The Unmasked (Book One)

Chapter 11- Artistic Side

A few days passed, the most "normal" (or the most "human") I've probably had in quite some time. I can't believe there'd come a day I'd actually be thankful just to be living my normal, boring teenage life. Well, okay. I still run into a few ghosts every now and then. And my dreams are filled with fun, memorable dates with Troy the Spirit plus a couple of family bonding moments with my grandparents in the Spirit World.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect, as I had to catch up in several subjects which I hadn't been paying much attention to lately. It's been even more difficult to study, though, because school suddenly seems so trivial when compared to the mission we had to face--- dealing with the uprising of the Wicked Souls and yes, saving the two worlds we know and love.

I sighed, closing the textbook I had been reading for an hour now in the school library. I had skipped lunch just to cram for my English quiz. I couldn't give Mr. Stevenson the satisfaction of thinking I'm the dumb, couldn't-care-less student he'd always thought I was. Now that I know he's actually gay, I don't get intimidated anymore by his "terror teacher" front. Knowing it's just a mask has helped me relax and do better in class.

My stomach grumbled loudly, but I had to rush to class now. I gathered my stuff and stood up quickly, almost crashing into the muscular chest of my best friend Troy.

He grabbed my books and carried them out as he fell into step beside me. "I thought you'd be holed up in the library," he said as we walked fast to English class. "You might be hungry, so I got you this." He reached into his backpack and handed me a tissue-wrapped sandwich.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You need a favor, don't you?" I said. I did still accept the sandwich and finished it in a few bites.

Troy was quiet while I ate. Just before we entered the classroom, he said, "I'm just being your best friend, Lex. I want you to know that I care about you and that I miss you."

My heart jumped. I blinked back tears as I took my usual seat near the windows and he sat beside Cheena who was waiting for him at the back of the room. I realized then that despite my joy at being loved by the spirit Troy and spending quality time with that version of him, it hurts to be ignored by the person I deeply love in the Human World--- my best friend, someone who knows me inside and out, the person who promised he's got my back forever, my one great love.

That afternoon, I felt like a floating blob of misery moving through the rest of my classes in a haze. When I finally heard the bell signaling dismissal time, I wanted to run home and just throw myself onto my bed.

Shouldn't I be happy about his sweet gesture earlier and about what he had said? I asked myself silently as I walked down the familiar hallway leading to the main exit of Ferndale High. I should, I whispered in my mind to answer my own question. But I don't know why I'm so sad and bothered. Maybe his words had brought out the feelings I'd buried within. Maybe it's only now that I'm letting myself feel the pain of somehow losing the best friend I'd grown up with.

When I passed the lockers, my eyes grew wide. Thoughts of Troy temporarily flew away as I watched geeky Timmy adjust his glasses and awkwardly say hi to the sexy Claire who seemed oblivious to this award-winning act of bravery. She was busy retouching her makeup in front of the mirror hanging on the inside of her locker door.

Suddenly, I felt my eyelids getting heavy and dizziness coming. My vision blurred and I had to lean on a nearby locker to keep myself from falling. I closed my eyes for a while and saw myself standing where I had been two seconds ago. Hundreds of glittery white wisps danced around my body, like threads being woven together. Strands fused together and floated around me like white ribbons tossing and turning excitedly in the wind. They quickly formed a wall around me, blocking my sight. Brilliant lights filled the surroundings. I couldn't see anything.