fragile time

~chapter 3~

Lillith sighed, "Personification, Xavier." Xavier rolled his eyes whilst she continued to inform, "Literary device. Giving an inanimate object, nature, animals, or any other nonhuman entity person-like qualities. Thus, the name personification. You need to begin reading more."

"Lillith," Emily began, slightly vexed, "We don't need a literary lesson from you everyday."

I closed my eyes and shook my head, but still with a tiny smile. Sometimes my friends could be so childish. However, that's why we're all together. To be immature together.

Lillith and I are usually the ones who keep us in check. The two of us are the most responsible out of everyone, so we have the most weight on our shoulders. As the backbone of the group, it's our job to make sure the others aren't acting in ways they'll regret. It's more Lillith than me, but I help when I can.

"Anyway, Micheal," Xavier said to me, breaking my train of thought, "They said you might have lots of headaches and a hard time balancing or remembering some things."

Emily adjusted her sword strapped to her belt, "I'm still sure he'll be fine. He's done worse. Like I said, Summers is the toughest kid I know." I was? That's really something coming from Emily. She thought I was tough?

I stepped out of the bed, the cold stone against my feet. "Where are my shoes?" I questioned. I had all my regular articles of clothing: loose shirt, leather jacket, and jeans. All covered in mud. Fantastic. The only thing which was missing were my brown boots.

Xavier reached behind the bed to pick them up, but Taylor stopped him, "Xavier– no. If you touch those, they'll turn to ashes."

"Well, fine then," Xavier grunted, his wings flaring, "If you're so smart, you get them."

"I was planning to." Taylor reached over Xavier and handed me my worn-out boots.

Though they were a bit damaged, I refused to buy a new pair. I had been through a lot in these shoes. I could always count on them to help me hold my ground firmly, when all else fails. However, I did just fall wearing them. "Thanks," I said as I put them on.

My friends all silently watched me slip my boots on, worried. Some more than others. A lot of times, I wondered how they perceive me. Nobody looked at me the same. Everyone has their own version of their friends, really. You show different people what they want to see. Put on a different mask for each different party. Like how actors are different characters for different plays. Like how comedians tell different jokes depending on the crowd. The environment affects everyone and everything.

Lillith spun her wand around in her hand, "Are you absolutely positive you will be alright?" She was the only one who was experienced in healing others and the symptoms of different things.

"I swear, I'll be—" I took a step forward, trying to leave, but almost falling in the process. Emily's quick reflexes caused her to grab my arm and support me. "—fine." I finished, "I'll be fine." The dong of the bell interrupted me- time for the next class.

"I'm off to History. Keep a close eye on him," Taylor muttered towards Lillith, "Don't let him fall and die during Potions. I'm not exactly convinced he's fine."

~✶~

"I am fine," I continued trying to convince Lillith on our way to class, "and you know it." Her eyes rolled into the back of her head slightly as we continued down the hall. It felt as if we were practically marching, Lillith always moved so fast.

Sometimes it seemed like she never slowed down. She was always in such a hurry. However, it's not only from place to place. It's growing up, too. Lillith wants to get older so quickly. She's already accustomed to being very responsible for her age, but it seems like she needs to slow down. I stumbled trying to keep up with her, so she slowed her pace.