GhostHeart (A Wizard 101 Love Story)

We Need to Talk!

"Sammy! Why aren't you hanging out with James?" Opal asks, gently kicking my foot. She is lounging on the bed next to me.

"Why should I? I hate him.. He's insensitive and rude and despicable!"I shout, sitting up furiously. I felt my heart race and pound inside my chest. Anyone who hurts me will never be forgiven!

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder. Opal sat up. I looked at her and a chill ran up my spine. She looked sad. Sad wasn't her at all. Never in my life have I ever seen Opal sad.

"Oh...Sammy.... My little Hammy Sammy... You really don't get it, do you.." She says, putting her arms around my shoulders. What was she even talking about? Does she even know James?

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

Opal sighs, hugging me tighter.

"Daniel told me... I work with him remember? He's known James since they were just babies. At first I didn't believe what he had said but.....then I saw him... James.... What was wrong with him. And then it all added up.... I'm so sorry..."her eyes fill with tears and she squeezes me. I hugged her back.

"Tell me what it is. Now..."I demand, feeling rather...angry...

She sniffs, wiping her falling tears.

"Daniel told me...That when they were little... James was abused and beaten. He told me that everyday he would have scars on his wrists..... His life was so tough before he came here... Well... That's what Daniel told me. And he doesn't li-"

"I'll be right back..."I got up from the bed, my eyes staring straight at the door of the dorm room. My feet began to move and I found myself outside, heading for the boys dorm room..

I felt a rush of rage as I got closer to the dorm. Then suddenly, I heard a voice say my name. It was faint, but I knew it was there.

"Hello? Who's there?" I call. No answer. Then something tugs at me and I move forward in a different direction. I start heading for the shopping district.

I find myself standing in front of the sandwich shop Opal works at. The lights are inside so someone must be working there. And someone was....

Daniel...

I gritted my teeth in anger and swung open the door. Then words spat from my mouth.
"We need to chat!" I shouted, marching towards him. He leaped back into the bread trays with a yelp.

"S-Sam! I- I had no idea you were c-coming? Want a Ham Sa-"

I grip him by the collar of his shirt and shoot a cold look into his eyes.
"What happened to James?! Tell me now!"I demanded. I felt like all my anger and rage was finally relieving out of me.

Poor Daniel was pale as a ghost.
"Okay okay! What do you want to know?! Just please don't hurt me!" He trembles. I let go of his shirt and sigh.
"Start from the beginning..." I say, crossing my arms.

Daniel sighs, then holds up his hands in defeat.
"Let me make you a sandwich...and I'll tell you along the way..."he sighs, turning away to gather a loaf of bread and a knife. I narrow my eyes at him, my eyebrows furrow with intolerance.
"I got all day, pal..." My voice deepens and my eyes glare at him. He yelps, nodding as he puts a few slices of ham on the bread.

"Yes Ma'am! Geez James. Why do you like this one anyway." Her murmurs to himself as he plops the cheese on top.

"I heard that! You want a knuckle sandwich instead?!" I shout, getting a little fed up with his stalling.
"Just talk! Tell me about James!" I demand, slamming my fist on the counter. He moves faster after that before finally sighing.

"Alright..... It was about a few years ago, back when James was still just a toddler. I knew him at the time and we were friends. We would meet up at this garden to look at the plants and flowers. They would sing to us each time, a new song each day..." He chuckles, the corner of his lips tugged into a grin. Then he frowns. "But...... One day..he never showed up... My dad had told me James had gotten hurt while playing near the long stairway. Of course I begged to go see him. He's my best buddy and I had to make sure he was okay...." he looks away, squeezing his eyes shut. I listened intently, feeling my eyes start to water... Then he continued.
"But I... I couldn't...." Daniel's voice breaks. "I was sent to my room to study.. And by the next day, I found out what had happened... James told me.....and showed me the stitches..."