Withering You

Noah

I storm around the school in search of Roy. I kept pushing him off my mind, thinking he wouldn't have done it. But he shocked me.  He failed me totally by breaking my trust.

First, he stole your book. Next, he had told me off to the cop. My frustration is what if I don't get your book by Monday? What am I going to tell the cop? I fear I would be in great trouble.

I spot Nicholle, one of the football jocks.

"Hey, Nicholle," I say, pushing my way to him, "did you see Colin?"

I believe Roy must be with Colin.

"Uh, man. He just left home with that guy- what's his name?" Nicholle asks the other guy he was talking to. The guy shrugs.

"Roy?" I ask, trying not to sound too eager.

"Yeah. That one-"

"Thanks, man," I interrupt him and make my way out hastily. I'm going to Colin's house, Ava. I'll find your book. I picture grabbing Colin's shirt collar and delivering punches. I decide on not doing anything  to Roy. My silence would kill him enough.

* * *

I pay the taxi driver and get down the car. I wrinkle my nose at the smell that instantly hits me. The smell of something burning. I had always found it hard to breathe with smoke in the air. I walk forward controlling my breathing. I spot both Roy's and Colin's cars in the garage. I ring the bell and wait. The time seemed to have slowed down or they were truly taking a long time. I ring the bell again and bang hard on the door. The fuckers.

I hear the lock turning. I straighten up. Colin opens the door and I'm hit with a strong wave of smoke.

"Hey, is something wrong?" Colin is panicked. He scans the road behind me. I bet he is looking for the cops.

"Everything is, Colin," I say stepping into his house. Let's be practical here, Ava. Colin is huge. I can't take him down alone. Colin has another hand too, Roy. I feel odd against them. It's better I talk rather than pull his collar for a full on fight.

"I know why you are here," Colin says. I search the open living room for Roy.

"Makes my work a lot easier then," I reply back.

"You have no work here, Noah. Get out," Colin threatens me, closing the gap between us. He is towering over me. I try to stand tall.

"Where's Roy hiding?" I ask, holding his eyes. I'm strong, Ava. I can do this.

Colin gives out a laugh, "He is not hiding. Why would he hide?" Colin yells, "Roy! Can you please come out? Our friend here thinks you are hiding."

I look behind me to spot Roy walking out of the kitchen. I make my way to him.

"I need Ava's book, Roy," I extend my hand, "give me the book.

Roy looks at Colin.

"Roy, where is it?"

Roy holds no emotion on his face.

"I know you took her book, Roy. Give it to me," I try to sound threatening. To think of it, I have never threatened anyone in my life. This is my first and hopefully the last.

"Give it to him, Roy. We have no use for it" Colin says. I don't take my eyes off Roy to look at Colin. Roy seemed troubled. He gives a nod and walks back inside the kitchen. I wait, unsure if I should follow him in. Roy returns back with a dustpan full of ashes.

"Where's the book, Roy?"

Roy doesn't look me in the eye.

"Are you blind, Noah? It's the book Roy has brought you," Colin says in a sing song way.

My eyes widened in realisation. They have burnt your book, Ava. I just stare ahead in shock before I close my eyes and run my hands through my hair in frustration. Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. I can't believe this. What in the fucking world have they done? The only thing that was left of you. The answers for everything. It's gone. I fucking lost you, Ava.

"You fucking shit!" I scream, taking hold of Roy's shirt. I lost my cool completely. I was boiling on the inside. I wanted to hurt him. Make him feel at least a small amount of pain I feel on the inside.

"Why did you fucking do this?" I shake him. The ashes fly around us. All of a sudden I was pulled back. Before I could fathom what was happening, I felt a hard pain on my jaw. I fall like a deflated balloon to the ground. I hastily sit up, alert. I touch my jaw and wince. I feel my face pounding. I shake my head trying to release the tension building in my head. I looked up at Colin who had just punched me. Fucker. I grab his legs, try to pull him down to the ground. But he was huge.

"Get off me, Noah," Colin yells. He tries to free his legs. I hug his legs tighter. I'm not sure what I should do next. I feel Roy's hands curl around my abdomen, pulling me away.

"Leave him, Noah!"

"Get the fuck off, Noah."

"You shouldn't have done this," I kick at Roy. My kick lands on his chest.

"Ouch! What the fuck Noah?"

"Noah! Let go."

Roy releases his grip on me. I scramble on the floor. Colin uses this opportunity to free one of his legs. I try to pull him down but he stamps me on the face. I gasp. My nose. I had to let go of him to cup my nose.

"What the fuck is wrong with you Noah?" Colin screams.

I don't know. I really don't know. I fall back on the ground. I feel sharp pain on my nose. Like pin pricks. I can't feel my nose. Roy comes into my view.

"Are you alright? Your nose looks red."