The Unexpected

TWENTY SIX

Don't know why this school is so set on doing the annual parenting ball.

The time of the year were parents come and check out what their kids are up to, how classes are going, meet teachers. But for family's it's trying not to fight.

There are many kingdom's that don't like each other, for example Hell and the fire kingdom don't exactly make the best of friends.

My mom can't attend because I think people would figure out that she isn't from heaven.

Oli's mom never attends so that's also good.

''Were you thinking about a theme, Oli?'' Oli is one of the students that are helping to organize the ball.

''Um, the 90's''

''Boring.'' I look at the other side of the table and see Noah. They haven't talked at all but he sure had an opinion on everything Oli said.

''Not every single one of us have been there when it was the 90's, Noah.''

He just stares at Oli.

''I-Is dad coming?'' Mikey stutters.

''No.'' he just put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it up. I don't expect any of our parents to come, wel except for Damien's parents. They attend every year.

''I'm going to get a drink, anyone want anything?'' I for once wasn't in the mood for ice coffee or anything else so I just shook my head, so did the rest. Oli stood up and went to the bar to order something for herself.

Noah took one look behind him and also stood up and walked behind Oli.

''Joy.'' I look to my side to see Damien just arriving to the table, which has been happening way more.

''What?'' I didn't even want to look at him. I was still mad.  ''Let's talk.'' I look back at him.

''Oh, so now you want to talk?'' I said clearly giving a attitude.

''You want you talk? Sorry but, Darien beat you to it. And the way you kept that piece of information about me to yourself for over a week without saying anything? is enough for me to not speak to you again.''

I stood up and was about to walk away when Damien took my hand, not letting me leave.

''Joy, I can explain.''

''Fine Damien.'' I looked back and now the whole canteen was staring at us.

''How about we talk about you keeping something that big about me for over a week! How about we talk about how I had to figure it out by Darien, your goddamn twin brother! Why didn't I hear it about it from my own boyfriend?! How about we talk about shit you have with your parents or you're always gone who knows fucking where?!''

My voice was cracking at this point. If im gonna be honest, I really didn't know it bothered me this much. Always when I Lookat him I felt safe. But in the past month I don't feel that anymore, I feel us drifting apart and I hate it.

I hate fighting because we barely do. I always pretended that I didn't care about what he was doing.

Pretend

But there is only so much pretending I could do. Seeing him look at me with his green eyes. His green eyes reminding me about peace and freedom. His green eyes that I always look for when he isn't here. The green eyes of my boyfriend.

''Damien I feel like I'm losing you and you seem to not give a fuck!'' He grabbed both my hands.

''Joy, that isn't true! But I can't keep you updated about every single fucking thing in my life! That isn't what a relationship is!''

''No that's exactly what it is! I don't know where you are or if you're even okay and safe! this isn't a small fucking thing Damien.''

"Well maybe we shouldn't even be in a relationship then!" He yelled. His voice sounded angry, but also full of regret.

I was on the verge of bursting out.

''Fine Damien.'' I snatched my hands back and ran away. ''Joy wait up!''

I hear Mikey yell my name and telling me to come back but I was already running back to my dorm room.

Once I get inside I run to my room and slam the door. I jump on my bed and just start crying my feelings out.

I get that he is busy, trust me we don't have many arguments like Oli and Noah's. But these past few weeks have been so hard and with him being gone all the time, hiding things and god knows what.

Honestly there was never a time that I would think he was cheating. That isn't like him at all. I don't like secrets and he knows that. He knows what I'm going thru and yet it took him a week to tell me about it.

A fucking week.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.

''I said go away Damien!''

''It's me, Mikey.''

I hesitate for a moment.

''Fine, come in.''

I hear my door open. Mikey comes in and sits beside me on my bed.

He puts his arm around me and I lay my head on his shoulder, still bawling my eyes out.

''Joy, what happened?''

''Remember when Ellie all of a sudden attacked me at the ball?''

I feel his head nodding.

''Well when I shielded one of her lethal spells, apparently when my shield appeared it was black instead of white.''

Mikey sat up to look at me shocked. I just shrugged.

"Damien saw it. He knows my shield is white so why didn't he tell me immediately? He waited a whole week. And yet I knew because his brother came to school to say it to me."

Mikey stayed silent. Probably doesn't know what to say. He raised his hand and wiped my tears away with his thumb.

"Do you want to lay in silent? Cry it out, I'm here." I smiled thru my sobs. He knows exactly what I want. Being around Mikey feels like I'm taken care of. It feels like a have a sibling, a brother that I don't have.

I nod at his idea and we layed in my bed. He put his arm around my neck and I layed my hair on his shoulder.

Every sob that left my mouth, ever tear that escaped my eyes. I never felt this way before with Damien. I don't know how to explain it.

But deep inside me I hope he wasn't serious. I hope he pretended. Saying to stop continuing our relationship.

Pretend

Was it pretend? Or did he actually mean it?

Please don't leave me.