The sun is out and shining in the cloudless blue sky. The grass is a loud green, almost like thousands of thin slivers of emerald. The noise of hundreds of children talking, laughing, and playing sports rings through the air, enveloping us in the muffled sounds of happiness.
And, in the midst of it all, is Wilson, moping about the field behind us.
"Cheer up, Wilson!" Sandrina says, gripping his shoulders.
"Yeah. It's a beautiful day, why don't you enjoy it?" I chime in.
"What can I do to show you I'm enjoying it?" Wilson asks.
"Um, I don't know, actually do something?" I suggest with a sarcastic edge to my voice. "Maybe participate once in a while?"
"But I don't wanna." he whines, slumping down in the grass with his back against the chain-link fence.
I walk over and kick him in the leg. He jerks and I chuckle. "Hey!" he yells. His foot shoots out, and I jump back.
"Missed me!" I taunt, dancing around him as he tries to kick me.
"I can't kick you if you're moving!" he yells.
"Nah, really? That's the point, ya dumb." I reply, standing with my hands on my hips. Wilson just rolls his eyes.
"Guys, guys! Play nice!" Sandrina scolds, despite having to hold in her laughter. I comply, sighing. Wilson chuckles.
"Yeah, Wilson. Be nice." I accuse jokingly.
"Hey!" he laughs, swinging for my shin. Another miss. "You're one to talk!"
"Sandrina, Wilson's abusing me!" I complain like a four year old, laughing when Wilson stands up to run after me.
Wilson chases me around the perimeter of the field, and by the time I've reencountered the group, he's wheezing a few meters behind me.
"Hurry up, slowpoke!" I yell to him.
"Shut...shut up!" he breathes, exhausted.
When he finally rejoins us, we all go back to joking around. We're now playing Truth Or Dare.
"Truth or dare?" Kayla asks Wilson.
"Um...truth." Wilson responds after a second.
"Who do you like?" Kayla inquires.
"Uh, no one, really." Wilson answers, shrugging.
"What about that little girlfriend you have?"
Wilson pauses. "What?"
"Willnia. What even happened to her, anyway?"
My smile drops.
Wilson pales, and the general atmosphere seems to change. He opens his mouth to say something, but I hear his breath hitch, and no words come out. He closes it again, swallowing.
I bite my tongue nervously. He was doing so well.
I guess that's the end of that game.
###
Social Studies isn't my best subject, and it's definitely not the most enjoyable. Wilson usually likes this class, but he just slouches in his chair---which he rarely does---and stares straight ahead. I guess the past is a sore subject for him.
Mr. Robinson walks in the room at the bell, and class begins.
Maddie May, who usually sits beside me, is absent today, so I get an idea.
Balling up a small piece of paper in my hand, I toss it at Wilson. It bounces off his shoulder and he jerks, startled. He glares over his shoulder at me.
"What?" he mouths silently. I motion with my hand for him to come over. He stares in confusion at my gesture, so I simply pat the desk beside my own. His eyes flood with recognition and he nods. Glancing around to ensure no one will see, he rushes his binder and pencil case over to the desk and takes a seat in the orange plastic chair.
"Are you okay after what Kayla said at Lunch? You know, the whole Willnia thing?" I whisper.
"Yeah." Wilson sighs, a sadness in his tone.
"It's not her fault. She didn't know."
"I know. It just brought back memories."
"I understand that. Just don't hate her, okay?"
"Alright."
There are notes on the Smartboard that are meant to be copied, so I flip open my duotang to a fresh piece of paper and put my pencil to the paper. Wilson copies my actions, his somewhat messy handwriting stretching across the page.
By the end of the class, we're chatting as always, trying to conceal our laughter as we make jokes about different things we find in the textbook.
The buzz of the bell signals Break, and I stand up and grab my stuff. I leave Wilson to take care of the textbook.
"Come on. It's Science."
His eyes light up to their usual state, and I can't help but get excited.
I thought we lost him to the darkness for sure.
YOU ARE READING
Soulmate {Book Two} The Vioval Ritual
HumorIt's been about a month since Willnia's departure, and Wilson is still devastated. Her absence has changed him. A lot. Kennedy has to figure out how to get him back to normal, and the only answer is Willnia. But when things don't go as planned, the...
