The Leaves are Silent

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Recap: Parker and Lily are having a disagreement with the rest of the group over argument on what they should do and panic over deadline which they now see is February twentieth. Awkward tensions lie between the group. Lily and Parker also discovered a document which spoke about something that is called 'Risters'. Also in last chapter Lily suffered from a bad nightmare which led her to go outside with Matthew and begin drinking. Both of them shared secrets.

The second time I awoke, it was from the blaring bell of the camp, arising us for breakfast.   I groaned, a slight headache pounding in my head.   It was painful but bearable.  I feared to see how Matthew looked this morning, drinking much more than I last night.

I slowly tore myself from the warm confinements of my bed.   As I did so, the memories of the night before came rushing back.   My talk with Matthew, the secret I had revealed, the drinking.

And the nightmare.

I quickly pushed those thoughts out of my mind and focused on getting ready.   I remained silent as I made my way out of the tent, with Alena by my side.   She hadn't spoken yet, and I feared she would bring up the topic of last night.   It was the last thing I wanted to think or talk about.

But she didn't.   She remained completely quiet on the events of last night and instead asked me what colour of the rainbow I would be.

We chatted and laughed quietly as we made our way to the dining hall.    Things had been slightly tense between the seven of us the past week.   This boiled down to the disagreement Parker and I had had with the rest of the group.   Alena and I ignored the matter completely when talking with each other, not wishing awkwardness to fall upon us when we shared a tent.

However, tense and awkward conversations were still held between Maya, Ian and Matthew.  Liam didn't contribute much, remaining almost neutral.  Although my talk with Matthew last night showed we were still on the same side besides our minor disagreement.    Due to this, Parker and I had not mentioned the document we found in the Professor's office.   The one which spoke about the Risters.

Which I still had no clue about.

All this ran through my mind as we sat through another silent breakfast.   Matthew still hadn't joined us, but everyone else was present.   I sat across from Ian, whose brown eyes burned into my head but I forced myself not to meet them.   I knew he wanted to speak to me about it but I had intentionally avoided him all week.

Parker's simmering anger could be felt by all of us.   I wasn't one to hold a grudge not having a particularly stubborn trait on these instances.   Parker was the opposite however, still having white hot rage over the small betrayal.   

It was when Matthew slammed his food tray onto the wooden table, that broke the awkward silence.   He let out a loud groan when he plonked himself down onto the space beside Ian.   I could see the evidence of a hangover clearly in his face and I had to stifle a laugh at the sight of him.   He was in a much worse condition than I was.

"When did that bell get so loud?" he complained, while he stared sickenly at the food before him.  "I mean, Jesus,"