The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 50: The Pauper in Hysteria

Mumbles. Disoriented muffles. My heartbeat pounding. That's all I hear. Nothing else. I know someone's talking to me, but I don't know who the voice belongs to or what they're trying tell me. I don't even know where I'm at. From the look of the white tiles, I'd say I'm in my bathroom.

How I got there is a mystery to me. I don't remember coming here. The last thing I remember is seeing Antonio after I crashed into someone and. . . That's actually it. I don't know where I went after that. Did I went to any of my classes? Or was I really out of it that the school passed by like a blur? Whatever it is, I'm glad I'm home.

"Cassiel? Hey. . . ear me? Do you kn. . .?" I heard someone say, but I kept zoning in and out. Who's talking to me? Mom? Dad? My darker self?

"This isn't work. . . We need to try someth. . . ot any ideas?" Someone else says to my right I think.

Why can't they leave me alone? I just want to be alone. . . Alone in my room so I can crawl inside my bed sheets and stay in there forever. . . I thought numbly while I continue to stare at the tile in front of me. All white and clean. . . I hate it. I hate how white it is. I want some color on it like red. Bright red and spilling all over the clean tiles.

My body sways unexpectedly since I'm not the one moving. That is, I don't think I'm moving. Am I really that out of it that I don't realize I'm moving around? I mean, I somehow made it home on my own. Well, I think I did. How did I get home again? And in one piece too?

Without much choice, I tilt my head up to find myself almost face to face with Austin's recognizable hazel green eyes staring carefully at mine. I guess he was the one that was shaking me and maybe taking me home? I should thank him, but I don't feel like talking right now. Not to him or my parents. So, how do I tell him that without actually talking?

"Cassiel?" Austin calls gently. My attention drifting away from my thoughts and to him instead. "Can you hear me now?"

Somehow, I was able to nod my head as my response. That brought a relieved smile on Austin before he asks, "Are you going to tell us what's wrong now?"

No, I wanted to say. Shout it even, but I couldn't speak. I couldn't move my lips and voice my answer. My entire body is frozen which I find ironically funny since I'm able to nod. But I can't shake my head? Maybe I'm just weird.

"Austin, you're always too easygoing. Let me try." I hear another voice say and Hunter's face comes into view. He gives me a smile that I don't return, but that didn't stop him from placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Hey, Cas. Look, I know you're bummed out about that asshole. I talked to him during lunch and I think you should get over him. He's already moved on and you should too." Hunter tells me which only made me want to cry again.

Except, instead of crying, I find myself whispering, "Why would you tell me that?"

The expressions on their face were different. Austin has a look of shock while Hunter has pity clearly shown. Neither said anything so I took this time to get up from my cramped position on the floor. That surprised them and myself as I walk over to the sink, twisting the knob. I place my hands under the running water and splash my face which I repeat for two more times before I dry my face. Once I was done, I turn back to look at my two friends and see them watching me like I'm some interesting zoo animal.

"Stop staring at me." I snap after a minute of them just watching. That woke them up from their trance and were quick to apologize.

"We're sorry, Cas. It's just. . . You were so out of it and seeing you moving. . ." Austin tries to apologize, but I roll my eyes in annoyance.