DAYMARE 5: Screwed Muse

What’s with this now? Nicole cannot see the things I asked her to search.

It's my second week at school, and there is still no update on chapter 4. We are at school now and having lunch. Some students greeted me, and I greeted them as well, making small talk. Some are ignoring me.

The two waved at me, and now the three of us are sitting together gathering our chairs and tables to eat. I put the food that I bought from the school canteen on the desk. I told Nicole that I would like to borrow her phone to search for the stuff myself. When I searched using her account and phone, there was nothing. But when I searched on my phone, there was the book and the author.

What’s with this app? This is insane. There must be some sort of application error.

"Why? What's in the novel you're reading?" Lloyd asked me while eating his rice with veggies.

They both have their packed lunch while I don’t have the appetite to eat my bread. Lately, Mom couldn’t prepare my packed lunch because she found a job near our house. So, I’ll just buy something here in the canteen from time to time.

"Nothing. I’m just making sure," I replied reluctantly as I typed something on my phone.

I chatted with Anikka in our group chat ‘bout this.

Me: Hey, guys. Make an account on a website or app, bookfiend.com.

Neil: You have classes, right? But you're chatting with us. Bad girl!

Anikka: What’s that for?

Jethro: Are you okay there, Hestral? How are you?

Me: Just do what I say. Urgent, please hurry up

Neil: Let me tell your teachers what you’re doing

Me: Drop the joke, Neil!

As much as I want to have fun with them, I can’t.

A minute later…

Anikka: Okay, what’s it again?

Me: Search for ‘Curiosity Kills’ by yourgreatestdaymare

A few seconds later…

Jethro: Negative. There is no such name for the author or the novel.

Neil: Me too. You’re fooling us, Hestral.

Anikka: Same with mine. What is this? Homework?

My eyes widened. It can’t be.

Me: Are you guys sure about it? Re-check it or refresh the app.

After a couple of seconds…

Neil: Nothing!

Anikka: None

Jethro: Same. Is something bothering you?

I was left there dumbfounded.

Me: No, it was nothing. Just some kind of our project, thanks. Love y’all.

I turned off my phone and forced myself to gain an appetite by eating my bread.

"Are you done chatting with them?" Lloyd asked.

“What?”

“It seems like you’re in a serious mode texting someone.” He replied.

"What is it, Hestral?" with concern in the tone of Nicole's tone.

"Some kind of family affair," I excused. I also made excuses earlier.

“What family affair?” asked Lloyd.

He might not be smart enough to know that I was lying, but he’s actually a book-smart. According to Nicole, He was in the top 2 of the entire grade 10 last year.

“No need to think about it,” I smiled lightly at them to convince them that my ‘family affair’ wasn’t serious.

Still, I was wondering. Isn't there something wrong with my account or their account? Or is there a system error on the website? That must be the reason.

It would be nice to have them read that novel and see how the story fits in with what’s going on in my life. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. I’m too paranoid to think that I have a stalker or what.

"Your name is beautiful, Hestral" Nicole opened a topic out of nowhere.

I stopped chewing the cold bread I bought. It’s hard, but I’m hungry.

"What do you mean?"

“It’s unique. My name is common, even Lloyd’s.”

"Not at all." I grabbed another bite.

“Nicole’s right. Where does your name come from?” - Lloyd

I frowned when Lloyd asked that. I can’t remember where my name came from and how I was named Hestral. I asked Mom about that before, but… I think I just forgot.

"I forgot."

“Ahahaha!” They both laugh.

“What’s funny?”

"Well, you should know where your name comes from. That’s important.” - Nicole

"I know."

Is it right for them to laugh at me just because of that? Tsk.

"Lloyd and I often get annoyed when we combine our names."

"Why?"

"Connect Nicole and Lloyd, then add -eon at the end."

I stopped for a moment. "Nicole-Lloyd-eon?... Nickelodeon?"

"Yes. Cool, right?" - Nicole

I barely laughed at their joke.

"Excuse me. Miss Gern?"

We heard the voice of a boy in front of me, so we stopped eating and laughing. I looked up, and it was Riegel.

You can easily spot him with his iconic dark blue-framed eyeglasses. Riegel’s aura is intimidating because of his confident body posture, deep voice, and serious face. Plus, his eyeglasses differ from Lloyd’s with edgy corners, making him more stoic. He’s the one who told me I was full of myself. I can say he's a loner because he doesn't talk to anyone except when necessary.

"What?" I asked.

"Ma'am Zena is calling us to the faculty room."

"Why?"

"Paperwork. Hurry up," he said without emotion, walking first and outside the classroom.

I sighed. I haven’t finished eating my bread yet.

“It’s all right, Hestral. Just make sure you catch up on the next subject.” - Nicole

I got up and put away the food I hadn’t finished.

"Bye"

They said goodbye to me, too.

I went down to the ground floor and faced the faculty room. I knocked, peered, and excused myself before entering. No one was inside, so I went straight in. I walked close to Ma’am Zena’s table. There’s a worn-out swivel chair, but I can only see the back of it. Maybe she’s sitting there.

"Ma'am?" I called her when I came across her swivel chair with its back turned, but she didn't answer.

“Ma’am, this is Hestral. Riegel sent me here. He mentioned the paperwork. What shall we do with it?”

Still no answer from her.

I walked over to face Ma’am when…

“Ahhh!”

I took a few steps backward when I saw something horrible.

Ma’am’s whole face is bloody-no, this is not Ma’am Zena.