Elements

Chapter 9

Zinc P.O.V.

I sighed as I flopped onto my bed, exhausted from what it felt like 6 hours of training. I have no idea how long it actually was, but honestly I didn't care. I stared at the ceiling and and watched the blades of the fan go round and round. 

I clutched the letter I had received in my hand. Did he really want to do this? A better question was, did I want to do this? What if someone found out? What if I was expelled? What would happen? My mind stirred with thoughts too busy to let anything else in, so when Gallium came in I didn't even notice. 

"You okay Zinc? You look kind of drained." He said, not even turning around to face me.

"I am drained." I replied, my clutch on the letter tightening. I could hear the crumpling paper. Didn't he see that I didn't want to talk right now?

"You know, you could be a little nicer. At least fake it." I could tell Gallium was getting angry. "I mean, this is the last time we will see each other, and you don't seem sad in the slightest!"

"Huh? What do you mean this is the last-"

"After tonight they're splitting us up. Everyone will spend the remainder of time locked in a room with their group to get used to being in tight spaces with them. And I'm not expecting to live through this. Not many people are."

"Oh." I didn't know that. I thought that everyone would still have normal schedules until the day of. "I didn't know about that, sorry Gallium."

"It's fine I guess." He turned around and saw the crumpled envelope in my hand. "Hey what's that?" Gallium pointed to my hand and snatched it, so much for my reflex training.

He smoothed it out a little and  took the letter out of the envelope. He looked at me curiously before beginning to read. 

Dear Zinc,

How many days has it been since we last saw each other?  I couldn't begin to tell you how much has happened since. I need to tell you something. It's very important. 

How have you been? I'm very curious to know how you've been putting up with your group. From the way you described them when you wrote, they seem awful. Oh, do I wish I had your patience. 

I have missed you so much. For the past week I have been worried sick about you and I want to send you my best wishes. Now that I realize it, I cannot wait to tell you this information. It must be written now. Right here.

Vanadium read a letter I wrote you over my shoulder whilst I was writing it. She knows everything. She started screaming something, what was it, Yo hee? I couldn't tell. She said that she was going to get a nosebleed as well, not sure what that's about. 

Anyway, I love you so very much and send you the best of all my wishes. 

I'll see you on the other side of the war,

                               Nitrogen.

(P.S. Did you see the Hamilton reference I made? A pure stroke of genius on my part! Oh, uh, I'll end it here now.)

Gallium stared at me for a moment before handing me the letter. 

"Zinc, I didn't know you were-"

"Yeah, yeah."

"No seriously. I'm really sorry for grabbing the letter."

"No. You aren't. No one ever is, and I assume you are just going to make fun of me for it, so go ahead."

"Zinc, I wouldn't-"

"Yes! You would! Everyone does!"

"Zinc! I get your upset but you shouldn't assume things!"

"You're the reason I'm upset!"

"Well it's not my fault your gay!" That struck a nerve. I flinched back and stared at him, wide eyed and heart pounding. "So don't blame me for it! And no, I wasn't going to make fun of you."

The blood rushed all to my head and I could feel myself breaking down. 

No

My walls can't come down....

I was clutching at my head, pulling my hair out.

He found out. He'll tell everyone.

Oh god. Oh god. Oh god.

My heart was beating furiously and there was a ring in my ears. I started clutching at my heart because of pain from such fast beating.

"Zinc?"

"Zinc, are you okay?"

No.

"Zinc! What's going on?"

"Oh shit! Zinc What's go-"

That was the last thing I heard before I crumpled to the floor, and everything went black.

Hey guys! Sorry for the long stop without posts. I was going through some stuff but I'm back! Also sorry for the short chapter, but I feel the content makes up for it.

- Jax