Mika's World

Chapter 4: Torn between Worlds

"So, Fahrenheit 451 isn't about firefighters?" Troye asked. We were studying in the library for next period. Unfortunately, he's not the best in English. "No, Troye. Do you pay attention in class at all?" I asked while shoving the book in his face. He grabs the book and tosses it to the other side. "I'm not going to need any of it anyway. I'm an athlete remember," Troye said obnoxiously. I roll my eyes and scribble some notes down for the test. "Next week we should go to Top Golf with Nathan and Jenifer. They invited me last night so you should tag along", Troye said while chewing on his eraser. I snatch it out of his mouth. "That's nasty," I state. "And their not my friends, they're yours. I don't remember them ever speaking to me. Plus golf is boring," I continue. Troye sighs and leans back in his chair to look at his phone. "Hey Mika, what's up Troye", Manny said walking up to greet us. "Hey, Manny what're you doing here?" I ask. He's always bright and in a good mood; sometimes it helps when I'm moody. "Just checking out a book to read. Then I have to do a book report on it. I chose Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders", He said giving me a fist bump and shy wave to Troye. "That's morbid. You don't seem the type to be into death and shit", Troye remarks with a twisted face. He then starts oddly stretching in his tight red t-shirt, like he was flexing or something. I gave Troye a frown. "Why'd you decide on that book?" I turn and ask Manny. "Well...i-it just seems interesting you know. And I could always watch something online about the true story to hel-help me out", Manny stammered. "I think it's dope", I said and give Manny a small smile. Troye gives a thumbs up with a sarcastic smile. "Well I'll see you guys around", Manny says and goes deeper into the library. I turn and smack Troye in the arm. "Why are you acting like that towards Manny?" I ask. "All I said was that it's morbid. You know the guy all of two weeks and you're all buddy buddy with him. You won't even go golfing with your actual friend," Troye groans. "After all these years, I'd thought you'd know better than to be insecure about our friendship", I retort. "And I thought you would know how to be a better friend. You're always zoning out or your mind is always somewhere else. What's going on with you lately?", Troye says slamming his book on the table. This is the first time I'm hearing this. I didn't notice he felt this way. I guess I wouldn't notice... "I'm gonna head to class. See ya later", Troye said visibly irritated and leaves me at the table. I sigh and put my pride away for about 5 minutes. I pick up the phone and dial Jenifer. "Hey I heard you guys are going golfing next week?"
After school, I catch another ride with Manny home. "Does Troye have problem with me or something?", Manny asks with his eyes on the road. "He just can come off passive aggressive sometimes", I explain poorly. "Why would he have any type of aggression towards me?" Manny asks with a stronger tone. "He's just a little jealous I guess. I don't really have a lot of friends and We've been best friends for years ", I say with a nervous laugh. I can see Manny's face twitch as if he's holding back on saying something. " I mean," he finally says. "What should he be concerned about, it's not like he's gay right?" Manny adds. That actually made me laugh. "Why are you asking for a friend?" I ask with a wink. Manny winced and giggles. "Just seeing if I have any competition," He said now looking at me. I stare back at him then turn my head away and sink into my seat. I hope I'm not fucking blushing. "I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable," Manny quickly states. "No, no it was smooth hahaha," I say nervously. I glance over at him. He was wearing a grey long sleeve shirt that empathized his muscles. His hair fell perfectly in place and he always had a happy expression on his face. Okay good looking.
Manny drops me off at my house and I notice a car outside. Who the hell could that be? I enter the house to see my mom and another women sitting with her at the table. " I'm home," I announce myself. "Your aunt is here visiting for a little while," my mom answers. The woman who is apparently my aunt turns around and smiles at me. "Oh my god, I haven't seen you since you were a baby!" she exclaims retreating from her seat and coming towards me. She comes in for a hug but I firmly dodge her attempt. Back up stranger. "Oh. Right sorry you don't know me and I'm a big hugger. I'm Clara, but you can call me Claire. I'm your mother's younger sister", she explains. "That's nice. Um...Mika if you don't already know", I say dropping my bag down and heading towards the stairs. "Where are you going? Don't be rude, why don't you talk to your aunt? She just said she hasn't seen you in fucking years!," my mom yells and grabs for a pack of cigarettes. She walks past me and heads outside. I reluctantly sit down on the couch and signal Claire to join me. She had long golden hair with bright brown eyes. She looked around her late 20s and wore a black leather jacket with a pink blouse. "So, you're mom can be a bit much huh?" She jokes. "I guess. You would know more about her. Maybe you can tell me why she's such a bitch," I reply fiddling with my phone. Claire gives a nervous laugh. "I know she's...harsh at times, but she went through a lot when we were kids", she tried to explain. "Connie doesn't invoke that kind of sympathy in me, so I guess I change my mind. You can save the sob story," I said feeling myself getting angry. I hear her mutter something but I couldn't focus. I saw little blue crystals forming in the cracks of the walls. Then they started to emerge from the tv and spill onto the floor. I lift my feet on the floor as I see the crystals start to fill up the room. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder. "Hey, you alright?" Claire asks concerned. I look at her and then around the room. The crystals had disappeared. "You zoned out on me. What're you thinking about?" Claire asked. "Sometimes....I lose track of time I guess" I answer still searching around me. "You must have a vivid imagination. I use to have a friend named Wendy I use to play with her all the ti-"I don't have a goddamn imaginary friend" I cut her off. I jump up and run upstairs to my room.
"I hate it here. I feel like I'm losing my mind," I say to Lunais. She appeared to me in my room and we sit on the bed with our hands connected. We weren't talking out loud, but with our minds. Like signals shooting back and forth. "I always thought of extraterrestrial beings to be more complicated than what I suspected," Lunais jokes. "Do you own a mirror? Remember you're the alien here," I respond. Our hands glow together as they stay intertwined longer. "It is strange. If you loathe this place so much, why don't you come with us into the cosmos?" Lunais asked. I sigh and shake my head. "It's definitely not that simple. You wouldn't understand. I barely understand myself," I said. She leans her forehead onto mine. "Life can bend to your will, if you make it", she whispers. She then lets go of my hand and fades away into the air. I fall back onto the bed and let out a long breath. If I make it?