Don't Let Me Go

eleven

Have you ever questioned the meaning of your life? Why did you were born? What was the purpose of your life? You know, that kind of questions. I never did, not until I came to Grandma's and really learned about our witch traits.

I was released from the village clinic sooner than I thought. Miraculously, my bullet wound had recovered quicker than I thought and my broken arm was recovering though still in cast. Maybe it was the herbs they used as complementary medication or maybe it was Grandma's magical mantra, some even said it was something in my gene, or combination of all. Either way, I didn't complain.

I was back to school in no time and got myself busy with hours of study, being absent for more than a week meant I had lots to catch up, though I couldn't join the dance crew due to the injuries, again, I was still allowed to join their practice later when I had fully recovered.

I walked down the hall and out of the school building with Keira and talked about random stuffs when I noticed certain person was standing close to the front gate, leaning casually on the stone wall. Keira noticed him too and smiled kindly at him.

"Hey Dec, you look great." Keira gave him a small hug, wrinkling her nose a bit. He'd been drinking and from the smell of it, it was enough to bathe in it. How on earth he was still sober, I had no idea.

"Hey Kid, long time no see." Declan smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes, instead those eyes were strangely longing for something and expected to find in Keira's.

"You knew each other?" I asked carefully, as if afraid of breaking their private moment.

Keira nodded. "Yeah. Long story." Keira said while Declan simply shrugged.

Small town vibes, of course, why did I even ask?

"Right. So I have to go. Mom's waiting, we, uh... I'll see you tomorrow, Jace." Keira awkwardly left us.

I bid her goodbye and turned to look at Declan, whom was puffing out a perfect smoke ring, questioning his unusual presence at my school. He said nothing but signaled me to follow him.

"What're you doing here? Aren't you waiting for your brothers?" I asked him instead. Dante was a senior and David was still in his first year.

"I'm waiting for you, actually."

"Me? Why?"

"Christina has something to do so she could not pick you up from school today, and she thinks that with your current condition going home alone is a big no. So here I am." 

What? I wanted to ask more but he continued walking away from school. I quickened my steps and walked beside him.

"I didn't know you smoke." I commented, breaking the awkwardness of silence.

Declan shrugged. "It's been how many years since the last time you were here? Ten? Twelve years? Things changed."

"About ten, I guess." I answered meekly. He was right. "Well, I'm not judging you, I was just ..."

He turned to look at me and smiled his empty smile, reaching for my head and gave a comforting pat. I glared at him.

"I know Jace. Being judgmental is never your thing." He winked. "Yet, I'm serious when I said things has changed."

I turned to really look at him. "Yeah, I can see that."

He sighed. "Just ask away. I know you have a lot in that pretty mind of yours."

I bit my lip while trying to find the right words. I wanted to know why he had changed, where did those kind smiles and cheerful eyes go, what had happened to him, but looking at him now, all questions about him suddenly were not that important.