Nightfall by Pranay Javeri (best books to read for self development txt) 📖

our classmates and acquaintances were chatting with each other. But as I began moving in front of them they all started to look at me as if I was an alien. Some of them whispered," Hey, look its Iris. The one who was stuck in the tornado that passed the fair and also she was missing for two or three days. No one knows who saved her. Is she even a human? Or is she even Iris?"

 I was terrified by hearing their comments. How can one be so insensitive? Instead of asking me about my health, they doubted my existence and judged my survival. I was going to snap a rude comment on them but Sophia held my hand and winked her eyes. I understood what she was telling so without another word I began to move further to the Square Meet. Square Meet was the place in the middle of our high school where all students gathered.

I asked Sophia," Hey, what about the schedule of class? Do you have it?"

"Yes, I have it. I took it from the admin office. Didn't you?"

"No I didn't. But when did you bring it?"

"I took as I reached school and then waited for you and the others near gate. Everyone has taken it. I think you should hurry, Iris."

So I did hurry to admin office. It was in the corner of the ground floor. I had to pass through a passage to reach there. I was in a great hurry, so I was half running and pushing each and every person who was in my way. But suddenly I felt a cold shriek run through my spine. I felt a cold touch on my hand. But it was for just few seconds. The shocking thing was that I found the touch to be familiar. I had sensed that touch before. I don't exactly remember when but it felt familiar. So I looked behind me but it was hard to guess who it was as there were many students behind me.

As I was running with my face tilted in opposite direction, I crashed into someone. The person held me as I was going to fall due to that clash. He held me by my waist and I was holding him by my hands around the collar of shirt. We were in a position-----------a romantic position where the boy held girl in a lying position along her waist and we both were sharing an intense cum awkward gaze. All were staring-----------some whispering and chuckling----------------looking at our unlikely encounter-----------------which made the things worse........

5. Back To School

5. Back to School

 

 

We both quickly broke the eye contact and stood straight in front of each other."Sorry, I was looking back and rushing towards the Admin Office. By the way, I'm Iris-----------Iris Robins." The boy had worn a plain white Ralph Lauren t-shirt and had pulled over a navy blue denim jacket. He had worn Reebok Shaqnosis with hypnotic black and white strips which greatly enhanced his black jeans. He really had a good sense of fashion.

"Oh, no problem---------I'm Terrence Reed." he said and moved his hand towards me to shake hands and so did I. I was a little charmed by his green eyes and pale white skin. His honey blonde hair was set with the gel in frosted tips hairstyle which was a lot famous these days. But then I quickly zoned out of my series of thoughts and asked him. It more seemed like a rhetorical question.  

"American, huh?"

"Yes, but how did you know?"

"Your name and----------your accent. They seem so American."

"Yeah---------- I think you wanted to go to the Admin Office."

"Yeah---------Thank you for reminding and sorry once again. See you later." I said as I hurried towards the Admin Office. I waved a hand towards him and then entered the Admin Office.

The woman sitting at the counter was wearing a long blue gown with embroidery at the neck and sleeves. I really didn't like her dress but it was from the 60s-----------I made out from her way of talking and face.

"Can I get schedule of my class?"

"What's your name?" she asked in a monotone voice.

"Iris Robins."

"Oh, so you're the daughter of the Mayor."

"I think---------my father is a Deputy Mayor and the Sheriff of Gawler."

"Oh, sorry and yeah you're not going to have school tomorrow and day after tomorrow. So, after today, you're directly going to come on Monday the 31st of January." she said with a slight grin.

Then she handed me the schedule of my class. I quickly took it and fake smiled," Thank-you." and rushed out of the office.

I went back to the Square Meet where everybody had gathered. It was big enough to accommodate all students of our year. Mr. Will Smith---------------the Principal of both University and High School was standing in the center of Square Meet. Beside him was a man with a wide smile on his face. He was also wearing a suit like Mr. Will Smith.

The Principal said looking at all the students," Good Morning, students. So how are you all feeling------------- First day of your last year in High School?"

Everybody screamed," Very Much Excited."

The Principal continued," I would like introduce y'all to the new Vice-Principal of our High School------------Mr. Liam Reed."

Wait a minute. It seems that I have heard this surname just minutes ago. Yeah, I heard it from the guy named Terrence Reed. Is he the son of Vice-Principal? Maybe-----------I'll ask him later.

Then Mr. Reed took the place of Mr. Smith and added," So, Students------------Nice to meet you."

Everybody said," Nice to meet you, too Mr. Reed."

Mr. Reed continued," So, Mr. Smith and I have decided something for y'all. Since, it's the last year of High School and then you are all going to different universities------------------maybe some will join the 'University Of Adelaide.' So, we have decided that students of the third year of the university will mentor y'all for one year and prepare y'all for the university education."

Hearing this, some student roared with excitement and some groaned. I was happy to hear that since Millicent and our other university friends are going to join us this year and we all can have fun together. And then suddenly some students began to line up in the centre beside the Principal. Then suddenly I saw Millicent, Stella, Rhys and Jaxton. That means they all were the university students.

Suddenly, the peon came with a big transparent glass pot in which there were small colorful chits of paper. Mr. Reed said pointing his finger towards the pot," This pot contains the names of all students of last year. So, now each university student is going to select one chit and is going to mentor that child for the whole year."

I internally prayed that I get a mentor from our group. So, everyone began to take out a chit from the pot. Then came Millicent and she picked up a chit and then gave it to Mr. Reed. He opened it and said," So, Miss. Millicent Robins is going to mentor--------------" he took pause god knows why and then said," --------------Mr. Walter Lenoir." and my face suddenly fell down. I was shocked that she wasn't mentoring me even though I wanted her to-----------although it wasn't her choice. 

Then came Stella and she was going to mentor Ian. After some students, came Rhys. He chose a chit and to my surprise-----------he was going to mentor me for the whole year. I thanked god internally. Claire was going to be mentored by Jaxton and Sophia's mentor was some girl named----------Sienna Reed. Maybe she was the daughter of Mr. Reed which means sister of Terrence. Jake was going to be mentored by a guy named-----------Julian Lenoir. I was happy that we all were going to spend the whole year together.

Then Sophia came near me and said," Hey, Iris did you get your schedule." I simply nodded. Our classes were going to start 1 hour later. So we all sat in the canteen discussing about the schedule. We had selected a long table in the center of the canteen. The canteen was big and offered a variety of food.

All were discussing about their classes in common. Claire said," Hey Iris, you, me and Sophia have English literature in common." I smiled.

Then I joined them and it came out that Ian, Jake, Sophia and I were having Accounts in common. Claire, Ian and I were having Chemistry, Film and Biology in common. Social Studies and Physics I had to spend alone but Jake accompanied me in Spanish. And to my great misfortune, Ian was accompanying me in Creative Arts. It was better to be alone than Ian accompanying a class.

I got bored due to the discussion. Suddenly, the boy I clashed this morning----------Terrence Reed sat on the empty chair on my right side. Sophia was sitting on my left and my all other friends were so engrossed in their talk that they didn't notice him.

He said in gentle voice," Hey, Iris, right?" I simply nodded.

But then I suddenly remembered the question I was going to ask him," Are you the son of Vice-Principal?"

"Yeah----------I'm." he said startled by my sudden question.   

 "Nice to meet you, Terrence.  So, where did you go to school before?"

"In Rhode Island----------So, are they all your friends?"

"Yes." I said with a smile. Before he could say something, we both were interrupted by a girl with a statuesque figure. She looked like an actress with her long red hair and amber eyes and fair-complexion.

She said in her beautiful voice," Hey, Ter. I want to talk to you. Excuse us for a minute. By the way I'm his big sister-------Sienna."

By hearing her name, Sophia turned quickly and said," Hey, I'm Sophia-----------the one you're going to mentor."

She said with a smile," Nice to meet you, Sophia." Then Terrence and Sienna both went a little far from where we were sitting to have a small talk or rather secret talk.

They both returned after some time and joined us. Suddenly, Jaxton announced," Guys, let's have a truth and dare game."

"Yes, it will be fun." said Ian followed by Jake," Yes, a lot of secrets will spill out."

"Yes, lets' begin." agreed Rhys.

Then we all were sitting straight and our eyes on the glass bottle spinning in front of us. It was fixed the mouth of the bottle is the answer and the base of the bottle is question. Suddenly, the bottle came to a halt and the mouth was facing Rhys and the base was facing Jaxton.

 So Jaxton asked with a smirk," TRUTH or DARE."

"TRUTH."

"Okay, so what's going on between you and Millicent? You both behave strange."

I was startled by his question. Rhys quickly glanced at Millicent and then sighed. "So, it's just that------------we both are---------are--------------"he took a pause for few seconds and then said in monotone voice," We are Dating."  Everybody except me and Sienna cooed like idiots to tease the new budding romance.

I was shocked. Millicent never told anything about this to me. So, I suddenly threw a question towards Millicent," When did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Iris, he asked me out when you were missing.  I didn't tell you because your condition was critical and I didn't think that it is important than your health. I thought that I would