Fracted (Book #2)

Chapter 9: Next To Her

I look out my window and stare at the endless darkness of the blue-violet sky. The blue-violet, cloudless sky. I leaned the side of my head, the part that broke my fall yesterday, against the window. I remember my first day in the academy; Robert pushed me off the building, I knew I was gonna die, that I wasn't gonna make it. Then I realized that he did it for a reason. But why are we all running away like fugitives? Why are we separated from our loved ones? Why did innocent people die? Is there a reason for all that's happened?

Hour Six, The Final Hour

My thoughts from the last hour haunt me. My head still pressed against the window. I cry. I miss the school. I miss learning. I miss training. I miss being secure. This sadness I'm feeling, it makes me normal. But I want to be not normal again. The parasite of sorrows is back inside my system.
I try not to sob loud, but I can't help it. Why did my memory come back? I hope there's a good reason for it. Not just Eiffel. I hope Eiffel is not just another hindrance like Mr. André. She won't be a snake, I try to comfort myself. She wouldn't infiltrate with my abilities like a serpent like Mr. André.
This is our last hour on this plane, might as well just make the best of it.
I wipe the tears off both my eyes and looked at Jackson. He's still turned.
"Jackson?" I said.
"Yeah?" he answered lowly and raspy.
"Are you okay now? I need someone to talk to," I said shyly.
He tilts his head towards his table a little, then towards me completely. After that, his whole body sinks down the cushion. His eyes are so little. So little, I could barely see the emeralds. He bites his lower lip as he frowned. Oh, he looks so depressed. I feel so bad, I might as well just cry right infront of him.
"How are your thoughts?" I asked Jackson, off the top of my head.
"My thoughts?" he looked confused.
"Yes, your thoughts. I mean, how are you doing? Are you still emotional about..."
"Jess, I told you no," he looked at me and lost his frowned more. His jaw juts in disappointment.
"I'm sorry... I just feel like I'm losing too much."
"You think I'm not losing anyone? Dude, we're all in the midst of loss. We don't know if this is just the beginning."
"I'm sorry, all right? Look, I'm sorry I even brought up your friend. I'm sorry." I keep on repeating "I'm sorry" to him and it doesn't make anything better. Sorry won't the past. So basically, I should just stop talking.
"What did you really want to talk about? Except for all the loss?"
"Nothing. Just... nothing," I sighed.
I reach under my seat and grabbed my small suitcase. I zip open the front pocket and took out my insulin. I open the small case where I always keep a syringe ready for emergencies. Of course I change the syringe every three weeks. But did my friends change it? Oh well, I'm gonna need it anyway.
"I'm going to the bathroom," he said. He rubbed his eyes wide as he walked on the hallway.
"Wash your face," I said.
"I know, I know."
I lift up my shirt and plunged the needle into my soft, pale skin. Deep breath exhausts from my mouth. I'm nervous that this plane moves suddenly and the needle bends and gets stuck to my layers of skin.
"You have diabetes?" Eiffel said to me. I realized that she was looking at me this whole time. Does she know that I was looking at her earlier?
I pull my shirt down immediately and put the syringe back in my suitcase. I slid it back and answered, "Uhhh, yeah. Type 1," I said.
"Would you mind if I sit down with you? Just before your friend comes back?" she asked shyly.
"Go ahead," I smile. What was that? What were you thinking? Jackson's gonna back any second and he'll see someone else sitting on his spot!
"Thank you."
She sat nicely next to me and looked directly at my face.
"So how old are you?" I asked.
"Thirteen. My birthday's on October 14, 2002."
"I'm also thirteen," I said.
"And March right?"
"Yeah. I'm guessing Robert has already introduced me to you."
"Nope, just the birthday."
"Oh."
Now she stopped looking at me. Something wrong? I wondered.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"No, just... my stepdad. He was planning on introducing me to my mom, which I barely even know, and I just... I don't know what's wrong with me."
"There's nothing wrong with you," I put my left arm on the armrest, I almost touch her arm.
"But you barely even know me."
"Good point."
"But, I did need someone to talk to."
"You're talking to me, so are you feeling better?"
"It's satisfying." I smiled at her and she smiled back. She looks out from her seat, looks like Jackson's done from using the bathroom.
"I gotta go," she said.
"No," I said, pulling her back to Jackson's seat as she was about to stand up. I pressed her head down my left shoulder.
"What are you doing?" she asked. Yeah, what am I doing?
"I want you to stay," I said. "Now pretend to be asleep when Jackson gets here,"
"Okay..."
I see Jackson raise an eyebrow at me. "How'd she--?"
"She's asleep, sshhh..." I whispered. I stop myself from laughing hard.
"Fine. I'll sit next to Robert," he said. Robert was sleeping too, so it didn't really matter.
Jackson settled in nicely next to Robert. He shut his eyes to sleep.
"I can't believe you just did that," she said. She lifted her head and looked at me again. "Thanks for saving me."
"Well you said it was satisfying that I talked to you."
"No I mean, thanks for saving me earlier at the airport. I would have been stuck in a plane for eight hours with that drunk."
"As long as you're safe, I'm good."
"Satisfied?"
"Satisfied," I said.
I stare into her eyes; it was blue, but it was also green. If I look on one side, it's blue. If I look on the other side, it's green. So I looked at her entire face, she's... different. Not just her eyes, but her. So what if she has Heterochromia? She's not normal and I am satisfied.