Terminally Abstract

Chapter 4

"I've got something to prove. But it'll wait till after my youth."

Time flew by until lunch break, when everything always seemed to stand still. There were no strumming of guitars or the sound of teenage crowds. The past cliches of my parents' childhood seemed to have already drifted away. Cliques seem to never die out though. But break could finally mean silence and I could ease my migraine.

I slump down with my lunch tray and begin picking at the meal. No matter what, cafeteria food would never change. I zoned out, watching the sky from the window. Admiring the countless shades of colors used to give clouds their lifting spirit. How I could paint them. Painting. What a dream.

Arthur hops into the seat across from mine and presses his elbows onto the table. He begins to lean closer, staring at me as usual. His eyes seemed to pass through my layer of defense, yet also had only showed concern.

"What is it?" I ordered.

"No matter how good you can paint, you can't paint over your emotions. I know something is up. You know you can tell me."

"All hail the philosopher Arthur. And you better keep your voice down. We shouldn't talk about this here." I glanced around and saw that my schoolmates had already had their attentions caught by the sound of colors. A particular group smirked and caught my eye in the corner.

"Sometimes I don't understand how you think, Michael. Nothing is ever going to change if you don't do something! With what you have, we can both break through this! I know this is stupid now, but it can't be going like this. You can't keep going like this! Stop living someone else's dream and wake up already!" Arthur was raising his voice louder and louder, standing up. I was frozen in my seat. How could he come up with this out of the blue? What did I do to anger him? He does hate me after all. Who'd stick with this freak? "Can't you paint for me one last time?" he asked with a soft voice.

"You know I can't." The words slipped out. Arthur's face looked hurt. This only made me angrier. How could he know what was right for me and what wasn't? Who did he think he is, exposing me to the school again?

"Who said I have to do anything?" I barked. "Why do I have to deal with this shit and still have more to do?!" My voice started to crack. My head was spinning and my heart was tearing. The group in the corner began to get closer. "Nothing needs to change...I do."

"I think your friend has a point here, Arthur." Henric Stikes spoke, eager to stir up some conflict. "But don't worry. Mommy's little implant requirement will change that." The son of the governor. He might never have to work a day in his life yet still yearned for a rush. I visualized him in middle school, when his mommy decided to pre-implant her little boy. How the rumors spread about him never being the same again. How no matter how many times he'd been into fights, distractions, gangs, he'd still be the role model citizen to his mom.

But I only saw him as the typical senior athletics kid with slick hair and a school jersey.

"Shut up. You aren't a part of this. Mind your own business for once." Arthur attempted to stare him down.

"Oh but I am! I see myself as only being an influencing being to all of my fellow peers! You here are only causing a ruckus."

"There doesn't need to be a ruckus if you leave." Arthur didn't hesitate to give his signature smirk and crossed arms. Whispers spored across the cafeteria and fingers pointed towards my figure. How did we get into this? I need to get out of here. We need to get out. I couldn't leave him in this war zone.

"Arthur, we should go." I tugged on his snowy jacket, trying to drag him to the side. His body was tense and his fist was clenched. "He's only trying to get you to fight him."

"Well he's doing a damn good job at it." He muttered under his breath. The jock slid closer, casually smoothing his hair and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"What a great scoop for this year's yearbook! Another win for our wrestling champion!" A peppy voice exclaimed. Head of ASB and Newspaper, Tracy Callon. A grin was shared between the two, the power duo. With a click of her heels and a flick of her hand, she stood ready to gain angle perfect images with her pricy camera.

"Isn't that Loose Wires?" A student asked.

"Oh that loser? I can't believe he hasn't killed himself by now! I bet he's just doing this for attention." another shouted. The crowd leaned closer until we were surrounded by their breathing.

"Please. Leave us alone." My voice was shaking and my eyes started to burn. I wish Arthur hadn't said anything. I just want to go home. It can't be like this. But perhaps, it could be the only way. I was hiding behind Arthur now, but it all changed in a brief second.

I felt a gush of air and a witnessed a sprinting avalanche heading towards the senior. I felt the thrust of an impact, my back crashing to the floor and my vision becoming impaired. My breathing grew rugged and I felt as if it was the end of the world. My mind was crashing down and I just fizzled at the thought. With my eyes glued open, I watched Arthur lift me upright and rush me outside.

Where could he be taking me?
I saw distant memories approaching my eyes, sending a sense of comfort to my chest

The tree. A smile stood apart from my bleeding nose. Our tree.