most likely goodies ; an update book

back to the street where we began

continuation of the last "chapter"

~

My hand clung tightly against the bedsheets as the pain worsened throughout my body. I can see Jason peering through the hospital window, biting his nails in anticipation. I couldn't hear what the doctor was saying over all the sounds of the beeping monitors, but then again, I could care less. The nurse glanced at me occasionally, sending looks that lacked empathy. There's a coldness in her eyes—I don't like it.

The doctor beckoned for the others to come in. Jason came scrambling in, nearly tripling on an electrical cord that laid flat on the ground in the process. Ty and Adam whisper to each other, exchanging glances nervously.

"Your friend here—" the doctor clears his throat and speaks loudly enough for me to hear, "—you say he's a Sorcerer, correct?"

"Yeah," Jason replies, breathlessly. I attempt to control my breathing, but all that goes down the drain as I hurl blood on the side of the bed. The nurse quickly exits the room to find the janitor. My head is thumping, as if someone was slamming a hammer into my skull, and my eyes feel like they're being pushed downwards, farther into their sockets. My breathing escalates and I hear the heart monitor beeping at an accelerated pace.

Jason rushes to my side, grasping onto my hand and giving me a weak smile. He doesn't speak, I know what he means. We exchange glances as I force a weak smile. My eyes are growing heavy, I can't tell what's going on anymore. The doctor had excused himself for a quick moment and returned with, what I could sense to be, a needle.

"We'll subject him to an induced coma for a few days and monitor the progress of the medicine," he mutters. I squirm uncomfortably, afraid of the sharp needle that was about to pierce through my skin.

No, no, no, no, no.

I went to bellow at the top of my lungs, scream in subjection, but I don't feel anything. I can't feel anything when my eyes grow heavy and the noise stop—reality stops and I'm stuck in place.

This—this is going to change the future.

"Seto, stop zoning out and pose for the picture!" I open my eyes to see a man in front of the camera. It's one of Brice's friends, Tyler, shouting at me. I blink, restlessly, to see that I'm back at Brice's abode. The blond's hand slithers towards my waist, pulling me closer to him. He says cheese and smiles. The camera light blinds my eyes.

Maybe it was all just a very realistic dream.

"Did the picture turn out good?" Brice questions while ushering towards the male behind the camera.

"You both kinda squinted, but I guess it's my fault for using the camera light," Tyler shrugs. "Yeah, the photo's good. Anyway, I'm gonna head home. You two don't have too much fun!"

Brice elbows him in the stomach, causing the two of them to laugh in unison. They say their final goodbyes, and now I'm left standing alone, awkwardly, in a messy living room. There are red solo cups scattered on the coffee table, along with a mysterious stain on the carpet. I edge away and look down at my hands. Then, I pinch myself.

Nothing. I felt nothing at all.

"You okay there?" Brice asks while walking towards me again. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

I swallow my words and nod my head, "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's clean up, yeah?"

"Oh come on!" Brice rolls his eyes. "It's New Years! We'll worry about this stuff later. I wanna take you somewhere."

I feel my ears heat up, "What place is open at one in the morning?"

"Don't know and don't care. Not like we're going shopping," Brice tugs at my arm, dragging me towards the door. "I wanna go stargazing!"

"There are no stars," I argue. "It's cloudy and really cold. Can we just stay in?"

There's hesitation, but Brice agrees, "Alright, fine. Let's head to my room."

Again, I feel my heart practically leap out of my chest, "Y-Your room?"

Brice elbows me in the stomach teasingly, then plants a kiss on my forehead. "It's not like we're having sex or anything, calm down. Cuddles n' shit are nice since it's really cold."

"Oh, right," I sigh with some type of relief. We both head into his room and take off our shoes.

Brice is the first to settle down. I flick off the lights and take off my jacket, then head into his bed. I bury myself beneath the blankets, basking in the newfound warmth. I edge closer to Brice, resting my head on his chest. I listen to his heartbeat—slow and steady. He hugs me; I can sense a smile curving on his lips.

"You're really cold," Brice chuckles. "Especially your feet."

I don't say anything. I make a point to pinch myself again—nothing but a small spark of sting. That's at least something.

"Is something bothering you?" Brice says in a small whisper. "You can tell me anything, y'know."

"I don't know," I reply, honestly. "I don't know what to think anymore. I wouldn't want to burden you with my thoughts."

"You're never a burden," Brice urges. He kisses my forehead again; I can feel my thoughts melting away.

"It's weird. I feel like nothing's real at all," I shake my head and give a saddened chuckle. "It's hard to stay grounded to reality. You're real, right? I'm real?"

Silence. He speaks after a couple minutes.

"It's up to you," there's a type of monotone to his voice. "It's hard to prove that anything's real, but as long as you think it is, then this is reality. We'll talk about this more in the morning, okay?"

"Okay." I don't like his response. I pinch my arm one last time.

No sting.

I shake my head—everything is real—then press my ear against Brice's chest. I listen to his heartbeat as well as his breathing, then eventually calm down myself. I shut my eyes and finally rest.