Feeling Better

As I move down the hallway, it feels like I am floating. With the weight of everything I had been experiencing recently gone, I feel great. And it's all thanks to Drew.

I almost can't believe that at the beginning of the school year I thought Drew was an antisocial weirdo. Now that I know him, I find he's a pretty cool person. It's a good thing I met him...or he met me, he's the one who helped me that day after all.

Lost in thoughts, I don't pay attention to my surroundings and I bump into somebody. I turn around, meaning to apologize. It is Arthur.

"Sor–" He shoots me a murderous glare, causing my words to stick in my throat. For some reason, at that moment, he scares me more than I've ever been scared before.

After a few seconds, he turns around and walks away, leaving me sweating as I stare at his retreating back. At that moment, I have no idea what just happened.

* * * * * *

Drew

Once I am out of the cafeteria, I head toward the nearest toilet. My mind is running in full gear as I think of all Ian just told me. He can see them. That is bad, very bad. He's lucky they have not acted yet.

How can he see them though? It should not be possible unless he is an Erhaz. But if he is an Erhaz, how come no one noticed? Is he a late bloomer? Another explanation is that they might have made him see, but if they did I would have sensed their influence on him but I didn't sense anything.

Whatever the case might be, it did not change the fact that it could prove very bad if I don't act soon. I would have to go to the Metorium tomorrow. It's a good thing I compelled him to talk to me, otherwise.

I get to the toilet and lock myself in an empty stall. I bring out my phone and call Lathia.

It rings three times before it is picked.

"Is anything wrong?" she asks as soon as she picks up the call. She sounds anxious."Do you need help? Should we come over?"

"Calm down, at least allow me to speak. Yes, something is wrong but you don't need to come over. I just need you to tell the others that we'll be going to the Metorium tomorrow. I'll tell you all about it when we meet tomorrow."

"But our miss–"

"It can wait. This is more important."

She is quiet for some time. I know she is thinking about what I just said."Is it Ian?" she finally asks.

"Yes."

Another pause."Okay. I'll tell them. The bookshop?"

"Yes," I say before finally cutting the call.

I put my phone into my pocket and leave the toilet. Till tomorrow comes, I will do nothing. I don't even know what to do anyway.

* * * * * *

Ian

As I sit in the library, staring at a book in front of me, my fear for Arthur slowly gives way to anger. What on earth made him think he could stare at me like that? Who does he think he is? Does he think I will be scared by such a pitiful thing? I bumped into him, and so what? Things like that happen all the time, besides I even tried to apologize, yet he stared at me like that. Next time I see him, I'll bump into him just to spite him, and I won't give a crap about his stupid stare. He probably thinks he looks cool staring at people like that idiot.

I continue my inner tirade like that until I feel better, then I try to read the book I have in front of me. It doesn't take me long to realize that I picked a very boring book to stare at.

I try to force myself to read the book and, the next thing I know, the final bell rings signaling the end of school. I look around in surprise. I must have unknowingly fallen asleep.

I return the book to the shelf and leave the library.

The day seems perfect as I walk home, people smiling around me, the sun not too hot, cool breeze, just perfect. I breathe in and out deeply and plaster a smile on my face. What makes me feel even better is that tomorrow is Friday.

When I get home, I head straight to my room, after making a small snack, and turn on my laptop. I have made up my mind not to do anything today and I intend on keeping that promise. I connect my earphones to the laptop and begin to watch movies.

I lose track of time and day slowly turns into night. At some point, I hear someone knocking on my room door. I take off my earphones.

"Come in," I say.

My mom enters the room and walks to my reading table and sits on it.

"You're back!" I say surprised. I look at the time on my laptop. Half-past nine. Time has really flown by.

"I am. How was your test?"

"It was okay. I'm pretty sure I passed all of them."

"That's good. Dinner's ready."

"Okay. Can I eat in my room?"

She sighs."Fine. But if I come in here and see any plates tomorrow, you will be doing the dishes for a week."

I stare at her. Something seems wrong. She looks weary."Mom, is everything okay?"

She looks at me curiously."Yes. Why do you ask?"

"You look...I don't know...somehow sad."

She laughs."Somehow sad? I'm just tired."

"Maybe you should get some sleep," I say concerned. She slowly gets up. I wonder if I said something wrong.

"You're right. I will. Goodnight." then she walks out of the room. A second later I hear her voice."Your dinner's in the microwave."

"Okay. Thanks."

One day, I promise myself as I stare at the closed door. One day she won't have to won't have to work so hard anymore.

I get up and go to the kitchen. I see a plate on the microwave and take it back to my room. My stomach growls as the smell hits my nose.

I pat it gently."Don't worry little one," I say gently, "You are about to be fed."

With the plate in front of me, I put my earphones back on and resume the movie I had been watching before my mom came.

At some point in the night, I open my eyes to see the movie's credits on my laptop's screen, an empty plate beside me. I feel so tired. I must have fallen asleep. With a groan, I close the laptop and drop the plate on the floor. Then I roll around and fall back asleep.

The next morning, the first thing I do is take the plates to the kitchen and wash them. My mom might have sounded unserious when she threatened me with the dishes for a week, but I knew better. She would fulfill that threat if she found those plates in my room.

Once I am done, I head back to my room to prepare for school. As I pack my bag, I hear a knock on my door.

"Come in," I say, already knowing who it is.

My mom enters the room."Good morning mom." I say. She looks better than she did yesterday.

"Good morning." she greets as her eyes scan the room. I know what she is looking for but don't say anything.

She seems satisfied after a few seconds and turns to look at me."You've taken off your bandage," she says suddenly.

"Uh-huh. My head feels okay so I decided to remove it." I reach out and touch the back of my head. It has been a long time since I could do that. My fingers soon discover a small hollow covered by hair and begin to explore it.

She opens her mouth and then closes it while shaking her head slightly."Are you hungry?"

My stomach growls answering her question.

"Okay then," she says."Let's go and eat. I've made breakfast."

"Give me a minute. Once I finish up I'll come."

"Okay." she walks out of the room.