"I don't know what you are talking about..." I mumbled, trying best not to sound suspicious.

Alatha suddenly laughed, "I got you good... So you're not excited about the school field trip?"

The knot in my stomach straightened after hearing the real issue. I turned around and smiled. "To be honest, I just found out about it from you."

"Well, I heard they would give us a tour of the city. I can't wait!" she exclaimed. Her voice gave away the eagerness, no doubt about it.

The Capital was multiple times more developed than our small town. It was where tall buildings and vast technology was present. My curiosity rose just my imagining it.

"That sounds more exciting than just finishing the exam." I chuckled.

"Yes, we would be staying at a hotel too. It's like a sleepover party."

"Staying at a hotel?"

"Of course, the trip would take two days at least," she explained.

The idea of leaving Alfie to join the trip instantly dismissed my excitement. My mother would be gone for her working shift too. After putting two and two, it meant he would be alone at home.

"Is something wrong?"

I shook my head then uttered, "No, it's just this whole exam." The answer wasn't a lie entirely.

Our final exam was crucial in determining our course of a career. Unlike the old days where higher education went beyond, college and universities didn't exist anymore, or not yet to be precise. Work-learning would follow suit for a few years. It was simpler and more practical, so we would only focus on one base skill to save time.

A low population and the deficiency of birth was the cause of early labour to be enforced. So after high school, we get to start out our working life and for some, would become a mother if one chose to be.

Thinking about the matter reminded me of something more worrying. Finishing school meant one more thing was about to happen; HEROIN would come for my pod— for the 'extraction'.

"Don't think too much of it."

Alatha's voice pulled me out of my musing. When I looked at her, a worry expression was on her face.

"You'll do fine," she added. Although, her voice didn't seem as assured as the words.

"Yeah, thank you, Alatha. " I returned a faint smile to her.

"Besides, if you fail. I'll support you."

After hearing what she just said, I was baffled. When my brows shot up from the slight perplex, a rosy shade alighted her cheeks.

"Support me?" I asked curiously.

She shrugged and turned her head away from me, "I mean, I would support you in whatever you do."

There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice as she said those words. We had been friends for such a long time already, so it was easy to pick up the recent shift in her behaviour.

I was about to ask her about it, but suddenly the bell rang. Since we wouldn't be taking the same test, she started to walk towards the other hall. So I pushed the thought aside and directed my mind back to the exam.

***

Time went by very slow obviously because of the still ongoing exam, and as I sat staring into space, my mind wondered about Alfie at home. As much as I was excited about the school field trip, I didn't think I could leave him at home alone.

When the bell rang, I got up and handed in my paper. Then I rushed to get my stuff as usual before I went home.

From afar, I spotted Amy leaning at the side of my locker and Alatha standing in the crowded hall. Even though Alatha was facing the other way, she was the tallest girl in school, so she was hard to miss.

A wide grin turned up on Amy's lips at the moment she caught sight of me. "Hye, there's a new cafe opening in town. Wanna come with?"

Alatha spun to me when she heard Amy talked. "Yeah, let's call it a small early celebration," she said with a chuckle.

Despite I would rather get home to Alfie, my mother's advice on circumventing suspicions made me reconsider my friend's offer. But I also didn't want Alfie to be alone. On most days, I would know my mother's shift schedule, but after her unusual work timing yesterday, I needed to make sure first.

"Let me send a quick PM to my mom," I told them.

"Go ahead," they replied simultaneously.

I fished out my phone from my locker and typed in a quick message for my mother.

What time will you leave for work, Ma? Can I hang out a bit with my friends?

My mother was a prompt replier when she was not working. So it was expected when just mere seconds later, I received her reply.

3 pm honey, go on have fun with your friends.

***

The new cafe was different. A furnishing of black and white theme colour adorned its interior. Each glass table hosted four silver embellished transitional parson chair. There were countless chained and clocks placed all over the place. The sight was strange, but somehow fascinating.

After we took our seats, a server came to us. She wore a black and white pinafore dress, and a broad smile appeared across her face.

"Welcome to Reypal Brew, how may I serve you young ladies today?"

She handed over 3 sets of menus to us which resembled the shape of a key. When I read the list of beverages on it, I was momentarily dumbfounded. All of them sounded weird, but at least they provided pictures for us to choose.

"I want Jack's sunkin sip." Amy voiced out.

"One of Romeo's posen luv." Alatha followed suit with her selection.

Without wasting more time, I skimmed over the menu. A sandy colour punch with fruits caught my eye. "I would have the Bravestone's smolder luk."

"Your order will be ready in a jiffy," the server informed. Stepping back slightly, she bowed then twirled, earning a simultaneous smile from us. Before long, she disappeared into the back.

"So, about the school trip. Are you girls going?" Amy started.

"I'm definitely going," Alatha replied.

When they eyed me, I knew they were expecting my answer. I hesitated, "I'm not sure yet."

"Well that's a bummer, you'll be missing all the fun. They do this every year to seniors, it's a come of age kind of thing," Amy proclaimed.

"I'll ask my mom first," I informed.

Alatha who sat opposite of me was silently observing us, I saw her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Thank goodness the server suddenly appeared again with our drinks, because I was already getting nervous by the situation.

We chatted about other things afterwards and I managed to avoid all related questions regarding my recent rushing home routine.

"Talk with your mom, okay?" Amy said to me before I stepped out of her car.

Smiling and nodding was my only response. My mind was already elsewhere when I saw my house door, imagining how Alfie would react to see me.

Once I entered, my mother was nowhere in sight, so I treaded to my room. The person who had been invading my mind was sitting beside my table, looking at the picture of the alphabets plastered on the wall. He turned his head when he heard the sound of the door opening.

"I miss you, Alfie, " I began.

However, his line of sight was looking at something or someone else. I didn't get the chance to spin around before a familiar voice reverberated from behind.

"Who's Alfie?"

To be continued...