The Cursed Boy

Chapter 3

It was a new day, a fresh start for Monday. I lifted the dark curtains and took a peek from the outside world. Students are almost everywhere, getting prepared for their subjects and I’m just here, still undress and sleepy.

I groomed myself well enough to be called a gentleman and as soon as I stepped out of my room, a large guy appeared from nowhere.

He grabbed a fistful of my collar and he tossed me towards the wall, making my head hit the cold surface.

“You sluggish prat!” He yelled at me and I winced when he kicked my ribs.

“W-what have I done?” I exhaled slowly.

He grabbed me by the hem of my vest and he forced my body to face him. “Are you out of your mind?” He said through gritted teeth. “What were you doing with the new student? You want him to get killed just like any other students that you came across with?”

My eyes watered in an instant but I refuse to let the tears roll down my cheeks.

“I helped him…” I whispered under my breath and the guy left without another word, probably too fed up to listen to my reasons.

I straightened my crumpled vest and slowly walk towards the Chemistry lab for it was my first subject. My ribs hurt like hell but I decided not to give it any medical attention.

[Geez, why do these tears suddenly fall of a sudden? My notebook’s getting splotches…]

The day rolled fast and it was three in the afternoon when I got into my usual spot in the forest. The day was bright and sunny and while I was sitting under my tree, my mind slowly drifted back to the boy yesterday.

He was… unique. He wasn’t affected when he touched me and he didn’t ran away when he saw me.

“Hey, you there!”

I snapped my eyes open and the boy that I had just been thinking of appeared in front of me. My jaws slacked at the sight of him and I couldn’t help but admit that he looks twice better when he’s dry.

“Thank you very much.” He said shyly and I cursed inside my head. I thought he wouldn’t know me and as much as I wanted him to, I prefer to be a stranger to him.  I don’t want him to die…

“I didn’t get to know your name yesterday.” He said. “What do others call you?”

My eyes widens at his sentence and I suddenly scowled. “Are you trying to make a death wish?”

His brows furrowed and he shook his head. “What do you mean?”

“You’re new here, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes, I am.” He said as he fiddled with his fingers.

“I’m death.” I said harshly. “Go away.”

I waited for him to turn his back but that didn’t happen. “What’re you waiting for?” I yelled.

He stood there with the same smile he gave me last night. “Death doesn’t look like you,” He noted. “Come on, tell me your name.”

I huffed. “Just go away, you bloody git! I’m a monster like what everybody says. Haven’t you heard of me?”

His smile vanished and he nodded gently. “I have heard about you…”

“Then go away!”

“But who cares?” He blurted out. “Who cares if you’re a curse? A monster? You don’t look like one, you helped me, right?”

I look at him, dumbfounded.

“You are more like a hero to me, to be honest.” He said faintly that if I didn’t pay attention to him, I would have missed it.

Tears rolled down my face and not more than a few seconds later, I was crying loudly and shamelessly in front of the stranger.

“I-I’m sorry!” He said in panic as he patted my back continuously. “I didn’t mean to make you-”

“It’s alright.” I muttered as I wipe the tears away. “I’m just happy.”

He grinned, showing me those perfect shaped teeth and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“I am Victor Tan and I will be your best friend.” He exclaimed and saluted playfully. “May I have the privilege to know your name, mister hero?”

I inhaled sharply and gave him one of my rarest smile. My genuine smile.

“It’s Isaiah…” I said quietly. “Isaiah Jones.”

[It was the first time somebody asked me my name. It was also the first time someone called me a hero instead of a monster…  It was the first time that somebody didn’t criticize me.]