Reflections

Part I-Chapter VI

~Victor Neal~

The rain never halted, so Track practice was cancelled for the day. That means I'll be on the bus with Zia again.

Today, I never went off-task during class, I had no daydreams, no teachers had to direct me, and zero self-doubt. Even one of my teachers complimented me, and that's completely bonkers! Honestly, despite the fight I had in the morning, today was going great. Then, the thought hit me, what's going to happen when I get home? What's Father going to do with me? That fight wasn't the first, but it was for a long while.

Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke, a voice only I can comprehend.

Don't back down to your Father now. It's already bad enough that your miserable excuse for a love-interest softens you up.

Before I could reply, Zia approached me as I was waiting for her to come out of the gym.

"Sorry Victor, the girls got held back!" She said while trying to catch her breath.

"Let's head to the bus before every spot is taken!"

We ran with our backpacks strapped and made a good sprint. Unfortunately, I forgot my umbrella in my locker, so we had to get soaked again. Luckily, Zia doesn't hate the rain. Finally, we made it and we located a spot near the back. We decided to sit in separate seats because I thought that Zia didn't want to get called out for sitting with me, and I didn't want to either. She sat in the seat ahead of me. We had ten minutes before the bus leaves, so she turned around to carry out a conversation.

"Victor, why don't you sit next to me?"

I shrugged.

"Consider it a gift. You rarely get a place to sit, so take your opportunity."

She laughed and stuck her tongue at me.

"Whatever Victor!"

Honestly, her facial expression was both cute and hilarious, so I pulled out my phone and snapped a photo. She got triggered and tried to take my phone, but failed.

"Victor! I look terrible! Delete that picture!" She demanded as she still attempted to take my phone.

"Not in a century, Zia!" I said as I put my phone away. "Besides, you look adorable."

"No I don't!" She replied. She frowned a little, then started petting my hair. Wait, why was she petting my hair?

"Zia? What are-"

"Huh, thick and puff. That's a good texture." She cut me off. "Sorry, I tend to do that as a nervous habit."

She gave an embarrassed look, then turned at the window. The buses ahead of us started to move, so she sat down properly and put earbuds in her ears. I did the same and tuned out for the rest of the ride. I listen to Japanese music because of its mystic, elegant and graceful score. The flutes, piano, guitars plucking and strumming...I find myself in a sense of pure sanity, pure peace. I'm surrounded by nature's hummingbirds, the wilderness of vast forests, or waves washing ashore. Once again, I drifted off to another place in the world.

When we got off the bus, the rain finally let up. Zia looked up, then closed her eyes. She looked like she was trying to process something that happened. She had one point, her hair was a little messed up, but she's that kind of girl that can pull off any hairstyle. Even a crazy and frizzy one.

She opened her umber eyes and stared at me.

"What are you looking at?" She asked with an annoyed tone.