EXISTENCE: Recovery

CHAPTER 5: Working Through

"Hey there, little bro. Had yourself a nice nap?"

Adam awoke to find Gabriel, standing at the bedroom window with a smirk on his face. He looked over at his silver-haired friend, who stood straight and gave him a two-finger salute, his usual greeting. 

"Oh, Boss, it's just you."

Gabriel folded his arms. "What, not happy to see me? Or maybe, you're just used to seeing me?"

Adam grinned softly. "It's early morning! Let me fully wake up first!"

"Yeah, sure thing, sleepyhead. Juan and I will be waiting for you outside."

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Adam opened his eyes. 

Another dream, huh.

He looked over to his bedroom window and noticed Jibreel sitting on the windowsill, looking out the window. A light breeze was flowing in.

Adam took a look at his clock. 7:16 AM. He slowly took off the bed covers and got up off his bed. He dragged himself to the bathroom and washed himself off, careful to use the warm water. He put on his green hoodie and grabbed his backpack. He walked downstairs, Jibreel softly walking on all fours beside him, and noticed Nadia and Mimi waiting at the foot of the stairs, both giving him warm smiles.

"Well, I'm glad I didn't have to wake you up this time," Mimi told him, holding a brown paper bag in hand. "Sbah el khir, Adam. Are you feeling alright?"

Adam looked at his mother for a minute before reaching out to grab the bag. "Y-yeah...I'm fine, Mama. Sbah el khir." He thought back to Virgil's words the night before. He looked to his mother and mustered up a smile. "I'm sorry, if I've made you worry. It's just-"

He was cut off quick by a big hug from Mimi. She gently rubbed his head. "Adam, you don't need to apologize to me or to anyone. I know you've had it rough, so please, I won't make you talk about what's been on your mind. Only if you're ready to talk, I'll listen."

Adam was at a loss for words. He hugged her back hard. "Thanks, Mama."

Nadia gave a big grin. "Come on, Adoum, we can't miss today. The team's counting on you! Let's walk together." She started for the door, turning her head and watching as Adam walked up to her, Mimi scooping the cat up from beside him. She smiled.

This is certainly a nice little development.

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Rym stood outside the school entrance, looking around at all the faces surrounding the courtyard. All she could hear were resounding declarations of what everyone would be doing over the summer. She shuddered to think how her own summer would be spent. 

Then she felt something. A small presence. It wasn't something she'd felt before, yet it was still familiar to her. She looked around, and quickly caught a glimpse of grey hair near the gates. She tried to make it out, but the figure quickly turned the corner and went out of view.

That must have been it, but what could it have been?

"What's gotten you so curious?" 

She turned around and came face to face with Nadia, Adam in tow. She grinned. "Adam! You actually came!"

Adam gave a small smile and held up his arm, showing the bracelet she gave him months ago. "I said I would, didn't I?" He turned to Nadia. "Besides, I apparently have an exhibition match to play today, isn't that right?"