43 Taking All the Pain for You Part 1

Every day, my daily routine was to attend my class and the rest of my time will be with Nicholas, practicing on how to ride on the horses, practicing few things to learn how to control my gifts, and cleaning Artemis's quarter. Earth, fire, and healing are all that I am practicing. He still doesn't know that I can control the water and the air. I don't have a break from swords, archery, knives, combats, and workouts.

He's a great instructor when it comes to body fitness. My stamina gets stronger and I know how to control my gifts. Still, I don't show him the two legacies I have. There are lots of eyes around me. Anytime, those monsters are ready to attack me. I also keep Flame close to me and flirt with him. He kissed me a lot and there are times that we almost do it. Good thing that I am not that attracted to him because this body is already into someone.

So, the case about the romantic relationship about me and Nicholas was done. Eliza came back to finish her schooling. And guess what? Like she had nothing to do about me and Nicholas getting into the court. She still smiled at me. Be my best friend or friend. And a sister also, when I needed someone to talk to. But I, as Catastrophe doesn't need anyone to talk to. Because Catastrophe is independent and introverted and Catastrophe delt her things all by herself.

"Catastrophe!" Jean, the assistant director of the Drama class walking briskly and breathless. She held on my shoulder and hold her chest then take a deep breath. She smiles at me and I respond a look. "Good thing that I catch you. So, at four we have a practice and we need you there for the musical effects. Is that alright? You barely visit the drama auditorium." She scrunched up her nose. I lifted my right hand to peek at the time.

"Okay. But I have to go to five-thirty. I have a class for Mr. Gregory."

"You two seemed very close to each other. Are his lectures are that important? Because he almost got all your time for his class." Now, she's wondering.

"I guess it is important." I murmur. She nodded with pretty smiles.

"Mr. Nick cares a lot about you. I heard a lot of things about him and his past, Adhiti before I enter this school. I think, he doesn't want anything bad happened to you like Adhiti."

Adhiti? Bad happening? Trust me, I had learned everything about Adhiti's tragic pasts and her death. I wanted to tell her frankly but I can't say it though. Adhiti, the girl who is alluring that everyone loves. So sad that nobody is there to save her. Even the person she loves and the people who truly love her can't protect her. She's so naïve.

I enter the auditorium and walk towards the stage where they are arguing about the performance of the band. The drummer kept on messing on his drums while Mrs. Patterson just watched them.

"Catastrophe!" Jean calls that makes everyone stop what they are doing. "Guys, is it okay that Catastrophe will be the lead singer?" Jean asked the band. They looked at me and the guitarist raise his left eyebrow.

"Lead singer?" I asked her. Yes, I can sing because I had practiced singing when Marcus is teaching me how. Adhiti is not a singer that's why I have to do things that she cannot do.

"Yes, they need a female singer. So are you IN or Out?"

"I'll try."

"Wait!" the lead guitarist Grayson which I also thought the male singer of the band raised his hand to stop me. "Before she even became our singer, she needs to audition first." I shrugged and tilt my head to the side.

I walk towards the stage after I gave my violin to Jean. I face the guitarist which is also Adhiti's friend when she's still alive with them. I barrow a classic guitar from someone and I hang it around me. Then I started strumming and plucking the guitar. The first song that I learned from Marcus is Safe and Sound of Taylor Swift. The story was really sad and serene.

'I remember tears streaming down your face when you said you'll never let me go.' I sang it with full emotions and feelings for them to know that the song was shivering.

'Just close your eyes, the sun is going down

You'll be alright, no one can hurt you know

Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound…'

I finish the song and looked at their admiring and teary expression. Okay, that is unusual for Catastrophe to look at it. I looked at Grayson who is all staring at me and the drummer who played the music with me with the little beat.

"What?" I asked him. He shook his head.

"You can sing?"

"Obviously." I took off the guitar from me and gave it to the bass of the band. I was about to walk off but they stopped me.

"What about Adele?" Grayson asked me. "And Ellie Goulding?"

I spend my 45 minutes singing and trying to be Adele and Ellie Goulding singing their songs. So they let me choose 2 songs on four songs that I sang. So, for Adele, I choose Set fire to the rain and Burn of Ellie Goulding since it is a fire dance competition for Halloween next week.

"5 minutes late." He told me. I drop my duffel bag on the ground. I also zip up my sweater because it is freezing.

"I have to spend my vacant in Mystical Performing Arts."

"And what did you do?" he raised his left eyebrow. I sigh getting a little irritated. I throw fire in front of him just to let go of my anger. He just looked down on it not even surprised on my sudden tantrums. "You are not going to put me on fire."

"I can do that." I confronted him. I lifted my hand and lighten my fire. He just crossed his arms and gave me a poker face. He stepped on the fire that I throw on the grounds and it immediately dies.

"Concentrate on shooting the target first." He pointed the target board half a kilometer away from us. I raise my hand to see it clearly because it is too far and the sunset blinded me a little.

"Seriously?" I asked him. He nods. I pick up my bow and arrow that he gave to me. It was carved by his own hands and the arrows are made by his own hands too. I put the ring for me not to cut myself. I raise both the arrow and the bow. I raise my right elbow and close the left eye to concentrate on the target. I breathe and release it. However, it didn't even get close to the target. I looked at Nick who just watched me. I take another arrow and unluckily it falls on the ground.

"Again." So annoying. I did it again and again until my arms get slump and numb. I let out an annoying sigh and pick another arrow. "Drop it and make five push-ups."

"What?!" I exclaimed which more in the complaint. Did he even consider that my arms are tired and getting numb? Or did he even thought that his apprentice is exhausted from a long day? I lazily and exhaustedly push-ups on the ground. After five I fall my face on the ground. I didn't move for him to know that I am not alright with his demanding torture training.

"Get up now." I didn't get up. Instead, I close my eyes as my ear pressed on the ground and listen to the sound of the ground. The vibration, the wind, his footsteps, the trees… I felt the top of his head gently pressed on the top of my head like he's mimicking my actions. "Do you like the sound?" I breathe freely.

I heard another footstep coming and I still didn't open my eyes. His scent enters my nostrils so I can determine that it is Andrew's scent. His favorite perfume. The perfume that Adhiti likes too. I can smell the ocean from him and juices of peaches mixed with the scent of mint. I felt him lay down beside me and I also assume that he mimics our doing.

"What are you doing?" he whispers like it is a secret then after a while he speaks again. "It is very relaxing." He murmurs. I breathe and smiled at the beautiful sound of crickets. I can sleep like this by listening to the sound of nature.

Tap, tap, tap. That hurts a bit. Why is someone tapping my face? It is annoying. When I open my eyes it was all dark but I saw a man's silhouette. He pulls me up to get up. I rubbed my eyes and blinks to adjust to my surroundings. I sneeze and hold my nose.

"Why are you burning up?" he asked. I don't know that I am burning up. I just don't feel alright.