Burned By The Pages

Chapter four: A poem for you

Danielle stayed in the library trying to distract herself with stacks of random books but none of the words she read were sinking in.

Three hours passed and Danielle was still going through the books as if trying to catch a clue to find out whether everything was just a coincidence or not.

Why would Tristan appear whenever she was stuck in a fire?
Her head was soaked into a science book, not reading. Instead, it looked like she was solving a murder case as her eyes were fixed on every word it would ran past to.

Who does he think he is? Water? Putting out the fire whenever I ignite it? What the hell.

She thought when her eyes caught the word 'Water'. Now the fact that she was more disturbed by Tristan's unpredictable appearances than Jake's unexpected come back, made her lose her mind. She was about to go crazy.

Her right hand accidentally bashed the pile of books rested on her table.

Thud thud thud

Everyone who seemed focused on their library business turned their heads on her. They were like emotionless zombies who just caught a sign that a person was among them.

'Great.' She muttered as she picked up all the books. The only being with a numb heart in this place was Danielle and she knew it.

At around 1 P.M., Danielle took her lunch in the dining room. She thought about inviting Megan but remembered she had not yet bought a new phone.

'This is a surprise!' Someone said as Danielle was grazing on her chicken cheddar ranch casserole and steamed broccoli lemon zest salad.

She was eating in her heart's content.

Screw the calories. I pay bills.
She thought before turning her head to see who came.

'Is this your lame way of shutting me out, Elle? What the hell.' Megan said as sternly as she could.

She put down her Tray on the table and sat across Danielle.

'I couldn't call you. My phone's wrecked remember? And besides, you're nowhere to be found.'

Danielle focused on her food as Megan started whinging.

'Wait, you didn't go to the room. Did you?'

'Nope.'

'Thank goodness!'
Megan said, finally relieved.

She was back to her usual self again, the light-hearted version of Megan Steele.

'Don't worry, if I'd be witnessing hideous activity in our room, I wouldn't even dare sleep in there.'
Danielle said sarcastically as she noticed the Up for a Friday night print on Megan's black tank top.

'That's not what I meant. Ugh! Whatever.'

Danielle remembered Tristan again. What the hell. She uttered.

Megan stopped eating and looked her in the eyes. That was the thing Megan would always do whenever she was about to bring up a very serious matter.

Danielle felt nervous.

'Have you talked to Tristan? He's in your club too.'

'No. And why would I talk to him? We're in the same stuff but that doesn't imply we should be friends of any sort.'
Danielle overreacted. For seconds, Megan was still looking at her with a serious face and then suddenly let out a hysterical laugh.

'What?' Danielle was clueless.

'You're so lame.' Megan finally said.

*******

On her way to her English class at 3:30 P.M., Danielle saw Tristan outside her room. He was not wearing his Slam Poetry shirt anymore. He was now wearing a black hoodie.

Red hoodie before, now black one? What are you up to?
Danielle thought when she met Tristan's eyes and thought he was acting like a stalker but not until he started talking to one of her classmates. A Girl classmate.

Ugh, flirting. Seriously?
Danielle felt upset and irritated at the same time then she walked past them and went into the room.

She did not mind the other students as they stepped in the room in groups.

She was tapping her pen on the table while she stared blankly on the white board.

'Settle down people.' Professor Hopkins announced as she closed the door after her.

Professor Hopkins was an efficient mentor. She was taking her job seriously to the extent that she was too attached to her students' attendance and performances in her class, not the typical college professor type.
Danielle remembered that she was tasked to do an on-the-spot interpretation about one of her classmate's poem since she was not able to submit one the day before.

'Someone just came in to join our class for this semester, so Ms. Williams? I think it's better if you interpret his poem in front?'

Just before Danielle could get up from her seat, her legs weakened after hearing the professor mention the student's name.

'Mr. Menner? Hand in your work please.'

Jake stood up. Everyone in the room were unusually silent as if expecting an interesting scene to happen.

'Williams, we're out of time dear.'

Danielle tried so much to muster any courage she still had and stood in front of the class. She could spot Jake's smirk before she started reading the poem.

REGRET

Symbols, date, time,
Ink on the pages that you wrote,
I thank you for these memories of you.
Stranger as it seem,
but look through my eyes,
See the truth behind it,
When the leaves were flying off the trees that grew them,
And so do I,
With the wind I will be forever gone.
I'm Sorry.

Danielle's consciousness was disrupted.

Her mind was clanking these words as she read it, she could not think clearly anymore.

Vague images were flashing in her vision spontaneously.

She was starting to feel dizzy.

There was Tracy, the strong wind, the leaves flying on the balcony, wine glass shattered on the floor.

She was hearing things.

I'm sorry... I'm sorry... this is the only way...

Tracy!...

Her vision was spiralling until everything went black.

*******
Author's note:

And that's chapter 4! Jake is creepy, isn't he? 😂 I really hope you like it.

Don't forget to vote and comment! 😉❤❤

Thanks to Aurora_Sinclair for the book cover. ❤

Book Trailer by loyallyric ❤