wordsmith's manuscript

Chapter 3

-So... What do you think?- I asked nervously, biting the inside of my cheeks and controlling the tremor in my leg. All he did was take off his glasses, place them on his desk, along with my paper, and look at me.

-You're not on the list.

-Oh...- I tried to keep my face composed, I think I succeeded, but my heart seemed to break a little and a hollow feeling settled in my stomach. I wasn't good enough.

-Do you have plans for today?

-Excuse me?- What on earth was he doing?

-Do you have anything to do today?

-Um... No?

He gave a small smile.

-Come here at ten.

-At night?

-Yes.

-Why?

-I'm going to show you something.

-Um... Can I know what?

He looked around to make sure no one saw or heard us.

-Orion, you don't deserve to be on the list, your mind is not like everyone else's who are going, they put words, you shape them, you deserve people like you and I know exactly where they are.

-Sir, you do?

-Trust me, kid, ten o'clock here.

-Okay... Thank you.

I walked out the door.

-And, Orion?

-Yes?

I turned around.

-I'm glad, I bet on you right.

-Thank you, professor -I said.

He nodded, and I left.

A group of people like me... I mean, I always knew there were people like that, people who enjoy something beyond writing, people who feel the words rather than just write them, but are they really this close? Because they're definitely not from school. I suffered when I was younger because of that, and now they don't care anymore, so if someone liked writing as much as I do, they would definitely know for sure.

***

Throughout the rest of the morning classes, I couldn't focus,  my mind somehow wouldn't grasp the teacher's words, and some apprehension settled in, almost more than excitement. Will there be many of them? I doubt it, but what if there are?

I found solace in music on the way home, and entered normally.

-Mom?

No response, okay... I climbed the stairs and placed my things on the bed, quickly checking the time, okay, I had time...

I walked to her room.

-Mom?

She was sleeping, so I went there, sat on the edge of the bed, and placed my hand on her cheek.

-Hey... Mom, it's late, come eat something, okay? I'll make it, I have time.

She barely opened her eyes.

-I want to stay here.

I sighed.

-Then if I bring the food here, will you eat?

-Hm... Bring the pills, Orion...

-Yes... I'll bring them.

I went back down to the kitchen, placed the pill on a napkin, and filled a glass with water, checking the fridge for something to give her. There was a steak left, but it was already moldy, so it went into the trash.