They spent lots of time together whenever they had free time. Sometimes they would go shopping or just spend time hanging out together. They had become best friends at least four years ago and they would always meet during Circoe's lunch breaks if neither of them had classes. "Do you guys have any plans this Saturday?"
Circo shrugged indifferently. "I don't know. I guess we can just see where Miri is going to go."
Tarek frowned slightly at his response. "What do you mean?"
Circoe hesitated slightly before finally answering Tarek's question. "Well, you know Mirri. She's probably gonna ask Circoe and I if we wanna tag along and play games at her house, maybe watch movies. She's planning on spending the weekend with her boyfriend." Circoe paused slightly. "Is he still coming? Does he even live nearby?"
Tarek furrowed his brows. He honestly didn't know. Circoe's relationship status was complicated and Tarek didn't have any idea whether Circoe's ex-boyfriend was living with him now. "I don't know Circoe. I don't actually know that guy's address, so I can't tell you if he lives near us or not," Tarek admitted. "But I'll ask Mirri and I'll let you know, okay?"
Circoe shrugged as he stood up straighter. "Sure. That makes sense. I'll wait for Miri. I don't really feel like waiting around all day anyway. Maybe I'll just head to town and grab a coffee then?" Circoe suggested.
Tarek nodded. "Yeah. If you want to come with me, I should start moving so I can get there quicker. I've already wasted enough time here. I'm sorry I have to go to class so soon. Are you still coming over later?"
"If you want to come over, yeah. I still have to change clothes anyways." Circoe nodded.
"Cool! I'll see you later, bye." Tarek waved goodbye to Circoe as he turned around and started walking out of the door. He stopped briefly once he reached the doorway to glance over his shoulder toward Circoe. "Bye C. Take it easy today." Tarek called out to him. After receiving only a brief acknowledgement of his friend's wishes, Tarek continued on his way toward the classroom.
Once Tarek was gone, Circoe pulled the blanket tighter around his body as his eyes wandered back towards the mirror. He stared at his reflection for a long time before letting out a deep sigh. What did he look like now? Did his hair and eye color look different? Or was he still missing his glasses? There were so many questions swimming through his head but none of them mattered right now. All Circoe knew was that he wasn't going to school like this anymore.
The sun was shining brightly overhead when Circoe walked back inside the school, hoping that perhaps he might find his friends sitting around someplace. But his friends were not present. Instead, they were all gathered inside of the main library reading quietly and working on homework assignments. Circoe felt disappointment fill his heart at the sight of that. The only person he wanted to be with now was Circoe. Circoe found himself glancing across the room every couple moments as though to make sure Circy was really there. Finally, when the bell rang signaling the end of recess, Circoe took a deep breath and made his way across the room, heading straight towards his friends who were talking away about something that he couldn't catch from a distance.
"Hey Circe," Rachel greeted him with a wide smile.
"Hi," Circoe returned the greeting. He glanced over at Miri. She seemed to be engrossed by her book but was also looking around, probably searching for him. "Miri looks worried. Something happen with Circoe?"
"Not too long ago, he was kidnapped. By the enemy. And apparently we are supposed to be guarding him because we lost the key to our safe house. He's not allowed to leave this place unless someone from the school is with him. Even then, I don't think he has any intention of leaving the grounds." Rachel answered before continuing on. "You didn't know?" She questioned.
Circoe shook his head. "He never mentioned that to me." Circoe was glad that they hadn't found out before Circoe told them himself. He didn't want anyone to blame themselves because of his recklessness. Circoe felt bad enough having to lie to his friends, especially Miri. She deserved better than that. "Are you alright? Was he able to convince you to leave?"
Rachel smiled widely. "Yeah, I left him." she explained. "It took me by surprise, but I did it. We were all relieved to hear about it. He told us what had happened and we both agreed to keep the information between us and ourselves for now. We don't know what will happen next, but Circo seems to be doing well, and we want to wait to tell anyone else until after we have a chance to talk things through with him first."
"Yeah, he's been very strong about keeping things secret so far. It's good that he managed to pull through all of that," Miri added on.
"That he has. We just want to make sure he's doing alright, especially since it's so important for his safety," Rachel replied before turning her attention back toward Circo, who had begun speaking with his friend. "Hey Circoe! Come sit down. You need to talk."
Circo smiled softly as he took his seat on the floor between Rachel and Miri's chairs.
"How much did you two hear?" Circoe asked as he looked back and forth between Rachel and Miri.
"Enough. I'm worried. Are you okay?" Rachel asked.
Circoe sighed lightly. "Yeah. Just tired is all. This whole situation is stressful."
Rachel nodded understandingly as she reached over and placed her hand reassuringly on Circoe's arm. Miri offered him a reassuring nod as she did the same.
"We just don't want you to do anything risky," Rachel stated sincerely.
Circo couldn't help but laugh in response. "Don't worry guys. Everything is going to be fine," Circoe assured. "Besides, you shouldn't worry about me anymore. This whole incident is done. I'm good now." Circoe tried to reassure his friends and make them understand how safe he felt after finally dealing with the problem that had caused his condition in the first place.
"Are you sure you're alright? It doesn't sound like you really are…" Miri commented hesitantly.
Circo sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. He definitely needed another haircut and it definitely would take him awhile to grow out that hair length. "I am Miri, I swear. Everything is okay," he reassured once more as he began reaching into his pocket. "Here," He said as he handed a piece of paper with an address and phone number on it towards the girls. "If you'd want to give me a heads up so I don't do something stupid again, I really appreciate it." Circoe smiled sheepishly as he watched the girls' expressions change drastically upon seeing the piece of paper in front of them.
Miriam quickly jumped up from her seat, making everyone jump at her sudden movement, and immediately grabbed the paper out of Circoe's hands. "You have got to be kidding me!" Miriam exclaimed excitedly.
Rachel and Circoe looked between their female friend and the paper confusedly before finally turning their attention to Miri.
Miriam was currently looking at the paper in front of her with the most joyful expression possible and she looked so happy at that moment. Not a single one of them could understand what was happening, other than they could feel happiness radiating off of Miriam. It was almost palpable, like the air itself was buzzing with excitement. But no words came to them and they simply waited patiently for Miri to say something.
After a few minutes, Miriam put down the piece of paper, looking extremely happy. "This is amazing. We have our own safe house!" Miriam exclaimed with an even bigger grin on her face.
Circo chuckled and shook his head. "I don't really know what's going on but this is great news. Now you won't have to worry as much about hiding Circo from the others. They don't know about my condition either so we're gonna be fine."
"Yes, but now that you're home and everything is settled, it's probably best that we move in together." Rachel suggested.
"You know that we're not going to be living together forever, right? We have to stay apart from each other for a while until it's safe for Circo and myself to return back to normal."
Miriam raised her eyebrow. "But why is that? You've already become a vampire and now that you're human again, it seems like things should be fine. Why not live your lives in peace for the meantime?"
Circe sighed slightly. "Because things aren't perfect yet. I still haven't been cured and I don't think I ever will be. That part of me is still inside of me and it's never going to go away.