to sob again. I wanted to calm her by saying, it will be alright, but I can't convince myself as I'm also needed an answer for what is actually happening.
We will know what happen with tomorrow's newspaper, Henry tried to cheer Sail as I'm being cheered as well.
Let's move on to Nim's car and get the hell out of here first. Sail and me nodded.

We reached where I parked my car, but my car already looked like a smashed cup-cake. I'm stunned, and I'm pretty sure my mom will kill me with what I had done to the car. While I'm trying to pull myself over that, Henry found an empty car with it's key on. Well, not exactly empty as Henry just removed the past-driver from his driver seat. He tested the car and the car work perfectly. He waved at us in order to haste up our steps.

In the car, it smelled like smoked barbecue meat without any flavoured seasoning, or maybe blood flavour. Henry used those T-shirt to cover up the bloody seat, and Sail just standing behind me avoiding the cleaning job.
Hey shorty, you drive, Henry called out.
What? Why me?! No way in that seat man! I declined harshly. You know it's a dead-man seat.
Don't be a sissy, you're the only one with the driving license here, just shut up and drive, and it will be soon over, Henry shouted. Or you want the lady sleeping exposed over night at the horrible street? He pin-pointed my weakness, and his word also alerted Sail to listen as he shouted loudly. Sail shined at me with her eyes and flunked twice, with that I'm hers. And thats how girls manipulate boys, a quick joke that I thought of but I swallowed the next second.
Okay...I will drive, I said it forcefully.
Once again, the girl stood his side, and it makes me looked like the only problem there. Well, at least I gained a thankful smile from Sail. Both of them get in the car as I ready to say a second word which giving me no chance to take back what I said.

As soon as I started the engine, we drove off heading which the possible route Stephy might using it to get here. In orderly to fulfil a single glance of finest lady from the deeply fell in love guy, but he's a bear for me, a cold one, polar bear. However, he did lead us both this far as myself wouldn't dare to swear I can do any better than these.
And so, our journey to seek for the lost lady, Stephy, had been set off ...

chapter 1

I looked at the dark sky out of my window, and thinking that what should I do at this ending weekend.
Hey Nim, you're not thinking to go out at this time, right? Asked my mom with her staring eyes.
Erm...Why not, as I just back from Perth the past two weeks, I replied with a natural looks which I thought that could win the debate as I deserved that privellege.
Okay...better come back earlier and don't make me call, said my mom and sighed a little.

I picked up my cell and started sending messages to my friends. Inevitable and expected, Henry replied first. And followed up by Sail and Stephy. We decided to catch a movie at the Sky Mall. It is a great place for movie, at least I felt comfortable with, and it's usually full of teenagers. So, I started preparing and moved on.

I will need to pick up Sail and Henry, like usual. Sail don't have a car, and Henry always got his stupid reasons to avoid driving. I reached Sail's apartment, and she already waiting at the road-side. I guessed she just don't want to trouble me waiting for her. She walked towards where I parked my car. Slowly I can clearly see how she dressed. A white tent-dress with a short jeans. What an adorable outfit, I thought in my mind. And I suddenly figured out that maybe this is why I liked her.

She opened the door and hopped in. I glanced at her as she's so gorgeous.
What?! She shouted.
No..no..nothing, I replied panically. I quickly straighten my sight and drove toward Henry's house.
Hey, seriously you can tell me what's going on, am I looked weird on this dress? Sail asked curiously.
Nothing, really, I answerred. Just that you look great today.
I will only take that as a compliment, she stated like I was being sarcastic and looked away to the window.
I tried not to surprise with her word as I afraid the manly image to be stolen. Girls like bad-arses, thats what I thought.

Couple of turnings, and we reached Henry's house. Just like I had a deja-vu that we need to wait for him as he's still slacking around with his downloading. After 20 minutes, he walked out slowly, still enjoying his time, and he shaken the car while he hopped in. And I thought that I had knew him for more than 10 years, he's really getting weighted.
Sorry for the wait, Henry said after his big wide smile.
Oh...please don't try to be gentle only when a girl in car, I teased. And I'm hope to get a good response from Sail. Girls like bad-arses, keep to the protocol, I thought.
Nim, he already apologized, don't be a jerk, she grouched at my act.
What, am I wrong here or something, he just made us wait, didn't he? I tried to gain back my honor.
You could at least tell that nicely to him, again she pinned me with another point which I thought by using it I could impress her. Guess those who stated girls like bad-arses is no one but an arse-liar then.

Alright, it's enough for now, our movie almost, right? said Henry and he grinned. How bout a we let the car stay moving first. We stopped the arguement, and I drove off. On the way from Henry's house to Sky Mall, Sail seemed to avoid talking to me, and she chatted off with Henry. I regretted as I only can blame my self for that to happen. And I started to think that why all the girls always sided him, Henry, and not me. Am I not fun enough or my appearance's problem. I stopped thinking that because I don't think that I'm that bad looking after all, and there's still a girl who sided me always, she's Stephy.
Hey, where is Stephy? Sail asked. She's not going?
She's going by herself, heard that someone special is fetching her, I replied and Henry looked sad. I knew that Henry fell deeply on that girl, thats why I said it on purpose. Maybe I'm a jerk after all.
Stop that... , Sail whisperred to me and pushed me on my shoulder.
I acted like I don't really care, but I actually felt glad that Sail started talking to me again.

Finally, we reached the mall. I'm busy finding us a car park, Henry and Sail seem having a great topic about what to have with our supper. Soon after I had my car parked nicely, and we headed off to the mall. I parked just right at the side of the Gurney coast, and it got a long walk way lead us to Sky Mall. Lots of couple hanging around at the coast area, Henry looks even more pissed. I guess he's thinking something related to Stephy. Sail seem enjoying her "jumpy-move" which she hopping a little with her every step moving forward. I placed both of my hand into the jeans' pockets to avoid the cold air blowing from the sea.

Where are we heading? Henry asked.
The front gate, she said to meet there, I replied.
Stephy? Sail called out and smiled.
Yeah, I answerred and grinned back.
We reached the front gate, Stephy is not there.
We'll have to wait I guess, I said. After awhile I started to look around as I bored of waiting. And I saw that Sky Mall seem crowded with teenagers just like some concert is helding here. Sail glanced at me with her impatient look. I signed my hand, "just a little longer", to her. Henry walked back and forth just like someone who's waiting for his wife. As I thought of that, I laughed out unknowingly.

Why are you laughing there? Sail asked.
No, I just thought of something funny, I replied.
It must be about my dress, Sail said fiercefully. I know I'm not as pretty as Stephy, thats why you laughed.
No...I didn't mean that, I explained quickly. Actually it's...wow...what the..?!
Suddenly I felt the ground shaking hard. I heard the ground trembling, and followed by screams from the crowd. I fell on the floor as I caught off balance, and I guessed that I had injured my left arm as I started to feel shocking pain around there. Quickly, I turned my sight to Sail, she fell right on top of me. I tried to calm her, but before I got chance to say so, another wave of earthquake knocked all the lights off and sent me to sleep as something hit my head right on the back. The last thing I could see was Sail's frighten face, and there were screamings and...and...nothing but my sight went into total black!

Hey buddy, you hear me? A blurred voice with it's echo faded.
Wake up! Henry shouted while holding me up.
Nim, please wake up, Sail cried out. I slowly open my eyes, and everything looked blur. Henry slapped me in the face.
What are you doing? Sail shouted at Henry as she cried harder.
I just wanted to wake him up, Henry replied.
Well, you...did... , I said and grinned a little to Sail. Now that I regain my conciousness, and the view that I'm seeing looked so unreal. Ashes everywhere, burning cars and buildings, injured crowd, blood coverred wall and floor, and my friend, Sail, almost cried to death.
Henry calming Sail while I pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. What could possibility causing such a damage to these wide-open area? I believe everyone is thinking this as I'm now.
What happen? I asked Henry, and for an instance I wished that this is all just a prank.
But his reply threw the reality straight back to me. As I wished I could know...he said with his voice sunk off.