Our Sky Has Two Moons

Chapter 11

I went straight to the restroom. This time it wasn't because of my bladder, but because I felt physically sick, and the world was spinning around me, and I couldn't think straight. I quickly pushed the bathroom door open and rushed towards the sink, where I washed my face repeatedly with cold, frozen water. It felt refreshing. It didn't feel as refreshing to rejoice me, but it was enough to wake me up... partially.

After a few more rounds, I breathed out, relieved. Back there in class, I felt sultrily surrounded by uneasy presences, as if I were eaten of. Out here, in an empty restroom, the loneliness creeps in and luckily finds its well claimed place.

I stood in front of the mirror, with my arms stretched on the sink, biting my lip while searching my face in the image reflected. I was definitely, most definitely tired – the bags squaring my eyes pleaded for that. The sleepless night I've had made it even worse. But it wasn't only that, only the 'sleepy' tired. As soon as I noticed how boring and monotonous it is, I was also tired of my life... and definitely uncomfortable in the situation. I mean, spending your free period in the bathroom, come on! But I chose that, over crowded classroom or risky campus.

Feeling better but still undecided as what to do next, I was only sure that I didn't want to get out of there. So I eventually took out my snack from my backpack and opened it up. I lifted myself on the sink supporter, leaning my back onto the wall connected. Having small bites of the croissant, I tried to chew as slowly as possible as I was unlocking my phone. It announced two messages from Benjamin, sent a bit after the morning text I've barely answered to, asking about how I slept last night.

It's been 3 nights since Bruno and Alex have come to me for help, which was the last time I talked to them. I didn't know much about what's happened next, I just knew Alex and I have avoided each other harshly since then, and yet I knew he wasn't completely all right and carrying with his healthy lifestyle – the rumours were the key to that.

It's also been 3 nights since I first fell asleep with Benjamin on the phone. When I woke up on Sunday morning, the call had been interrupted – probably by him. But I had to admit that it was the best night's sleep I'd gotten in ages. And that brought the start of me buying special credit for international calls to France. And it happened that on Sunday evening I called him, and again, we had told stories until I fell asleep. That was repeated on Monday, with me always falling asleep first. But about last night...

I tried to avoid the drama about how my parents have come home at midnight and the first thing they did was fight with me for not taking care of my brother (as if I were the older sibling over here) and for being irresponsible (which I didn't consider myself to be). But of course I am irresponsible! They go to travel to Miami and probably go out and on business meetings all day while leaving their younger child stuck here with school and having to take care of her alcoholic brother – I am the one irresponsible. Oh how I wish I would've been as responsible as they prove they are.

... No. No, I don't. I don't want to be them.

"i didn't sleep" I replied to Benjamin's question.

"where are you?" he asked simply, probably checking if I stayed home today.

I looked around me, barely realizing, "in school's bathroom..." I'm going to have to get out of here soon, before someone sees me. Thank God at least the bathroom is empty.

... Or not.

Loudly, one of the toilets flushed and sooner than I could realise, its door flew open, framing a tall and slim silhouette noticing me and reaching over to wash her hands. I immediately felt the need to lift up my swinging legs and fold them around me in that position as I searched the girl in front of me. I recognized her as soon as I saw her raised chin and strong-looking eyes.