Collaboration Day

MATTHEW'S POV

After the whole ordeal of getting almost killed by a ventifio, the girls - Ashley and Samantha - helped me to wherever I needed to go. I didn't constantly let them help me though, I was trying to walk back on my feet again.

A whole week had passed. I got hurt when it was Saturday, it was currently Monday of the next week. The days after Saturday consisted of me sitting on my bed feeling bad while my batch-mates went down to the underworld and with the elites assisting me in class.

I tried convincing Samuel once to let me go with them, that my ankle already healed. He didn't say anything. He simply poked my foot and shot me a disapproving look when I yelped in pain.

On Wednesday, my foot had already healed, and I meant it this time. But as captain Samuel ordered, he fought alongside me when we were in the underworld. He kept taking the hits for me and only let me fight the minimum amount of ventifios we needed to fight - which was three. If we encountered any more ventifios, he would forbid me to engage in battle and fought the ventifios himself. I would try to help out though, by shooting the creatures.

The whole week - even when we were in the underworld - Samuel didn't utter a word to me. When we were in the elite building, he would still make my lunches, but had Samantha deliver them to me. I was disheartened that he didn't want to talk to me.

 Just one look from Samuel and I could tell he didn't want me to be in the underworld, but since I was also an elite like them, it was my job to fight ventifios too. Although when it wasn't our turn to go down to the Night Fog Forest, he would just ignore me. When we met in the hallway, he just walked past me.

I knew what he meant. He was mad. Raging with disappointment. And I was the cause of it. He must be also tired of looking after me so much. If only I had listened to him, I would never be in this situation. That was what he was probably thinking right now. I didn't blame him, I was really out of line that night.

Currently, I was in my room, putting my school uniform on. I fumbled with my tie, my fingers weren't cooperating again. After what felt like hours, I managed to make it look decent.

I studied myself in the mirror, turning around to check if there were any crease on my clothes. My gaze traveled to my foot. Underneath the pant leg, a white bandage circled my foot and unto the top of my ankle. It could barely be seen, which I was relieved for.

Somebody knocked on my door. This caused me to smoothen my uniform before speaking. "Come in."

Ashley did just that. And behind her was Samantha. Again, Samuel didn't want to see me.

"Hey, are you ready? The others are already in the car." Ashley asked. I nodded in reply, marching towards them. Samantha's eyes flickered towards my ankle.

Before she could say anything, I spoke. "Come on, let's go. I know the others hate waiting." I chuckled.

We exited my bedroom and headed for the stairs. When I put one foot on the step, I suddenly tensed. A twinge of pain shot through my foot. Even when it wasn't as worse as before, I could feel a prick often.

Samantha asked the question she intended to ask earlier. "Are you o-okay?"

That one question was what she always asked the past week. And my answers were always the same. "I'm fine."

"You better be." Ashley said. "Today's the day where we will be assigned to a class for the collaboration."

I groaned. Since it was the end of the month, it meant the collaboration would start soon. It would continue for about another week until the so-called, 'competition'.

"M-Maybe they could make a-an exception for you?" Samantha said. I shook my head and my eyebrows furrowed. "I already wasted precious time when I could have helped you guys instead of you helping me. And I plan to win a competition to make up for it." I winked at her. Her eyes widened at my actions as smoke was almost seen fuming out of her ears.

Before I could process what I had done, Ashley patted my back. "That's what I like to hear, Martinez!"

We arrived outside, the car revved its engine. Someone was standing on the other side. With his familiar mop of bright blonde hair, I could already tell who it was. Samuel took a glance behind him, then proceeded to open the car door and got inside.

Ashley sighed. "After his soul protector escorting you back to the principal, you would at least think he'd be the one checking up on you every hour."

The thing was, he didn't even step foot in my room after the night of the incident.

I gave Ashley a half-hearted smile. "It's not his fault, Ashley. He has every right to be mad."

It was true. I disrespected him. I admired Samuel the moment we met, but I just went and disrespected him. I was at fault here.

Samantha grabbed my arm as the car door opened. She put me gently inside, being careful to not put too much weight on my left ankle, despite my constant assurance that it didn't hurt anymore.

Samantha sat on my left, Ashley on my right, and Samuel next to the car door. There were plenty of elites between me and Samuel - Ashley included. I was hoping to talk to him and apologize properly. I figured my apology to him last week was lame, and that he deserved more than that. I also wanted him to talk to me again. I feared that I was slowly losing Samuel. I would swallow my pride rather than Samuel unfriending me.

Even though the elites' loud talking filled the car, I was deaf to it. I was lost in my own mind in trying to find a way how to approach Samuel without making him angrier.

Samantha noticed I was deep in thought. She poked me to get my attention. She successfully did as I turned in her direction. She offered me a small round candy wrapped in a red wrapper. It said apple flavor on it."You l-look stressed. Sweet things a-are good if you need to t-take a break f-from thinking."

I smiled and patted her head, taking the candy from her in the process. "Thanks, Samantha."

After that, I went back to brainstorming on how to I could make Samuel talk to me again.

We already found a parking spot in school, and I still hadn't thought of a plan. I set that aside for later. My main focus right now would be the collaboration.

Before I got out of the car, I noticed almost all the whole students in the school were gathered in front of the school gates. The congregation made me stop abruptly. Ashley's nose bumped into my shoulder. She yelled out. "Hey, what's gotten into you?!"

I slowly turned around and said in a hushed voice. "Do you have to be with your classmate when they're putting you in your designated class?"

The girl raised an eyebrow at my question and shook her head. "You don't have to. You can stand with the nineteen-year-olds for all they care. Just make sure you hear your name when they do roll calls. That's the most important part."

You may ask - what's the matter with sticking with my classmates? Well, you see, Sasha and Elijah might see me exiting the limousine. I would give myself away if I do that. And I didn't want to let them know, at least not this soon.

Since Samantha was the closest to the car door, I grabbed both of her shoulders and ducked down, attempting to hide from the crowd. Samantha sucked in a sharp breath at the sudden proximity and I could see Samuel eyeing me in confusion. You could also see a glint of protectiveness in his gray orbs.

"What's w-wrong?" Samantha squeaked, her shoulders were tensed. 

"I need you to hide me until we can blend in the crowd." I whispered in her ear. She shivered from what I had done, but I was clueless to it as I scanned the crowd for familiar faces.

"H-Hide? From what?"

"I'll explain later, okay?" I patted her shoulders. "The others are waiting for us."

We both struggled to get out of the car. When we did, we were stuck in an awkward position. I had both of my hands on Samantha's shoulders and I held my head down behind her - which was useless since I was much taller than her. But hey, I'd take what I can get.

The elites surrounded us as we walked, hiding me even better. Samantha and I shuffled to keep up with them. I heard the 'normal' students murmur to themselves.

"Oh my gosh, it's them!"

"They look so cool. And they're just walking."

"I wish I can be an elite. I'll do whatever it takes to be one!"

"Same here! I'll study harder, be kind to everyone, and be an independent person. Maybe then I can join them!"

'I never knew they had this much influence on the 'normal' students. Or is it just for the title? Either way, it's spreading good vibes.'

I grinned at the thought. Never knew a lot of people admired the elites. Stacey was even one of them.

The smile on my face was replaced by a frown when I thought of Stacey. She was in the hospital. I wonder how's her condition was doing? Did she wake up yet? I hope she did. I pushed the questions at the back of my mind, not wanting to think about it further, or else I would ditch this collaboration and go to every hospital out there, just to know how Stacey was doing.

When we were mixed with the other students, some 'normals' couldn't suppress a small squeal. I ignored them and told Samantha, "If anyone's looking for me, just say I'm lost in the crowd, okay?"

"W-What do you-"

I didn't let her finish. I moved away from the elites - far away. I ended up with people a year older than me. I decided it was good enough. I plucked the red button off my sleeve and shoved it deep in my pockets. There, I was a normal student now.

A nineteen-year-old, unfortunately, saw me put my red button in my pocket. "Was that a red button? Are you an elite?" He asked excitedly.

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of my forehead in panic and nervousness. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

He squinted his eyes at me. "Show me what you have in your pocket."

I shook my head frantically. "No. I told you, it's nothing."

"If it's nothing, why don't you just show me?"

I gritted my teeth as irritation bubbled inside me, the nervousness and panic disappeared. Jolts of pain erupted from my lower back, not helping with anything. I grabbed something in my pocket and pushed it in the guy's face.

"There! It's apple candy. Feel better now?"

The guy's face turned red in embarrassment as he mumbled an apology. His friend shook her head and I heard her whisper to him. "Good luck on trying to be an elite. What you did just now is far from what an elite would do."

I sighed. I felt around my pockets and came across my red button, unseen and safe.

I didn't want anyone to know I was an elite, even strangers. I didn't accept the title fully. Once I was on level with the other elites, then I'd start seeing myself as one.

As the principal - Mister Angelo Carter, and the vice principal - Simon Alejandro were doing roll calls and putting each student in their class, I tried to forget what happened a minute ago by looking around the crowd, trying to spot Elijah or Sasha amongst the students.

I still didn't find them when I heard my name being called, "Matthew Martinez." Mister Angelo spoke. I pushed myself towards the front, mumbling apologies to those who I had bumped into. I arrived in front of the principal and showed a small smile, who he returned the gesture. 

"You're one interesting boy, Martinez. Mister Jacob specifically requested for you to join his class, which is in the gymnasium." The principal glanced at the crowd before raising his clipboard to his face and said lowly, "Are you sure you can handle gym class, Martinez? The collaboration consist of running, which may be critical to your..." Mister Angelo's gaze flitted to my foot. I got the message.

I casually waved it off. "Don't worry, mister Angelo. It already healed. I can take gym class." I toned my voice down to avoid suspicion. The principal frowned but said no objections.

"Then, you'll be associated with mister Jacob in his class. I suppose you know where the gymnasium is?" I nodded in reply. I left the suffocating crowd of students and was about to make my way towards the gym.

"Elijah Donterlo."

I stopped in my tracks when I heard his name. I looked back to see a guy with blonde hair and black eyes step up.

"You will be associated with miss Willow in Science class."

Elijah's nose scrunched up like he was dissatisfied with their choice. But smiled and nodded anyway.

It has been a long week since I last saw him. And the last I saw him was when I said I needed to go because of my brother's funeral. I hated that lie, but I couldn't turn back time. Before I left though, he took a good look at Samuel. Then it's almost like he recognized him. He looked at me and I could sort of see something flashed in his eyes. I had a hunch on what it was. It may be the feeling of... Betrayal.

Elijah started walking in my direction, head's down. He was five feet apart when he raised his head and met my eyes.

His black orbs looked like he wasn't surprised to see me. He had this face - the same as Samuel when I disobeyed the captain - it was unreadable.

Elijah, noticing my silence, forced a smile. "Welcome back, Matthew."

Guilt panged in my chest. That tone of voice... He knew something, there was no doubt about it. The question was, how much does he know?

"Hey, Elijah." I replied nervously. The guy in front of me averted his gaze by looking down again. "Never thought I'd see you like this. I expected to see you in Biology or the Grade 11 building in general," He chuckled humorlessly, something that  I didn't know he could do. "But you were never there, you left me alone and I suffered mister Asher's torture lectures."

I bit my lip in shame. I didn't know how to respond to that. He knew something and was suspicious about it. He was implying that he wasn't dumb to not notice something was going on - that I hid secrets from him. I was getting nervous, and panic was slowly rising in me, together with the guilt.

Elijah's eyes flickered around until he stopped at one point on the ground and raised his head once again with the same forced smile. His black orbs were glassy but dull. It didn't look good on him. He walked closer and patted my shoulder before saying, "We have a lot to catch up on. I'll see you later." Then, he proceeded to walk past me.

I stood frozen on the spot. It seemed my attempt to hide everything from him was futile. He already found out. But when? I swore none of the elites told him since it wasn't their business. And he couldn't have possibly seen me. The schedules of the elites and the 'normal' students were different for a reason - and that was to prevent them from seeing elite stuff.

I had one possibility left in my mind. I hoped it wasn't true. If it was, then I owe an explanation to Elijah, which would really be difficult since I couldn't reveal any of this to the 'normals.'

Could the possibility really be? That from the beginning, he already knew?