Think or threat
1209 Words
I run into someone because my eyes are locked on the floor. This causes me to step back a little.
Felix looks down at me with anger. However, he keeps walking past me without saying anything.
After classes, I scream in fear when someone taps my shoulder. I'm overreacting about everything because today is my last day in this city. Nothing must go wrong.
"Hey, Eric!" Troy says. His happiness is replaced by concern when he sees my reaction. "Are you ok?"
I nod, forcing a smile on my face. "Yes, I'm perfectly fine."
"Alright. Would you like to play video games this afternoon?"
"I-I don't think so. Th-the training leaves me exhausted."
He sighs. "It's understandable. Well, see you tomorrow then. Have fun playing football."
"Have fun playing video games." I say with a faded grin.
We both wave goodbye and walk away.
The person who was acting creepy while watching the training isn't there today, which is relaxing yet puzzling. What if that person was Noah?
I shake that thought out of my mind and throw the ball. It lands on the grass, far away from my teammate.
Mr. Sullivan stops the training immediately after seeing me fail royally. I take off my helmet and curse quietly as he approaches me.
"Ashby, pay attention to the game..." However, I do the exact opposite thing.
I glance over the coach's shoulder, perceiving someone sitting on the grass, their legs crossed and their torso leaning over. They're wearing the same hoodie and seem to be drawing something.
"...Understood?" The coach concludes.
I blink twice and look at the man in front of me again. "Yes. I'm sorry."
Then, his voice lowers into a whisper. "I know you're leaving tomorrow, but I think you have potential, boy."
I nod gratefully.
He pats my shoulder and goes away.
The match continues. I try my best to focus on the game and I achieve it. We don't win because the actual quarterback is in the other team, but we don't lose miserably either.
At least I can say I was a quarterback for a week. Felix will probably take my place anyways and no one will remember me.
A sigh escapes my lips in the moment I walk inside my house.
All my stuff is already packed. I didn't want to be victim of a horrible nightmare. Therefore, I spent the whole night playing games and preparing for leaving.
Nevertheless, I'm still not prepared for abandoning this little part of my life.
If only I had returned straight home from that party...
"It might have been because I'm not straight at all." I answer to myself with a bitter laugh as I take the last pack of instant soup.
Then, I sit in the living room, my laptop resting on my lap, ready for a Skype call with my old friends.
"Hi!" I greet, exaggerating my happiness.
Craig is the first to answer. "Hey! How is it going?"
"It's been fine. What about you?"
"I can't complain." He chuckles. "Why didn't you call yesterday? We were a little worried."
"I was with Noah."
"Ohhhhh I see..."
Frank joins in the worst moment. "What? What have I lost?"
"Eric has made a move with Noah." Craig informs excitedly, causing me to cover my face with my hands.
I shouldn't have told them.
"Did he break up with his boyfriend?" Frank asks curiously.
"No, he hasn't. And I didn't make a move, I just made him a favor."
"What kind of favor?" Craig asks in a lower tone, probably whispering right into the microphone.
I blush madly. "NOT LIKE THAT."
"Suuuuuuure." Frank says before they burst out laughing.
"Can we change the topic?" I ask, leaning back on the couch.
The conversation continues until 11pm. We play a little of prop hunt as well, and -fortunately- I end the call without saying anything about my departure.
After turning off my computer and saving it in a backpack, I play a movie. The lion king is the chosen one, for some reason.
Yes, I still cry at the part where -spoiler- Mufasa dies. However, I don't know if is that scene the one that causes the tears to fall down or of if it's the thought of abandoning memories the reason of my hurting. I can only conclude that I'm a big crybaby.
The movie finishes. I don't even bother in turning off the TV nor moving from the couch. I just fall carelessly to one side over the leather of the furniture and take out my phone only to stab my heart with the thought of Noah.
Now it's time to leave. I drive to the airport, feeling like a character in a romantic movie when he must say goodbye to his only true love. Nevertheless, this is not romantic at all. This is sad.
There won't be any boyfriend running towards me begging for me to come back. I will go and they won't stop living their lives. I will be just a stain they can easily remove.
While I wait for my flight, a man walks towards me, sitting on the plastic chair next to me.
I look at him. It's Spencer.
"I didn't think I'd find you here." He says with a sigh. "What a small world."
My heart skips a bit, but I try not to look nervous. "What are you doing here?"
He smiles slightly. "Paul’s family will fly to Fairford in some minutes now." He informs, sending shivers down my spine.
"I didn't know they were from another city." I say, tightening the grip around the straps of my baggage.
He pushes his glasses over his nose and sighs. "Well, now you know. Why are you here anyways?"
"I-I came to pick a friend up."
"Oh, sure." He clears his throat and gets up. "I should go. It was nice seeing you again."
"Yeah, bye."
Spencer joins Paul's family and I stay there looking at my plane ticket. I may leave in the same flight. He will know. Is there an actual possibility of him being the murderer?
I take out my phone, seeing a piece of paper fall from my pocket with it. I look at the folded sheet on the ground with concern. I don't remember saving anything other than my cellphone. Then again, my memory isn't something I can completely trust in.
I reach the paper between my sneakers and unfold it, my hands shaking.
After reading the message I can hardly breath.
The exact thing I didn't want to happen is happening now. Someone I love is in danger and it's all my fault.
It doesn't matter how many times I read the note, it still frightens me. I know I've made a million mistakes in the past, but this is by far the worst of them.
The text is written in letters cut off from magazines and newspapers, hiding the handwriting of the man who sent it, leaving no actual clue, other than the fact that he knew I was leaving today.
« If you're reading this, then chances are that you've made a very poor decision. Noah and I will have fun once you leave this city of evil. »
- Writer
