I SWEAR THE first half of my day goes by in a blur.
First period mostly sucked. I was still embarrassed from that little slip-up with that girl from earlier, and I didn't hear my homeroom teacher calling my name.
My homeroom teacher for this year is Mr. Bellford. He looks pretty young, but he always has a petty expression, which I'm sure will give him wrinkles.
I can't tell you how the second and third period were, because I spaced out. I think it was just more explaining about the school. Not like I needed it anyway. I'd already memorised almost everything about this school but my schedule apparently.
Finally, lunch was called, and everyone left the classroom. I don't remember what I did during lunch. I didn't eat anything either.
I was just really excited for the 4th period.
Period 4 would be my first archery class of the year. Which will be happening in a few moments.
I quickly stuffed my bag and books into my locker— I forgot to do it before coming into the first period.. and looked like an idiot.
Slamming my locker shut and resetting my lock combination, I rush outside. The fresh air springs through me as I reach the class.
The sun is shining, birds are singing, and th—
I sound like a Disney character, I should shut up.
Though I still can't help but skip up to join a line with the rest of my class, standing at the opposite end of Fran.
"Good morning! Welcome to your first archery class!" A man with a bald head said. He was tall and menacing, and seemed to always have an uptight expression.
The class whooped with excitement, some mockingly cheer.
"I'm assuming you've all used a bow and arrow before, right? No reason to go over the basics?"
"No sir!" The boy beside me chirped. He was almost my height, with wide green eyes and auburn hair that he kept in a half ponytail.
"I like your spirit, young one!" The instructor pointed to the boy, and he beamed. Someone might've said he looked scary, though I'm assuming he's just a big softie.
"I'm Mr. O'Brien. I will be your archery instructor for the year, and today we'll be dealing with elemental arrows."
The class looked at each other in confusion, then back at Mr. O'Brien. It was obvious no one knew what that was, and no one dared to ask.
But he did.
Fran took a step out of the line with a proud, fixed posture. "Elemental arrows are just like regular ones, but they have special effects. Take the Flame arrow for instance. When shot, the target after a few seconds bursts into flames."
He slightly bows, then steps back in line.
Mr. O'Brien claps. "Bravo, bravo! I see we have some smarts in this class this year!"
I notice Fran looking at me from the corner of my eye. What does he want? My praise?
I give him a covert thumbs-up.
He grins and looks back again.
"Today, you will be experimenting with different elemental arrows. If you get hurt, that won't be my matter."
Everyone nods.
"For today, you will all be in groups with the person to.. your right."
A few groans hang in the air. I'm actually fine with Mr. Soft Guy being my partner. I can tell he feels the same.
"Now get to it!" Our teacher yells, and we all disperse.
"So," he turns to me. "What's your name?"
"Jeong-min Yeon, yours?"
"Vito Macario Terrazas."
Woah. That's a pretty name. I haven't met lots of people with middle names.
"You wanna try some water arrows?" He asks, practically radiating happiness.
"You bet!" I shot back excitedly as well.
***
IT'S BEEN THIRTY minutes since class started, and I love Vito. He's funny, kind, and just a really nice person to be about.
I've noticed Fran staring at us quite a bit, but I don't really care. Seems like his partner is annoying him quite a bit, pushing her body against him.
Her blond hair falls past her waistline, and her blue eyes shine in the light. She overall seems like a really pretty person.
"Jeong-min, look!" He shoots upwards a couple yards away. The arrow hits something in the air, and bursts into a water firework. It's beautiful.
"Woah.." I can't help but exclaim in awe.
Over time, we found out that the Water arrows were the most sensitive. Anything could have triggered it.
Along with the regular elements—Fire, Water, Air, Earth—there is also Light, Void, Metal, and something else..? But I can't seem to put my finger on it.
"Wanna learn?" Vito grins, and I nod enthusiastically.
"Pull your bow string, with strong force, and try aiming it for a cloud," he instructed.
I tried really hard, but my arms were starting to hurt, and I didn't want to hurt anyone.
Vito, probably noticing my shaking arms, wrapped his arms around mine from behind.
"Don't worry, I got you," he whispered into my ear, and I nodded.
He placed a Water arrow on my arrow rest and I held my breath. "When I say go," he breathed out. "Let go."
It seemed like hours passed as he kept quiet. Then all of the sudden, he shouted.
"Now!"
I let go, and watched the arrow fly. At some point in the sky, the arrow burst, sprouting water everywhere. It managed to captivate me everytime we did it.
"Did you see that?" I squealed, turning back to Vito.
He nodded, as excited as me. "You did awesome!"
We high-fived, and curiosity sparked.
"How did you know when to let go?" I asked.
"Ah, well," he began. "I have pretty good eyesight. I saw a simple movement in the air, it might've been a pebble."
I felt a sudden twinge of envy, that I quickly buried down. Yeah, it was awesome Vito could do that, but I could do awesome stuff as well!
I just knew Vito was gonna make it far.
"Hey," I spoke up again. "Wanna test out some different arro–"
But I didn't have time to finish my question. In a flash, an arrow struck his head. I barely caught it in sight before it just— exploded. Blood splayed everywhere, I shut my eyes in reflex, shocked.
In a dazed panic, I quickly shoot open my eyes, looking for Vito.
My ears rang out, and I couldn't hear anything.
"Vito?" I asked no one in a daze. It all happened too fast. My heart was drumming with adrenaline.
"Vito..? Where are you..?" I called, barely able to hear my own voice.
I felt something tap at my foot, and immediately looked down.
There was half of Vito's head, one eyeball missing, at my feet. The other half was missing, and a clearish pink goo oozed out. The thick arteries coming from his neck twitched. His body, not too far away, was still.. standing up. It wobbled and danced lifelessly in the wind before eventually hitting the ground with a thud.
I screamed, terrified.
People just momentarily looked at me, then glanced at Vito's remains. Unphased—like I was overreacting.
They returned to fiddling with their arrows.