Wellston Girls Dormitories- Saturday 9:00am
Sera PoV
Jolting me from my sleep, the alarm clock repeated it’s daily shriek. Slowly, I turned the dam*d thing off. I would have done so much faster, but I was exhausted. Having only gotten two hours of sleep, I was barely functioning. I spent half the night trying to escape my lingering concerns about John. Will he snap again?
Over the past two days he seemed to be doing perfectly fine, the revenette acted almost exactly like he had since we met. John had returned to his carefree, go-lucky attitude for the most part. But it must be fake.
To the untrained eye, John looked fine, just being his dim, clumsy self. Yet I could see it was a facade. The way he talks and reacts, it's all superficial! Often, when he thinks I’m not looking, I catch glimpses of anger or sadness expressed on his face, but as soon as I turn fully, there's a wide smile on that mask.
Why doesn’t he let me see? Why doesn’t he want me to meet...well...him!-
I sat up in my bed dynamically as a chill made the hairs on my neck stand. I subconsciously stroked my throat, the sensation of his grip around it still fresh in my mind. Was that him, his true self? It couldn’t be…
Once again, grew uncertain. I didn’t know what to think. This is so toxic! I placed my hand on my forehead. This doesn’t make sense. I can’t lie to myself. I can’t lie to him! Tears welled in my eyes. Neither of us trust each other, we’re repeating past mistakes…
This friendship stopped being functional the moment Remi took off Joker’s mask.
I chuckled, As if it ever was.
I hugged my legs tightly, making sure Elaine wouldn’t hear. She would most definitely be up and about by now. I’m going to tell him. He has to know. We can’t continue like this-
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
I heard a rhythmic pounding on my front door. No way I’m getting up to open that!
“Elaine! Can you get that?!”, I called out. After a moment, there was no answer from the bluette. The knocking continued. “Elaine?!”, I yelled again. No answer.
Reluctantly, I dragged myself out of bed and walked out of my room, draping my duvet over my bare shoulders.
KNOCKKNOCKKNOCKKNOCK
The awful noise became louder and more impatient. I could relate. “I’M COMING!!!”I screamed in the direction of the source of the incessant racket. The banging stopped and I opened the door, muttering curses under my breath.
Through the widening crevice, I could make out a fairly tall figure. He held a bouquet of red, white and pink carnations. Eh?
Muddled, I looked up to find the identity of this un-fulfilled Romeo. My eyes widened as I was met my by a pair of gold eyes on a backdrop of midnight locks. EH?!@!?
“Hey, Sera!”John grinned, showing off his teeth. “How’s your morning been?”
I stood there, dumbfounded. DSasdfBVFNXBGaSKJFsLJ!!qww!@!!!! VAT?!!!?
“Um...Sera?”, he waved his free hand in front of my face. “You don’t look ok. Do you need to lie down? Are you sick?!”, He inquired with increasing worry as he looked at me in all my Queen-of-eyebags-draped-with-duvet glory.
“I-i’m fine”, I dismissed his concerns with a quick wake of my hand.
“Sure…”, the ravenette was not convinced, so I changed the topic.
“So, whacha got there?”, I gestured to the forgotten carnations.
The boy blushed suddenly, holding the flowers out towards me. “O-oh. These are for y-you, Sera.”, he smiled sheepishly while handing me the bouquet. I held the flowers close to me, smelling them. They do smell very nice. “Thanks.”
Awkwardly, we stood there, not saying a word. I decided to break that silence, “So, John, come in.”, I opened the door wider as he thanked me and entered the living room. Closing the door, I walked over to the kitchen area and placed John’s gift on the counter. I noticed a piece of paper near the sink.
Couriously, I picked it up. It was a note. It read;
Sorry, I left early today to meet with a friend. Catch you later
- Elaine <3
P.s there’s breakfast in the fridge
A friend huh? She has friends? I questioned, astonished. I threw the not in the bin and made my way towards the promised food-mine, also known as ‘the fridge’.
Opening this chest of treasures, I immediately spotted four freshly baked Granola squares. Bless Elaine and her baking. I took out two squares and closed the plundered fridge. I turned toward the living room and bit into one of the Granolas.
Instantly, I shuddered. John was staring at me silently. AGAIN.
Aggravated I spat, “ John, stop staring at me! It’s weird!”
“It’s not weird, I’m just appreciating the view.”, he brushed off calmly.
“Ve view? Wav view?!”, I mumbled with the square rested between my lips. Realising, my speaking was unintelligible, I swallowed and removed the remainder of the square, “I’m a mess. Look at me, I’m dirty, tired, my hair is a disaster and I’m covered by a stained duvet.” I shook my head, “Not to mention the dusting of crumbs I just sprinkled all over myself.”
The boy squinted his eyes stubbornly, “Well, I'm a connoisseur.”
Huffing dramatically, I threw my hands in the air, “I’m done! You’re unbelievable.” John let out a stifled laugh.
Vengefully, I yeeted the other Granola at the ravenette, “Eat this.”
He stumbled back in surprise. But caught it nonetheless. Smugly, he nibbled away at the square. I sighed and leaned against the counter as he sat himself at one of the barstools. He’s not going to explain why he’s here? With flowers?! I rambled mentaly.
“Sera?”
“Yeah?”, I turned my attention to John.
“Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?”
That’s right. Turf Wars.
“Fu*k.”, I rushed off into my room and hastily began getting ready.
Wellston Trainstation- 9:51 am
Arlo PoV
“They’re going to be late.”, I sighed, impatiently waiting for John and Seraphina. I felt a warm hand on my arm.
“They won’t. Don’t worry about them, Arlo.”, the bluette comforted me, her spring-green eyes peering into my own. Placing my arm around her gently, I pulled her closer to me. We had spent the entire morning together. I enjoyed every moment. I have waited for this day since we decided that we were exclusive. Elaine and I don’t get to spend enough time together as a couple because it’s taboo for a God Tier to date an Elite Tier. So we milk every spare moment we have outside of school. Just being able to hold her hand felt like a blessing, not to mention an embrace such as this…
The girl wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in my lower chest. I bent my neck to rest my chin on her head. I smelled her hair. Like fresh...oranges…?
“Ehem.”
Unwillingly, I snapped my eyes open, directing my ice cold glare at the noise. After doing so, I quickly let go of the girl in my arms, being met with dark amber orbs.
"Get a room.", the pinkette commented stoically.
Remi had her arms crossed as she stood before us. She seemed different. The shrimp had a dissatisfied look on her face. Which surprised me. Remi had always struck me as a bubbly and accepting person. There is no way she is so unhappy because of me and Elaine.
" Don't we have a Turf War to get to?", shoving past me, she made her way inside the building. Something is definitely wrong. Remi was like a different person.
I couldn't help but feel guilty, ever since I had overstepped my boundaries and ambushed John, the world and people around me have crumbled. Everything seems like a distorted version of reality. A nightmare, but the morning doesn't comfort me. I ruined it all. I still ruin it.
"You know what, Arlo? You are a really kind person."
John's words haunted me. He was oblivious to the truth. The ravenette didn't know what really happened between us. I really don't want to be there once he does.
I chuckled inwardly, Even if I wasn't there that man will track me down and skin me!
" Arlo… are you feeling alright?" Elaine's soothing tone tunneled its way through my mental debates, mainly concerning whether I would prefer to be a rug or a wall-mounting, clearing my head.
Nodding, I pulled her into another embrace. She felt so nice and warm-
" Seriously!? ", Remi's yell pierced my brain,"Get in here, the train will arrive soon! "
Startled by the pinkette's assertiveness, I replied, "We're still waiting on John and Seraphina."
The girl took a deep breath and sighed, "Fine. We'll wait." She spoke in a calmer manner as if the sheer mention of their names kept her in line. Is she so scared of John? I wondered. It's understandable.
The tamed anger inside me grew. No matter how guilty I was, I always raged at John and staying civil towards him right now was hard. But it was fair. But he traumatised Remi to this extent! This isn't right!
However I had to remain calm and stable, reminding myself that both me and not just John were to blame. I failed Rei. I couldn't protect Remi from the monster I created.
The three of us leaned against the wall of the station. I held Elaine small hand tightly, enjoying every moment of her touch.
"What do you think is taking them so long?", the bluette asked, eyeing the round clock hanging on an adjacent wall. It's 9:56.
Remi remained silent. "They must have their reaso- there they are!", I noticed two rushing figures emerging from behind the corner.
The pair were practically just a blur. Looks like John got his hands on a speed enhancement. Soon, then stopped in front of us and Seraphina hopped off John's back. Although, she clearly had a head rush. But John swiftly caught her before she could fully loose her balance.
"Sorry. Was I going too fast?", the ravenette asked the girl softly, while gripping her arm.
" Nah. As long as we're not late.", the magenta haired delinquent looked towards me, " We wouldn't want Asslo to make a fuss."
That little backstabber!
I glared at her, only to be met by John's strong hold on my shoulder, "Calm down Arlo, we made it. Don't cry.", the man joked but there was a notable seriousness in the first part.
I complied, calming down.