18 Gamma From Epsilon

"We shall be talking about the Cyano group today so pay attention, kids. You may have to take a surprise quiz any time this month on this chapter."

Mrs. Barclay, our chemistry teacher began writing chemical formulae on the board when I heard a 'psst psst' from my right side like the fizzle of a small snake. I sighed in annoyance and looked at Elwyn. I will not help him with any homework this year if I get detention for listening to him talk in class. He threw a crumpled paper my face which hit my forehead and I grimaced with the pain that followed right after. I was dumbfounded to see a nail paint bottle with transparent liquid in it. I saw something jotted onto the paper which read:

'Sorry I hit your nose, but it was bound to happen. I know how you noticed Loralie acting somewhat normal like a girl and blah blah blah, and I think I know the reason why. It's Delran. That's the reason. Tadaaa.'

Why is he bringing her up again? Why does he even bother? I wrote a reply and threw it carefully at him unlike his previous attempt at breaking my head, saying:

'Why are you telling me things about her? And why do you even have a nail paint bottle with you? Your desk is right beside mine so why are we even writing each other messages and why hit my head?'

"With all honesty, I aimed for your desk but you moved your head at the right-I mean, wrong time and it hit your forehead. Nothing could've stopped that from happening. As for the written messages, Catalina said it's cool when you communicate with your friends in class this way, and she was right. It is kind of thrilling. Oh, and I like my nails perfect and shiny so I carry this nail polish with me everywhere. Look, considering what my granny, our granny told you, you are the one who can change her fate for the better which will also change yours in the long run. I know you're all set for the top ten universities in the country so you'll leave town as soon as you get that graduation certificate on your hands. Granting Loralie a better, normal life must have been granny's last wish."

I was tired of his whispers which sounded a lot like mentally challenged people who talk to themselves like they're possessed or something. I swear this guy was born with a PhD in the Art of Persuasion. I gestured him to continue while Mrs. Barclay explained the composition of chemicals in nitriles. Being friends with Elwyn has made me quite a multitasker over the years, I must say.

"I knew you'd heed my words. The only reason she behaved in a not-so-psychopathic manner was because of him. He knows that too and he's proud of it. I heard his thoughts and that's how I came to know."

'Why didn't you foresee that I'd bump into Delran? I could've escaped that duo of troublemakers.' I wrote to him.

"Excuse me? I am an underprivileged psychic who can't even see full visions. I'm not a CCTV camera to keep an eye on everything and everyone 24/7. I am shown...no, scratch that; I am made to look at glimpses that I'm supposed to see. That's how the law of nature works with me. Don't ask me why or how because I don't know and I will not hold back to punch you if you keep asking me such questions again and make me feel more miserable about my abilities than I already do."

He banged his fist and stood up like an arguing member of the Parliament.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Belcher?" Mrs. Barclay asked him in an irate tone.

"No, Mrs. Barclay. Sorry."

"Another word from anyone in the class and I'll drop everyone's grades to C minus without a second thought. Now, coming back to how carboxylic acid is made through nitriles..."

Time passes in a flash when you're attentive in class and before you know it, it's lunch break. Time to go to my nest of a library.

"If you want to survive in college, you begin practicing here, in high school. Learn to live like a normal student, accept your flaws and soon, people will begin to accept it too. Move it, now. To the cafeteria!"

And so began the habitual pushing, pulling and internal swearing in my mind with Elwyn and Catalina towing me behind them.

"Face your fears. That's the only way out. You gotta stop being a baby."

Elwyn sounded a lot like granny and that made me oblige and stop resisting them.

"Wow, would you look at that. It's only his first day at school and girls are flocking to him like bees to flowers."

Catalina's remark was true. Very, very true. And in the center of those bees sat the tyrant queen of them all. Delilah. What happened to 'I'm Callan's girlfriend'? Not my business anyway. I just want to eat my tuna salad sandwich which I made myself, in peace.

"Umm code red. I repeat code red. Loralie is walking towards us and she's walking fast. Shall we run or throw a punch and then run because she looks like she'd eat us for lunch."

Elwyn panicked a little and Catalina slapped his shoulder.

"Don't freak out, you idiot. We don't even know what she's coming here for so zip it. Apart from that, that's how she looks on a normal basis. What makes you think she'll let you walk out alive if you punch her? Did you already forget what happened to Megan?"

"I'm sitting here." Loralie plumped herself on the chair in front of me. Again. Why, why?

"You can't," Elwyn replied.

"I wasn't asking. You don't have to pay attention to me. You can carry on with whatever you want to do as if I don't exist but do not look me in the eye or stare at me because I will not be responsible for the consequences that would befall you."

She finished her sentence glaring at me and I bent my head on the spot, digging out my lunch box. Soon after that, Delran seated himself beside me, making me look like a Lilliput beside him.

"Why did you leave me with them, Loralie? It's too noisy. I'd rather prefer the Russian ja-"

She shot him one sharp look and this six feet, five inch boy shut his mouth in a fraction of a second.

"My apologies."

"Always be guarded. Don't let your tongue slip." Loralie warned.