Wake Up, Reality's Calling

Chapter 8: Yesterday was... Interesting

I woke up, wondering if all that happened yesterday was all just a dream. But that quickly changed when - once again - my phone rang. It's Rye... again. God, I hate phone calls... 

"Hey," He started. "You coming or what?" He sounded a little annoyed and slightly betrayed.

I looked at the time on my phone. 08:46. 

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "I have time left."

"Yeah, less than fifteen minutes. Hurry up," He murmured impatiently and hung up. I swear one day, I'm going to be the one to hang up on him.

I got out of bed and didn't feel like being fashionable. I just felt the need for dark. I went to my closet and got out a pair of black jeans and a long-sleeved grey stitched sweater. It was getting cold outside, so I threw on a scarf while walking out my door. Shit, I thought. I nearly forgot the guide and my file. I went back in, took a bag, stuffed it with the paper pile that was still laying on my kitchen table, and locked my door. 

I walked down the stairs from my apartment to the outside, walked around the corner and stopped just before opening the door, as I saw someone I knew sitting near the window on the inside. It still feels weird, like a dream. 

He suddenly turned around, facing me, and smiled. He stood up, opened the door and asked, "Are you ever going to come in? Or were you... spying on me?" He clearly couldn't finish that sentence without smirking. 

"I just got here, don't go assuming things that aren't happening, mystery guy" I let out a small laugh, and stretched out my tongue. 

He laughed back with me, and I felt warmed up, but whether if it was the heat from the coffee shop or his laugh, I wasn't sure. 

Something felt weird... Why can I see others 'hidden selves', but not Rye's? 

"Well... people who are under FDSK usually can't see the other versions of people who are also under FDSK." He answered my thoughts again. Shiiit.

"Usually?" I repeated.

"It can be trained, and it goes both ways," He paused for a second and took a sip of his coffee, which was hot this time. "You can train to unveil their other selves, as well as train to hide your own."

"Can you teach me?" I responded after a short while and leaned forward. 

He just nodded, but I felt like I might come to regret that later, as his smirk made me think that he had been waiting for me to ask. 

"Sooo... Why did you want me to come?" I asked. "I mean, you were the one to call me."

He looked into my eyes, and let out a sigh. "Oh, I just wanted to check up on how you're managing through with all of this, especially since your mental state is... slightly unstable."

I mean I know that he has all this information about me, but it still feels weird. I haven't really told others about my... illness. 

"Oh, that's nice of you," I stuttered a little. "But I'm fine, really. All I struggle with is what I'm supposed to do with this."

He studied me, as if he didn't fully trust that my answer was honest.

"Okay, I can help with that, but your mission hasn't arrived yet," He said, scratching the nape of his neck. "You have my number, so don't hesitate to call when you're in a dark place or need help." 

He stood up and walked out of the café, leaving me alone at the table. So he acts all sweet, and then calls to invite me, hangs up, and now leaves me where alone? What the hell is his problem?