TURN ME HUMAN

REAL OR FAKE

 “Hailey. Hailey, can you hear me?” Hailey heard her handsome teacher ask. 

Coughing out the remaining water lungs, Hailey pulled her hair back from her face. They had come to the sea side to play and have fun but, such an accident happened. 

“I'm fine. I'm fine.” Hailey said not wanting Mr Oisin to worry. 

Seeing his handsome face was all the encouragement she needed to stay alive. Helping her stand up, Mr Oisin removed his jacket putting it round her to prevent her from catching cold . Few minutes later, the both of them where walking back, Hailey glanced at Mr Oisin wondering if he was angry at her since he wasn't talking. 

“Here. You should have this back. Your clothes are also very thin.” Hailey said trying to start a conversation as she removed his jacket giving it back to him. It wasn't what she wanted to do but, it was the only way not to sound awkward. 

“There is no need. Its my fault that you almost drowned. You may feel cold later. That's why I want you to have it.” Mr Oisin said. 

Hailey nodded her head collecting the jacket back. At least she knew he wasn't angry with her or anything. He was just blaming himself. 

“Don't blame yourself. It was nice to come here. I haven't had this type of fun in a long time." Hailey said. 

" When you were unconscious, you were saying some words.” Hailey heard him say making her divert her eyes. 

“What could I have been saying? Nothing, nothing.” Hailey said trying to walk faster but was stopped by Oisin as he grabbed her hand. 

“You were saying something about Velkan city. Have you become that obsessed with it?” Mr Oisin said making Hailey sigh in relief as she thought he was going to find out about her secret. 

“I guess so. That's just the way I am. Once I get hooked on something, it's hard to let it go." Hailey said laughing awkwardly. 

“Curiosity. I once knew someone who was just as curious as you.” Hailey watched Oisin say as his face went nostalgic. 

Hailey's eyes widened for a second but stopped as she imagined a thousand things. She had dated a fair share of boys in her life. In each relationship, she was smart and observant. That was the fastest way to catch a ilying bastard. No matter how perfect he pretended to be, it was impossible to stay perfect forever. 

“You knew someone? Who was it?” Hailey asked. 

“Just someone. We are almost near." Mr Oisin said changing the topic which Hailey noticed. 

Few minutes later, the both of them came out of the lonely dark road into the bright lively main road. Her house wasn't too far away. Yes, her house. The house she and Stella stayed together was actually her house. Her mother who was a latina came from a very powerful rich mafia household. Although her grandfather hadn't agreed to the union of her parents, he still spoiled his granddaughter silly. 

Their apartment was one of the many houses Hailey owned. In order not to draw suspicion to herself, Hailey had chosen the most suitable house for a student out of a whole flat which was a one room apartment. Stella and her had divided the room into two with each one having her own space to decorate and do as they pleased. They did have a line but they still untied to play and cook together. 

Getting to her apartment, Hailey sighed knowing her happy night had come to an end. 

“Take care of yourself. Wear warm clothes and drink some tea. I hope you don't mind but I threw all the caffeine I saw. Caffeine isn't good for you. Tea is better.” Mr Oisin said making Hailey fall in love all over again. 

“Thank you for showing me such a magical place. Even though the night was short.” Hailey said putting a smile even though she wasn't happy. 

“You have classes tomorrow. You have to go to bed early. Don't worry. When you are free, we can go and visit the beach again.” Hailey heard Mr Oisin say making her happy. 

“Really? You promise?” Hailey asked excited. 

“Hailey? Mr Oisin?" Hailey heard her roommate's voice making her turn. 

“Its really them. Good evening, Mr Oisin.” Lucas said. 

“And my evening suddenly goes sour." Hailey murmured but just loud enough for all of them to hear. 

“Mr Oisin. What brings you here? Are you guys just coming back from somewhere?” Stella asked staring at Hailey's clothes that was wet. 

“Yes. Mr Oisin just came by to see me. He was worried about me because of what happened last time. I was taking a shower when he arrived. In a hurry to dress up, I soaked my clothes with water.” Hailey said hoping her roommate would buy the story. 

If there was anything you should not call Stella, it was stupid. 

“You were trying to dress up and soaked your clothes in water?” Stella asked with one of her eyebrows raised up. 

“Yes. Well, Mr Oisin. Thank you for coming to see me. Thanks for the Pozole and Chilaquiles.” Hailey said quickly removing Mr Oisin's jacket and returning it back to him.

“He even cooked Pozole and Chilaquiles for you?” Lucas asked turning round with his mouth opened.

“I think it's time to go. Have a good night Hailey. Take care of yourself.” Hailey heard Mr Oisin say before turning and leaving 

When he had left, Hailey quickly reached out grabbing the broom that was by the corner and hit Lucas. 

“Ouch! That was painful.". Lucas said acting cute as he complained to Stella who was his girlfriend. 

“What sort of question was that? You made him awkward." Hailey said complaining also to Stella who smirked as she watched both her best friend and boyfriend argue cutely. At least it was better than them killing each other. 

“Oh sorry Hailey. Did I spoil your date with our teacher?” Lucas asked making Hailey hit him again. 

“You clearly feel like dying.” Hailey said getting ready to hit him hard with the broom. 

Seeing the diaster that was about to happen, Stella quickly grabbed Hailey pushing her inside. 

“Hey, your clothes are wet. Its a miracle that you don't have a serious fever. Let's go inside before you get cold. Don't forget Me Oisin said toy should keep warm.”. Stella said as she pushed Hailey inside while blowing a kiss at her boyfriend, Lucas . 

The next day, Hailey stayed awake to listen to all her lectures even though she wasn't having any of Mr Oisin's classes. Just as usual, she had passed the night full of nightmares but she didn't care. Hearing Mr Oisin call her name waking her up just as he did last night was enough consolation for all her sufferings. 

After her classes, Hailey went to the bathroom to arrange herself. In school, she wasn't exactly popular which was what she wanted. Being the popular girl in school would be exhausting. The only thing you would attract is fake friends and you would drive the honest ones. Unlike Stella and Lucas. Lucas was the hottest boy in school while Stella was the most intelligent girl, a match made in heaven. 

“Hailey, are you waiting for someone. Aren't you coming along?” Hailey heard Stella ask as she told outside of the teachers loung wondering how to locate Mr Oisin. 

“Don't worry. I will eat later. Go ahead.” Hailey said expecting Stella to take her word for it and leave. 

“Are you waiting for Me Oisin? You shouldn't look so desperate, how is it that you don't know this?” Stella asked as she grabbed Hailey to a corner. 

“What do you mean?” Hailey asked . 

“Mr Oisin is a teacher plus he is older than you. If he really wants something to do with you, he should make the first move. Not you. Your face had the words I like you written all over them.” Stella said giggling. 

“Its not funny.” Hailey said hitting Stella's hand. 

“Are you afraid that you read too much into his kindness? That today, he will just forget about you?” Stella asked watching as her fried nodded her head. 

“Then there's nothing you can do. You have to wait. Its better you wait do as to not embarrass yourself even further. Its school time. He may be busy. Let's go.” Stella said dragging Hailey's hand. 

Hailey's eyes remained on the teachers lounge as Stella dragged her away. Meanwhile, while they were going, Mr Oisin was watching them from the class opposite the teachers lounge. He had seen and heard everything. 

Few hours passed and Hailey constantly stared at her phone while Stella prepared for her assignments. Glancing at her side, Stella caught Hailey staring at her phone for a second before sighing. This continued to happen making Stella burst out laughing. 

“What are you laughing at?” Hailey asked afraid that it was her. She was right. 

“I am laughing at you. You are acting like a girl that is just falling in love for the first time.” Stella said. 

“Says the girl who is constantly on her phone. She even pretends to be doing her assignment but actually, she is chatting with her boyfriend.” Hailey said. 

“How did you know that I was chatting with Lucas?” Stella asked. 

“Because I know you. You would never agree to leave class even if the world was falling apart unless you were through doing your assignments. Plus you are the class president.” Hailey said.

“Yes. I have no choice but to do everything since my vice president is too busy chasing her Mr Right." Stella said sighing.

" I never wanted to be the vice president. You were the one that chose me. All I wanted was to study archaeology. I am happy doing that.” Hailey said. 

“But you love the perks. Free food, free library usage. Don't you love it?” Stella asked. 

“Actually, I do." Hailey said making them laugh.

Finally Hailey was ahlebto see Mr Oisin. Today she was having his class. She had wanted to go earlier before students arrived but Stella wasn't having any of it. Something about playing hard to get. 

“So sometimes there is more to things than meets the eye. Having a keen eye is a must in order to be able to distinguish between fake and real. In this world nowadays, there are any fake artifacts, fake records. The truth is slowly being erased. And it is your duty to save the truth. This is the true meaning of being an archaeologist. Please, all of you should come to the front. There is a table as you can see. I want all of you to gather.” Hailey heard Mr Oisin say and was busy looking at him while everyone stood up. As usual, it was Stella who had saved her ass. 

Going to the table, Hailey saw different things being placed in two's. There was two chains of gold necklaces, two old human bones, two books and two paintings. 

“I want to show you guys an example. Can any of you identify the real object between the ones in two's? It looks hard right? Just use what you have learned. You can also use the internet. It would be near impossible to be able to identify the truth without research. This is why you should not be afraid of reading things. The things you have seen once can help you. “ Mr Oisin said before looking at Hailey. 

Hailey suddenly realized what he meant when she saw the gold necklaces. She had seen it on his neck several times and even when they had gone out walking. Just that she had not paid close attention to it. Chuckling, Hailey moved round the table trying to identify the other things. To her, it was losing battle to be able to identify the real necklace since she not seen it up close before.