Chapter 1.1: Sofeas

‘Hey, Whisperers! My name’s Halia. Halia Purewater,’ the new student said, introducing herself in front of the class with a loud voice and a grinning face. ‘I came from Greenlight, by the way.’

Sofeas’s eyes widened. She took a sharp breath. This girl, Halia. So enthusiastic. So unlike the them, Whisperers. It was like they and she were old friends that hadn’t met for a long time.

She couldn’t stop looking at her, this girl with chocolate skin and curly black hair that didn’t reach her shoulder. Her grin stayed, which was a juxtaposition to Sofeas’s own stunned expression. And yet, she felt drawn to her, someone who was from Greenlight, of all places. She wondered how Halia would blend in this island and – and how was it like to be her friend. How was it like to have that abundance of energy beside you everyday?

Brilliance Edva frowned at Halia, her lips pursed. When she spoke, it was with the obligatory politeness expected from a brill. ‘Thank you for the introduction, Halia. As everyone of you have heard, Halia is a new student from Greenlight. I expect you to welcome and help her adapt with the environment of Nightwhisper Island.’ There was a stress there when she said the word Greenlight, and Sofeas was sure it wasn’t for a good reason.

‘I’m so excited to meet you all!’ Halia said, beaming.

Brill Edva’s frown went deeper. ‘Halia, your place will be beside Daviy. Daviy, I hope you can guide Halia around this school. Also, remind Garev his seat has been taken, as that is a possible thing to happen when you skip school repeatedly. He will sit at the back next time.’

Halia would sit in front of her. Sofeas didn’t know why she was disappointed. It wasn’t like Halia could sit next to her – not when there were students at her sides. Maybe Sofeas could still talk to her? This was the first time they had a student from Greenlight. From what she’d heard, the place was pretty exciting. But of course, she had to keep that to herself. A typical Whisperer had a different view – very different view – of Greenlight.

Halia took her sit. ‘Hi, Daviy! I hope we can be friends.’ She turned to face the other student at her left. ‘What’s your name? Khaees? Hi, Khaees! it’s nice to meet you.’ Suddenly, she turned to Sofeas and grinned. ‘How about you? I saw you looking at me, mouth open and all. Is there something wrong with my appearance?’

Sofeas felt like she was caught doing something bad. She gulped. ‘I – my name is Sofeas. Sofeas Brightstar. There’s nothing wrong with -with you.’ She wanted to say more. That she was surprised Halia introduced herself that way. But – perhaps because she was raised as a Whisperer – she felt shy. As if it wasn’t necessary to say more. She hoped Halia was okay with that.

‘That’s a nice name, I have to admit,’ Halia said, nodding. ‘This is my first time here. Dad suddenly got transferred here – I I don’t know why, but hey! New place, new friends, right? I can’t wait to explore –’

‘Halia?’ Brill Edva said, cutting in. ‘That is enough. We are currently having a class, so I appreciate it if you continue your conversation after.’

‘Ah, of course, of course!’ Halia said, smiling. ‘I can’t help my feelings. I’m very bad at keeping still.’

With those statements, Sofeas decided Halia wouldn’t mix with Whisperers for sure. Keeping still and just listening to the brill - or adults, really – was something young Whisperers had been taught to do. Low your voice, speak as little as possible, don’t run around – these were instructions that had been repeated like a mantra to them. Could Halia resist all of that?

Brill Edva continued her lesson in history, but Sofeas couldn’t pay attention to her anymore. Halia filled her mind. Why did she come here? She knew it was because of her father, but what job exactly he could have in Nightwhisper? The island relied on agriculture, while Greenlight preferred to focus on fishing and maritime. She would know eventually. Nightwhisper wasn’t big, anyway – news traveled fast, even with Whisperers’ low voices.

After school, Daviy pulled Sofeas to a corner. She looked around before whispering, ‘Can we switch place?’

Sofeas blinked her eyes. Was she talking about their classroom? ‘Um, why?’

Daviy looked at her as if she’d just asked a stupid question. ‘It’s the girl, Halia. She’s so noisy. I can’t stand people like that.’

‘Oh,’ Sofeas said. From what she knew, Daviy couldn’t stand most people. She was part of the reason Garev skipped school – they both couldn’t sit beside each other without fighting. But – wasn’t this what Sofeas wanted? To know more about Halia? ‘I – I think I can. If Brill Edva allows, that is.’

Daviy let out a sigh of relief. She smiled. ‘You’re the best. Bye!’ She left – like the wind.

Sofeas looked at the direction she went to, a glass door that marked the exit of the school building. The silence taking place currently made her feel like she was the only person there. For a brief moment, she made a reflection – of what would happen next. Was it wise for her to take Daviy’s place and became the target for Halia’s conversation? Was Halia the answer for the struggle she had for a long time? She had been suppressing her feelings since she was told to do so to become a normal Whisperer. And yet – and yet she felt it wasn’t right. And what Halia had shown to her – it felt right.

Halia looked alive.

Sofeas slung her bag around her shoulder and walked to the exit. At times like this, she wished she could talk with her brother, Saeem. He was the only person in the family who could listen to her and not interrupt. He would understand her feelings and perhaps gave some advice. He might look like your typical quiet Whisperer, but his silence had a meaning. She knew it had. She’d made him talk once – and when he really spoke his mind, he talked a lot. There was a lot in his mind. There was a lot he could share with her. She couldn’t wait for him to graduate. It had been a while since he came to Nightwhisper Island.