Thorns and Fawns

Chapter 3

Cody's POV

The nurse's office was quite small considering that every other room in this school was the size of a smaller house.

Ok, maybe that was an exaggeration but they're pretty big.

I pulled away from Jared the second we were there and instead began looking around in the different drawers and cabinets.

The nurse had gone home for the day, now that the students had as well so I had to be the one to fix him up. Just perfect.

I looked over and realized his nose had already stopped bleeding and he was just sitting on a chair, balling his eyes out. I rolled my eyes and found some napkins, walking over and giving them to him.

He said something between sniffles that I just chose to take as a thanks. He began wiping his nose and eyes with them. Yes, in that order. I looked away and held back my urge to wrinkle my nose in disgust.

It felt like he sat there forever, just sniffling and grunting. He can be such a drama queen. I eventually had enough and got out my phone. I acted like I had gotten a text.

"My mom says I have to go home" I lied. I'd say that lying was my specialty, it was like second nature to me, especially when I was in front of idiots... and my parents. "you'll be good on your own?" I asked, not really caring for the answer.

Jared nodded with a grunt and I was out the door. As I walked for the exits, the lights turned off. I swallowed. I wasn't afraid of the dark, but this place did get creepy once the lights were off and the halls were empty.

I didn't believe in ghosts but If I did, I would've pissed my pants by now. I'm sure that nerdy pig nosed boy from my history class would've fainted if he was here right now. That would've been a show worth a good laugh.

Alright, maybe that was a bit harsh. I was just pissed right now. It seemed like Jared and the others were getting on my nerves recently. More than they used to. Their jokes were just plain offensive to my ears now.

I may have laughed along once, but now I just stared blankly. The line between jokes and them just plain out trash talking someone had vanished.

I walked out the doors and through the courtyard. The cold air calmed me down. I headed for the forest immediately, just needing some time to myself. I needed that a lot recently. Just me... by myself. It was the only way I could relax.

I walked down the small path, shoving my hands into my pockets. The school soon disappeared behind me and I was surrounded by trees all around.

I slowed my pace and just took in the quiet air around me. I slowly got more and more tired and I ended up sitting down, leaned against a tree. I just sat, looking up at the leaves that blocked out the grey clouded sky. Throughout the day, the sun had disappeared, leaving a grey mush to cover the sky.

I didn't mind it. It wasn't too cold, but it wasn't too hot. It was just relaxing. I breathed out and slowly dozed off, looking up at the sky.

***

Something hot blew into my face, waking me. I wrinkled my nose and squinted my eyes open. I cameface to face with... fur? My eyes widened.. Right in front of me, stood the stag. Barely even centimeters from me. Its eyes had that same wise glint in them.

It was staring right into my soul. It felt like it. Reading my thoughts and seeing my heart beating.

My heartbeat. It was going crazy. I was impressed that the animal hadn't heard it yet and run off. It was thumping hard against my chest and my stomach was turning.

I held my breath as the animal sniffed at me, sticking its nose into my hair. It then calmly turned around and walked off. I just sat, staring after it for a moment.

I let out a breath, once it was out of sight. I stumbled to a stand and shook my head.

What had just happened? Were this what people who met god felt like? Had I just met god?

No, it was an animal. God was... god. I should probably pay more attention in class. Then I would know these things... I think.

I slowly began walking home. I looked to my watch. I had only been out for an hour and a couple of minutes. My parents wouldn't question where I had been. I sometimes stayed out late. I just said I hung out with the boys.

Most of the time, I just stayed in the forest.

Though, up until this morning, I had never seen the stag. I hadn't seen any deer at all. Only squirrels and birds. A badger one time and a few racoons.

My mind wondered as I walked. I found my mind wondering towards the boy earlier today. The boy who had woken me from my slumber in class. Like the stag had woken me now. I suddenly knew what had been in his eyes. It was the same as the stag.

Wise eyes. Like he was reading my thoughts and hearing my heartbeat. Like he knew the past, present and future.
Kind eyes.

I frowned. I had been so annoyed all day and I had scared him off. Maybe that was the same reason that stag ran this morning. I shook my head. I couldn't connect a human and an animal.

It was all just a coincidence.

Who would've thought a Monday would've been this eventful. I sighed.

Life was pretty dull around here. So, a bloody nose and a deer was now eventful.

I should probably apologize to that boy I scared off this morning.

Wait, where did that come from. Why would I care? He left me alone and that was the point. Why would I apologize?

I rubbed my temples and cursed. My head was hurting. Just perfect. I was probably not going to get any sleep tonight. I had already planned it all out.

Comfy clothes and Netflix.

I had probably watched everything there was on Netflix by now but... I wouldn't mind starting over. If it meant I could block out any other sounds in the house and I could be left alone, then so be it.

I really hated Mondays.