Moon's Eternity

Chapter 7

                                                                         ACHILLES

My eyes burst wide open...

Hnghh!

A large string of pain falls down my spine.

I look around and see that I'm in my bed. Wait, was that all...

A dream? No, it definitely wasn't. I shiver. It definitely was not a dream. I slam my face into the cup of my hands...

oh, dad. Just what mess did you put me in, huh?

...

                                                                          BERT

I'm not sure to how to act now, after what I saw last night with him.

I'm sure Achilles doesn't want me discussing about it either though, so I better keep my mouth shut if I don't want my semester to be a living hell.

I'm sitting up barely in my chair at school. I didn't really get that much sleep last night. You know. Streaming thoughts one after another just could not stop flowing in. I wasn't given a rest. Because I was so fixated on my thoughts and so tired from the two hours  of sleep I did manage to put in, I didn't hear Chloe.

"Hey, Bert. Earth to Bert! Chloe finally says a little louder than before, causing some people to turn their heads towards us. I blush. 

"Oh, Chloe. I'm sorry. Are you ready to work on the project?" I answer nervously.

"Ya, but there's a problem." She and I turn our heads over to the sleeping Achilles on the opposite side of the classroom. "I don't know about you, but when has he ever slept in this class?" Her eyes widening. 

Ugh, this is so frustrating...

...

                                                              ACHILLES

Achilles. Oh, sweet Achilles. What a weakling you have become. Now, I shall not let this persist any longer, son. 

The lady in red?

You're too much like your father, may I say. Weak and dry. Not willing to take risks for more power might I add. But, you're not a weakling like his is. Be stronger, Achilles. Come and join me.

Come and join me...

"Achilles?" Achilles... Achilles??" I jump up and growl. Looking up, I see Jean.

"Hey man, seriously. C'mon and get up. The teach wants us to work on our projects." He scrunches his nose.

I get up and walk over to where Chloe is sitting. I slouch in my seat and begin working. I can feel the eyes of Bert just gazing over me.

"Watch it Bert, or you're not gonna see tomorrow." I glare at him.

God, I can't believe he saw me last night?

He jumps in his seat.

...

                                                      CHLOE

God, I can just feel the thick tension between these two. 

"Hey guys, project? Not whatever has happened to both of you to cause such vibes. I'm getting sick just looking at you both glare at each other like some war or something has rumbled." I speak up.

...

                                                 ACHILLES

Maybe I should...

...

                                               BERT

...talk to him?

...

                                              ACHILLES

"Well that's a wrap up everyone. Enjoy your lunch!" The teacher smiles and then leaves the class.

I think I should speak to him. But, after everything, I don't really think I deserve his help.

"Hey, Achilles! I'm starved man. Let's go!" Jean spirts out.

I nod and get up from my seat. We head to the cafeteria.

"Hey, Achilles. I gotta ask, as a man's best friend..." he begins.

"You're acting pretty different lately. I mean you won't even bother the younger students anymore, let alone make them do shit for you." he says. "I need to be lazy again. Feed me laziness, Achilles," Jean jokes around and smiles.

I glare at him.

"I dunno. Kind of tired of it, I guess. I mean, this is our last semester after all and coach needs me to stay my absolute best for this full-ride scholarship." I respond.

He smiles.

"Ya, I guess you're right." It seems like there is much more Jean wants to say, but can't.

We finally get to the cafeteria and buy our lunches. After sitting down with the baseball team and some of their girlfriends, I peer over to where Bert is sitting.

He's the only one that knows, I think.

I gotta speak to him.

I slowly get up from my spot.

"Hey guys, d'you all need anything to drink? I'm gonna grab some Dr. Pepper. Be right back." I say aloud. 

The other boys shake their heads.

I walk over to the vending machine, but before I get there completely, I brush past Bert whispering...

"Meet me at the local garden right after school. Don't be late." I whisper harshly.

I'll tell him. He'll keep his mouth shut and sooner or later, I will figure more of this out and understand just why this is happening to me...