I was glad that Raven didn’t need a ride home due to her dance crew meeting every Mondays. This way, I could head straight home, and listen to the soft rock station I’d prefer over the loud, noisy hip-hop station Raven would listen to.
But on the way home, I couldn’t help but feel like I was being followed. Even after checking all of my mirrors, and the people walking on the sidewalks, there appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary. There weren’t very many cars as I came to a stoplight, and the only people on the sidewalk were those who’re waiting for the city bus. So I couldn’t help but sigh with relief, but that didn’t make the uneasiness go away.
When the light turned green, I carefully pressed my foot to the gas pedal, going through the intersection, and into my neighborhood. But I still couldn’t stop myself from looking into my rearview mirror every few seconds as I continued the short drive back home.
I pulled into the empty drive, elated that I get the house to myself because I could finally kill some time by doing the rest of my homework, and do some non-school related reading. I slowly walked up to my room, and after dropping my backpack, went toward my bookshelf, looking for something that will let me escape reality and allow me to enter into a different world.
Unthinkingly I grabbed the book Draco threw at me the other night, and began reading it for the hell of it. It really is a good book, and it was real easy to get sucked into the story—especially after the first chapter. I really needed an escape pod, and the book was a good invention to take me into the story’s world and away from the real world.
The next thing I hear is the sound of the back door closing, and I realized that I’ve lost track time. Mom is home. I quickly placed the book back on the shelf, and scrambled downstairs, where I found Mom setting her things down.
“Hey Willa.” She said, her voice hoarse.
I swallowed past the tears that were dwelling before I answered, “How was your day?”
She shrugged. “You know, the usual.”
“Same here.” I said nonchalantly. Before I could exit, so she won’t see the tears of worry, I quickly asked, “What’s for dinner?”
“I think your father might be bringing home some pizza. He said that he has some news, and I bet it’s good news.” She answered truthfully.
“Oh.” I mumbled before I turned to head back up to my room.
Unfortunately, my mother had the habit of being observant. “Willa, come here.” She said before I could get to the stairs.
With a sigh, I turned around reluctantly. When I looked at her, I mean really look at her, I could see that most of her hair was gone. I didn’t see the hat she was wearing until she’d placed it on the table.
“Willa, are you okay?” she asked. I could see the concern in her eyes, and I quickly knew what she’s getting at.
“I’m fine.” I said, unfortunately, I said it too quickly.
I quickly turned to get out when she grabbed my wrist, and turned me around to face her. Her hazel eyes continued to scrutinize me as I tried to struggle against her grip, but it’s no use, she’s a lot stronger than me.
“Willa, are you okay? You’ve been acting strange whenever I’m around lately.” She said, concern marring her voice.
I sighed, reluctantly, and blurted. “I don’t want you to die.”
I didn’t bother to look at her, I was afraid to look at her. I was mostly staring at my shoes, so I had no idea what her expression is, the scuffmarks on my shoes were the only thing keeping my attention.
I heard my mother sigh, but it was an upset kind, not the nonchalant kind. “Willa, I really wish there was a cure, but, unfortunately there’s nothing I can do.” She mumbled, still upset, but her gaze never left mine.
When I took a deep breath, I noticed that it sounded choppy, and I could feel the tears I’ve batted back starting to fall across my cheeks.
“Hey, one weekend, we should have a mother daughter day. Just you and me; we’ll go see a movie, and do girlie stuff.” she said with a smile, and for some strange, unfathomable reason, it made me feel better.
I quickly wiped the tears away with my hand, before I nodded in agreement, hoping it’ll be a good enough excuse so I could escape. She smiled, and I know that I’m off the hook.
“How was your day?” Mom asked, obviously trying to erase all of the pessimism in the room.
Reluctantly, I decided to oblige if it’ll make her feel better. “It was okay.” I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders to make my words ring true.
“How’s Draco?” she asked, as smile forming on her lips.
I could already feel the blush entering my cheeks before I answered, “He’s fine. Why did you ask?”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “Just curious.”
After scrutinizing her briefly, I decided that now is the perfect time to go back into my room.
I don’t like to bring up Mom’s pancreatic cancer in most conversations, but when I talk about it to my friends, it feels almost relieving. The only people who know are Raven, Josh, Kristen, and of course, Draco. At least they could understand what I’m going through.
And whenever someone brings it up, even if I bring it up, I’d have to hold back the tears until I’m alone in my room. However, today was different. No tears had come out. Maybe I’ve already gotten them out of my system, and didn’t even know about it.
At times like this, I’d wish Draco would appear, like he usually does every night when both Mom and Dad are asleep. Unfortunately, he won’t be here until then. So, the only thing to help me pass the time was finishing up my homework, checking my email, tidying up my room—anything that’ll keep my body and mind focused until then.
I could easily imagine his lips on mine, his strong arms around me, but until then, I’d have to wait.
The next morning was more or less the same. I’d already forgotten the inevitable when Draco came into my room right after my parents fell asleep, and I was already on cloud nine the moment he’d kissed me. It all felt like a crazy, wonderful dream that I don’t want to wake up from. So it surprised me when my alarm went off, and I remembered where I am.
And when Raven slammed the car door, it was another alarm clock, making sure I was awake.
“Hey Willa.” She said, already playing with the radio.
“Hey.” I mumbled, already pulling out of the parking lot of her apartment complex.
She’d already found her usual station, and when it began playing one of her favorite songs, she began singing badly, off key. At least I can be with my thoughts, but my thoughts apparently keep going back to Nicholas Bates.
Why would he even try to talk to me at first, but then pretend I don’t even exist? Maybe he has bipolar disorder, or some kind of mental illness. Maybe—just maybe, though I highly doubt it—he just doesn’t like me at all…but why?
I shook my head quickly, clearing my head as I drove into the parking lot, and noticed Draco’s car parked next to my space.
“Hi.” I said seconds after the smile already entered my face, and ignoring Raven as I locked the car and went toward him.
“Hi.” He said, voice alluring, just like always.
His answering smile was all that motivated me to bring my lips to his. Another kiss that was a constant reminder that he’s real, and this is not a dream.
When we pulled apart, I felt like I was being watched. I carefully glanced around the parking lot, the anxiousness already creeping into my body when at first I didn’t see anything unusual. The second time, I spot it, and immediately my entire body began to shake.
“What’s wrong?” Draco said, but his voice felt so far away and I couldn’t look up at him yet.
I was already distracted.
Even thought they were no more than a half a mile away from where we’re standing, I could see three distinct figures within the confines of the wooded area. I gulped, but I couldn’t stop the shivers that continued to run up and down my spine. The fear coming into my system as my knees began to feel weak, and if it weren’t for Draco’s arms I would’ve fainted right there in the parking lot.
“Willa, are you okay?” Draco asked.
I took a deep breath before I could finally look up at him, and said, “I don’t know.”
I looked up, and noticed that his gaze is far away. At first I wanted to see if he sees what I just saw, but then his gaze quickly returns to mine. “Don’t worry. Like I’ve said before, I’ll be here to protect you if any of the decide to do you harm.” He murmured, his lips at my ear.
And as we walked inside the building, I couldn’t stop the sudden shivers that went down my spine.
When Raven and I arrived in English, Nicholas Bates had already occupied her seat. I sadly watched as she slowly made her way to the seat she was given, the one that was formally occupied by Nicholas Bates. With a sigh, I went to my usual seat, all the while I was thinking to myself, It’s just for a little while. Everything will go back to normal.
But I keep having a weird feeling that everything won’t be the same ever again.
I sneaked a quick glance at Nicholas, and I know that he’s not even bothering to look at me, especially when his head is already inside his book. I took a deep breath, and tried to do the same. But something inside me won’t rest—a nagging feeling that something is up with Nicholas.
I know it’s strange that he hasn’t said a word to me since yesterday, but I feel like there’s something…strange about him. With a sigh, I turn my head to my book, hoping that the story will make the next fifty minutes pass in a blur.
Then, I felt something tapping on my shoulder. I turned around, and I was surprised to see Nicholas looking at me.
“Can you catch me up on Beowulf? I’m always getting some of the names confused.” He said, sounding just as confused as any new person who would’ve came here around this time of the year.
I laughed, briefly but quietly. “You’re asking the wrong person. I couldn’t understand the story, and the movie was too gory.” I admitted, already feeling useless. “All I know is that there’s a lot of violence in both the story and movie.”
He chuckled. “It was worth a shot.” He muttered before turning his attention back to his book.
“Well, maybe we can both try to figure it out.” I blurted before I could think it through.
He looked back up at me doubtfully, but after what feels like five minutes of an uninterrupted staring contest, his facial features began to relax. “That might work.”