Teen Romance Fantasy

Act 21 (Ch)

The day of the school festival had finally come. I usually would have stayed home but my sister and my mother wanted to see the art gallery so badly that they forced me to come as well. However, it all turned out a little differently. I didn't watch over them for one second and suddenly they were gone. The art gallery wasn't open just yet so where could they have been? May was probably going around with her friends but my mother? I hoped we would find each other later.

At least I met Eric and Kadir. They were both dressed as Paul McCartney, even though Kadir seemed a little out of place with his dark hair. I didn't understand what their music class was even trying to do but it did look like fun.

"Have you seen Anthony and Tyson yet?" Eric asked nonchalant, as he tried to straighten his jacket. I shook my head and pretended to not be glad that I hadn't met Tyson yet. I really didn't want to run into him. Still, Eric saw right through me. He didn't mention it however. Instead he tried to distract me with food. Kadir was excited since he hadn't eaten anything yet and would have given just about anything for some Indian curry. I however had to admit that I wasn't hungry but I was still going to tag along. Once again Eric wanted to say something but he decided to stay quiet.

"What is going on there?" I asked, as we waited in line for the curry. There was a crowd in the classroom next to us. They were shouting something but I couldn't quite make out the words.

"Didn't you hear about it? The gaming club offers Prophecy cards to play with. Oh wait, you skipped school that day. Anyways, it seems to be quite popular." Kadir explained. He had just gotten his curry. As much as he wanted to eat this beautifully smelling curry, he knew that he had to hold back. It was still too hot to eat.

I wasn't as excited about it, as the others would have expected. Card games that were based on strategy were just up my area. I barely ever lost to anyone. Not even Tyson stood a chance against me. Strategy games were one of the few things I was better in than Tyson.

Still, I didn't expect the crowd. There were quite a few people from the other classes. I barely knew any of the students. I mean, it was to be expected, when all their faces were covered by black mist.

Idiot.

Selfish.

Arrogant.

I was being judged by stupid shadows. Of course it had to be this way. At least I had gotten used to it by now. It didn't bother me as much anymore. Besides, as long as I could see the faces of the people I cared about, it wasn't that bad. Speaking of which, I didn't expect Sarah to walk by. She was in company of Luna and a guy and a girl I didn't know. Perhaps I had been overanalysing the situation but I noticed how close she and the guy were. Their hands were basically touching and she was smiling.

"Isn't that the fr- I mean Sarah? Who's that hot guy? He must be her boyfriend." Kadir pointed out nonchalant. He said it in such a neutral way that I couldn't help but agree. I had this weird feeling inside my stomach. Whatever it was, I didn't like it.

"I didn't know she had a boyfriend. I wonder who he is.", I admitted a little disappointed.

"It doesn't look like he goes to school here. Maybe he's one of Luna's friends."

"Guess you're right Kadir. Still, Sarah never mentioned him to me."

I couldn't tell, if Eric noticed something was wrong with me of if he had already expected it. Nevertheless, he said that I should go up to her. When I told him that I didn't want to get between Sarah and her boyfriend, he simply frowned. He crossed his long arms in front of his chest and suddenly began to look ten years older.

"I'm not asking you to go down on a knee and to propose to her. You want to talk to her, don't you? Just go up to her. We don't know for sure if he's her boyfriend. Look, they are close but they aren't holding hands or anything like this." When I tried to disagree with his idea, Eric suddenly grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me along. Kadir slowly followed after us, since he was too busy with his curry.

I was standing basically in front of Sarah, when Eric suddenly let go of me. He put on his purest smile and greeted Sarah like an old friend. I on the other hand felt too ashamed to even look at her. It was mostly because of the people around her. Their mist made me anxious. I noticed how my heart was already beating out of rhythm. Besides, it was noisy. The voices wouldn't shut up.

Useless.

Pathetic.

I was locked away in my own world. A world that could be described as a bittersweet void. Only the voices were keeping me company. I was alone. Alone and forgotten. Perhaps that was why I didn't realise that Eric had been talking to Sarah. I had no idea what he was saying or why she had this embarrassed look on her face. All I knew was that Sarah seemed a little worried as if she really didn't want to meet me or anyone else in this moment.

"You should definitely try a round. It's fun. Christian wanted to go for a round as well. There's a reason why he's the second best student in our grade. He can help you out a little with the rules." What was Eric talking about? Was this about the card game? I looked at Eric in disbelief but he wouldn't let me say anything.

"We'll join as well. Right Rosie?" A British accent. Really? Let's sum this up. This guy (the guy Sarah was allegedly dating) was apparently really handsome, taller than me, had a godly voice and a British accent. I was nothing more than a piece of shit next to him.

"By any chance, are you athletic?"

"Christian!" Eric shouted.

"No worries, it's fine. I wouldn't really consider myself as athletic. I do go to the gym every day for three hours and I am the captain of our college basketball team but that's it to be honest. I would love to do more but neither basketball nor the gym is going to pay the bills." Athletic, check. Humble, check. Older than me, check. Successful, check. Ding, ding, ding, we got a winner.

"Really Oscar? I didn't know that first years could make it as captain. That's amazing!" Luna said excitedly.

"I know. I've been the captain all throughout middle school and high school. I guess I'm kind of good at motivating people."

Could someone please just kill me?