Second World

Chapter 29

The rest of the evening I had this annoying, nagging feeling of guilt in my chest. I try to ignore it but it doesn't go away and I know what it's all about.

Zacturre didn't speak to me throughout dinner and every glance at him only throws me into another pool of self-condemnation and remorse.

Of all days to be ignored, couldn't he have done it when I wanted it to happen??

I bet he's doing it on purpose.

...

Urgh, I'm only thinking that because I don't want the blame pushed onto me.

Now I'm lying on my bed, staring up at my ceiling. I'm unable to fall asleep despite the hectic day. It just feels like something is missing.

What can it be? Oh, I don't know, maybe...an apology?

What? I frown at the voice in my head. I don't owe an apology. I've already apologized...

I did, right? I must have.

My brain tries to recall every single moment of today. I'm pretty sure I apologized. I did.

I just can't remember it!

I mean, how could a simple 'I'm sorry' not come out of my mouth during that whole time Zacturre was lecturing me?

...

Damn it!

Suddenly, a knock sounds on my door and I sit up straight.

It couldn't be. No way.

"Rii?" The door creaks open and Zua pops her head in.

"Oh. Zua." I blink. "You're still up?"

Of course, it isn't. He wouldn't have knocked on the door. What was I thinking?

"Yeah." She answers then looks out at the hallway. "Are you expecting anybody? You look like you're waiting for someone."

"What? No." A nervous laugh comes from me. "I'm not expecting anyone. I was just surprised by you, that's all. What are you doing here?"

"I came to check up on you." She takes a seat at the end of my bed. "I heard what happened today from Code, Ruby and Jade. You must have been frightened."

"Frightened? Me? Please, Zua. I'm kind of used to it. My father isn't exactly the most inconspicuous member of society, remember? So's my mother." I say with a hint of bitterness under my tongue. "But yeah, I guess I was a bit overwhelmed by the crowd. I've never really been swarmed like that before."

I smile sheepishly at Zua and she returns with a warm smile.

"I see. So besides that, how was your day? Did you enjoy yourself at the festival?"

"Of course!" Minus the part where I lost Vanilla.

And caused an uproar.

And also that short time when I was in the backstreets.

But I'm going to focus on the good parts.

"It was great! I got to eat new and strange food that I've never seen before. I bought stuff for the others and I had fun playing games. There were so many unique things to see too. It's so weird because it looks a bit similar to earth but it's so different at the same time!" I marvel. "But forget about me. I wanna know what you've been doing all day." I wriggle my brows.

"Oh, Rii." Zua chuckles as a bashful look falls on her face. "Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I just had fun spending time with Gene."

"Yeah, but I want to know the deets. What you guys did on the date."