Two Weeks and Two Days

Dissimulation.

​🇦​​🇱​​🇦​​🇳​​🇦​.

The school day was finally over but there was still a long day ahead. I was starting to regret agreeing to hang out with Felix and Axel – yes, they lighten my mood but after a long and hard day I just want my warm bed again. To climb under my thick covers and read a book until I fall asleep at 8 pm and then wake up at 3 am, relaxing in the dark silence of the night. Staying up until the sun rises and dragging myself out of bed and to school. That's how it usually went, anyway.

I was waiting outside of college, my headphones on, as I tried to keep looking down at my phone. I usually always tried to get out earlier so I avoided the crowd of utter chaos that erupted from the front doors as the entire college tried to pile out at once in a hurry. Faces upon faces passed by me at a fast pace and I could feel myself becoming light-headed and woozy at the crowds but I knew as long as I kept my head down I would be fine.

Before long, Axel and Felix walked out, chatting between themselves before they stood to the side to come and approach me. They both seemed to be in a relatively happy mood, so I knew I couldn't cancel on them. I guess I can't lie and say that I don't want to see Alexia and Bear again, their dogs. Alexia was Felix's, an adorable French Bulldog who was a little aggressive when around new people but wouldn't leave your side when you got to know her. I was one of the lucky ones that she liked straight away, which was a rare case. Then, we have Bear who is a huge Tibetan Mastiff and also the cuddliest dog you'll ever meet. He is just a large teddy bear, which is fitting due to the name. As much as I did like cats, dogs were a very close favourite. I haven't met a dog that didn't like me.

"Alana! Are you ready? We could walk back to yours if you'd like to drop your bag off before we walk to our houses."

"Sounds fine with me!"

That was another good thing. Both of them lived quite close to me – still a bit of a walk – but it was only a ten-minute walk between all of our houses. I always treasured that because it meant when I needed them, they weren't always that far away. I have been to Felix's house quite often, as his parents were quite relaxed compared to mine and Axel's. Axel was very driven and determined in everything he did and you could tell from the way he acted, that his parents must be very focused on what they wanted. Especially what they wanted for their son and what they wanted him to be.

Nodding in response, the three of us pushed our way through the manic crowd and took the usual side road towards our neighbourhood. The two continued to talk about something, I wasn't paying attention as it was something along the lines of the ocean, something Axel despises. I had my headphones on one ear still so I just put on some relaxing music to try and calm my nerves. I don't know why, maybe it was my English class this morning that was still prevalent in my mind, but I just felt really in my own head. The problem was, it wasn't anything in particular, it was just this feeling of fuzziness. Almost as if it was television static instead of my head.

"What do you think?"

I didn't realise the question was pointed to me until I slightly turned my head and saw both of them staring at me, with faces filled with anticipation. I bit my lip for a second, to pretend to think before simply shaking my head, averting my eyes as I kept on walking.

"I'm not sure. It's hard to choose."

By a stroke of luck, it managed to satisfy the two's curiosity as they carried on their conversation, which I managed to tune into a little bit. They were discussing which was better, dolphins or sharks. Although, the conversation was more about Axel complaining that every sea creature was a dangerous cretin and Felix attempting to convince him that some can be very cute, to no avail. At least they could agree that dolphins were mutually hated. It made me chuckle a little, something that sounded odd to my ears.