● Illusory ●

Chapter 2

Alex

I silently chewed on the end of the paper stick that once held a small strawberry cake pop as Seiko and I walked past shops with fancy, glittering dresses displayed in the windows. Every so often I'd glance at these sparkling garments, fantasizing about how I would look in them only to realize that I'd probably ridiculed and my fantasy would disappear. I don't need the awkward stares that I got when I was younger again. It's quite enough that I'm tormented for being me.

Spotting a trash can, I quickly threw away the stick before nearly gagging from the taste of stale paper that lingered in my mouth. I instantly regretted chewing on the stick.

"Do you think Nadine will go through with the field trip idea? I mean, it'd be interesting to learn about Nigeria but we've been busy a lot lately, especially since we joined forces with the Agloe Company," Seiko spoke then, looking down at her half-eaten chocolate cake pop. I shrugged. I could almost clearly remember Yuuko's details about the Agloe Company, and how they were just like us except they had a famous posterchild to represent them.

"From the look on her face, it looked like she wanted to go. I'd be surprised if we didn't go to be honest," I told her. I was kind of excited to hear about a trip like this. I had never been outside of America before, and only had my mother's stories about Moscow to inform me about the country I come from and the world. I'd be lying if I said I didn't yearn to hear her stories once more.

"Yeah. I'm not sure if Nadine would have enough money to bring everyone though," Seiko said, finishing her cake pop. I almost snickered.

"Nadine's a billionaire. She could use 1 dollar bills as napkins if she wanted," Of course I was exaggerating, but isn't it true? I'm sure all rich people can do that.

"Yeah, but she's smart with her money. She might be trying to save up," Seiko reminded me. I nodded. That's true too. "I guess we'll just have to wait."

Silence fell between us, and the earlier conflict with Garrot found its way back into my mind. Even with the words Seiko had told me earlier, I couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right....about me at least. Maybe I don't actually belong at Neverland. Maybe there's something wrong with my mind....but that's a bunch of crap, right? Seiko straight up told me I'm valid....but am I?

Perhaps some can't respect me because there really is something wrong with me. No, that's stupid. I'm okay. I'm me and they're just stupid.....are they? Are they secretly right and everyone's just hiding it from me? Maybe Garrot knows something I don't. I can't tell. I'm fine.

"Hey," I felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of my jacket. I turned to see Seiko giving a concerned look. "Are you alright? You looked like you were about to freak out for a second."

I gave a nervous laugh and a reassuring smile. "I'm okay. I just...thought I saw a spider," I told her, to which she raised an eyebrow.

"A spider? In a crowded place like this?" Seiko questioned, to which I nodded. I mean, hey, those spawns of Satan could be anywhere. I don't think I need to recall the time I woke up with a spider just sitting on my chest. I actually had no idea how it even got in my room in the first place. "Are you sure?"

"They can be anywhere at any time, Seiko. Trust me, they pop up when you least expect it," I replied. She gave a lingering questioning look before turning her attention forward again.

"Yeah but even when I least expect it I'm still going to light that little shit on fire. Any spider within ten feet of me is getting roasted," she insisted, tossing her trash into a nearby bin. I had to agree. I'd do the same. It'd probably be a blessing to be able to control fire.