Onwards: A Collection of Short Stories

Eavesdrop

The lowest branch of the tallest tree that's a few distances away from the schoolyard is my favorite place to go to during lunch. Even when someone takes a peek from the window of the west wing of the main building or when someone from down below looks up, no one will notice me - the branch I'm perched on, as I eat my sandwich, is covered with a lot of leaves so I'm pretty much well-hidden from the rest of the world. This is the one place where I can get a few minutes of peace until my source of entertainment arrives.

Some students who thought they could get some privacy go to this part of the school and, because of them, not only am I never bored, I also know the truth behind every gossip that has spread around. The amount of information I have acquired from being this high up varies from trivial to insane.

Like, I know for a fact that the head cheerleader is cheating on her quarterback boyfriend with the captain of the boys' basketball team. I also know that two girls from the cheerleading squad are seeing each other without their respective boyfriends' knowledge. Don't even get me started on the dealings that go down at this place that involves some of the students from the regular classes; their parents would definitely cry and the police would have a field day if they know.

But, honestly, those are just small-fry compared to what the students from the special class say and do. They don't come here very often but when they do, they usually bring me pieces of information that either gives me goosebumps and nightmares or leaves me dumbfounded and intrigued.

I spot Joshua Stein, the new sophomore from the special class, approaching the tree followed by River Matthews, a popular sophomore from the regular class, and I immediately sit up. Those from the special class have heightened senses but I somehow manage to hide from them every time. I have a feeling that - and this is no longer as far-fetched as I would have thought if I haven't been introduced to the secrets of the special class - the tree is magical and is actively protecting me from being found out. Still, that's just one theory and I decide to not risk it. So, as quietly as I can, I hide further under the leaves and have managed to do so before the two arrive.

"You don't need to glare at me, you know," Joshua says, his voice is laced with humor.

"Why are you here, Josh?"

Joshua shakes his head with a tut. "Not even gonna ask how I've been these last few years and just jump right to it, huh? You've changed, brother."

Wait, they're brothers? How can a person from the special class be related to someone from the regular class? I guess it's possible since Harry Potter had Dudley for a cousin and he's as muggle as they can get. But, if they're really related, then does that mean River knows about all the secrets of the special class?

Instead of getting answers, however, I'm thrown deeper into confusion by the two boys.

Joshua folds his arms across his chest. "The seeds have gathered, Riv."

River's stance goes rigid with what I can only assume as shock, like the news makes sense to him, but then he shakes it off immediately before he looks away from Joshua. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Come on, man. You know I know you're not a very good liar."

Instead of answering, River turns and starts to head toward the school.

Joshua calls out to him. "You're gonna have to be ready, brother. They'll be coming for you."

River stops and turns to face Joshua again. "You don't know anything. And, you better not let anyone hear you talk nonsense. Those people from your class can't be trusted."

"Look, man, I came here to help. You're my best friend. Logan and Meera may be gone but there's still you and me left. I'll always have your back even if my stupid family wants me to stay out of trouble."

"Besides, I know something you probably don't. We could share some information," Joshua adds.

There's a brief pause before River relents with a sigh. "I'm listening."

"They're–" Joshua shakes his head and corrects himself. "You're all here, at this school, Riv. It's just as the prophecy said. The reaping's about to start."

"Hold up. How did you even know about the prophecy?"

River starts to pace back and forth while he processes everything he just heard but stops abruptly to say something. "I'd appreciate it if you don't tell anyone anything about me."

I hear Joshua tut again in response. "You know I won't, Riv. You need to train, though. Why aren't you in the special class, anyway? You may have a screwed up lineage but you're one of us."

They start to walk toward the school and I'm no longer but to hear what they're saying. Still, what I've heard is enough to get me insanely curious, especially the bits about River being one of the special class and Raven, a teacher at this school, who was training him. The school bell rings, a minute after the two boys are gone, and I slowly climbed down the tree with a newfound resolution - to uncover what the seeds and the reaping mean and how can I watch it happen.