Prodigies Are Made

>11<

Luckily, my parents were on a business trip this week so no one was there to get mad at me for hurting my hands. The thing that worried me though, was the doctor's appointment. No doubt they'll ask me about the cuts if they're not healed by then.

And I had school tomorrow.

A giddy feeling rose up in my chest. Now there was something to fear, something to be lost.

In this case it was a friendship, at the least.

But maybe that was something that I didn't want to risk... which makes it all the more daring, I guess.

Shaking my head, I decided to do my homework. Using a pencil was a little harder than usual because every time my hand shifted, it stung. Still, I managed to push through.

~

The next day, I unwrapped the bandages to find the cuts closed but still visible. At least it's easier than hiding the previous state of my hands.

Despite that, I found myself wanting to see Simeon again. Of course, it would only be a small glance in the hallway but it was still something to look forward to.

I shouldn't get excited for dumb stuff like that.

But it was hard not to. It was my rebellious streak, I guess.

As I was leaving my house, I got a text from him:

Simeon: are your hands okay?

Me: Yeah, they're fine.

Me: Thank you.

Simeon: no prob

The way he texted was not what I was used to, but it was nice to look at something so informal. And he stopped replying with one-word answers, which was a bonus.

~

At school, I hadn't seen Simeon until one moment in the hallway, but that had been obscured by Brittany walking up to me.

"Hey Xavier."

I glanced over at Simeon, who had raised an eyebrow at me. I almost gave him a shrug before realizing I was in an active conversation with someone else.

"Hey Brittany," I smiled at her, "What's up?"

"Um, well I wanted to talk to you and..." She sighed, "Forget about it, it's stupid."

Before I could ask her what was wrong, Brittany turned on her heel and walked away. The hallway was near-deserted and Simeon mouthed, "What was that?" to me.

I shrugged in return.

After a couple of moments, the hallway was completely empty. Without even turning around, I felt a shadow fall over me. It didn't occur to me how tall Simeon was until this moment. He was easily as tall as Brody or Aaron.

I don't even know how old he is.

Turning, I met him with a smile. His smile was more reserved, sad even. How can a smile be sad?

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It's nothing," He blinked and all of the sadness was suddenly gone, replaced with a smirk, "So, your girlfriend?"

My face suddenly felt hot, "I, uh, she's not my... girlfriend."

"Sure seemed like it." He muttered, the smirk staying.

"Do you have a significant other?"

His smile seemed to falter for a second before he placed it back on his face, "Nah, I like to keep my options open."