DAYMARE 1: Curiosity Starts

HESTRAL’S POINT OF VIEW

I now hate summer!

It's so hot right now, and I'm a stay-at-home girl. I convinced my parents to sleep over at my friend’s house, but they didn’t even listen to my request; instead

“Hestral, when will you listen to us, huh? Your daddy and I told you that you’ll stay home for the whole summer.” My mom said.

That was one of her famous lines.

I am grounded for two whole months. I’m only allowed to go shopping with Mom and to church with the family. Extracurricular activities are strictly advised unless permitted.

I lowered the aircon’s temperature even more and lay on my soft bed. I yawned. I observed myself. I sighed. I closed my eyes. I sighed. I opened my eyes.

This is my routine. This just explains how bored I am.

I like summer. I love summer. This year alone, I hated my summer.

Do you know the feeling that this is the season you've been waiting for? But what did your parents do? They broke it.

I have a lot of plans this summer. Swimming, karaoke, mountain climbing, spa, and many more! My parents allow me to go out for summer workshops only. I am strictly forbidden to meet with my friends, which is the only thing I want for the whole summer.

It only happens once a year, so I should make the most of it. And it's only two months compared to the ten months we torture ourselves to wake up early and listen to the husky voice of our bald, boring teacher.

What I hate is when my anticipation and precious time are wasted on doing nothing.

As I stared into nothingness, I couldn’t help but reflect on my life. I look back on the life I’ve had. It was a bittersweet moment that keeps taunting me. An unforgettable moment that I hope can easily be forgotten.

*cellphone rings*

I took my phone under my pillow. A video call.

"What?" I said in a bored tone.

“How’s Hestral? Is your house okay?” Again, it’s Neilsen, aka Neil.

What does this jerk want to do with me?

He’s wearing a yellow sando, so I saw his new tattoo on his left arm and his piercing on his nose, and other parts of his body.

“Our house is fine, it's still alive and well. Me? I don't know if I'm even alive,” I replied sarcastically and rolled my eyes.

"Pfftt, hahaha!" he laughed. What a moronic laugh.

“Hey, that’s mine!” Neilsen exclaimed when Jethro stole his cellphone he was using to video call with me.

“Hestral, how are you?” Jethro spoke.

He removed his amber lens sunglasses to look at me directly. He’s wearing a summer-themed polo and white shorts.

He’s the most mature, sometimes serious, the smartest, and the most sensible human being among us. The cool type who has a piercing in his left ear.

I sighed in frustration. "I'm pissed."

“I'm sorry. We talked to uncle and auntie so you could come along… but…” They even talked to my parents, huh.

“I know,” I sighed.

They most probably persuaded Mom and Dad to go with them.

“Hestral… sorry.” I can feel his sincerity.

"My turn!” This time, it’s Anikka. “Hey! We’re here!” She stole Neilsen’s phone from Jethro.

She’s the noisiest and freest-spirited, who used to be flirtatious but changed her life when the group was formed. She has short hair, a bit longer than mine, and a slim, tanned body. I also noticed her newly dyed hair. It is dyed with royal blue at the ends of her hair, about 2 inches.

“Isn’t hair color forbidden at school?” I asked her. “You even dared to bleach and use a vibrant color.”

“This?” She held the tips of her hair and showed them to me. “Just this summer! I’m going to cut my hair after this break.”

I see. She’ll cut her hair shorter, the same length as mine.

She’d been wanting to dye her hair blue for months, but our school has strict rules that students must follow if we don’t wish to be expelled.

“You’re not jealous anymore?” Neilsen continued to tease me as he toured his phone to the beach resort they’re currently in.

“Go and live to the fullest, idiots. Have fun!" is what I’d like to tell them, but my angelic side prevails.

"Look at my new tatts! Isn’t it cool?" It is still Neilsen's voice. So, he got a new tattoo at that beach resort. I didn’t bother looking at and analyzing its design.

“Also, we’re goin’ bar hopping hahaha!” The nerve of this jerk.

They’re not allowed to drink, not until they’re 18, including me.

"Hestral, do you want us to go there with you?" As always, Jethro is being thoughtful. I feel bad for making him feel bad that I can’t join them right now, no matter how much they persuaded my parents.

"I'm okay," I whispered.

“Tsk, we visited this place still remembering you,” Neilsen pouted.

Yeah, that’s right. You should remember me for leaving me out.

"We have a souvenir for you! They have a lot of cute keychains here." Anikka said enthusiastically.

"Yeah, your call," I replied.

Having a beach keychain when I didn’t even go there feels ironic, doesn’t it? How I wish I were the keychain that went to a beach resort instead.

"Are you sure?" Jethro asked me.

“Mm,” I confirmed with a yes. “Have fun. I’m hanging up the phone.”

"Bye!" The two said goodbye, except for Jethro.

Good grief. I’m jealous of them, but I can do nothing right now.

They’re probably having a great time in the sea and will have a boodle fight... without me. Ugh!

They actually went to our planned outing without me! It was our long-term plan, way before summer, to go to that beach resort. We chose a province just near the city because we will not be accompanied by adults, just the four of us. We even saved our allowances for this.

I convinced my parents multiple times, but in the end, it was still a big no. They feel bad for leaving me, but I also convinced them to proceed with the plan without me. I don’t want to spoil their fun.

Grrr! I am so pissed. Whatever.

I scanned my bedroom to do a hobby that would brighten my day somehow. I checked my phone to browse the nonsensical stuff that still bored me. I continued browsing, then saw a social media advertisement that popped up on my screen.

Freaking ads. It irritated me, but it also got me pondering. It’s an app, and it looks like it’s famous nowadays, particularly for teens. I didn’t bother myself with it, but these ads are annoying.

bookfiend.com

So, this is the app, huh? I tried downloading it. After a few minutes, I signed in with a newly created account.

I scrolled to see more of its content. I searched what it is about. This is said to be an online application exclusively for local aspiring writers where you can write and read stories, novels, and poems of various genres.

After navigating its features, I tried clicking a romance story that has a million views. Quite a lot of readers here, let’s see then. I started with the first 5 chapters, but it bores me. I’ll look for something else to read then.

Hmm

What about another romance? Tsk, not again. I already know some of it, and it's boring because the plot is cliché. The feeling when you read the prologue, you’ll already know what the epilogue will be.
Sci-fi? Sounds cool, but I’m not in the mood to be logical. I don't feel like reading complicated stuff that would complicate my mind.
Vampire? Maybe these are just another romance with a twist of a vampire. Skip.
Fantasy? Nah, I only read one that is worth commending. I concluded that none could compare to it.
Non-fiction? I might need some self-help and inspirational books to be motivated in my life. However, I need to escape the reality I belong to. A fiction one would suit me better for my current need.
Humor? I don't have the will to laugh today because I'm mad.
Drama? Especially not the drama. I am already sad, and my life’s already full of drama.
Horror? Okay, maybe I still don't—now that I’ve mentioned it, I've never read a horror story yet.

I read and searched for some horror stories. I scrolled down and something caught my attention. The book’s title alone piqued my interest.

CURIOSITY KILLS