Academy Everlasting

Chapter 4: Making Friends

Chapter 4: Making Friends

At Nathan's outburst, I take a step back and look at the other guys to see if they are angry at me as well. They all look more concerned than angry and that keeps me from running back home.

I hear someone clear their throat and I realize I never answered Nathan's question. I nervously look back at him and see that he no longer looks as angry, but looks more concerned, like his friends.

Realizing he wasn't upset with me and was perhaps angry because I was hurt makes me want to grin. I can't remember the last time someone cared enough to be upset that I was hurt.

I decide that if I want to keep hanging out with these guys, I probably can't keep lying to them. Something tells me they would be able to see right through me if I lied outright anyway. But I can't tell them the truth, can I?

If they know about my step mother, they will send me home for sure. Who would want to hang out with the weird girl with the crazy step mother?

"I-it's nothing reall-," I start but have to stop, cupping my burning throat as my voice gives out.

I look up at them waiting for them to yell at me for failing to answer, but all they do is wait a moment to see if I will continue, and when they realize I won't they all exchange glances before nodding at Kota.

Kota turns his serious green eyes on me like he is contemplating something. His eyes flick to the cut on my arm and my bandaged hands, then they linger on my throat like he is trying to see some visible sign on why I can't talk.

His lips are moving, like he is doing some form of counting. The other guys don't interrupt his odd behavior and instead exchange amused glances and appear to be waiting for something.

A silence falls between us as we all watch Kota do whatever he is doing. Finally he gives a nod, and glancing at my hands and throat once more gives a heavy sigh. He breathes out something, I don't quite catch it but it sounded like he had said, "too soon.. can't help it.. don't run."

I'm not sure what he means, but he startles me by suddenly snapping out of his daze and springing into action. "Okay, looks like the mall trip is going to be put on hold," Kota says, briskly. "Victor, you call Doc and tell him to get over to Nathan's alternative residence now."

"Sang, we are going to walk over to Nathan's and have our Doctor friend we told you about yesterday, come take a look at your throat and hands to make sure you are okay. Then, when you feel comfortable you can tell us what happened. Okay?"

"Oh, I don't want to bother your friend, Kota." I whisper, pushing through the pain as I shake my head. "I'm fine, it really is nothing."

"Please, Sang?" He asks gently. Approaching me, he slowly reaches out and places his hands on my shoulders. Looking in my eyes he softly pleads with me. "Just for our peace of mind, let Doc take a look. If he says you are good to go then we will pretend this never happened and head to the mall, deal?"

I don't think I could speak if I tried, staring into his earnest eyes filled with concern for me, I can only nod my approval of Kota's plan. There isn't much I would say no to when he looks at me with those pleading emerald eyes.

I distantly hear Victor tapping on his cell phone as Kota reaches down to pick up one of my bandaged hands. "What happened here?" He asks as he softly rubs along the bandages. Not wanting to lie to him I try to pull my hand away, wincing when I rub one of the shards of glass still embedded against his hand.

I shake my head at him to indicate I don't want to talk about it and he lets my hand go. However the stubborn look in his eyes tells me he doesn't plan on giving up on the topic. Victor finishing and puts his phone away, before slowly approaching me and inspecting my bandaged hands.