Yin & Yang

Chapter 12: No Control (Lilith)

I shrugged on my running jacket, and laced up my brand new shoes. At Tekonsha, gym class was mandatory for all grades except seniors. Gym was the one class that I never got a good grade in, and honestly I could care less. My body was not built for working out. My body sure as hell was not built for running.

"Come on Lilith, you're the last one in the locker room!" The gym teacher yelled from outside the door.

"I'm coming," I called out. I dreaded this part of the day. Running always hurt my knees and ankles, made me feel like I was 80 years old.

I jogged out of the locker room, zipping up my windbreaker as I went. There was unfortunately no way around this so I might as well take the benefit of a runner's high. I saw that my brother was already running around the dirt track. He had headphones in and his head hung low. My brother had perfect running form. Gym was the only class we had together, the last hour of the day, one where he pretended that he didn't know me. I felt a pang of guilt run through my veins. It hurt keeping such a huge secret from my brother. A burden I had already carried for five years.

"Lilith, track. Now." My gym teacher eyed me.

"Fuck," I mumbled and ran out onto the dirt. I had failed Gabe. I let him mourn for so long, because of an uncertainty that I had. Such a silly thing to lie about.

***

I let the steamy water roll down my back and shoulders. The smell of roses filled the air around me, comforting me. I lathered the soap in my hair and then let my arms fall down to my sides. I leaned against the tile wall, wishing that this feeling of dread would leave my body. I have failed him, kept running through my head. I have failed him...

"Lilith," I heard a man's voice say from the door to the showers.

"Um, please don't come in here!" I fumbled with the water, trying desperately to turn it of. The valve would not turn, I grabbed my towel and put it on. "Who's there?"

A pair of glowing red eyes showed through the steam. "Lilith," the voice repeated again.

"Go away," my voice shook.

"Lilith I'm so...hungry." His voice was filled with strain. He stumbled through the shower to where I stood.

"Oh my GOD Cam what the hell are you doing." I was filled with instant rage.

"I ate, everything Lil. And I'm still hungry." I caught Cam in my arms.

"What do you mean you ate everything?" I asked.

"I ate everything at the house Lilith." He groaned.

"You have got to be kidding me. And why are your eyes so red?" I asked.

"I don't know..." He leaned up against me as if he had lost the strength to stand.

"Um let me get dressed. I need to text Gabe and tell him I'm not going to be able to give him a ride home." I made Cam turn around while I put clothes on. Then I texted my brother.

"Come on Cam you gotta get up." I put my arm on his shoulder but he shrugged me off. "We need to get out of here before someone sees you. Before my brother sees you."

"Why can't Gabe see me?" He asked for the millionth time.

"Because stupid you're supposed to be dead." I answered him the same every time. "Okay for now just stay here. I'll be right back."

I ran out of the girls locker room and into the boys. In their storage room was a brand new shipment of hoodies, I grabbed one and a pair of sunglasses from the lost and found. This should do the trick I thought running back into the girl's locker room. Cam still sat on the bench in the shower area.

"Put this on," I said holding the items out to him.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because I said so stupid." Cam did as I said.

Once the hoodie and sunglasses were on I put his arm around my shoulder, and my arm around his waist. Just like that we walked out of the school to my car. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was Gabe, saying that he wouldn't be home for a while.