Chapter Six: Who Are You?

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The Landlady is here?!

I felt like I was having a slight internal mental breakdown. I let myself sink beneath the suds on top of the water, hoping that they would be enough to hide me as I heard the Landlady's footsteps come closer to the door. I remained perfectly still so as not to have the water slosh around. I did not want to see her today, especially since I was supposed to pay her the rent last week, but I did not have the money at the time. For a moment, I thought that maybe she had gone away. I was proven wrong when I felt a hand wrap itself around my bicep and pull me up above the water. There she was, staring right down into my soul with disappointment written all over her face.

I think she might be mad.

"I believe this belongs to you," she said as she let go of me and slid my faux-leather purse off her left shoulder to show me.

"My purse-," I blinked, feeling very confused as she hung the strap on the bathroom door handle. "How did you get that?" I asked as my eyes traveled from my purse to her face.

"One of your very charming friends contacted me this morning," she began, sounding more than annoyed.

"How did they even-," I tried to ask before she put her hand out in front of my face.

"Shut up, Miss Anatolio. I wasn't done speaking. It's rude to interrupt others," she nagged.

I sat up straight in the tub, crossing my arms over my chest with a huff, waiting for her to chew me out.

"As I was saying... One of your friends contacted me this morning. You're lucky to have such good friends, Shiro. They didn't explain much at first except ask for my address because I couldn't give yours to them without your consent. They had something of yours but had no way to contact you. Well, low and behold, two of them show up at my door within the hour. You should have seen the worry in their eyes, which made me concerned when they handed me your purse, saying your phone was inside it. I have known you for four years, Shiro, and I know you never leave to go anywhere without your purse, let alone your phone. So, when they told me that they hadn't seen or heard from you since late yesterday afternoon, it sent a chill down my spine! When I asked them why they gave me your things instead of delivering them to you the next time they saw you, they said you had never told them where you lived. Honestly, woman... Haven't you known these men long enough to trust them with even that little fact," she carried on as she put her hands on her hips with her tone getting sterner with each sentence. "Well, they asked me to return these to you and to give you a message for them. They want you to call them as soon as humanly possible. They're worried sick about you, and so was I! They said you just disappeared, and they couldn't find you! I really thought you had been kidnapped or something! Oh, and while I am here, you still owe me rent money, Missy. So, what have you got to say for yourself, hm?"

I felt myself going white. It seemed too much to take in all at once. I knew that those men cared, but I never thought they would go out of their way like this for me. I was not sure how to feel, but I felt trapped. What on earth would be expected of me? I had left them in such a chaotic manner that I did not know how to face them, let alone call them. I could only stare at my landlady, conflicted in how I should answer. As for the rent money, that was another problem all on its own.

~***~

~Two Days Later~

I have been doing my utmost best to avoid my friends. It has not been easy, though. My phone has more missed calls than I have fingers and toes combined. Oh, and text messages? My inbox is literally full... It feels wrong to avoid them like this. I think that they deserve an explanation, but I no longer possess the courage to tell them. I was beyond ready a couple of days ago, but after that chaotic fiasco that took place, I don't know if I will ever be able to tell them now. I want to go to the library today and perhaps do some more research. I have to return a file that the librarian gave me last week. Learning about my powers would be so much easier if my mother was still alive or even my father, for that matter. Perhaps my life would have been easier if they were there to raise me, but shit happens, and I got the short straw of life as it seems.

I looked down at my watch... 13:42. I got up from my kitchen chair, taking the short two steps to my closet. I pulled on the wooden knob to open it, only to stare at the very few clothing items that I owned. I know one would think that having celebrities as your best friends might mean having decent or more clothes, but I have never let them buy anything for me. I have too much pride to let someone take pity on my poverty. Although my friends are not even aware of my financial situation, nor do I plan on informing them anytime soon.

I grabbed a magenta button-up sundress. I did not feel like wearing pants today. I slid the dress over the top of my head, letting it fall down to my knees. Then I buttoned it up, starting from the bottom at my waist. Once I was done, I thought about doing something with my hair, but I felt too lazy. Therefore, I grabbed my backpack up off the floor of the closet and shut it. I slid over to my nightstand, opening its drawer. I kept all my socks and underclothes here; I picked up a pair of white ankle socks before closing the drawer. I then sat down on the edge of my bed and slid my socks on. I took a deep breath before standing up and walking over to the door. I suddenly got a bad feeling in my gut, and I did not like it one bit. I thought of staying indoors again for today, but something told me that I should not. I placed a hand against the wall and slipped on my sneakers. People may look at me weird for my wardrobe choice, but I prefer to dress comfortably rather than stylishly. I grabbed my phone and keys from the kitchen counter and put them in my backpack before zipping it up and placing it on my back.

I opened my apartment door, only to be greeted by the harshly bright sunlight and a surprised-looking landlady. My happy mood was obliterated in mere seconds. She looked like she was here on serious business.

Oh shit... This is going to be about the rent that I still owe, isn't it?

"Well, good afternoon, Miss Anatolio. I was on my way here to bother you about your rent when I received an interesting phone call," the landlady started, "Can you ever guess who it was?"

"Oh... Good afternoon, Ma'am. No, I'm not really sure; who called?" I replied, clutching the straps of my backpack as I waited in anticipation.

"A man that goes by the name of Tayden. He asked me if I had found you. To which I said that I had. You know what he asked after that?" She continued on, sounding rather amused.

"I have no idea. What did Tayden ask you?" I cautiously asked back in a monotonous voice.

"He asked if I had any idea as to why they couldn't get ahold of you still. I told them that it was my suspicion of you not paying your rent yet, which, might I add, is over a week late now. He sounded worried when he asked me next about why you hadn't paid it yet. Of course, I told him that you were probably still trying to come up with it. He had the strangest solution that anyone has ever given me. Can you ever guess what he did?" She asked me again with a forming grin, placing her hands on her hips.

"What did Tayden do...?" I nervously asked back, biting the inside of my cheek.

"He offered to pay your rent for this month as well as the next twelve months!" She clapped her hands together once in a highlighted amusement.

Oh, my sweet goddess... Please, tell me this is a joke or even a dream!

"He... What...?" I stiffened, my face going white, feeling like I had lost the ability to speak.

"Yes, he offered to pay your rent for this month and in advance! He did too. So, you don't owe me a dime for the next year! Isn't that wonderful news?" She gleamed, wagging a finger in front of my face.

"No...," I slipped out, a feeling of dread running through my veins. Then as if like clockwork, I heard my phone ring in my backpack. My breath hitched. I could only assume it was Tayden, but all I could feel was utter embarrassment right now.

If this is a dream, please, wake me up from this nightmare reality...

"No?" She looked at me confused and then concerned when she noticed my condition. "Dear girl, whatever is the matter? I thought this would be good news, happy news, and are you going to answer that blasted phone of yours? He did mention he was going to call you after."

Oh, I hate it when I am right sometimes...

"I can't," I blurted out, my hands tightening around my backpack straps even more. My shoulders had stiffened, and my stomach started to do somersaults.

"Why ever not?"

"It... It's complicated to explain," I tried to stress, gulping down the lump in my throat.

"The least you can do is thank the man. I would pick up if I were you," she crossed her arms as she judgingly stared at me.

Not wanting to argue, I quickly and robotically slid my backpack off one arm and unzipped the top, thrusting an arm down into it. I grabbed my phone, pulling it out, but just as I did, it stopped ringing. I frowned as I looked at the missed call. It was from Tayden, after all. I did not have long to pout because my phone began to ring again. Tayden's contact came up on the screen. I looked at my landlady, who only urged me on with a wave of her hand. I looked back down at my phone and swiped the green button. I took in a deep breath before slowly raising the phone to my ear. I stayed silent, unable to mutter a single word. My anxiety had skyrocketed so much that I felt stress sick.

"Shiro? Are you there?" Tayden spoke through the phone.

"T-Tay...," I stuttered, another wave of anxiety rushing over me. Overwhelmed, I felt a sting in the corner of my eyes. I did my best not to choke on the unexpected flood of emotion.

"What's wrong," he immediately picked up on the off-key tune that I had scarcely expressed.

"Tayden, I-...," I tried, wanting to say so many things to him all at once, but instead, I rushed out my final words, "Thank you," I said before quickly hanging up the phone. I turned my phone off before he had a chance to re-dial me.

"Well, it's a start," the landlady shook her head with a sigh before pulling me into an unexpected hug. "Don't cry. There's nothing to be upset about. Whatever you seem to be going through with those friends of yours, don't fret over it. They obviously don't hold a grudge against you, or they wouldn't have taken such an initiative to try to get ahold of you," she patted my back before pulling back and patting my cheek. "Cheer up, Shiro. Everything will work out in the end. You're a very bright woman with a heart of gold. You can do anything you put your mind to. Don't let anyone tell you differently." With those final words, she left me standing there in my doorway as I wiped my eyes.

I sniffled before putting my phone back in my backpack and slipping my arm back through the empty strap. Then, I locked my door before closing it. I looked up at the sky; there was not a single cloud in sight. I closed my eyes and took in a big deep breath before slowly letting it out. I opened my eyes as I looked down the road ahead of me. I took the first step off my porch as I set out for the library.

~***~

~One Week Later~

My phone has been off since the day Tayden called me. I could not risk another potential breakdown in front of any of them, even over the phone. I hated the fact that I had let them see me in a weakened state. I just didn't understand why I felt so emotional, but perhaps I would know in time. On the other hand, maybe I am just getting close to having my period.

Today, I am sitting beneath a red-leaf maple tree in the public park on South Bird Avenue. There's a gentle breeze here and there, which I find very relaxing with the current humidity. The sky has been cloudy all day, and the heat is in the high 80s Fahrenheit. It is just past noon now, but I have been here since six this morning; it was much cooler then. I have a checkered tan knitted polyester blanket spread out beneath me. I have no book, purse, bag, or even my phone with me. I only brought along this blanket. The Park is about six blocks from my apartment, and about twelve blocks from the company building my friends work for. My eyes are closed as I listen to a nearby finch sing.

My mind keeps going back to the day Tayden called me. I do feel guilty for not really giving him a chance to speak. I would and should call him back, but I feel scared. One might wonder what there is to be afraid of. Well, I am scared to face the inevitable reality where I will have to explain that day. I do not feel ready to explain something so complicated in any way, shape, or form. All I can imagine are them looking at me like a total freak and not wanting to associate themselves with me anymore. They say true friends will stick with you to the bitter end, no matter what may come. I should trust them more like they trust me but trusting another has been hard for me for so many years. People are so quick to judge without knowing the whole story.

My relaxed body tensed up all at once when I heard a familiar voice; it sounded like they were standing in front of me. My mouth felt dry, and I could only hope that perhaps I imagined it. Of course, that option was washed away when I heard the voice again, except so much closer to me.

"Shiro? Are you asleep?" He asked before nudging my shoulder a little.

I tried to be as still as a statue, but my tensed muscles would probably give me away.

"No, I don't think you are sleeping," he chuckled.

Uh-oh... Busted...

"If you don't open your eyes," he began as I felt his nose against the side of my neck, "then I might just have to," he drawled as his arms encircled my waist, "tickle you.~"

No. No, no, no. Don't you DARE! You know I hate being tickled!

"Hmm," he gingerly breathed against my neck, "I'll give you to the count of three then," he tapped his fingers against me, "One..."

Wait, he's serious!?

"Two..."

Of all the timing in the world-

"Thr-," he started before I shot my eyes open.

"Absolutely not, Justin!" I reached around to my side and subdued his hands on my waist.

"Good afternoon, Bestie," he beamed before giving my cheek a quick peck.

He did not just-

I tried to turn my flushed face toward his, but he had buried his face back into my neck, nuzzling it with his nose. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. "You're very affectionate today. How did you find me, though? Don't you have work today? Shouldn't you be mad at me?"

"Oh," he hummed, "I am mad, furious in fact. However, I'm more relieved to see you. So much that I don't think I have it in me to scold you for running away from us like that."

I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling awkward and at a loss for words.

"Shiro," his voice dropped as he held me a little tighter, "we have been so worried about you. Do you know that instead of working, we've been out every day looking for you? I've called you every day for the past week. All my calls were forwarded to a fully-inboxed voicemail, and none of my texts were delivered."

"My phone has been off. I haven't bothered to turn it on," I quietly replied, the guilt building up inside me.

"Why? I've missed you so much," he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes.

"I was scared...," I admitted.

"Scared? Of us," he asked, concerned, a look of hurt in his gaze. "Don't you trust us?" He gradually let go of me, giving me space.

"No, no, of course, I trust you!"

"Then what...?"

"I was scared of myself, scared to face any of you, scared to face reality! I didn't know how I could explain that day and everything else that has happened," my voice cracked.

"Shiro, you're not making any sense," he spoke as he backed even further away, the atmosphere changing around us.

"It- It's complicated, Justin," I stuttered as I watched him get up. I reached out for him, but he stepped out of reach, "Wait, why are you moving away???" I started to feel a rush of panic as the sky suddenly turned dark and the wind howled. I frantically looked around, noticing the birds weren't singing anymore or anywhere to be seen. The clouds looked angry, and the look on Justin's face was breaking my heart.

"You're not my Shiro... Who are you?"

It was like looking back at a total stranger. I felt my heart crack until it was in shambles. The next thing I witnessed ripped a horrific scream from my lungs.

A bolt of lightning came out of nowhere, directly hitting Justin. His body was reduced to ash, a scattered black detonation mark where he once stood.

I wailed as small twisters formed in the city, growing stronger the more that the winds howled. My emotions were out of check as I tightly held the sides of my head. The city was going to be destroyed all because of me. History was about to repeat itself.

- End of Chapter Six -

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