Not Ready To Change

Chapter 8: Remedy

Wellston Boys' Dorms:

Same Night-

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John was sitting on the floor from where he was recently tackled. Faced with a choice to take Seraphina's hand or brush it off, John could not make up his mind.

He remembered not even a day ago looking at his phone and seeing nothing show up, walking into his dorm and being met with silence and emptiness.

Now, since his fight with Seraphina, he has not been left alone. Beginning with the forced reentry of Blyke and Seraphina constantly finding him and trying to get his attention.

He was wondering if he subconsciously wished too hard for some social interaction.

Seraphina's face was urging him to take her hand, he just was not sure if he was ready to move on yet. He did not want to admit that he needed to change his ways.

Still stuck in the past, in New Bostin, John remembered Claire and how he took her hand before he discovered his ability.

He thought to the pain he felt not long ago and the results losing his mind got him. Not that he told anyone, not that he felt anyone but his dad cared.

But, with Seraphina, he felt her to be genuine. Anyone else would have left by now, especially considering all that he had done recently after the fight.

A strong urge in John was screaming for him to take her hand, another part, however, did not trust her.

Yet, the decision was made quickly for him as he noticed Seraphina make a change.

She was losing hope and began to pull her hand away, but John reached out as fast as lightning to grab it.

Making contact for the first time in a long time, the pairs eyes widened. Even though they both knew what they were doing at first, they were still surprised to see it happen.

"John..." Seraphina questioned while helping lift him to his feet.

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Meanwhile, from behind Blyke's door, the trio was listening through it the best they could to find out what was going on.

They could not rely on Isen and his ability, however, because John would certainly detect it and the moment would be ruined or worse.

"Who can hear what's happening?!" Remi whisper-yelled.

"I can't hear a thing!" Blyke replied softly. "Should I go out?!" He asked.

"NO," Both remi and Isen replied instantly.

Blyke was taken aback by this.

"Jeez!" He responded.

"I think..." Isen began. "He took her hand!"

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"You offered," John looked away while he spoke.

Standing up, he was still looking away while Seraphina stared intently. She felt that this was the time to speak up and make a final break for John.

"When we fought, John," she began.

This caught John's attention.

"And all the times we have fought before," she continued. "It could not have been more real. That shows me not who you are, but that you aren't fake and never have been."

John did not know how to respond.

"If you were fake, you would have walked away and forgotten it all, but something is holding you back and I know you know you need to get past it," she kept going.

"You, are not the monster you think you are, I know that it wasn't fake, you just need to believe it!" She finished while raising her voice slightly.

Shatter.

All the cracks built up over the past few days finally resulted in the shattering of the image of the King that John was upholding.

He never had heard these words before and the images of Claire which overlapped with Seraphina were gone. All he could see was her, not the past.

He knew that his dad was in his corner but he also knew how much he had pushed him away. How he didn't listen when he said not to hide his powers or his personality.

But John thought his personality New Bostin, he thought there was no other option.

Clearly he was starting to see that was not the case.

Maybe, just maybe, it was time to go back.

John was visibly shaken from Seraphina's words from what she could see. She inherently knew that she had finally got to him.

She reached out for him, only to see him react and step back.

"I... I..." John was at a loss for words.

She eagerly awaited his response.

"I am... I am a bad person..." He muttered.

Seraphina did not interrupt.

"I hurt so many people!" He shouted. "Here, at New Bostin! I just repeat it over and over!"

He covered his face and dropped to his knees with no fight left in him.

Seraphina, hurt by what she was seeing, knelt down to him, and moved his hands to meet his eyes.

"John, you need to forgive yourself," she stated, softly. "For someone who thinks he has done so much bad... You also gave me freedom from myself and the expectations set on me!"

John listened intently.

"You are no monster, John... I know you are not fake," she finished.

John was close to tears and at a total loss.

He pulled his hands away from her grasp and leaned forward, pulling her into an embrace.

Surprised, she returned it, smiling on the other side, tears welling up.

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Behind the door, Isen was giving a thumbs up to the rest to signal the end of the war.

Remi smiled, Blyke, as usual, was sporting an angry expression since John was his bitter enemy at the moment.

Isen, however, was happy to live another day.

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John and Seraphina pulled away, facing each other. He was the first to speak.

"I think... I want to go back to New Bostin for a bit," he stated through breaths. "I need to face the past if I'm going to move on."

Seraphina did not expect him to say that, but was very happy to hear that he wanted to find himself again.

However, she was certainly not happy to have him leave so soon with so much positivity happening in the moment.

"Alright, John..." She began. "I think that is a great idea, but..." She paused.

John looked to her in anticipation.

"You need to promise me two things, first," she revealed.

"One, call me and update me," she held up a finger.

"The other thing?" John asked.

"Say hello to William for me, of course!" She smiled.

John returned the expression.

"I think I can do that," he chuckled slightly at the simple request.

"Good," she laughed back.

'Welcome back, John,' was all she could think.

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