DEVIATE X / / AN UNORDINARY FANFICTION

XL.

The next morning.

I wanted to be anywhere but here.

It was just another awkward stretch of silence, with unsaid thoughts and a strained, unsolved quiet that filled every corner of the Infirmary. I nervously averted my eyes away from John's piercing stares and sighed softly before glancing up at the clock.

Just as he promised me, he visited Doc first thing in the morning, with me standing watch in case Zeke or any of his buddies were to jump him again.

"Delta....." He began, wincing slightly as he moved his injured arm.

"Please.....don't say you're sorry," I said before crossing my arms, swishing my head away from him.

"How do I make this up to you?"

"I don't need some cheesy 'forgiveness' gift." I accentuated before sparing him a side glance. "Look, I care about you, but if we can't be straightforward with each other, then I can't be with you."

John's eyes widened as he sat up.

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"No." I shook my head. "I just.....need some time to think. Alone. It seems like you can use this time to sort things out too."

I stood up, feeling somewhat strange about my open ended explanation. Before I could leave, I felt John tug on my sleeve, pulling me closer before enveloping me into a soft kiss. Although I had the urge to stop him, I let his lips move against mine, waiting patiently until he pulled away. Despite the same familiar softness of his mouth, there was no trace of passion I felt before; only desperation and pleading.

I wiped my lips with my sleeve before making my way out to the open air, scanning the campus around for Seraphina. Among the dozens of students milling about, I managed to spot her purple mane of hair, swishing over her shoulders as she walked.

Before I could make my way over to her, a sudden gray blur hit her square on her forehead, causing nearby spectators to gasp as blood began to drip from her bangs.

My eyes widened slightly as she dabbed her forehead with the pads of her fingers, pushing through the crowd to reach her.

"Sera, are you—"

"Oh my gosh!"

A girl with green buns stumbled her way through as she met Seraphina with an apologetic expression, bowing slightly.

"I-I was just practicing my aim and totally missed....!" The girl sputtered frantically as she met my cold expression. "Please forgive me!"

I handed Sera my handkerchief, meeting her eyes with a dubious look. She looked at me and shook her head once before meeting the girl's eyes.

"....It's fine. Leave it be, Del," Sera said before turning away from my ominous expression.

I accompanied her to the Infirmary, attempting to staunch the panic threatening to spill out of me. I couldn't exactly keep count, but too many people saw that. Knowing how the rumors could spread like a pandemic, I had to double the security around Sera now that that her secret was partially exposed.

"Hey Doc," Sera said casually.

Doc glanced up at her with a slightly horrified yet disapproving expression, tsking under his breath as he examined her wound.

"Jeez," he said as he folded the newspaper he was reading, "Didn't expect you to walk in here looking like that. You can at least make an effort to wipe up the blood dripping down your face."