Seven | Book 1 (An EXO fiction)

46.

Stuck somewhere between wanting to throw up, pass out, or run to the middle of the floor to tackle Tao to the ground, my mind makes a decision to do none of the above, and instead cuts off all communication with my limbs.

This isn't real.

I'm definitely hallucinating now.

Tao, would never be here. It's not possible.

The sounds around me fade out, white noise fill the emptiness in my head. I haven't felt this out of touch with reality in...in a long time. It's been so long; I thought that I had gotten over it. I thought that I was finally okay.

I thought I'd finally come to terms with reality.

What's happening to her?

Is she okay?

June, breathe. Listen to me, breathe. That sounds like Luhan's voice. This is the first time I've ever been able to distinguish one of the voices inside my head. But why is it Luhan? Is his voice the voice of my subconscious?

I grab on to that voice in side my mind and let it pull me out of the void I was starting to slip back in to. The sounds rush back around me, and I can hear clapping again. Solar said something and is gesturing to me. What did she say? Smile and bow.

I manage a shaky smile and bow to the room of people. Good job babe, keep breathing you're doing great.

Luhan? It's too clear to be my subconscious. Besides my subconscious always sounds like some distorted version of my own voice. How can I hear him? I frantically search the room for his face. Maybe if I can see him then I'll know that I'm not just going crazy and imagining his voice as my voice of reason all of a sudden.

I find him on the very outskirts of the crowd. His head lifted high and daringly as he looks up at the platform where I'm standing. He smiles and nods encouragingly. He doesn't seem like he's been projecting in to my mind. He looks all too inconspicuous.

Solar says something again, but the words leave my head as soon as they enter. I can only hope that it wasn't a question directed towards me. I catch her wary glance in my direction, and she nods to herself as if suddenly understanding some kind of issue; as if finally taking note of my lack of functionality. With another quick glance towards me she motions to a few of her advisors and suddenly the party is being brought to a close.

"Gift bags can be found on the way out of the hall. Please grab one, and the Queen and Mistress June thank you for coming." I hear before people begin filling the room with excited chatter.

Tao looks around excitedly as the women clear out. He has absolutely no qualms about openly staring at and looking at everything around him, lacking all the behavioral qualities of a palace human or Charmer. Solar leans close to Tao to whisper in his ear when there are only a few stragglers in the room.

I'm still rooted to my spot in disbelief.

He nods eagerly and climbs out of the box, nearly falling and busting his ass, before following the crowd out. Finally, he lowers his eyes and assumes the obedient disposition of someone who is used to living around Gaia. Still unable to get my fucking body to move, I watch the room empty only to refill with humans who begin to clean the room like an army.

I blink at the now empty box. Solar saunters over with a smug grin. "You mentioned having a friend who you missed from the outer rings..." she lowers her gaze only subtly "so I found him and brought him to you," she says almost shyly. Regaining her confidence, she smiles brightly. "He's officially a resident of the castle now."