The Contract

IX - Malus

-

The next day came up much slower than I thought. All throughout the previous day, I had to put up with Amanda ignoring me while Matt hovered around me, asking if I needed help doing whatever it was I was doing at the time.

Sighing, I walked to my locker to get my binder for first class, only to see Amanda standing there, looking anxious. When she spotted me, she gave me a half-hearted wave and I smiled oddly in return. I approached her, curious. Was the wish in motion?

"Hey Katlyn," she said slowly, sounding tentative, "About yesterday. . . I kind of overreacted."

I gave a nod and said, "It's okay."

Amanda shook her head, disagreeing. "No, it isn't. I mean, you and Matt? You two are great for each other."

I wrinkled my nose in slight disgust. "No way. I don't like Matt, Amanda."

Amanda wasn't even listening. She was staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. "I can't believe I even thought that I had chance with Matt. I'm just not. . . worthy, you know?" she paused to purse her lips in thought while I stared at her, completely thrown. What the heck was she talking about?

"Are you okay?" I asked her, suddenly scared. What had Lure done to her? Had he corrupted her mind?

"I'm fine," she brushed me off with a reassuring smile that, to me, looked a little sad. "I get upset over the silliest things."

Oh help me.

Her self esteem had turned to nothing.

I sighed and smacked myself on the head. Was Lure doing this on purpose? Screwing up my wishes? Twisting them around and beating them to the ground? Or did he have to do this, to make it seem "natural"?

Was the only way to get her to forgive me was to change her view on the whole thing?

"So, are we okay?" Amanda asked me, a flicker of hope dancing about her eyes. I nodded and smiled tightly at her.

I was so going to kill Lure.

-

A loud sigh escaped my lips as soon as I stepped into my house. The familiar smell of baking greeted my senses and I took back that sigh. A few cookies or a slice of cake would probably heighten my mood—I hadn't had a real treat in forever.

Kicking off my shoes, I was more than excited to get a cookie, and I suddenly felt like a kid again. A little kid, like Anthony. This made me smile, slightly sadly. I wished I could be a little kid again, then I wouldn't care what people thought about me, or that I was utterly alone.

A little kid was never alone. They would always have their imaginary friends.

All I had was my imagination, which was turning weaker by the day. The only time I could daydream was when I walked to school every morning and back at the end of the day. That wasn't enough freedom for me. Not enough, at all.

When I dropped my binder in the hall—I had a load of homework—the realization hit me that Lure had not showed up to taunt me all day. Perhaps he knew I was angry at him for turning my best friend's self-esteem to nothing.

"Katty!" my grandma suddenly materialized in the doorframe leading to the kitchen. I jumped, startled, and squeaked when she pulled me into a hug. I responded after a few seconds of trying to figure out exactly what had just happened. "How was school?" she asked as she stepped away.