Withering You

Noah

I am feeling something warm on my face. Something bright. Sunlight. God, how quick did the morning come? I am still feeling tired and sleepy. I yawn and stretch. I scratch my head and get out of bed feeling numb. Roy had left late in the night. I fell asleep after that. I step into the bathroom to brush. I think of random things as I brush my teeth. My random things are usually of you. Just remembering you. I wash my mouth and put the brush away. Lack of sleep was making me slow. I am going to read your book before going to school.  At least one entry.  It would be a long day to get back to you so something small of you to hold on till that would make me get along smooth.

I go into my room and freeze. My heart starts to palpitate. Where did I put your book? My eyes widened in shock, remembering. I had put your book on the table in the living room. Shit. Stupid me.

I race downstairs hastily. Mom shouldn't have seen it. She would otherwise bombard me with questions. I stop when I see an empty table. I push the cushions away. I search for your book. I'm panicked. It will be here. I straighten up, rub my forehead with my hand. I look around the place. God, where is it?

"Didn't you get ready for school?" asks dad, walking into the living room doing his cuffs.

"Did you see my book? I had a book here. On this table." I point at the table.

Dad frowns, "Didn't see anything. Is it important?"

I look at my feet. It was more than important. 

"You can search for that later. Get ready, son. Quick," dad says, walking away to the kitchen.

I look around one more time. Your book, Ava. It's missing.  It's missing. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god, Ava. The situation dawns on me hard.  I misplaced your book. It's missing. Oh god, what am I to do now?

* * *

I have been panicking, thinking of this hard. I hadn't seen your book since Roy had come in. It's missing now. It was just us in the house. The only one to have taken it could be Roy. It was easily in sight. Stupid me. I am a useless thing. I couldn't even protect your book.

On the other hand, Roy should have had a reason to take your book away.  He didn't want me to read your book. I was stupid, weren't I? To think Roy wouldn't have done it. I'm looking for Roy in the school. I saw both his and Colin's car in the car park. I had left it as it is all these while with the hope that they wouldn't have done it but they had broken that thread of hope by stealing my book. Your book.

I had seen a police car parked too but their presence wasn't making much of a news as how it was on the first day. Now we were all getting used to them.

I spot Ms Sarah in the corridor. Is she walking towards me? God, no. I was about to turn around and act like I was walking the other way but stopped when she gave me a nod. She already spotted me. Is she going to ask me about Sebastian? Don't tell that is the matter. I want to growl out loud in frustration. First, I lost your book and this. I feel like crying.

"Noah, we want you in the teacher's meeting room," Ms Sarah nods at me as a gesture to follow her. She even remembers my name, my stomach drops. Is she going to question me in front of all the teachers? I adjust my bag strap on my shoulder as I follow her.

"May I know what's the matter, Miss?" I ask, trying to keep the shakiness out of my voice.

"Nothing to worry, dear. It's just a formality. The police officer wants to question you."

I stop midstep. My blood seems to have turned hot. I feel hot. Oh god.