After that sleepless night, Reyna prepared for school.
She stared at herself in the mirror, feeling much more annoyed with herself for being so paranoid last night. And for being so hung up about Jason.
After taking a long shower to ease her nerves, she threw on whatever she could find. A black sweater, black jeans, and black boots. Okay. . .not her usual choice of color. What, was she dressing up for a funeral or something?
Suddenly, an unknown feeling, heavy yet urgent, tugged at her gut. It was a gloomy San Francisco morning, but she felt like being pulled out of a freezer. Her last thought made her a little nervous. . .the one about funerals?
She was brought back to earth by her sister's booming voice. "Reyna! What the hell are you doing up there? I told you breakfast is ready!"
Reyna sighed. "Coming, Hylla."
She had to drag her feet downstairs when her sister called again.
"Also, did I mention you're already late for school?"
Ah, shit. That got her going.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Reyna asked. She was practically shoving spoonfuls of her most hated cereal brand into her mouth, while keeping an eye on the wall clock. To her slight annoyance, Hylla just shrugged.
"Oh, I don't know," Hylla says, leisurely pacing around the kitchen and pouring herself a cup of coffee. "I've called for you to get your ass down here about ten times, and you just won't answer."
Reyna knew what took up most of her time, making her feel angry at herself. She was thinking about Jason. . . and——
"What a wonderful grand entrance you'll make, Reyna——"
She was getting to absorbed in her thoughts again.
Reyna grabbed her bag from the table and gave Hylla a quick hug before leaving, much to her sister's surprise. "Gotta go!"
She made a mad dash for the door, flinging it open as fast as she could. Walking very fast like her life depended on it, Reyna already knew it was going to be a bad day.
She walked and walked, turning and going ahead the streets of San Francisco. The eucalyptus trees were giving of that cough syrup scent, but they still made the place beautiful. Sadly, Reyna had no time to admire her hometown. When she was in the middle of crossing the street, she realized she didn't have her phone. And worse, her homework.
Nico felt like an actual creep hiding in the bushes. Probably because he was amongst the shrubbery, waiting for Rina to cross the street. Wait, no, it was Reyna.
How did he know about the place where she was about to die? Well, Nico sensed an impending, fresh death. . .if that made sense.
Except now that his senses were tingling so much. She must be near.
He heard her footsteps growing more audible and nearer. Quick and light. Then those footsteps faltered.
Nico peeked out from his hiding place, only to see her in the middle of the pedestrian lane, looking like she forgot something. And also, Nico has to admit, she's looking pretty good in his favorite color, black.
BEEEEEEP!
Time slowed down, the world moved in a syrupy manner. Nico leapt out from the bushes, made a bee-line to push Reyna out of the way of the car.
The first thing that Nico noticed about Reyna were the bags under her eyes. Then the tired aura she exuded. Then the smell of her newly-shampooed hair.
Reyna immediately snapped back to reality as soon as she felt someone push her. But then, she realized, her obituary would probably sound very stupid.
Reyna Ramirez-Arellano, 16, passed away on the morning of the 23rd of November. She was hit by a car in the middle of crossing the street due to her forgotten homework.
She landed on the other side of the street, back where she had come from. She caught a glimpse of her savior—— a guy with longish hair clad in all-black clothes—— before he got hit by the car.
Reyna wanted to scream, but her voice wouldn't work.
He was thrown about six feet away from the vehicle. He lay there, groaning and coughing. Reyna wanted to run towards him and check if he was okay, but she was paralysed with shock and fear.
Nico didn't expect the pain. Really, he should stop not expecting.
His side was on fire. He could feel nasty bruises forming on his body. Something wet and warm was trickling from his temple. His limbs were as useful and functional as noodles.
This was not part of his plan.
His plan was to push Reyna out of the way, shadow-travel back to her side, and Hades could turn him as mortal as Nico could get.
But turning completely mortal at the most crucial part of the plan sucked. He was so focused on using the shadows to save himself that he actually didn't have time to dive out of the way before the car hit him.
Great. Now all he could do is groan in pain.
The driver, a man in a dark business suit, hurried out of his car with a look of pure horror on his face.
Reyna felt a surge in her muscles and found out she could move again. Her ears were ringing, and she could feel her body trembling.
No one is going to die today. Reyna has to make sure of that.
The driver cautiously went closer to the person in all black. She could hear his ragged breath, which didn't really help.
The other cars behind them were honking, and the wailing of the sirens of police cruisers and the ambulance was not so far. People were talking among themselves, and a few concerned citizens were making their way towards Nico to give him first aid.
Reyna ran towards him before anybody else could.
"Oh my God. . .don't worry, the ambulance are on their way," she said, lifting the tufts of hair obscuring his face. She brought out her handkerchief and dabbed it onto the gash on his forehead.
He looked young, maybe like Reyna's age or a year younger. He had black hair that was unkempt and longish, and his olive skin was a little pale. From him, Reyna could smell the scent of incense and the metallic tang of blood.
The guy muttered something, but Reyna couldn't make it out.
"Is. . .is he alright?" the man in the dark suit asked worriedly, who was constantly raking his fingers through his hair. "I didn't——I couldn't make my car stop——I'm so, so sorry——"
"Let's just wait for the authorities to decide." Reyna said in a low voice.
The guy muttered something again.
And Reyna was sure he said her name this time.
__________________
Wew! This is the second part, and there will be a third. Should I make this into a separate book? Or naw?
Anyways. . .I'll be updating as soon as I can, and the same could be said in my other works. School will start tomorrow and I found out that I'm not very productive during summer vacation. . .
Yours truly,
Mrs. Potato Sendoh
P.S. Potatoes are life.
