Welcome To The School

30

A/N: Not everything is as it seems...

Blair sat by his friend, gripping onto the smaller boy's hand as if letting go would mean certain death — for whom, Eijeh wasn't sure. The small hospital building was silent, save for Ellowyn Hawthorne's quiet wheezing, and the footsteps of the quiet, translucent boy as he paced back and forth, each step jarring to Eijeh's ears.

Finally, Blair broke the silence. His voice was quieter than normal, piercing green eyes wet as he finally looked up. "Someone should tell Zia."
"I'll go," Eijeh and the other boy spoke together. Wordlessly, Blair nodded and returned his attention to Ellowyn, his thumb beginning to stroke the smaller boy's palm comfortingly. As they left the room, Eijeh heard a single, choked sob.

"So. Who are ya?" Eijeh stopped in the middle of the corridor, turning to face the boy next to him.
"Hoshi! It's a pleasure to meet you... again." He held out his hand and Eijeh shook it.
"Eijeh Ignis. Same. So, we headed to Zia's room?"
"Well, actually... I have a friend who might be able to help. He's odd and ginger and he can be a bit... aggressive, but I'm sure I can convince him to help." Hoshi grinned. Eijeh, laughing, smiled back.
Looking at their intertwined hands, he squeezed the other boy's hand slightly, staring when his hand closed on nothing. "Uhm. Hoshi. Why does your hand do that?"
Hoshi drew his hand away and blushed. "Sorry... I'm a ghost. I'm incorporeal."
Eijeh paused. "Then... hang on, I heard your footsteps earlier?"
Hoshi made a hissing sound. "Damn it. Sorry about that. I was emotional. When I get a strong enough emotion... Sorry."
"Nah, it's okay." They stared at each other for a few moments. "Uhh... Ellowyn. Right. I'm gonna go get Zia."
"I'll get my friend. He doesn't emerge a lot, but I'll convince him. Somehow."
"Good luck."
"Same to you.."

As usual, Eijeh nearly got impaled when the door was opened. Shooing Ciara aside, Zia nodded to Eijeh. "Hey! What brings you here today, Eijeh?"
"Well... um..."
She looked pretty today. Her hair was up in a bun and she was wearing a simple pair of glasses with golden frames. There was an emerald studded hair clip in her auburn hair, matching her eyes perfectly. As always, her outfit was almost entirely pink — this time, soft, muted. And of course, her smile, sweeter than sugar and quietly joyous at the sight of her friend.
"Yes?"

Eijeh remembered some advice Hayden had given him, once. Be tactful. Gentle. He took a breath. He could do that. He met her eyes, unblinking. "Ellowyn's in the hospital wing."
Her smile dropped. "What?!"
"Allergic reaction. He doesn't look good. Someone... what was his name? Hoshi? Hoshi. He said it's... uhh... to do with Anna or someone. Anna Phill's Axes? Not sure."
Her brow furrowed. "Anaphylaxis?"
"Yeah. That. Blair says you should come. And quickly. Because, well. Personally, I have no idea where to find someone who can help—"
"God, Eijeh. You really couldn't have said that any blunter?"
"What?" Eijeh frowned, confused. He'd listened to Hayden. He'd been tactful. Whatever that meant. "But— But Hoshi's getting help? I think?"
"Great. Just great. Okay, where are we headed?" She glanced to Ciara. "I'm heading out, okay. My boyfriend's sick." Ciara grinned and nodded. "And please don't use my dresses for target practice again, yeah?" She nodded again and waved as Zia exited, shutting the door behind her, sighing heavily. "Which way?"
"Uhhh... This way?" Eijeh strolled off, sure that Ellowyn would be fine. That boy had said it could be life-threatening, not that it was. Besides, he assumed whoever — Hoshi? Yeah, that seemed right — would find someone who could actually help.

"Name's Hoshi." Hoshi said the minute he saw Eijeh and Zia.
"I know?" Eijeh tilted his head.
"You do? Uh, well, anyway... I found my friend, as promised. He's on his best behaviour. He doesn't show up often, but..." Hoshi cast a meaningful look at his friend. He was tall, and ginger, and had a vaguely tired air about him. He was looking around with keen interest, murmuring to himself. His eyes met Eijeh's and he jolted. "Marco?!" The boy's eyes widened.
"Huh? Wher— Oh. Right. Hi?"
"Hoshi, this is your friend? I know Marco! He's cool."
Marco nodded. "Thanks dude. Anyways, where's the dead gremlin?"

Hoshi sighed a long suffering sigh. "This way. And please don't wander off. You'll only get lost." Marco pouted, folding his arms and nodding reluctantly.
"Lost?" Eijeh looked between the two in amusement. "You've been here four years, and you still don't know where you're going?"
Marco laughed quietly, bitterly. "I was here for less than a year before my entire world was tipped upside down. Besides, I've only been to the med centre once. And that... well, it was a long time ago. Now. Where's the dead creature. I'm supposed to help him, am I not?"
Zia, at Eijeh's shoulder, frowned. "Marco, what happened to your stutter?"
Hoshi stiffened slightly, and Marco touched his throat. "Ah..." he gave an apologetic smile. "I'm s-suppressing it. It can i-interfere w-with my h-healing." His expression was gentle, almost embarrassed, but his eyes were daggers, piercing as they met Zia's, unblinking.
The air turned cold and Marco's fingers twitched, his expression shifting to an almost desperate one. Hoshi gripped his friend's hand. "Come on. Let's go. Ellowyn needs us, yes? Ellowyn needs you." Marco nodded, tearing his gaze away, and the four dragged themselves back into the room where Ellowyn lay.

"What took you so long?! Do you have someone who can—"
Marco cut him off. "Yup. M-Me. Now get out. All of you but the dead boy, get out. I can't do this when you lot are there."
Hoshi shook his pale head. "No. I'm staying."
Blair and Zia cut in, nodding. "So are—"
"Hoshi Ghostie can stay. The r-rest of you, out." Eijeh had never seen Marco so cool, so collected. Barely stuttering. Eijeh nodded and led his two friends out the room, hoping Marco would do whatever it took to help Ellowyn.

* * * * *

"And back in you come." Marco stood at the door, looking exhausted. He dragged the back of his hand against his mouth, sighing softly. "He's exhausted, but he'll be—" His gaze narrowed as he caught sight of someone approaching. "He'll be fine. Go see him or whatever."

Ellowyn lay on the bed, smiling faintly. "Hi." He was nowhere near the bouncy kid he'd been before, but if Marco was right, he'd be back to that kid soon.
Zia rushed forward. "Sweetheart, what happened?"
Ellowyn winced as she gripped his wrist anxiously. She noticed and dropped it immediately, faint pinpricks of blood visible on his wrist. "Sorry, love. But what happened?"
Blair shifted uneasily as Ellowyn took in a shaky breath and began to speak, tell his version of the tale. "I... I wasn't feeling too good. I think I ate something... plus, my cramps always suck. Once a month, pain and suffering, am I right?" He pouted and Zia nodded sympathetically. Blair and Eijeh exchanged confused glances. What? Ellowyn noticed and grinned. "For the benefit of my friends who are currently unenlightened and exchanging confused looks over there, I'm transgender. Female to male." He smiled and continued. "Anyways, as I was saying—" Eijeh and Blair exchanged another look. This boy had been in their dorm for months and they never noticed? Wow. They were dumb.

Blair placed a large hand on Eijeh's shoulder and guided him away slightly. "Eijeh."
"Mhm,"
"Is El's being trans going to be an issue for you?" His face was completely serious.
Eijeh blinked. "Why would that be an issue?"
Blair paused, continuing in a lower voice. "I thought you might be uncomfortable or something. That his body might make you uncomfortable or something."
Eijeh frowned, confused. "It's not like he changes with us anyways. He always hops off to the bathrooms. Besides, he's not any less of a guy. He's still El."
Blair grinned. "I gotta admit, I was worried you'd be upset or something. I personally could not care less, but you never know how people will react..."
Eijeh nodded. "Yeah, I guess. But we're basically family. Better than some families." Blair smiled down at him. "And honestly? It doesn't seem to be a huge thing for Ellowyn. So let's not make it a huge thing. Sound good, Blair?" He nodded and the two felt a spark of friendship, returning to where Ellowyn was finishing off his story. Zia was listening intently, holding his hand and smiling faintly, looking happy to be there. Eijeh grinned and sat on the end of the bed.

It was then they heard the scream.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed that! This was a really fun chapter to write. Sorry not sorry for the cliffhanger and the cryptic A/N at the start :)
And as always, tell me what you think! :)