Experiment of Madness

40-Tears of Anguish-Dag

The idea of giving her my old phone turns out to be quite a good one. Now, we can stay connected even when I'm not at home.

"I might miss you."

There's a hint of playfulness in my tone as I respond, a sly smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "You might, huh?" I repeat, feigning disbelief, amused by her statement.

I lean against the wall as I continue the conversation with Aerra through the phone.

"So what are you doing right now?" I ask, my voice a mix of curiosity and affection.

I can visualize her smile through the phone as she responds, her voice carrying a hint of excitement.

"Playing with the flowers you bought," she says, a touch of wonder in her tone. "Never thought I'd like orange that much."

Her words convey the unexpected joy she's found in the simple gift of orange flowers, a surprise even to herself.

A smile forms on my lips as I hear the joy and happiness in her voice, the simple act of gifting her orange flowers seeming to bring her so much joy. There's a sense of satisfaction knowing I was able to make her happy, and a feeling of warmth spreads through my chest.

"My series starts," she says, a hint of reluctance in her tone. "I'll call you later."
The joke slips out before I can stop it, a hint of jealousy and possessive concern peeking through. "Are you leaving me for that Derek guy?"

I can't see her reaction through the phone, but I can imagine the eye roll, or perhaps a smile, depending on her mood. There's a brief moment of silence before she responds. "Yes," she says, her tone dry and sarcastic. "Clearly, I'm leaving you for him. How'd you guess?"

"Don't make me find him and kill him." The threat is playful, but there's a protective streak in my words.

Her soft chuckle filters through the line, the sound like a gentle breeze.

The distant sound of a bell chimes in the background. "I have to go," I say, reluctantly acknowledging the interruption. "The bell rang."

There's a hint of disappointment in my voice, but I try to keep it light. "Okay, I'll see you."

I pocket my phone, pushing aside the feeling of separation as I enter the school. The halls are filled with students, the usual hustle and bustle of the school day in full swing.

The thought of Aerra taking her medication regularly reassures me. Knowing that she's taking care of herself helps ease my concerns, and the fact that I can occasionally check on her adds to my peace of mind.

There's no need for a hospital .

I roll my eyes at Fane's observation as he laughs and remarks on my appearance. "You look bad," he says, amusement clear in his voice, "do you even sleep?" His question stings a bit, a reminder of the restless nights I've spent worrying about Aerra.

My mind flashes back to the countless nights I've spent staying up, watching over Aerra and making sure she's okay. The memory of her sleepwalking, her occasional episodes of paranoia, and my own anxiety and worry flood my senses. The dark circles under my eyes and the exhaustion etched on my face are tangible evidence of the toll it's taken on me.

She doesn't even remember, and that's better.

I glance over at Fane, irritation and exhaustion evident in my expression. "I've been studying something you've never done," I reply, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

_______________________________

I make my way through the familiar streets, the orange flowers in my hand an unexpected gift for Aerra. As I walk, I find myself wondering if she'll like them.