I was dead tired as I reached the plaza to wait for the school bus. My mom didn’t have the time to bring me with the car and Dad left early. Therefore, I had to go to the plaza by foot. I was so annoyed as I wiped the sweat dripping on my forehead. If I have to go through this suffering everyday just to get to school, I’d rather be home schooled.

After five minutes, the school bus came. I was glad that I took the effort to run as fast as I could in order to be here on time. Otherwise, I would have missed the bus. I took a seat at the last pew, beside a girl with eyeglasses and a brown bag pack. I didn’t bother talking to her as she was reading a mystery novel. I put on my earphones and listen to my cd player as the bus left to pick up the rest. We were quiet through out the ride unlike other students who were busy talking and catching up about their summer break.

The bus entered in a posh neighborhood with huge ,modern houses. The houses were identical in shades and all of them have outdoor pools. A tall boy, wearing the St. Jude’s uniform was waiting in front of the guard’s post. The school bus stopped to pick up the boy. As he walked quietly in the aisle to look for an empty seat, I couldn’t help not to admire his gorgeous face and cool sense of style.

But as soon as I get off the bus, the only thing that I could think of is that I want to go back to my old school.

Entering the huge school compound brought back distant memories. I tried to remember the moment I first visited St. Jude Catholic school. Even if I was in the same place as now, the bizarre feeling I have is different that the first day I came to this place. As I was passing in the hallway going to my first class, I could sense my heart beating fast. I couldn’t understand how my heart seemed to recognize this place.

Math class was boring. Two classes more and my first day of school is officially over. I was sitting in the cafeteria, waiting for my next class, staring at the half-empty glass of milk shake, when a kind stranger approached me.

″Hey!″

″Do I know you?″ I was about to ask him more but abruptly stopped as I realized how rude I sounded.

″Oh sorry. I want to introduce myself to you, young lady. I’m Dave Guevarra, president of the student council, Badminton champion, Math wizard, reigning homecoming king. Anyway,I hereby welcome you to St.Jude.″

″Hmm.. Thank you. That was unexpected.″ I replied, politely. Then in my mind I added ″And the most handsome boy in the history of St. Jude school according to my mom.″

″So do you have any plan to join a club? Book lovers, cheer leading, Math...″ He asked while trying to read his checklist.

″Not at the moment, thank you.″

″Why not?″

I was about to answer him when a group of tall boys passed in front of the table where we were sitting. I could tell that they were members of the varsity team, wearing uniforms bearing the school logo.

I glanced at them with zero interest then suddenly went numb.

I knew him.

I’ve seen him before.

″Hey! Anyway...″ Dave noticed that I was staring at the tall guy, walking slowly behind the team.

″He’s handsome, eh?″ He asked, teasing.

″I beg your pardon?″ I asked trying to pretend that I didn’t hear him to give him a chance to change his mind about asking a very personal question when we weren’t even close.

″I mean you like him.″ he explained.

″Seriously? I barely know him.″ I said, not trying to hide my annoyance.

″Yeah, right. Don’t you believe in love at first sight?″

I was about to come up with a really sarcastic remark when suddenly the bell rang, which I was glad as I could finally get away from this chatter box.

″I need to go.″ I told him, getting ready for my great escape.

″Wait. I can take you to your next class, you know. In St. Jude, we take care of our new students and will make them feel welcome.″

″No thanks.I can manage.″

″I insist. It was the guidance counselor order anyway. Not my choice.″

He finally convinced me and I didn’t try to argue with him as I was also eager to know more about the familiar guy I saw a while ago.

″Dave, about the guy a while ago, is he a transferee too?″ I asked when we were walking going to the second floor where my classroom is located.

″You mean the varsity player?″

″Yeah.″

″He’s name is Nathan and no, he’s not a transferee. He’s really popular.″

″I see.″ I replied then got lost into a deep thought.

″If you want to know more about him you can just ask your classmates. No student at St. Jude haven’t heard of him. As I told you a while ago, he’s really famous. But a rather introvert person. We were in the same class two years ago and he was alone most of the time.″

David was still talking and didn’t notice that my mind was already wandering somewhere else.

Finally, we arrived just in time for my next class. I thanked him for his company and promised to visit him in the office of the student services, which is completely a lie as I don’t have any plans on visiting him.

The school bus was late but few minutes later, I found myself walking in the steep road of Villa Mercedes. It was a nice, calm afternoon and the beautiful scenery was so inviting, I decided to have a short walk before going home. Changing my course, I reached a downhill road that I’ve never been before. Villa Mercedes is really huge and a paradise to those who love to explore and are fascinated by mysterious places. It’s kind of creepy though especially if you’re alone. I wish I have someone with me to keep me company. If only Jenny was here.

I felt a sudden chill as a strangely, cold hand touched my shoulder. I almost jump in horror as I realized that I wasn’t alone.

″God! You scared me!″

″What are you doing in the woods all by yourself?″ Gabriel was laughing, with the familiar bemused expression on his face.

″Hunting lions.″ I retorted. ″I almost died. You shouldn’t sneak on people like that.″

“I’m sorry.″ He said. I could see the sincerity on his face.

″You’re forgiven. But seriously, it made this place creepier knowing that someone can just pop out whenever they want.″

He chuckled.

We suddenly reached a small lagoon with old wooden benches. What kind of place is this? I felt like I was trapped in a never-ending journey.

″This place is really huge.″ I exclaimed. I couldn’t help not to admire the place despite having an air of mystery and hidden secrets.

Across the lagoon was an old, abandoned wooden boat designed with a neatly carved duck. As I looked around, three more boats were scattered across the park.

″What are those?″ I asked, pointing to the strange things.

″They are boats, obviously.″

″I know.″ I replied, rolling my eyes. Somehow, his joke made me feel at ease and made the place less creepy. ″But why are they abandoned?″

″Because nobody wants to use them anymore.″

Oh God. He’s so literal.

He probably noticed that I wasn’t enjoying the conversation.

″Curiosity kills the cat, you know that.″

Somehow those words made me shiver.

″There’s so much more about this place than you think. Death... Revenge... Eternal life...″

I looked at him, horrified. He suddenly burst out laughing and I almost hit his face with my school bag.

″Seriously, I’m out of here.″ I said and walked away from him.

″Wait. I was just kidding.″ I heard him yelling from a far.

″You weren’t funny.″ I yelled back, not bothering to look behind. But as I was walking away, I felt a bit scared as I honestly don’t remember how to go back home.

″I’m sorry for the second time.″ he told me as he sat in the green grass.

Below us is an amazing view of the city. Whoever designed this villa deserved a standing ovation.

″I will forgive you if you promise to be serious this time and not to scare me ever again.″

″I promised.″ he said, raising his right hand as a sign of promise.

We were quiet for a while, just marveling the beautiful city below us, sitting in the shade of an old willow tree. Then, I finally got bored of the long silence.

″Gabriel..″

″Yes?″ he looked at me as he replied.

″You live here all your life, didn’t you?″

″You mean here in the villa?″ he asked, trying to figure out where the conversation is going.

″Yeah.″ I replied.

″I was here my whole life. It was good for the most part. I know not all people live in mansions and I was thankful for that. But if I were to be asked, I wished I could be in another place.″

I looked at him and for the first time, he was strangely serious and he didn’t laugh as I was expecting him to.

″Why?″ I asked.

″I wasn’t joking when I told you that there’s so much more about this place than you think. If you know the secret, you can never stay in peace. I bet that’s where your question is heading, if I know something about this place, right?″

I stared intently at him trying to show that I was interested and waiting for him to tell me more about the Villa but I got disappointed when he stood up and walked away.

″Where are you going?″ I asked.

″I’m going to my favorite place. Come if you want.″

I stood up and followed him. I was desperate to discover more about this place and its connection to my strange deja vus and dreams but at the same time, his words echoed on my mind.

Once you know the secret, you can never stay in peace.