"Sis, remember not to open too many skulls today!"
Liz's glare is full of helpless amusement as she raises her head from the high heels she is wearing.
"You! How many times do I have to tell you that I am a neurologist like mom? I'm only with neurosurgery to help in my studies. Moreover, that doesn't always involve opening people's skulls!"
"But most of the time that does."
My retort leaves Liz unable to go against my victorious smile. She shakes her head, and finishes strapping her shoes around her ankles.
"Alright, I'm leaving. You insist on going to school today. Try to be a good girl this time. If there is anything beyond what you are supposed to be doing at school, let me know at the first instance."
"Copy that, head of the house."
Liz smiles at my mock salute, takes her bag, and leaves after waving at me.
I watch Liz drive away through the window upstairs. I glance at the milk bottle on the dressing table with a smile, then go to the bathroom to take my shower.
I woke up earlier today because of Liz's movements when she pulled her nipple out of my mouth. Sleeping naked, and with my mouth full has become a habit now. I'm lucky I have an indulgent sister. She doesn't mind if because of me she had to upgrade her bras. And she is a doctor herself, thus able to deal with the consequences of unusual lactation and minimize the risks to her health.
Though, maybe I'm not the only one the new habit is doing good for.
Anyway, because of Liz who left the hospital unexpectedly yesterday and has to go back for an early shift today, I'm able to go to school early today.
I could have remained at home to rest, but I didn't feel like doing that. Despite what happened, I don't find it necessary to linger on what is already the past.
I clean the milky taste in my mouth and after the shower, find myself a skirt and a blouse to wear. I tie my hair at the back, but then comb it to cover my right ear.
I give myself an appreciative nod before the mirror, then pick up my school bag. I checked its contents yesterday already. I'm lucky I only had my phone as an electronic device inside, and it is small enough to avoid a tragedy.
After making sure everything is secure, including the water and the gas, I lock every door and window, turn off the lights, before I go.
Without Liz, I take the usual way. The bus, a few stops, a short walk, then I arrive.
There were others who have already arrived, but not that many. Still, I'm even more of a celebrity than the simple orphan who survived the accident that killed her parents that I was at the start of the year.
News travels fast, what with social media, and worse, gossipy mouths. I bet what happened yesterday was something no one would manage to keep to themselves.
I don't keep my head down. The whispers, the thoughts, judging or admiring, disdainful or even scornful. I catch many of them, but my head is kept up, not down.
I don't show much care to the rest of the world.
If there is another thing I got from the echoes that have faded into the background of my being after all this time, it is the attitude that has stopped caring about anything irrelevant to things I really care about and my well-being, as well as the one of those dear to my heart.
Though I feel the school to be somewhat different. It is not quite like something tainted, but like milk with coffee. When mixed, they are really not the same anymore.
School has never been a peaceful haven for me, nothing idealized or sacred, still, I might never see it the same way as before, like how milk and coffee can't be separated after having been mixed.
The classroom is less than half filled when I arrive. I ignore the gazes from my classmate, but I almost laugh when my ex's younger brother flinches and projects his fear in a wave that drapes over the room.
I glance at him, but what he would have found charming enough to feel attracted to me makes him scramble to look away. It seems to him that my beauty has become synonymous with danger.
'Damn! She is like a venomous spider. She cracked Tyne's nuts yesterday and today she makes herself even prettier! To whom will she smile next?'
His inner monologue makes my calm face crack. I sit down and take out my book. I look at the title, but with my thoughts elsewhere.
I'm wondering if I should change my priorities. Maybe I should strive to find a more precise goal to push myself further.
I tuck my hair behind my ear, and focus my mind away from the hormonal classmates of mine.
But until the teacher comes and the class starts, the seat beside me remains empty. I glance at it, then focus on cheating my way through the learning process.
Throughout the day, I remain the main attraction in the school, especially during recess, in the canteen. The curiosity even spills onto my water bottle. Theories fly, as my presence makes it difficult for the gossipy to focus on the broadcast that has started everything.
My mouth twitches, and I keep my bottle more secure, away from the ones motivated to find out whether I have been consuming some peculiar substances. I can't guarantee I won't burst open the nuts of anyone who tries to use my sister's breast milk to remember his suckling days.
The rest of the day passes by in that peculiar atmosphere. If only I couldn't read minds, and I wouldn't be assaulted by thoughts and feelings of perverts now interested in my violent self, I would have enjoyed how I have been left alone in class.
*Riiing*
I put my things away, and I empty my water bottle. Today I added chocolate powder inside, and the taste makes me smile. The thoughts that arose from my behavior make me roll my eyes.
I stand up, but before I can leave, I'm stopped by the teacher.
"Student Lockdream, make a stop by the principal's office before leaving. He would like to speak with you."