Stray Story - 010

It's just like I said.

It's hypocritical of me to ask Caroline to return back to her home. That much I couldn't possibly do. I said that I was fine being a hypocrite, but I couldn't do that. That would simply do too much to deny myself. If I told Caroline that she had to go back home, I would be denying everything that brought me to where I am today. If I'd returned to Wellington, I would still be the same person I used to be. Given that, I can't just tell Caroline that she should go home. I have to convince her that that's what is best for her. And I think I know the way to do just that.

I rarely miss classes at school, so that's why I'm sure it'll be a surprise to some that I'm skipping the very first day of the new year. Sadly, I have little choice. This is the only way I could think of to do this.

Using AJ's phone, I called Tayla. Luckily for me, she answered. It's also her first day back at school, so she might've been busy, so it was quite fortunate for me that that wasn't the case. I had just one question to ask her, so our call didn't last very long.

After that, I left school. Well, I didn't leave school immediately.

I went to one period of class before leaving. I'm trying to arrive at my destination just before the school day ends.

When I decided it was time for me to go, I got on a bus headed back towards the part of town that I live in, though I wasn't heading home. I went past the stop nearest to my house, and past the stop at the mall where I work, continuing to head further north until I arrived at my destination.

Northside Girls High School.

With some very ingenious naming, 'Northside' comes from the fact it's located on the northern bank of one of the two rivers that flow through the city. Yeah, very ingenious indeed.

Anyway, there are two main entrances into the school: the river gate and the east gate. Tayla leaves out the river gate, but that's not where I'm headed. The east gate, which conveniently flows onto the street my bus came along, is my aim.

I've only been here twice previously, both times were last year shortly after I met Tayla. And both times I was meeting her after school, once at this gate, and once at the river gate.

Though, that isn't the case this time around.

Since I don't know what the time is, I have no choice but to wait outside the gate. It probably looks rather suspicious. At least I can tell by the excess of parked cars on the side of the street that school hasn't finished already.

I end up having to wait about twenty minutes for the final bell of the day to ring, and for the students to be let out of class.

Like I said, it probably seems a little suspicious of me standing outside the gate like this. Especially since I'm scanning the crowd, looking for someone in particular. Indeed, I get some suspecting looks from passing students. It would be worse if I didn't have my school uniform on. Trust me, I remember that from last time I was here. If it wasn't for Tayla showing up, I might've been lynched.

Finally, I spot a glimpse of the person that I've been looking for. We don't know each other that well, so I might've missed her if her sister hadn't been staying at my place for almost a week now. They really are siblings, now that I can see the older sister's face.

"Elis!"

I call out to her. She definitely saw me and heard me, but I see her look away, and pretend she doesn't know me.

"Elis!"

I call again, and starting pushing against the flow of the crowd towards her. I'm taller than most of the students, and I'm able to make my way across to Elis rather quickly. Realising that she's not going to get away, she stops to wait for me, an unimpressed expression on her face.

Now might be a good time to remind you that the two of us don't get along that well. If I had to describe our relationship, it would be cordial. And that's only out of respect for Tayla, given that I'm her boyfriend, and Elis is her best friend.

"If your looking for Tayla, she leaves out the other gate."

"I know. I wasn't looking for her, though. There's something that I need to talk to you about."

"What could you possibly need to talk to me about? Go away already."

"It's kind of important. I don't think you'd want other people overhearing us."

"Huh? Whatever it is, it can't be that important. Just get Tayla to tell me later, I'm sure she knows. I'm busy."

Elis tries to leave, but I grab her wrist before she can.

"Hey!"

She digs her nails in, but I hold on, not letting her away. It looks like I'll have to say something to get her attention, or she won't even hear me out.

"It's about your little sister."

She stops struggling and looks at me. Eventually, she removes her nails, and I let go of my hold on her wrist.

"Fine. You can tell me what you wanted to talk about while we walk."