Manufactured Magic

Ι.

"Ow!" I complained as my best friend, Cam, flicked me in the forehead.
She rolled her eyes, " Well I'm sorry if the only way to get you out of 'Alex Land' is to gently flick you."
"Yeah," I mumbled , "Gently."
"I'm sorry, okay?" She looked over at me, sympathy in her bright green eyes, "Were you thinking about your dad again?"
I shook my head, resulting in my already messy hair to fall in my eyes. See, my dad had died when I was around four years old. He and Cam's parents, Drs. Walters, were working on a cure for some dangerous disease. My dad was alone at the lab the night he died, until a protestor on their research showed up and bombed the place. Killing both my dad, and himself. I've always felt bad about not missing him that much; but, I had only been four when he died. My mom always said I looked just like him. With my messy black hair, lean build, height, and tan skin. She said the only thing that threw her off was the fact that I had electric blue eyes, and my dad had green eyes.
"No, I just keep seeing these weird shadows and flashes of light." Cam scoffed, "It's true, for the past few weeks I have been seeing these shadows following me everywhere. And the other day I could sworn one of them tried to attack me! I know it sounds weird but..."
Cam's face paled, "I'm sure it's nothing, Alex. Let's just head inside."
I had been so distracted by what I saw, that I didn't even notice we had reached mine and Cam's apartment complex.
"Okay," I replied, "Yours or mine?"
"Umm," She pondered, " Why don't we do yours, I haven't seen your mom in a while."
I took in a shaky breath, "Okay, mine it is."
We headed inside, I had to duck in order to fit through the door. It's hard being 6'1" when the height of your apartment doors are 5'10". Cam could fit through perfectly though, being 5'4" and all. I always found it entertaining to tease her about her height.
"Ugh!"Cameryn yelled, "The elevators broken!"
I groaned, "Seriously, now we're going to have to use the stairs!"
Cam giggled, which she never does, "What are you afraid of a little exercise?"
I feigned offense, "What, me? Never. It's just that I live on the tenth floor, or have you forgotten?"
"No," She smirked, "I didn't forget."
"Ugh, fine."
We trudged up the musty smelling stair well up to my floor. It didn't help that it was the beginning of August and extremely hot. As we reached the fifth floor, I looked over at Cam to see her pulling her long, light brown hair up into a pony tail.
"Getting hot there?" I teased.
" What?" Cam asked, " Oh, no my hair is just bothering me. My mom keeps telling me to cut it but I decided to take a rebellious move and say no."
I chuckled, " Wow, such a rebel."
She swatted my arm, " Like you're any better!"
I rolled my eyes and looked towards the floor sign. It read "9".
" Finally," Cam sighed, " only one more floor. I can't wait to see your mom, is she doing any better?"
I thought for a moment. After my dad died, my mom wasn't really the same, at least that's what her friends and our family said; I was four when he died after all. She used to be all witty and fun, no she's kind of said and lonely.
" Not much," I replied, " But she finally put the pictures of him back up."
Cam smiled and touched my arm, another thing she doesn't do that often, " That's great Alex."
I blushed a little from the contact, " Yeah. We're here." I opened the door to the hallway of the 10th floor.
" Thanks." Cam said before she started running down the hall, "I'm so gonna beet you to your house!"
I broke into a grin, " No way!"
I had just barely reached my door before her.
" Ha! I win again shortie!"
She pouted, " You know I hate that name."
" Well, that is why I use it." I smirked.
" You're impossible" she mumbled, opening the door.
I followed her in, taking her backpack and mine throwing them down on the couch.
" Mom!" I called into the kitchen, "We're home!"
" We?" My mom asked walking out of the kitchen, a plate of sandwiches in her hand.
"Yeah Mom, Cam's here too," I replied.
Cam waved and gave a small smile, "Hi, Mrs. Jackson."
My mom set the plate down and gave Cameryn a bone-crushing hug, " Hi sweetie! It's been a while."
They quickly got to catching up. My mom always seemed to be a lot happier when Cam was here, sometimes Cam would tease be about being my moms favorite child.
They talked for a while until Cams eyes widened, as if she finally remembered why she was here, "It was nice catching up, but Alex and I have homework to do."
My mom's face fell, " Alright, go have fun."
Cameryn walked over to me and grabbed her bag, heading over to my room with me.
" So, what was with the freaking out earlier?" I asked recalling how she had reacted to me telling her about the shadows.
Cam looked at the floor, " I-I umm, uhhh." She stuttered, " I-It just- just sounded creepy that's all. Yeah, that's it."
I gave her a skeptical look, making a mental note to bring it up later, " Ok? So should we get started on the chemistry project?"
•••
After a few hours of doing homework and studying, Cam left. Claiming she need to get home, to her apartment on the 6th floor, for dinner. I ate dinner with my mom, then headed to bed early. What?! I'm a growing boy I need my rest. I hadn't realized how tired I was until my head hit the pillow, and I immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.