I'm not crazy

24

Saturday, March 23, 2006

Jacks POV

I walked through the courtyard, waving to a few people. I looked at the plants and flowers. They must've bloomed recently. I noticed a few weeds starting to come about. The grass is a little taller than I'd prefer. I should clean this out.

I walk out of the courtyard to gather my gardening tools. I grabbed gloves and a few other smaller tools. As I walked back out to the courtyard I looked up to the sky. It's a beautiful blue with just a few clouds.

Starting near the door I began to pick out the prickly weeds and clean up where the old mulch meets the grass. Usually Felix and I did this together. He would pull weeds and I would do the polish work. Wait. Since Felix isn't here I don't have anywhere to put the weeds. I also don't have a bag.

I ran to the cafeteria and got a decently large bag. I ran back and dumped the pulled weeds into it.

After a little while I got through one section. Looking back at it I could've done a little better, but it's better than it was.

~~~~~

I finally finished cleaning out the garden and I look over my work. The garden looks much better now. I feel much more refreshed after cleaning.

My hands start to feel sore. I close and open my fist to ease the soreness.

I bend down and grab the bag of weeds and my garden tools. Smiling, I leave the courtyard to go dump the bag outside. I set my gardening tools on a random table in the cafeteria on my way out. As I walk to the door the bag sways beside me.

I reach the door and open it carefully, checking to make sure nobody is there. I don't see anyone. I open the door just enough for me to walk through. Still holding the door, I take a step outside. A sudden surge of fear hits my body. My heart starts to race. My hands shake. I can hear the bag slightly shaking with my hand. I start to breathe faster. I stand slightly shaking with my body in the doorway as I stare wide-eyed at the ground ahead of me. I couldn't move. I need someone to help me. I should call Felix, he'll help me. I rush back inside and shut the door, the bag still in my hand.

With my breathing still rushed I call Felix. My hands were still shaking. He might still be in class. I try to calm my breathing. The phone rings a few times. He still hasn't picked up. Please pick up.

I look around me almost hoping he would just magically show up. My left shoulder suddenly gets a cold and tingly feeling. I look over to see Sierra looking at me concerned with her hand on my shoulder. She takes her hand off knowing she has my attention. I look away from her for a second so I can listen if Felix picks up. Still nothing.

I begin to pace and Sierra keeps her eyes on me, with worried expression on her face.

The phone stops ringing. I wait in the suffocating silence. Did he pick up?

"Hello?" I hear a voice at the other end say. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Uh...Felix... can you come by later today? Please?"

"Umm... sure I guess. I'll be over after school."

"Thanks." I hear another voice in the background. I can't quite make out what they're saying.

"I have to go. See you then." And he hung up.

I set my phone in my pocket. And looked back over to Sierra.

"You're not being silly or dumb calling him, you know that. It's a good reason to call him."

She reassured me before I could even say it. I smiled at her. I then placed the bag in front of the door and sat on the wall adjacent to it. Sierra sat beside me.

"Thank you." I told her.

"You don't have to thank me, but your welcome."

"Sierra..." she looked at me seriously, "what do you really think of Mark staying here?"

She gave a big sigh, "I don't like that he's staying here. I don't know him well enough to fully trust him. I definitely don't like that Felix broke your trust and shared your secret to someone... but if Felix is telling the truth then he's better off here, with you, in this place rather than his own home. I am skeptical of where his loyalties lie, but for now I can give him some trust in that he won't tell anyone."

I smiled at her. After a few seconds of silence she spoke again. "What do you think about him staying here?"

This question took me by complete surprise. "Honestly? I care about him. I care about his wellbeing. I trust him to an extent. The thing is... I don't really know what to think. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing. I just know that I want him to stay."

"That's alright. You'll figure it out."

"I hope so."