The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 30  Valencia's Mindfulness

Tap, tap, tap

Panting, Lyra's sneakers screeched on the polished floor. "Val! Val!" she yelled, her hair bouncing with each stride. "Meeting time, then study session, remember?"

"Right," I stood there watching Lyra catch her breath, "We're just waiting for Camila."

"Okay!" Lyra still acts like a cute puppy dog around us. Looking at her she kinda does resemble a golden retriever for some reason.

Her hair kind of wags when shes talking with us because of how jumpy and energetic she is. yet around men, she's so serious for no reason but that's not my concern anyway.

well, whatever we can wait for Camila near the club room.

 As we made our way to the club room, we spotted Jan turning the corner.

"Oh hey, Lyra and Valencia are you not going to the club room right away?" Jan who looked to be in no rush asked.

"Not yet, we will see you there soon though," I said as I waved him off.

"And that reminds me. Have you recovered since then?" Jan looked at me with genuine concern and that reminded me about what happened that time.

I can't remember much of it but there was one thing that I still kind of hate for what he did back then. My body was overworked. To think that my special ability wasn't enough to take that monster down made me realize how weak I was, I thought after slicing till it died finally killed it the monster got back up once again, but I couldn't move because of the exhaustion that built up on my body.

I thought I was done for, but still, I couldn't think of any other good-for-nothing person who would do such a thing.

I could see the desperation on his face as he pushed me out of the way. Maybe he had an ulterior motive, that disgusting freak.

My body felt creeps as I grabbed a hold of myself. To think he would probably ask for a favor too, god damn it.

"You should thank him." Jan's voice snapped me out of my trance. "Why should I do that?" I replied to his response.

Because he saved you," Jan said in a serious tone

"No, he didn't," I responded with a dismissive shake of my head.

"Yes, he did," Jan insisted, his eyes holding a hint of sincerity.

"No-" I began to protest.

"He did," Jan interrupted, his voice firm and unwavering.

My eyebrows furrowed in frustration as I continued to reject the idea.

I don't even know why, but I could feel my face twist in disgust thinking someone like him would save me from such a thing, but it kept reminding me of that moment that happened years ago.

The acrid bite of smoke, the searing heat, the taste of fear thick on my tongue. All leading back to my promise, whispered in the ashes of that nightmare.

/---\

[Flashback - 10 years ago.]

[Monster Outbreak 2012]

There was a huge invasion that broke out and monsters started showing up out of nowhere and I was just a kid who was shopping with her mother.

"Mom!" I screamed, my voice swallowed by the din. There, amidst the swirling carnage, she stood a whirlwind of silver hair and blazing fury. Each swing of her sword was beautiful pushing back the tide of monsters.

"Valencia it's okay sweetie Mommy is gonna protect you." She smiled petting my head and then another huge shadow stretched along the ground covering us.

SHING!

My mother had killed another monster with the swing of her sword. I just wanted to be like her. "Valencia, hide behind the car. Mommy will put these creatures to sleep," her voice rang out, unwavering even as sweat drenched her face.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I nodded bravely, clutching the teddy bear tighter. "Promise you'll come back?" I choked out, the words rough with fear.

Her smile was a beacon in the smoke. "Always, sweetheart. And remember, no matter what happens, promise me you'll stay alive." She then went back to fighting the endless waves of monsters that appeared throughout the streets.

"Little girl... help me please." A man was asking for help and I needed to help him so I could become like momma.

Instinct, prickled with suspicion. My mother's voice echoed in my head, "Stay alive." But with that voice came the memory of her smile, her unwavering courage. What would she do?

Before I could decide, the air erupted. A monstrous roar ripped through the smoke, and a creature the size of a building lumbered out, its maw dripping with ichor. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

My scream died before it left my lips as Mom stumbled back, her eyes wide with a terror I knew all too well.

Panic clawed at my throat, but before the monster could strike down on me a silver streak blurred past me. Then, with a swiftness born of a mother's love, she shoved me aside, the world tilting as I was thrown through the air.

I landed hard, the teddy bear flying from my grasp, the taste of copper blooming on my tongue. And through the smoke and tears, I watched, frozen in horrified paralysis, as the monster's claws met their mark…

/---\

Slap! The sharp crack echoed through the empty hallway, making me wince even before the heat blossomed on my cheek.

 Camila's hand lingered for a split second, her eyes blazing with a blend of concern and fury.

"Valencia snap out of it." Camila slapped me across the face with hardly any emotion.

ouch... My hands touched against the sting, I blinked, disoriented, unable to shake the sudden image of that day.

"You creeped Jan out and he walked away just a few minutes ago." Camila looked at me with a worried look.

"Is it... that moment again?" Camila's voice softened, her brow furrowed with worry. Her gaze, now gentle, searched mine for answers I didn't have.

"Nah, just lost in my own world again. Spacing out is my superpower, remember?"

Camila huffed, a ghost of a laugh escaping her lips. "Yeah, your super-annoying superpower."

"Hey, hey! No negativity before club room adventures," I chimed in, a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

"Okay let's go then."

As we steered towards the club room, my steps felt sluggish, I couldn't understand it. Why did he save me?

[Histories Breakfast Club Room]

The aroma of fresh pastries and coffee greeted me as I pushed open the club room door. Vintage posters adorned the walls, casting a warm glow reminiscent of Allen's Cafe, our usual weekend haunt.

Across the room, laughter bubbled around a table laden with breakfast spreads. My eyes darted to the corner.

 there he was, 'him' he was nestled in a chair, conversing with Jan, Looking to the right the table set of food was laid out and my eyes followed towards the chatter.

As they were talking I couldn't help but catch a few glimpses of them wondering when I should tell him 'thanks'. But I can't bring myself to do it maybe I'll do it another time. But this room's food does have such an attraction...

Ehem I let out a fake cough,"Breakfast club living up to its name, eh?" I quipped, my voice a touch louder than necessary.

"Dipsticks! Let's claim our seats before the pastries disappear," Lyra chirped, pointing across from Jan. I swallowed, my pulse quickening. Would closeness make it easier or just amplify the awkwardness?

Camila's eyes, however, were fixated on the drinks table. "Ooh, Allen's specials! It's the Honey Lavender Latte!" she gushed, her gaze turning into a heart-shaped constellation. I chuckled, momentarily distracted by her infectious enthusiasm.

We settled in, the meeting progressing in a blur of announcements and trip logistics. When Lan finally declared us free, my feet remained rooted to the chair. My eyes flickered towards Him, he was paying attention earlier but now he's blissfully asleep. Had he been narcoleptic all this while?

"Val! Val!" Lyra tugged onto my shirt, her puppy dog eyes pleading. "Me and Camila are heading to the library now."

"Okay, I'll catch you guys there. Just gotta do something quick."

"Mkayy!" Lyra and Camila scurried out, soon followed by the rest of the club. Within minutes, only Rel and I remained.

SNOREEE

ugh... how disgusting. "Hey" I tugged his shirt trying to wake him up. SNOREEEE

His reply was another snore.

"HEY, WAKE UP!" I exclaimed, louder this time.

He stirred, stretching lazily as his eyes met mine. I instinctively backed off keeping my distance from him.

"What is it?" His voice was raspy, still clinging to sleep.

"Look, uh…" My teeth ground together, frustration battling with gratitude. "I just wanted to say... thanks." I couldn't bear to look at him, my gaze flitting across the room.

"Thanks? For what?" His brow furrowed in confusion.

"For that time you know uh," I mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "When you did that... for me."

A soft smile curved his lips. "hmm I don't know how to explain this." He paused, then added, "Besides, shouldn't you thank someone by name, Valencia?"

His voice, unexpectedly gentle, confused me. I met his gaze, surprised by the flecks of gold dancing in his blue eyes. Was he… flirting? My mind scrambled suspicious of such a sudden shift. Putrid boys and their underhanded tactics—I wouldn't be fooled.

deep breaths, haaah, maybe I should just practice in my head something like 'Hey Rel, just wanted to say... thanks for, uh, you know...' See? Pathetic, I thought, picturing him smirking as I slunk out of the room.

"If you're just gonna stand there daydreaming," he said, rising from his chair and brushing past me, "I'm leaving."

The creak of the door triggered something inside of me. Words I had never thought came out before I could think.

"Hey Rel!" I called, my voice croaking.

"He glanced up, his eyes sleepy pools in the sunlit room. My gaze darted away, then snapped back, a desperate plea burning in my throat. "Look, about that day... Thanks," I blurted, the words exploding from me.

His face softened, a genuine smile replacing the playful smirk I expected. He shrugged, his voice surprisingly sincere. "See? Not that hard, was it?"

His hand reached out, not a cocky command, but a hesitant offering. "Can't we be friends?" _________

Authors Notes: - The song I was listening to when writing this was Blue Butterflies - Sped up by JHIN. (Good song btw) ₍^ >ヮ<^₎

- Valencia was only 7 years old in that flashback! ૮₍˶Ó﹏Ò ⑅₎ა

- The term "narcoleptic" refers to a condition where a person has an extreme tendency to fall asleep or experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. (๑>؂•̀๑)