Hollows In Time (✔️) | 'Hollows' Book Ⅱ

Chapter Thirteen

"Everyone has secrets. Some are just better at keeping them than others."
—me

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H o l l o w s I n
T I M E
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"Where did you learn that?" I asked with astonishment, not being able to believe my eyes as a very 'popular' boy laid on the floor, groaning in pain.

Lexi looked over me for half a second, as if checking if I was severely hurt. She shrugged in the end, "All those James Bond films." She joked, but I saw past the joke. But I still didn't know what her true reason was.

07/09/16
Twelve months ago

She cared about me. It was as simple as that. But I had a crumbling trust in the Academy, where my 'big heart' was broken when I lost all faith in humanity, believing everyone was out to get me. Because of this, I began to doubt Lexi's true intentions—somehow. I just had to get back into the swing of things—somehow.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lexi asked me for the fifth time whilst I was pushing the key into my front door.

I rolled my eyes, "No. I developed a deadly reaction to a poisonous snake bite on the way from the driveway to the house." I sarcastically replied and Lexi rolled her eyes.

"I'm still coming in with you." She told me as I pushed the front door open.

This time, I rolled my eyes, "Of course you ar–" My voice cut off quickly once I spotted a collection of people in my house. Some I recognised—somewhere far, far into the back of my mind. Some I passed off as intruders.

My mother popped up in front of my vision, "How was your first day?" She asked, burning curiosity and concern gleaming in her luminous pale skin.

Her eyes trailed behind me to glance at Alexi before I responded, "Yeah. Great. I was educated." I responded, and although I heard a snicker from behind me, my mother still looked interested.

She dragged me into the house, taking off my bag and blazer for me. I slipped off my shoes as I looked around with crazed eyes. What on earth is going on?

"So what did you learn?" She asked, sounding way too eager to be genuine.

"Oh, Chrissy dear, let her be!" It was a croak of a voice, yet still soft and tender. My Grandmother. I could recognise it, even if I hadn't seen her for over five years. My mum looked flustered as she nodded, saying a few words before leaving us.

My nan tutted to herself, "She's a mess don't you think?" She laughed and I joined in awkwardly, ignoring the sniggers that Lexi was trying to hide. My nan made small talk for a while, once she had expressed just how 'beautiful I had become', and then I made a feeble excuse to go and get a drink, dragging my poor excuse of a friend with me.

When I got to the kitchen, I nearly smacked the tap as I dropped a cup—thankfully plastic. Lexi caught it as if she played fetch with cups in her spare time. She filled up my cup with water before outstretching her arm, trying to hand it to me. But I was too distracted.

She sighed, leaving the cup on the side, "It's not that bad." She said, trying to cheer me up.

I stared at her. "Alexi, I don't know who half these people are!" I tried to keep my voice down as I exclaimed.

"Of course you do," She replied and I rose an eyebrow, "You knew your nan."

I looked at her with a deadpanned expression, and then my voice reflected that same emotion. "Wow, one person."