Terminally Abstract

Chapter 10

"Where does it come from, when everything was outside busted and blue? How in the universe, through the lithium, busted and blue....I'm a satellite and I can't get back without you."- 2-D Gorillaz

I opened my eyes once more to find the gleaming sun, Arthur's rose golden hair. If I could touch the sun, I would. So I stroked his hair, the flame leaving my hand unscathed.

I remembered the night, the nightmare, the night that Arthur saved me. Turned to the side, Arthur remained unknowing. I wondered for a brief moment where the pillow border had gone, but dismissed the thought.

I nudged Arthur.

He turned to me, ruffled through his hair with his dimples appearing on his rosy cheeks.

"Mornin'."

"Morning stink breath."

"Well, today's the day."

"It is."

"Michael?"

"Hm?"

"I just. You may think you're the worst friend in the entire world, but, I still appreciate you. You're not worthless, you're not invisible. And it's my job to cherish you until the world will. And today will change it all. Let's show the world our magic."

I didn't know what to say.

"Let's go."

The minutes began to drag, as if my life was in slow motion. I watched Arthur's mother kiss him, and engulfed a filling meal. We began walking to school.

I felt Arthur's hand brush against my own. I tried to play it cool, as if I hadn't noticed. But he did, and his pinkie grasped my own. That one swift movement reminded me of our past. How much I hadn't cherished it before. I love my best friend.

We had time. We had 25 minutes before class started. Before the day resumed into long hours. We spotted Henric. With his gang of privileged low lives. Arthur started walking faster, I trailed behind him. His back was upon a building, with Henric around the corner.

As Tracy jingled her jewelry and adjusted her sun glasses, Arthur propped up his laptop. Every "hur hur" of Henric's loud mouth sent Arthur clicking. With the gang's horseplay, Arthur got the signal.

"We got it."

"Good, let's go."

We traced back to the front gate.

"We've done it! We've got it!" Arthur screamed.

I smiled and watched him jump for joy. Then in shock as he hugged me tight. When he let go, his eyes were shining in tears. But not for much longer.

His laptop began to speak.

"Yeah, today's the day. Soon as we see that punk- we are gonna-" static interfered with each line.

"Damn it!" Arthur began retyping.

"Arthur, they are coming close."

"Hold on! Give me one second!"

Before we knew it, Henric was standing stone faced  above me. He wore a red jersey today, with his hair slicked and arm wrapped around Tracy.

"Hey, Michael." Henric boomed. His hands raised and grabbed onto my scalp, wringing my hair. I screamed in pain.

"Thought we'd teach you guys a lesson from last time."

"I wished my mom loved me." The laptop spoke once more. "I wished she cared and would stop me from going out with these bozos. I remember when she did this to me. Let me kill him!" Arthur shut his laptop.

"What the fuck?! The fuck was that?!" Henric yelled. He looked around to his group. "It's not what you think! God damnit listen to me!" The gang scuffled their feet on the floor.

"We'll solve that later. This cunt's got you wired up to his laptop!"  Tracy responded.

Henric turned to me. "You think that's funny? You'll pay for that!"

I heard an oncoming truck wiz by. The lanes were filled with oncoming traffic. The wind was silent and the students stared. The entire world seemed to stop. My entire world felt like it was about to end.

With a yank of my head and a holler from Arthur, I felt my dangling body hurled to the street.

I felt a thud against my back and a stinging pain of my head banging onto the floor. I feel the pain of my skin, trickling with scrapes about my body.

"Michael!" Arthur screamed. He began running towards me.

No, no, stay! I wanted to tell him. I held out my hand.

And that's when it all turned black.