01: The Prodigy

"STOP!!!" 

"Examine the entire area!"

"Sergeant, where did he go? The crook was standing here a moment ago."

"Bullsh*t!" The sergeant cursed irately. It can't be. The thief vanished before their eyes. "Retreat! There's something bizarre."

The police vamoosed thereafter. Notwithstanding, the man PDQ appeared on the scene, sneering malevolently.

“It’s time…”

**

JOHN | JANUARY

"JANUARY!"

"January, wake up!"

"JANUARYYYY!!!"

I abruptly jumped off the bed after hearing grandpa’s chafing voice. I’m used to it. He's like this at all times. 

I went directly to the shower afterwards to enliven my day.

It's Monday. I put on my uniform and headed to the dining area. There I saw grandpa’s vexed expression, sarcastically welcoming me.

"Oh young man, you seem to have damaged your ears.” What?! There he is again with his acerbic remark. I didn’t give him a damn; instead, I merely continued eating my breakfast. “JANUARY!” What the f*ck! That scream almost broke my eardrums. This is freakin' bad. It’s strange, though, considering grandpa’s voice is weak, but it’s kind of like torture to my ears. 

I gazed at him. "Grandpa, not this time, okay? I’ve got classes, so don’t ruin my day," I retorted, leaving him shocked. Dose of your own medicine, grumpy grandpa. 

So he just continued eating whilst mumbling something."Arrogant. Impudent. Naughty.” I almost choked when I heard him. Seriously, I wanted to laugh. It’s an everyday event in our house. 

Well, I grew up in my grandpa’s care. I’ve asked him a million times about my parents, but he constantly replies, "No idea." If I know, he’s avoiding that question, which is why I hate answering his queries too. But don't get me wrong. I love my grandpa so much.

Three minutes had passed, and I finished eating. I brushed my teeth subsequently. 

It’s six in the morning, but my first class starts at 7:30; ergo, I decided to turn on the television first, but hell yeah, a breaking news story got my attention.

“Breaking News: A Thief Numinously Disappears In Front of the Police”

What?! I can’t. That’s the best headline I’ve heard so far. Of course, sardonically.

"The police were left in awe after a thief of Mystique jewelries faded before their eyes in Harlet Village last night. The said jewelry costs 100,000 US dollars and was composed of unidentified various expensive stones. Meanwhile, in an alley where the thief was last spotted, the sergeant claimed that he mystically disappeared, leaving uncanny ambiance, which caused them to temporarily stop—“

I turned back and saw grandpa, who’s currently holding the remote. I was about to frown at him, but I felt odd when I saw his anxious face.

 "Grandpa, is there any problem?” I asked, but he just pointed his right index finger to our front door. Wait? Is it just me, or does he truly desire to ditch me? 

I breathe heavily and left. Grandpa is indubitably brutal, huh?

Goodness, I started to walk on the pathway. Our school is within walking distance, so I never got late.

While walking, grandpa’s worried face flashed in my head again. Nervousness can be traced all over his face. And that's the first time I saw him like that. Well, he's now in his mid-50s, but his appearance tells a different story. With his face, one would think that he's only 30.

"John Bailly, the Prodigy!" Oh, what the?! I never thought that I’d already arrived at our school, for my head is overly preoccupied. But yeah, I won’t be astounded if I’m the campus topic for the nth time.

"Mr. Eros Bailly, the Heartthrob." This is me. I’m an eminently good-looking, genius student. I’m not bragging about it, though; I’m just being realistic.

I spotted the Freedom Wall, and I can’t tell how many pictures I have there. Students here are totally in love with my charismatic attributes. I can’t blame them. I turned left, and there they are again.  

"He's here!"

"Kiss me, baby."

"Fafs, notice me, please?"

"Dumbass, how’s he going to notice your horrible face?!"

I'm already used to it. Lots of them give chocolates and letters, and some even hug me without consent.

After a few minutes, I reached our classroom. Miss Bio arrived next to me.

"Mr. Bailly, good to see you here," she uttered. I smiled at her sheepishly as a response, which made her blush. Uh-oh, I can sense her. Miss is 78% in love with me. De novo, I can’t blame her.

I began to walk and sat on the middle seat, fourth row. I looked around, and I saw them glancing at me. It’s truly complicated to be handsome. Tsk.

"Uh, ok class, let’s start." 

An hour had passed, and we had successfully finished the first subject. However, I feel that my seatmate is glaring at me; that’s why my eyes landed on her. 

"Is there any problem?" I asked. I’m not mistaken. She’s literally drooling over me. 

“Ah, none,” she stutteringly answered, making puppy eyes. Without a doubt, she’s 89% in love with me. 

I sighed and forcedly smiled. I put my head on my desk and began to close my eyes. 

A few minutes later, I sensed someone poking at me.

"What?!" I shouted. My voice was so loud that I caught all of their attention. Sh*t. I just waved and smiled at them before looking at my seatmate. "Oh, sorry. Why?"

"You’ve been sleeping for five hours, Bailly. You missed the second class, but there’s no class later because of some school stuff.” Wait, what?! Five hours? I assumed I just closed my eyes. 

“Oh, okay?” I hesitantly retorted. "By the way, what’s your name, miss?” I asked, but her eyes turned big. What’s her problem? I was about to follow up on the question when she just hit my left shoulder and walked out. 

Is she insane? I’m just asking her name, so why act like that?

I shrugged my shoulders and left afterwards.