November 1st

Chapter Six

When I wake up again, I still see no daylight. I'm only awake for a couple of seconds before my neck screams in pain, brutal revenge for me sleeping uncomfortably against a cabinet instead of my bed. I yawn rather loudly, stretching my arms so much that I pop a few knuckles while doing so. Shaking my head, I rub my eyes and turn around to the sink to brush my teeth.

Once I finish with getting ready, I go into the bedroom and go through my backpack. Broke my red pen, and replaced it with a purple pen, I mentally note to myself. And destroyed my old book, which I didn't finish, so... I suddenly see a copy of a book I've been trying to read, but didn't have the time to. Placing it in my backpack, I think, Problem resolved.

After finishing my breakfast, I notice that I have five minutes until my mother's going to come and "wake" me up. Grabbing all of my things at the speed of light, I burst through the door and rush down the street. I had realized that I left the door open, but I didn't close it because I heard my parents' door creaking open at that same exact moment.

This time, instead of backing away and ditching, I hold my head up as confidently as I can as I pass by other students, who wave to me like they do everyday. These kids aren't repeating yet, I think to myself, utterly baffled. Why are they waving to me like I didn't ditch yesterday..?

Forcing a smile on my face, which feels so foreign to me, I make my way over to my group of friends. Just like they always do, they squeal, hug tightly so I can't breathe, and then talk with each other all at once.

Well, except Sidonia, who I'm so glad isn't repeating.

Unlike everyone else, Sidonia runs up to me, a smile on her face. Practically tackling me in a hug, Sidonia exclaims, 'Diavian! You're here!" And then she whispers to me, "You're telling me everything today during the free period," sending chills down my spine as my eyes widen considerably.

Pulling away, I mouth, "Of course," before turning to my other friends. Kristen, who's repeating, says what she usually does before wrapping an arm around our necks. Like she usually does, Kristen then walks with us to her English class, where she breaks off from the group.

And soon enough, it's only Sidonia and me yet again.

Like usual, the two of us sit at our respective table and begin to read. When I pull my book out, I frown momentarily... until I remember what I did with my old book. Shaking my head, I open to the first page and begin to read quickly. Maybe I was reading so I didn't have to tell Sidonia anything, or maybe I was just becoming a faster reader. Who knows..?

Suddenly, I stop at page 38 to jot down a few notes about the main character of this book. I don't hesitate to take out my notebook and my pen so I can quickly write before reading again. Once I've finished, I let my pen drop onto my open notebook and let my gaze fall onto my book again.

That is, until Sidonia taps my shoulder.

When I turn to face her, she points to my notebook. "You love your red pen," she argues. "But you have a purple pen now... What's that about?"

My eyes widen. "Just... needed a change of colour," I say vaguely, purposely avoiding eye contact with Sidonia. I then force myself to "read", which is basically my eyes moving from left to right while my thoughts are slowly becoming less realistic and more paranoid. Did she see me?! I think worriedly. Is she a master at hiding?!

"Diavian." I glance up to see Sidonia holding the purple pen in her hand. "Are you alright? First you ditch school, then you say that you 'needed a change', whatever that means..!" She pauses, looking at me for any sort of answer.

"I just... was reading," I tell her, kicking myself for the noticeable hesitation. "I didn't want to go to school, so I turned and went to the library. I finished my book there, so I have a new book now, see?" I hold my book up so Sidonia can read the title. "And I managed to lose my pen, unfortunately, so this purple pen can be considered my replacement."