"So, your parents are coming to pick you up, Ms. Sturluson?" The school's nurse enquired as she sat on the nearest seat near me, making it feel like an interview. Her fingers absently tapped a click pen against a piece of paper, the rhythmic sound adding to the surreal atmosphere of the moment.
"Actually, I'll walk my way home. My parents aren't available at the moment and my home's quite near too." I responded, tackling her sophisticated demeanor.
"Oh, will you be fine? Do you need someone to take you to your home? Perhaps one of your friends can help." The nurse asked, softening her tone.
Now, I kind of felt guilty for putting my guard up (I must seriously put a stop to my 'judging by the cover' attitude)—however, I won't apologize for that.
Anyway, at first thought, considering turning down the offer seemed the best choice as I hated the idea of becoming a bother to anyone—not because I'm kind but because I don't want to owe someone anything.
Besides I didn't have many acquaintances to begin with. But then... There was one person whom I wouldn't mind causing problems for—it was Pilo.
"Yes, I'd like my friend Pilo to help me, I guess," I reply with unintentional ambiguousness.
"Um... which class does she belong to, again?" The nurse asked, interrogating my lack of accuracy.
"Ah, Pilo... Pilo Wright is from the same class as me, an 11-C student," I replied trying to be concise.
She clicked her pen, stroked down the details, and then replied. "Okay then. I'll file a request and inform Ms. Wright immediately. You can join Ms. Wright in the admin office in ten minutes!"
The nurse dashed out of the infirmary to attend to her job, leaving me solitary in the somber room. As she faded away—I thought to myself, 'What a waste of her incredible abilities.' Saying so wouldn't be rude, but it doesn't mean I won't get expelled from the school.
It's a fact that her skills are being squandered in such a school, where they're bound to deteriorate. However, it's her decision and I'm no one to judge.
Next, I glanced at the wooden clock hanging at the entrance of the infirmary, which displayed 3:15 PM, making me realize it was time for the school activities to end. So, I rushed but gently enough to evade any pain.
Shutting the curtains, I quickly changed out of the sports uniform into the regular one that I had expected to have brought. I did this because a boatload of blood was painted on the uniform I was wearing. Plus, despite my fascination for vampires, I didn't want to cosplay them right now.
Sensing the lurking timelessness, I grab my bag from where it lay around my bed. Most probably it was the work of one of my classmates who'd brought it for me. How sweet of them to help a classmate who almost never talks to them...
After softly slapping my face to regain sanity and making my mind up, I propelled myself towards the entrance, gradually gaining momentum despite my powerlessness, embarking on my mini-adventure.
Simultaneously, the ache persisted—emotional, mental, and physical. Yet, I believed that oblivion was the finest remedy, so I chose to apply it.
I rushed to the admin office where Pilo was supposed to be waiting, but it was agonizing. My nose refused to cooperate, each gasp sending sharp pains that forced me to rely solely on my mouth for breath. The effort was exhausting in turn.
Therefore, I decided to take small but swift steps toward my destination which was the most rational and not-so-stupid method I could possibly think of. The slightly steep corridor demanded caution to avoid mishaps.
It'd be fine to say I was on a slippery steep.
Consequently, I almost slipped twice in this so-called mini-adventure, but I gave it my all to keep myself from faltering.
Climbing the steps, weighed down by the corridor's gravity, my spirits lifted as I glimpsed light at the end of the shadowed path. The exit meant the end of my agony—I was finally free!
I'm done with all the walking!
Upon entering the admin office, I heard a familiar voice calling me, "Rei, here!" but I couldn't seek the source as my eyes were bombarded with towers of lights.
"..."
Humans strive to become perfect, but despite their efforts, perfection remains a far dream. And I'm also of the same kind; a human. Even after not being able to trip twice in a row on my mini-adventure, I fumbled hard this time.
I fell...
I twisted my ankle as I reached the end of the corridor, so I fell...
And I fell so disastrously that the entire staff present in the office stood up to wonder which idiot fell down, though fortunately or unfortunately this time, I was able to evade my nose crashing.
Damn, gravity! I never expected it to betray me at the last moment.
After tumbling to the floor for a mere 1.75 seconds, I quickly regained my composure and forced an obligatory smile onto my face. The obligation of maintaining my image as a normal person.
"I'm fine," I said almost addressing everyone in the office whilst wiping dust off my skirt, though my statement was only for Pilo.
My legs tremble as if losing their strength, and my head feels like it's splitting apart.
"You don't seem so fine to me!" Pilo whispered into my ear as she grabbed my arm firmly.
The way she'd put on the uniform wasn't fitting for someone who was standing right at the heart of the teachers' headquarters, yet here she was. With her sleeves rolled up and loosened necktie, standing her ground to support me.
"Ah! D-Don't do that... It tickles." I said as she pulled me up from falling indefinitely.
While supporting me, her face held an unfaltering smile—it was soothing and comfortable. However, the fact that it was comfortable was unnatural, considering most of her other smiles were usually just smug.
"Endure it. Some tickles aren't worse than that injury you got there." Pilo said. Well, I guess it was harder for her to support me considering our enormous height difference of 20 centimeters.
Finally, the school bell rang rapidly, announcing the end of possibly the third-worst day of my life at this school. (By the way, the first and second are irrelevant so you don't need to think about them.)
"We've filed your case and your parents are notified about your injury... well, they were pretty concerned when they heard about your injuries but whatever. You're good to go." The nurse informed us, entering the office from the same corridor I entered.
"Yeah, sure," Pilo takes over my chance to reply nonchalantly following which the nurse instructs her, "Take her home properly, Ms. Wright."
Pilo then pulls us out of the office, making a quiet exit before anyone could notice her fashionable yet improper uniform.
The sweltering heat melted the asphalt beneath our feet, and my deep blue uniform seemed to intensify the excruciating pain I felt.
"You feeling hot?" Pilo asked, her words laced with a taunting smile but underscored by undeniable concern.
"Obviously not," I denied, refusing to grant her the satisfaction of both entertainment and concern.
Her face showed an expression of an empty whiteboard, but I could sense a hint of disappointment.
Pilo delicately, but against my will, dragged me under the shade of a tree and started rummaging for something in her bag. It didn't take her long to find what she was looking for as she immediately pulled out a comically large hat from her bag.
How the hell did it even fit in such a puny bag? Nah, is that bag some kind of black hole? I can't believe her.
"Wh-Where did you get that from? Wait, is that from the drama club? Did you borrow it without permission?" Questions flew out of my mouth like vomit. Why, you ask? I didn't want to have an association with any kind of thief, conversely, if I were given a chance I'd steal too. Though unlike her, I would do it with utmost secrecy. So, no one would even know they've been robbed.
"I don't need any permissions, I'm the club leader! Anyway, just wear it. I brought it thinking that it was made only for you, Rei. Especially after that fall, I thought you'd need it to cover your face..." Pilo replied confidently. Nonetheless, I respect her for thinking about me. I'm grateful for that.
Yet, I hesitate for a bit thinking how irresponsible of a person she is, and then come to a conclusion.
"I don't think it would fit me but if you insist..." I grab the huge hat and place it right on my head.
As I touched it, it felt like something was off. The material of the hat felt flimsy—actually, its quality didn't even merit mentioning. It was most probably because the clubs' budget was too low and almost felt non-existent at times. In the end, the school's management feels cultural clubs aren't worth investing in. But at the very least it wasn't filled with holes and insects.
The drama club's maintenance was commendable, but not its leader's actions.
"It fits perfectly, almost as if this hat was made just for me!" It was heavy to handle, however, I could manage it for now.
"Didn't I say that before? Anyway, I'm elated you liked it."
"That's great but don't forget to return it, secretly," I'm not sure how my wearing or not wearing the hat could be any reason to be elated.
"Sure, sure," Pilo said, reviving her nonchalant character.
She was one nasty liar, so her assuring me with repeating words didn't hold weight. You'd ask why I knew that—it's because, after all, I'm too a nasty liar... it's something we both share equally.
Next, we both fell silent while walking through the cool footpaths protected by the trees from the deadly lasers of the sun. My dizziness slowly dissipated, as we walked through the bustling city life. Tall buildings and good-for-nothing automobiles surrounded me, which evoked a bunch of emotions I often despised. Yet, amidst the chaos, they represented a fragment of peace that I couldn't help but adore.
It was so peaceful that everything felt white, and in this field of whiteness, I felt I was missing something—or to be precise, forgetting someone.
Suddenly, a warm breeze brushed against me, reminding me of someone important. Instinctively, my body rotated 180 degrees, taking my support away from Pilo. I become slightly imbalanced in the process but quickly regain my ground. The next thing I saw was something I should've probably not unremembered. It was him, Johan. He was standing right behind me discreetly.
Discreetly and forgotten.
"Uh..." I tried to say something but I held my horses. I didn't want Pilo to think they were back.
"...Hmm? Did something happen?" Pilo asked, representing concern in her voice.
"No, nothing," I replied, my voice almost cracking. My next attempt to avoid any possible inquiries was to walk as if I hadn't seen a dead 15-year-old boy, pretending everything was perfectly normal.
"Another one of your VISIONs?" Pilo asked pulling my leg, or should I say, arm.
"No, no, those things have stopped for good! It's definitely not what you think." I replied without flinching.
"Lies aren't good. Be honest with yourself."
"Lies ain't good. Try honesty with yo'self.".
Pilo and Johan, both scolded me simultaneously in sync, even though one of them couldn't hear the other.
How frustrating! They don't seem to understand what kind of a bizarre juxtaposition I'm in... annoying people. But you want to know what's even more frustrating? These two, so alike, will never get the chance to know each other personally. It's just ridiculous.
One was a VISION, the other a living human being. One was deceased, the other alive.
However, what was even more upsetting about this whole mess was that both had caught the air of my façade. They were both oddly sharp only in moments like this.
But it wasn't much of a surprise as one was a plain old mind-reader and the other was a plain old friend.
Psychic abilities and experience were what I was facing—and not to lie, I was scared of them.
I cut off my train of thought by replying only to Pilo while ignoring Johan. "I'm not lying. In fact, isn't it better that you don't have to deal with my delusions?"
"No, it's not better, I like the way you are, and you don't have to put on airs to deceive me for my sake." Pilo comes back with this surprisingly valid point, which totally catches me off guard, even though it's coming from Pilo, of all people.
"Hmm," I replied, suppressing my disbelief.
Seems like someone is having delusions, besides me. Obviously, I'm (probably) not putting on airs to deceive someone for their sake. I was just trying to be a normal friend, something which I'd never experienced in the vastness of my memories.
"...Let's go, I'm starting to feel dizzy once more," I said after a subsequent break to shake her off from her thoughts.
"Okay..." Her reply was not that of her unusual enthusiasm and lacked the undetermined confidence that always loomed over her.
I didn't feel good about it, however, taking advantage of people especially when I look weak is something I excel at. I can always pull off an intelligent façade when I need to.
Yet, I can't overlook the loud footsteps, a sound exclusive to my ears, emanating stubbornness and an undeniable craving for attention. However, the intensity faded swiftly as we neared my house.
.
"Thanks, Pilo. I might never be able to repay this kind of emotional help, but I'll always stand by your side." I said, putting up neat words but my voice couldn't hide the tingling guilt.
"You owe me at least three ice creams before this unusual heatwave finally calms down," Pilo replies confidently.
"...Yeah, sure," I said hesitantly. She wouldn't go easy on me even if I were on my deathbed, that's how we balance our friendship. I bet we're the most unevenly gifted yet perfectly balanced friends out there.
"See ya, Rei. If you want any help just call me, I'll be here in five minutes at any given time." She asserted confidently. I mean, it's just a five-minute distance. Why so confident about that?
"I'll probably not, but thanks. Meet you tomorrow, if I somehow recover like I always do," I said as we parted. I opened the empty house, then threw my bag on the entrance and stood, waiting for Pilo's footsteps to diminish.
After complete silence surrounded the door, I reopened the door and saw Johan standing outside, like a lonely cat with an expression of 'do-not-approach.'
Johan glared at me but with stubborn attention-seeking eyes as if trying to get spoiled by my sweet words but unfortunately for him, I wouldn't do that.
Or to put it properly, I just couldn't. My voice could only produce well-processed and superficial words, every word must be mostly forced out of me.
However, if not sweet, I could produce plain honest words that didn't go through the tough censor board of my brain.
So, ignoring his demeanor, I invited him inside my house by saying, "Get in, it's burning hot outside."
"'Kay." He said brusquely but without any expected resistance as he took his steps inside my house.