Echoes Of Power

Shadows of Doubt

The next day, Antonio walked the halls of Fairmont High School, his mind raced with the thoughts of Delirium and whispered taunts that weighed his every step. "Hey Antonio! Wait up!" Turning around, Antonio spotted Michaela hurrying to catch up with him, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Even with the weight of his worries, her presence brought a calming sensation once again.   

"Morning, Afro Queen," Antonio greeted, a sly smile as he noticed Michaela's hair forming a perfect afro. "What's up?" Michaela grinned, rolling her eyes at the nickname. "Just wanted to talk to you about something. It's about Trey" Antonio's eyes flashed with concern. "What about him?" "I don't know," Michaela hesitantly admitted, her expression thoughtful.

"There's just something...off about him. I just haven't figured it out yet." Antonio heart sank at her words. He was getting a feeling to, but was choosing to bury it. He couldn't afford to let his own fears cloud his judgment.   "I'm sure it's nothing," Antonio said, forcing a smile and a look of reassurance. "Trey's just the new kid trying to find his away around here. Please just give him a chance for me."

Michaela nodded her head, but even so he could see the doubt lingering in her eyes. "You're probably right" she said, though her expression was uncertain.    As they reached their first class of the day, Antonio couldn't shake the eerie feeling of unease that was clouding over him. Trey's easy smile seemed legit but there was something in the way that he carried himself, a sense of mystery lurking beneath the surface.    Throughout the day, Antonio found himself sneaking glances at Trey whenever he wasn't looking.

"Thanks Michaela" Antonio sighed under his breath, for now he was even more suspicious of his other friend. But wasn't until lunchtime that Antonio realized that Michaela was maybe on to something. During lunch, Antonio discreetly observed Trey from across the cafeteria. Trey was chatting excitingly with a group of classmates, with a charm that Antonio knew all to well. He tried to ignore it but Antonio couldn't shake the feeling that Trey's charm was nothing more than a mask, just like his.   

After lunch, Antonio and Michaela found themselves in the library, pouring over textbooks in preparation for an upcoming exam. As much as he tried Antonio couldn't focus. His mind kept drifting back to Trey, to the mystery that surrounded him. "Antonio, are you okay?" Michaela's voice broke through his thoughts, filled with concern. "Yea, I'm fine," Antonio replied, forcing.a charming smile. "Just a lil distracted, I guess."   

Michaela frowned, her hazel eyes searching for the answer in his expression. "Is it Trey? You've been acting weird ever since we had that conversation this morning." "I don't know," Antonio admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "There's just something...off about him. I can't explain it, but I cant shake the feeling that's he's hiding something."   

Michaela's eyes widened in agreement " I've been feeling the same way," she confessed. "But I didn't want to say anything in case I was being rude."    Antonio shook his head "I don't think we're being rude. There's definitely something strange about him, and I intend to find out what it is. Determined, Antonio turned back to his textbooks. Whatever secrets Trey was hiding, Antonio was determined to uncover them, no matter what it took. As the day progressed, Antonio's unease only deepened.

Every interaction with Trey felt like a puzzle, each piece a different vibe from him. At one point, Antonio caught Trey staring at him from across the room, his eyes cold. Antonio's heart skipped a beat, a shiver running down his spine.    

After school, Antonio decided to confront Trey, to see if he could tell if he was lying. He found Trey hanging around the lockers by a bunch of junior female. "Hey Trey, Whats up?" Antonio says, once again putting on the mask and using his charm. The females seemed to not mind the conversation about to ensue. "Hey Antonio, whats up?" Trey greeted, his voice calm but his eyes not leaving Antonios. Antonio took a deep breath, "we need to talk,Trey," he said. The smile on Trey's face wavered but for a spilt second before he replied " About what?"    

Antonio stepped closer, his eyes locked with Trey's. "About you," he said commandingly " About what you're hiding"    Treys eyes instantly went cold. The girls seemed to have disappeared in the tension ensuing. "I don't know what your talking about Antonio," he replied, his tone getting dangerously defensive. "I'm just trying to fit in, like everyone else."  
Antonio wasn't convinced with this answer. He could feel it in his gut..there was more to Trey then what meets the eye, and he was determined to uncover the truth.    "I don't buy it Trey," Antonio said, his voice firm. "There's more to you than your letting on, and I intend to find out.    With that, Antonio turned and walked away leaving Trey standing alone in the empty hallway. As he made his way home, Antonio mind raced with possibilities. Whatever is was, Antonio was determined to find the truth. No Matter What!