The White Higanbana

Azazel

Few days later

Clifton High School, 8.15 a.m.

I'm at my seat near the window, staring at the view outside window. Then I wondered, is this the feel of a snow man in a globe? Always looking outside through a glass? Do they ever want to break out of it? Then his words that night came into my mind: Never born... Never born... Never born...

Cara was beside me, talking. But I wasn't really paying attention. Until she shook me slightly.

'Yo! You listening?'

'What?'

'I said, the movie was intense and exciting. You should watch it sometime?'

'Hmm,'

'Ok, something's definitely going on. Spill the beans... Please?'

'I'm fine, I just didn't sleep well last night,'

'Rhea...'

'I'm telling the truth,'

'Really? Because your fingers tell either way. And since when you started to sleep?'

I looked down to my fingers. They were restless. Tapping grabbing fingers of my other hand. I stopped. And I looked back to Cara. Geez, she really knows me. I was hesitating, whether to tell her the incident or not. Then the bell rang and Ms. Grey came in.

'You know what this means?'

'Nope,'

'Story time at recess for me. Don't be late, okay?'

'No promise,' I said and I took out my textbook and draft paper. This is going to take forever, I thought.

45 minutes later, Ms. Grey was still talking about the boring history of Glorious Revolution. I mean people revolute because the leader or government did not take care of the benefits of commoners. Hence, the revolution. So, what's the point of telling each countries revolution? After all, they are just the same, only different timing, people, and places is all. Then the bell rang again. Thank Lord, I prayed. I looked down at my draft paper. I drew war ships sailing on the ocean. Huh, guess I really have no control over my hands now, do I?

'Hello, is this seat taken?' I looked up to the source of the voice. It was him, the guy from Arno's Court Park. Only this time he has dark orbs, and looked more friendly. But I still decided not to answer him. He saw me not answering, so he just made himself comfortable beside me.

I started to read the moment I ignored him. He started a conversation, 'Hello, name's Azazel, Zeth for short,' he said. 'Rhea,' I replied still reading the book. 'Ah, name of a Greek goddess, I see. Suits you well,' I did not reply to him. Who knew deep down in my heart, I was fighting the urge to talk to him. It's weird. And I could feel Cara was nearby but her sight was not seen.

'I'll tag along with you at recess, Rhea. See you,' he said then making his way out of the class. But what he said next made me shiver:

'Do tell me the story of how your father wish you were never born, too. I would love to be your audience,'

School field, 10.12 a.m.

We sat under the tree beside school field. 'So,' Cara started, 'what story were you going to tell me?' I contemplated before deciding to tell her my made-up story,

'I was thinking about getting a part time job,'

'That's great! You're finally stepping out,'

'Just thinking, not sure about it yet,'

'Thinking for you is already a good start. Any café in your mind?'

'Nope. And don't think I'll work in her café,' I answered quickly before she could even convince me to work in Miranda's café. There's no way I'm working for that plastic human.

'You think I don't know you're lying? I'm just playing along with you. But,' she stopped then continued, 'if you don't want to tell me what really happened, then it's fine. I won't force you, okay?'

'Thanks,' I said with a week smile.

'No problem. What are friends for, right?'

Then we ate our brunch quietly. We looked really peaceful on the outside, but no one knew that it was chaos in my mind.

'Charlotte?' I said, breaking the silence.

'Yeah?'

'Am I a... burden?'

'No! You're not! Definitely not! Why would you think of yourself like that?'

I want to tell her the incident that night. Him slapping me and wishing I were never born. But words were stuck.

'It's about him, isn't it?' her eyes softened.

I stared in front in blank. Tears welling up in my eyes.

'Don't cry,'

The voice was different. I looked to my left side and Cara was no where to be seen. Instead, Azazel had replaced her seat.

'You're...'

'Here. And my apologies for being late. I struggled coming here,' he said that gazing at the field.

This guy really likes to appear out of nowhere, does he. Now I wonder he's called Azazel because he's a demon, I thought.

'Answering your question, yes I really do like to appear out of nowhere and yes,' he stated and before he said the last part, he stared straight into my eyes:

'I am a demon,'

Art class, 11.24 a.m.

It was Mr. Salvatore's class. We handed in our assignments then continued with another one. Again, Azazel appeared, out of nowhere.

'Wow, I sense loneliness,'

'So? I don't see it has anything to do with you,'

Then he came close. His lips by my ear and he whispered,

'I sense the pain of losing loved ones. One who gave birth and one who raised you,'

I put down my brush harshly and yelled, 'How do you know? What else do you know? The hell you want from me?!'

'Rhea!' Mr. Salvatore shouted, 'what's going on? What are you doing?'

'Nothing, Mr. Salvatore. My apologies,' I sat back down started to paint again. But my mind was a mess, I feel like I could explode anytime.

'I know what you want. And I can help you get it. Just say the words,'

My hands kept painting on the canvas. But they were shivering.

'I'll give you time to think. If you want my help, you know where to find me,'