Phoenix Academy

Chapter 13

Eris Alderhaide's Point of View
SINCLAIR

Two days passed easily. No, everything seems to be flashing by. I've been walking eggshells around Georgia and Highness Althea. Only Rain makes the mood lighter, so I was always with him, using training as an excuse. Sinabi ko na rin sa kanyang pinaghihinalaan ko ang dalawa.

"Eris, handa ka na mamaya?" tanong ni Rain sa'kin. Mabagal akong tumango, gayunpamang hindi ako ganoong sigurado. I can't use my powers, and it's a big advantage to whoever my enemy is. Well, maybe I'm ready to lose.

"You're not thinking of losing, are you?" He asked, as if nabasa niya ang sinasabi ng utak ko. Tinapunan ko siya ng tingin at umirap bago siya sagutin, "I am." Hindi naman ako makakapagsinungaling sa kaniya, he'll just notice it since he's my fylgja.

"Eris—," Mabilis akong humarap sa kaniya't di ko na siya pinatapos. "Ano ba? I'll be fine," saad ko't tumawa. Tumango-tango siya, but I know he's still worried.

"Sinclair." Ramdam kong may tumawag sa'kin. Lumingon ako ngunit wala naman pala. Huh? Ano iyon? Guni-guni.

Sinclair. Para bang nangyayari na ang nangyari sa'kin sa forest. May pumapasok sa utak ko, and it wants to control me again.

Sinclair. "Argh!" Napangiwi ako sa sakit ng kanan kong kamay. Napasandal ako sa pader at naghabol ng hininga. Agad akong inalalayan ni Rain, and looked at me so worriedly. He held my hand and passed me some energy, and I felt less hurt by that. "Eris. . . ," nagaalalang tawag ni Rain. "Ano'ng nangyari?"

Umiling-iling ako. "Hindi ko alam, basta nalang sumakit ang kanang kamay ko."

Hindi ko na napigilan si Rain. Hinila niya ang kanang kamay ko, tinanggalan ang gloves at tiningnan ng mabuti ang kamay ko. Napatingin din ako, at nagulat na wala nang sulat o balat ito. It was flawless, unlike the night when I got it. Ano'ng nangyari? Kanina naman ay naroon pa ang mga sulat.

"Nothing's wrong," sabi ni Rain na nanatiling chinecheck ang kamay ko. "Lumapit ka nalang sa'kin kapag sumakit pa ang kamay mo. Battles na at hindi tayo pwedeng mawala doon."

Tumango ako at tumayo na nang ayos. "I will. Tara na sa Phoenician Base." Nauna na akong naglakad sa kaniya. He shouldn't see that I am bothered— though he might sense it. He easily caught my pace and didn't tear his eyes from me. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at tinaasan niya ang ako ng kilay.

Nahiwalay lang ang tingin niya nang may tumawag sa'kin. "Eris, love!" Tawag ni Summer. Mas nauna pang lumingon si Rain at kinawayan niya si Summer. Maliit naman akong ngumiti sa council president. She grabbed the arm that was covered by gloves, and giddily pulled me away from Rain.

"I have something to tell you first," she told me, then turned to Rain. "Delvar, mauna ka na! This is a girls' thing. Ako na muna bahala kay Eris." Kininditan niya pa si Rain, ngunit napabusangot lang si Rain, at umiling habang sumasagot, "Apologies, Summer, but Eris needs to be by my side. Hihintayin ko nalang kayo rito, o sasamahan. I don't mind 'girls' thing."

Summer Knight playfully rolled her eyes and patted Rain's shoulder. "C'mon, I'm sure you'll come running if you sense her in danger. Hindi naman kami mawawala! Take a break from that boyfie act of yours." Ako naman ngayon ang napailing, at napakunotnoo. Truthfully, I don't want to be away from Red, but if Summer needs it, so be it.

Sinulyapan ko si Red at mas lalong napakunot ang noo ko nang mapansing namumula ang kanyang tainga. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata niya't nag-iwas tingin bigla nang magtama ang mga mata namin. Ginamit niya pa ang kamay niya upang takpan ang kanyang pisngi. Sa huli, hindi na siya nagpaalam at naglakad na palayo sa'min. Wait, don't tell me. . . He was caught off guard? I inwardly chuckled and suppressed a smile. Cute.