Phoenix

Response

" Even when our eyes are closed, there's a whole world that lives outside ourselves and our dreams."

~ Ryan ~

" She is insufferable! Who jokes like that? But then she did say she was'nt joking. Oh god, what if she's serious? What if she's dead by now, charred faceless in the woods? No she could'nt do that, I hid the lighter fluid. Then again there are many other ways she could kill herself. What if she's already killed herself? She's got me worried now. How dare she scare me. I'll give her a piece of my mind when she comes to school. But she cant come to school if she's dead. Ughh!! "

This was a monologue the likes of which were going on constantly in my head as I paced the school hallways hoping for a glimpse of Iris before my first class. I was by turns scared and annoyed and I'm sure that my pacing would have left imprints in front of Iris's locker had the floor not been made of nearly indestructible tile.

The shrill ringing of the bell brought me out of my reverie and I hauled my leaden feet to class.The sight of Iris sitting there, as calm as you please was slightly unnerving.

" When did you get here? I thought you'd surely have died or something. I was so scared for you that I could'nt even sleep. I was going bat shit crazy with worry and I've been waiting like an imbecile by your locker all morning just to make sure you had'nt offed yourself somewhere in the woods!" I knew I sounded a few marbles short of a full box but I could'nt stop my rant.

"Why?"

Just one word and it blew all the steam right out of me. That and her disbelieving look on her face, like she could'nt fathom the idea of anyone worrying about her. It was a simple enough question,but for some reason it left me speechless. Before I could mull over the answer however, Iris spoke up again

"To answer your question though, I got here early as always. Keeps interaction to a minimum."

Now that I had enough time to compose myself, I took my seat beside her and started up the inquisition again

"Do you have any siblings?"

"No."

"Cousins?"

"No."

"Pets?"

"No."

"Hobbies?"

"No."

"Children?" I quipped, just to get a rise out of her.

Instead of anger or humour, or even a full sentence, I got levelled with a blank stare and another resounding...you guessed it people

"No."

At that point the teacher walked in, putting a stop to any and all conversation. The teacher kept droning on and on about isoquants or something along those lines while I thought over Iris's question. Class ended and I kept thinking of the look in her eyes. Uncaring. Unfeeling, but somehow all-seeing.

~ Iris ~

It was hometime and I was near my truck when Ryan came to me.

"Because we're friends." was all he said before he walked off. I realized he'd been answering my question from this morning. I know it did'nt have anything to do with his answer, but that night I went to bed with a smile on my face.

A.N. Sorry for going MIA on all of you but you know, school (meh). Filler chapter I know but cut me some slack, I'm sick =( . Anyway book of the chapter

The beginning of everything/Severed heads and broken hearts by Robyn Schneider. Give it a go, trust me you'll love it. I just saw a truckload of castle so "until tomorrow" (figuratively ofcourse (; )