MATTHEW'S POV
I panted and huffed, my stomach was being pulled in all directions. The sun was shining, being one of the reasons I sweated so much. The other was getting away from being embarrassed further.
It was suspicious to enter the dorms when classes were commencing. I didn't care. I didn't want to go back and this seemed like the only choice I had. I entered the building, a wave of cold air hit my face. Stacey - god, how I missed her - looked up from her phone and gasped. "Matthew!"
I must have looked terrible given how shocked she was. It was understandable. I disappeared for three days.
"Where were you?! What did you do?! Why are you here?!" She got out of the counter and scurried towards me. She put both of her hands on my cheeks.
Her hands were so warm. It almost made me forget the reason why I was here. I leaned onto her touch, needing comfort right now. She got even more worried.
"Ugh, what am I doing? Obviously, you don't look so good." She dragged me behind the counter and made me sit. She pulled a water bottle from underneath a table and shoved it towards me. I got what she was trying to do. I opened the water bottle and took a sip.
"Start from the top. Don't rush. I'm here." I looked into her eyes. Her green orbs were laced with concern. I couldn't tell her I was an elite - not that I considered myself as one.
I hid the red button using my other hand.
I tried to think of an excuse. If I said I came from the elite building, she would freak out and ask questions I rather wouldn't answer. "M-My... Brother died." I was an only child, but she didn't know that.
She put a hand on her chest and sadness formed on her face. "Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss. When was this?"
'If I say it was three days ago, I wouldn't have to explain my disappearance.'
"Three days ago." I sniffed. Stacey pulled me into a hug.
"Awww, it's okay. He's in a good place now. Hey, why don't you borrow my sister?" She said in a joking manner. I immediately remembered Sasha. I missed her too. I missed her giggles, her smile, and I just missed her in general.
I wonder, was she also worried about me? Did she try to look for me? The thought made my heart beat faster.
"Thanks for the offer, Stacey. But I think Sasha wouldn't appreciate that." I laughed. Stacey squeezed my hand. "There you go. You're smiling again. When you entered, you looked so sad."
I bit my lip. Was I that disappointed when I couldn't summon my soul protector? Stacey could even see through me.
"Yeah. My brother and I were close." I was lying again. I felt like all I did was lie.
"What was the cause of his death?" She asked slowly, trying to be careful with her choice of words. If only she knew it wasn't affecting me in any way.
"He was hit by... A truck!" I said that in a tone like I had an idea. I gulped and said that again. "The driver was drunk and he was coming home from work. You can imagine what happened afterward." I looked away to make it more convincing. Stacey frowned. "Drivers these days. They just don't care about safety anymore."
This wasn't the talk I was expecting to make me forget what happened earlier. I was still grateful that Stacey was here.
"A friend of yours came to me yesterday." Stacey said.
"Who?"
"I think his name was Elijah?"
Guilt panged in my chest. I thought of him bitterly, when he treated me as a friend.
"What did he say?"
"He asked if I saw you anywhere. When I said I didn't, he left in a panic."
"I must have worried the poor guy." I chuckled. Stacey stared at me. "We all were." I was touched. Maybe I belonged in this type of lifestyle, unlike the elite ones.
"I'm sorry, Stacey. Next time, I'll inform you if anything happens."
She shook her head. "You don't have to. Just stay safe."
I smiled and nodded. "I will."
Stacey leaned back and asked. "So, what brings you here and out of class?"
I blinked and looked around frantically.
"I... Uh... Couldn't focus in class! The funeral of my brother made me so sad, the teacher gave me permission to take my time and grieve." I rubbed an eye to pretend tears were about to fall. I was getting so good at lying, I had the acting skills to back it up.
Stacey stood up and pointed at the elevator. "You look tired, Matthew. Go and rest."
"O-Oh, I'm fine-"
"I won't take no as an answer." She made her point across. "Go. And. Sleep."
'But I slept for three days already.'
I sighed and smiled at her. I thanked Stacey. "What for?" She tilted her head.
"For being there for me." I grinned. Stacey laughed and waved her hand. "It was nothing. I'm always here if you want to talk, Matthew."
"I'll remember that."
I headed towards the elevator and pushed my floor number. As the doors closed, I gave Stacey one last smile.
I exhaled in relief when the doors closed. All of this lying was unhealthy for me. I was no different from my mom. I was hiding the truth to protect them from a world of danger. I understood my mom a little bit more now, but I was still upset. It was different from them. I had the right to know since I was going to follow in her footsteps!
'They're gonna feel the same way if they found out, Matthew.'
I knew that. Yet I still did it. It's not like I had any other choices. I was already a laughingstock to the elites, I couldn't also be the one who would anger them.
I arrived on my floor. The room number 123 stirred up emotions in me.
'I couldn't even enjoy the coziness of this room.'
I twisted the doorknob. Everything was left as it is. The room looked the same and as empty as before.
I plopped on the bed. I snuggled my pillow and buried my face in it. I let out a muffled groan. Something on my back was killing me, like pins and needles. I stood up from my bed and lifted my shirt up. There was nothing.
'Why does it hurt then?'
I poked the spot. A twinge of pain shot right through me. 'The hell?'
I assumed it was because I ran all from the elite building to the dorms, I hurt my back so I didn't think much of it. I went back to my bed and saw my phone lying there. I picked it up, and to my surprise, it still had some battery. I turned my phone on. So many missed calls from mom shocked me. There were 20 missed calls and 99 text messages.
I checked some of the messages and the majority of it was 'Are you okay? What happened? Please text me back.'
I gripped the cellphone in my hand. I was so confused about what I should feel right now. I wanted to text my mom back to show her I was okay, but I also wanted to make her feel what I was feeling right now - clueless and scared.
I hated feeling this way. Mom took care of me even if she still had to go to school the next day. She never left me alone. But I was still hurt. How could she keep something this big from me? Why avoid it? If she did this when she was in high school, why couldn't I?
My questions seemed endless. My head hurt. I think I earned myself a short nap. I hugged my pillow and appreciated the coldness of it. My eyes drooped. And I felt myself slip into a blissful sleep, away from the questions and the world.
-
I woke up because of someone knocking on my door. I sat straight up and yawned. 'What time is it?'
I turned my phone on to see it was 4 p.m. I slept for three hours. School must have ended by now. The knocking kept getting louder and louder. I was annoyed. "Okay! Stop it already." I said and went to open the door.
On the other side was a shocked and relieved Elijah with a happy beyond belief Sasha. "Matthew!" They both exclaimed and barged inside to hug me. I stumbled back from the vigor of their hugs. We landed loudly on the floor - me being the one who was suffering from their weight.
I groaned. They were crushing me. "G-Guys... I can't breathe." I choked out.
They quickly stood up and muttered a series of apologies. Elijah helped me stand up. After he did, he shook me back and forth which made me dizzy and more awake. "You got some nerve disappearing from us like that! The last time I saw you was when you left for the gym! And Sasha said you didn't come back from the library! What the hell, man?!"
I struggled to get away from his grip. When I finally got away, I took the red button off from my sleeve and slid it underneath the bed. Sasha managed to glance as it did. "What was that?"
"What was what?" I asked dumbly.
"I saw something go underneath your bed."
"It's probably a cockroach."
"A cockroach?" Sasha's lip quivered. Elijah was about to kneel on the floor when I stopped him. "Hey! I owe you guys an explanation. Why don't we go somewhere?"
I pushed them out and closed the door. "I really need it right now." It was supposed to be because my brother died, but I felt like I wanted to forget the laughs, the shame, the stares, and the embarrassment.
"Okay...? You think the school doesn't mind us walking around outside in our uniforms?" Elijah motioned at our clothes.
Sasha thought about it and shrugged. "I think they won't."
"We should go now. I don't think it'd be best to wander outside when it's dark." The two nodded in agreement.
"Just a second, though." I quickly said before going back to my dorm room and snatching my phone off the bed. I put it in my pocket.
We headed towards the elevator and pressed the button on the ground floor.
When the elevator stopped and its doors opened, Stacey whipped her head up. "Where are you guys going?"
"We haven't decided yet. Just somewhere away from here, I guess." I quickly added. "I need it right now."
Stacey made an 'oh' sound. She smiled knowingly and sadly at me. "Condolences again, Matthew."
The other two looked so confused. "Thanks, Stacey." We exited the dorms and Elijah immediately asked, "What happened, Matthew? You're making us worried." Elijah frowned. Sasha looked like she was about to cry for me. That made me almost stop breathing.
"I'll tell you all about it later, okay? For now..." I let my eyes drift towards the campus for any sign of the elites. "... Let's go somewhere to talk."
Sasha raised her hand. "I know a small cafe nearby. Wanna go there?"
"Great idea! Shall we?" We went towards the school gates. As we were walking, I had my guard up. I was constantly checking behind us to see if anyone was following us. When there was none, I would sigh.
Elijah heard this and was suspicious. "Why so skittish, dude? You afraid someone's stalking you or something?"
'More or less. I doubt they would look for someone like me.'
"N-No. I just wanted to admire the place a little more." Lies. Lies. Lies. All Lies. Something weighed down heavily in my chest. They were worried for me and I couldn't tell them the truth.
'Sorry, guys. I don't want to be chased by the elites who can summon their soul protector freely.'
"I get it. I also couldn't believe when my dad enrolled me here." Elijah chuckled. "This seems like a school where everyone is a 'good kid'. Not really my forte."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, Matthew." He began. "If you haven't noticed yet, trouble is always with me."
I stifled a laugh. "Yeah, you already proved that when you got detention on the first day."
Elijah looked proud. "See? I live up to my reputation."
Sasha giggled. "You also look the part." She said as she brushed some of his hair aside.
The black-eyed boy and green-eyed girl flirted as we walked towards the cafe. I didn't feel anything anymore - let me rephrase that. I felt happy for them. Their feelings looked mutual and I should leave it alone. Besides, I had other things to think about.
We walked past a park and multiple kiosks. Dozen of people were out and about, talking to their companion or just taking a relaxing stroll outside.
We arrived at a small and dainty cafe called 'Beanylicious'. It had a humble ambiance to it.
Elijah opened the door for Sasha and went inside himself. I followed after. The brown-ish walls of this cafe complimented the checkered pattern of the white and black tiles with small windows on the walls. Numerous tables and chairs scattered around the cafe. A small counter to order from was located at the front, a wide menu on the top was displayed for us to easily pick our orders. The strong smell of coffees and sweets wafted through the air and filled my nostrils. It made my mouth water as I grew excited to eat some food.
The cafe certainly had a welcoming atmosphere. The smiles on the employees already said so.
"Hello! Welcome to Beanylicious cafe! What can I get for you today?" The person at the counter beamed.
"I'll have a caramel macchiato with a side of two glazed donuts please." I said and brought my wallet out.
"I'll have a strawberry smoothie with 5 small cookies!" Sasha gleefully ordered.
"Can I get a chocolate frappe with an egg sandwich?" Lastly, Elijah spoke.
I turned to the two of them. "It'll be my treat. It's the least I can do for worrying you."
Elijah smirked and raised his hands. "I won't refuse that offer."
I laughed and shook my head before paying for the total amount. The cashier accepted it and smiled. "Names?"
"Matthew."
"Sasha."
"Elijah."
The cashier wrote our names in a tall plastic cup. "If you hear your names being called, please step right up to the counter." We all nodded.
We went to find a seat for us. We found an unoccupied one at the corner. There were a decent amount of people here, making the place lively. Chatters of the people filled the place with noise, a perfect place for talking.
"So..." Elijah trailed off as he sat beside Sasha. "You said you were gonna explain everything."
I played with my fingers and squirmed in my seat.
'I can use the 'My brother died' excuse like I did with Stacey. But I could also just tell them I'm an elite, nothing more. I won't mention the whole soul protectors and Ventifios. They have been such good friends, they deserve to at least know half of the truth.'
"I..." My voice faded. I was starting to have second thoughts.
Sasha and Elijah stared at me expectantly. "You...?"
I sighed deeply. I couldn't say it. I couldn't bring myself to. All of this was too much for a person to comprehend. Heck, I still couldn't believe it. If I say that I was part of the elites, they would ask more questions that would eventually lead to revealing the secret. Not really reveal, but I would accidentally drop hints about it.
"I lost a brother."