I quit thinking about the necklace. I also closed the book—along with the idea of trying it. I don't know… I feel like I'm scared. I'm scared of the consequences I might face. I'm scared that my friends might feel off if I lie to them. I'm scared of everything.
But I still can't get the necklace out of my mind—the one I'm literally wearing right now. Was my doubt right? Is this connected to what's happening to me now? This sudden magic I got.
"Hey Mary? You listening?" I snapped out of my daze when I heard Reina call my name. "We're planning to have practice after class out back, for the School Festival. Are you coming with us?" she asked.
"Yeah… sure."
"Okay then, it's settled. Let's meet at the usual spot after class." And with that, we went our separate ways since we have different teachers and classrooms.
Hours passed, and class ended early since our last teacher was absent. I decided to head to the back first, since I had nothing else to do and the music room was occupied by another grade.
When I got there, the first person I saw was an old man, trimming the edges of flowers. At first, I thought he was alone, but then I saw Shan. My eyes automatically searched for RJ—it's like a habit now. Wherever Shan is, RJ is always nearby. They're like twins who can't be separated. And I wasn't wrong—RJ arrived behind me, holding some drinks.
"Hi, Grandpa! And hello there, Mary!"
"Hey, RJ! Shan… And good afternoon to you too, Mister…"
"Uncle Brew—that's what everyone calls him. He's also my grandfather on my dad's side," RJ said.
"Good afternoon, Uncle Brew!"
"Hello? It's rare for kids to hang out in this area. What are you doing here?" he asked without even sparing me a five-second glance before continuing his trimming.
"Well, my friends are coming later. We're working on something," I replied simply.
"Why here? This place is like a forest compared to the rest of the campus," Shan asked suddenly as she accepted the drink from RJ—who was now handing me one, too. I was confused but thanked him anyway, thinking maybe he just wanted me to hold it.
"It's yours," he said quietly. I just gladly thank him.
"Well… it's peaceful here."
"That's true. Anyway, Grandpa, I have to go. I still have a group project with my classmates. Bye," Shan said as she waved goodbye to her grandpa and gave a small nod to RJ—whom she calls "Tine."
"You're not trying anything risky, are you guys?" Uncle Brew whispered.
"No! Of course not!"
He looked like he didn't believe me but said nothing.
"RJ, you never told me you were close to any girl in school—aside from your cousins."
Cousins? He has other cousins besides Shan?
"Not in that way, Grandpa."
And finally, his grandfather looked at us. He looked at RJ first, then gave me a long glance.
In less than a minute, his expression changed dramatically. It was as if I had done something terrible to him.
"You," he said firmly, stepping closer—just a few steps away from me. "Who are you?"
Didn't I already tell him my name? Didn't he hear it?
"Mary… Mary Quinlan. A junior high student at this campus. Major in Computer Services," I said, introducing myself again.
"That necklace… Where did you get that?" he suddenly asked. Now his tone was sharp, and he looked genuinely disturbed. His brows furrowed deeply.
"Grandpa, what's wrong—"
"Silence!" he snapped at RJ. "And answer me, young lady. Where did you get that necklace? And what did you do to it?"
Is he thinking I stole it? Well… yes, but from my mother.
I looked him straight in the eye and answered confidently.
"It's my mother's. I took it from her when I was young. And as for the second question—what do you mean? I haven't done anything to it. I just wear it constantly because it reminds me of her." I paused. "Now you answer my question. Why are you so curious about it?" I held his gaze.
"Be careful with that. And everything that's connected to it. You don't know what you're getting into, young lady," he said before walking away, leaving me and RJ stunned. RJ then followed his grandfather.
I stared at the necklace resting on my chest.
What are you? Could you possibly be the Emerald Necklace?