(magic realism story)

A cool April morning. The world seemed translucent: fog drifted low over the ground, swallowing trees, benches, and even the cheerful voices of birds. The air smelled of freshness and damp grass.

Maria walked slowly toward school. She wasn’t fully awake yet — it felt as if sleep still held her hand. She yawned and tucked her face into the collar of her jacket. Her fingers were frozen, her nose tingled slightly from the cold. Gravel crunched underfoot, but even that sound felt muffled.

The sun’s rays — thin and hesitant — tried to pierce through the fog, like the wings of fireflies. They rested on fences, peeked into puddles, and shimmered on the threads of spiderwebs hanging from branches.

Suddenly, Maria felt lost. Everything around her was so familiar — buildings, trees, the road… But in this thick fog, it seemed like she wasn’t moving at all — just walking in circles. Everything became soft, blurred, like in a dream. The modern buildings turned into some XVIII century houses… People changed too… They were dressed in some sort of old-fashioned clothes…

“Maybe I am really asleep or it is a time loop…” she whispered, glancing around.

The fog, pierced by light, shimmered and glowed, erasing the outlines of the world around her. Sounds disappeared — only deep silence remained. The brightness stung Maria’s eyes. She closed them and let the fog cover her completely.

“Maria, wake up,” a voice whispered right by her ear.

She opened her eyes. She was lying on her desk, and the teacher was leaning over her.

“Already time for class?” Maria asked softly, disoriented, looking around. In front of her — the familiar blackboard, classmates, and the cozy classroom walls.

“Yes, time to wake up, sleepyhead,” the teacher smiled. “Alright, let’s begin.”

Maria sat up straight, still feeling strange. She didn’t remember how she had gotten to school.

Her gaze wandered to the window. Outside — a bright, sunny morning. Not a trace of fog.

Had that fog really existed?… Maybe it was just a dream?

She smiled.
Even if it was only a dream — it was worth seeing.