Palinoia

Chapter 10

"Get up!" Cliff ordered.

I stood up, not saying anything and tried not to glance at anyone. I only waited to be given more orders.

"Go back to your stand," he told me. Again, I did not speak and just walked back to my group.

I received some glares from them and heard a few hisses.

"The hell are you trying to do?" One of them whispered to me.

"Didn't take you as the attention seeker," wristwatch muttered.

"Hush before you get us all in trouble," quiet number two said.

I sharply turned around and gave each one of them a look. "Annoying brats!" I snapped. I didn't yell but what I said gathered the attention of other groups.

The most aggressive of the bunch walked towards me and grabbed me by the collar of my shirt. "Don't you go and get us in trouble you shit," he warned.

I pushed him back and he stumbled a bit, increasing his rage. He didn't attack but sent me a glare. I turned away from him and met a couple more glares.

I ignored the whispers and murmurs once Cliff stormed up to me with some booklets in his hands. He shoved one of them in my chest and I looked down to see what it was about.

"There's another sheet in the front office. I think it would be best if you just leave," he informed.

I slightly widened my eyes and nodded in satisfaction. "I finally get to go home. Thanks for that," I told him in a calm tone.

I walked away, my eyes focused on the ground.

"One less problem..." I heard someone whisper. This caused me to chuckle and shake my head lightly. I wasn't even mad or upset. If anything, I was over the moon that that scenario was over. I don't think I would've survived another minute there.

Collecting my sheet, I actually decided to wait by the train stop knowing that Peter would come here. I waited.

I still couldn't believe that I actually challenged on of the most important leaders. I was never one to be a troublemaker and spent most of my communication in my thoughts because most people I came in encounter with always made me think something negative if them. It was the reason why I decided not to say much so I wouldn't deal with situations like the one that just occurred.

So why today?

Maybe it was the stress I couldn't contain, maybe those idiots pushed me off my limit, or maybe it was the rebellious nature that I harboured inside. Either way, I would be known as the guy who thought he had enough balls to oppose a leader. Well, it was a good thing I didn't care about my reputation.

I ran a hand through my hair. If they judged my performance based on the confrontation with Thomas, I might end up with the aggressive crew again. And I was certain that if I committed murder, I would serve more than just an early.

The time that passed felt like decades and the atmosphere grew eerie. The train station was usually busy both day and night so seeing it so quiet and almost abandoned was something I wasn't used to.

The familiar aura brought back a sense of déjà vu that I did not want. I glanced up and checked the time for the next train to stop. 15 mins...

I groaned aloud. "Peter where are you?" I asked out loud.

"That's my name!"

As if on cue, Peter appeared with two drinks, one in both hands and was grinning.

I raised an eyebrow. "So you're a genie now?" I joked.

"As cool as that would sound, I don't think living in a lamp for the rest of my life sounds fun. Plus, I'd basically be a slave!" he protested.

I rolled my eyes. "I get it smarty."

Peter passed me one of the drinks he had in his hands. I accepted the drink and entered the train with Peter. I was glad there was only a few people because Peter would most definitely bring up the topic.

"So..." he said, before taking a sip of the cola. "Nice weather we're having."

I sighed, shaking my head. "I don't know why it happened, it just did."

Peter blinked. "Well...it was definitely a show. I mean, I was getting kind of bored..."

I sent him a look. "You had fun."

Peter smiled sheepishly. "Didn't you?" he asked.

I took another sip before answering. "I wouldn't say I had fun. It wasn't exactly a day at the arcade," I remarked. "It was more of a I-really-don't-want-to-be-here-but-I-have-to situation."

"I dragged you into it huh?" he stated.

I frowned, not knowing what else to say. I'd be lying if I said he was wrong because he wasn't. I averted my eyes from Peter and stared down.

"You didn't drag me into it. I made a choice," I retorted. "Besides, I've been in worse situations."

"But that was the commander...who knows what he'd do," Peter retorted back.

I shrugged. "Who cares. People like him really irritate me." I tightened my grip on the drink. "They think they can treat people anyhow just because they're more well off. That Thomas guy is probably our age yet he looked down on me as if I was just a mere peasant. So annoying..."

I glanced back at Peter and his eyebrows were raised up. "Oh...okay."

I smirked and smacked the back of his head.

"The heck man!" he protested, rubbing the back of his head.

I laughed. "Don't be such a baby. Aren't you supposed to be soldier," I told him, trying to sound like a commander, a specific one.

Peter scoffed. "That's a very generalised questioned."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you challenging your commander?" I mimicked.

Peter laughed out loud and I let out a few chuckles at how loud he was. "Quiet you doofus."