Edrei

Three • Those Eyes

Half the day went by without any flashbacks of my dream but I still held my breath because there was still the other half to go through. I've had nightmares once before but they were never this aggresive. They never mingled with my everyday life. Before; I could brush it off as 'Just a dream' and move on, maybe get a little therapy – mom insisted for assurance – but nothing major. This is beyond the manifestation of my fears and insecurities. There's more to it but what? What could it possibly be? Not knowing the answers to any of my questions bothered me.

"Ed... Did you hear what I said?"

I slapped Mica's waving hand away from my face. "What is it Mica?" I quipped, doing nothing to hide my annoyance.

"You've been sour all day and I have no idea what's going on. You're clearly not going to tell me so I'm going to leave now"

He neatly packed away his notepad and pencil then grabbed his lunch tray and walked away. My heart dropped. I didn't mean to do that. I wanted to call for him and apologize but before I could, he upruptly stopped like he forgot something. He turned and came back. I smiled, relief flooding through me.  He just looked at me square in the eye– not returning my smile. He snatched my sandwich and walked away again.
The relief I felt vanished as quickly as it came.
I looked down to my half empty lunch tray and mentally sulked.

My head jerked up the moment I heard someone take a seat where Mica was. The most beautiful forest green eyes looked back at me. They were the most enchanting eyes I've ever seen... well up close anyways. A sense of camaraderie washed over me as I stared at them. Something about them looked familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"Hi" He greeted politely. His mellifluous voice music to my ears. I hadn't realised that I was gawking until he looked a me with a small smirk and a raised brow.

"H-hi.. uhm h-hello." I closed my eyes for a second, trying to compose myself. He chuckled lightly.

"Edrei... You need to leave."

Kade sounded shaken, almost like he was afraid. I inwardly smirked and shut him out. This was my way to get back at him.

"I'm Zac." He said. A lazy smile spread on his lips as his hand reached out for mine to shake. I did. Sparks flew from my palm and fingers where my hand met his all the way up my arm, leaving tingles in their wake. My eyes involuntarily flattered closed for a second before I opened them.

"Edrei, Please.."

Kade pleaded in a whisper. He wasn't whispering, he was shouting but because I shut him out his voice was nothing more than a soft whisper. Something about Zac shook him and I liked it. I found myself smiling at Zac.

"Edrei. But you may call me Ed."

We talked like we were old friends. Our conversation easy and natural. It was amazing how he and I were well aquainted within minutes. Somewhere between my fits of laughter, I forgot about my argument – if you could call it that– with Mica.

"Would you like to take a walk with me Ed?" His eyes were so compelling that I would have said yes without a second thought had I not had two more classes to attend today. Two more classes and a Conscience screaming at me to run from him.

"I'd like that but–"

"No buts, Ed. There's something I'd like to show you." He exhorted, effectively cutting me off mind sentence.

"Edrei No! Please listen. Please..."

I almost didn't hear the last part. He sounded desperate. I felt horrible so I let him back in. I already drove Mica away. I needed Kade. My anger for him dissolved into nothing.

"I have class to attend. Sorry Zac." I concluded.

I stood up and packed the same way Mica did. "I'll see you around Zac." I said and walked away.
I turned around just before I left the cafeteria; Zac was gone. I tried to scan the cafeteria but it was just too big.

Suddenly unsure of Zac myself, I tried to find Mica before class.

I found Mica leaning on the wall talking to some Honours students he knew somehow. I approached, praying he doesn't ignore me or embarass me infront of them.
He saw me approach and dismissed them and turned to me. I thanked my lucky stars.

"Mica I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that." I blurted as soon as his attention was on me.

"It's Alright, Ed. I shouldn't have left either."

"No... What you shouldn't have done, was take my lunch." I teased. He pouted.
"Let's just get to class." I said laughing.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. No snarky comments from Kade and no more compelling forces. Mica promised to make up for taking my lunch by buying me ice cream after class.

I rode with Mica in his candy-apple-red Nissan Juke when class ended. His parents got it for him when we graduated high school and he fell in love with it. She's been his baby ever since.

We decided to go to our Corner after getting our ice creams since the diner was packed with hungry students.

"One large salted caramel with crushed peanut toppings and One chocolate nougat with extra Oreos?" Melinda asked. Flavour Explosion was our favourite diner thus our favorites were already known.

Mica grinned. "Yes please. We'd like waffles on the go too."

"The Corner?" Mel asked. We both nodded. She knew us to well.

She smiled at us. "Coming right up."

We thanked Mel and paid when she came with our orders. The ride to our Corner was filled with comfortable silence. I knew Mica would ask about earlier on today and I didn't mind. Telling someone was going to help sort out my thoughts... Well I hope so.

The ragged scene of rocks and overgrown grass greeted when we arrived. Though we called 'The Corner' it was anything but. Mica and I always thought of it as beautiful but we had to try find the beauty in it first. There was no pond or waterfall. Nothing special besides the big trees with huge roots maneuvering underground. Some hugged the rocks in a tight embrace.

"So... Out with it." Mica said impatiently.

I told Mica everything while indulging in my half molten ice cream and waffles. My dream and the weird force pull. Everything except for...

Zac.

He was here, leaning on one of the trees on the far end behind Mica.

A slow smile spread on his lips when our eyes met. His uncanny green orbs sparkled like he was standing right infront of me.

I looked at Mica but he was gobbling his ice cream, not noticing anything.

When I looked back where Zac stood he was gone.