two

I went to school the next day, still thinking about what had happened the day before. I couldn't get the image of him out of my head; the way he had screamed so loudly that the vein in his neck could've burst, they way he scratched his hand until it had bled. I thought he was crazy for doing something like that. But how could I judge someone without knowing them?

I saw him again that day, but he looked different from the day before.

It was in the library. I was supposed to be picking up a few books for my studies and happened to spot him sitting at one of the tables with two other boys. They were whispering quietly among themselves and smiling. I stared at him with my books stacked in my hands.

He had a bandage wrapped around his hand. The longer I stared at his hand, I could see the memories from yesterday replay more vividly in my head. I looked up and saw him smiling. It was big and bright, and I'd been lying if I hadn't told myself it was a beautiful smile. But I couldn't seem to understand how someone like him could smile so brightly after what had happened.

I didn't realize I had been staring for so long until I looked up again and met his eyes. They were staring right back at me and the smile that was once on his face slowly started to fade. His eyes, they were emotionless—I could feel chills running down my spine and a small voice in the back of my head kept repeating the same phrase over and over again.

Get out of there, Ren. Nothing good awaits you if you stay.

I turned around, and just like yesterday, I walked out of the library as fast as I could.

I didn't realize he had followed me out, though.