Important info: He still hates my guts
1911 Words
Okay... so today has been interesting. I don’t how long it took for me to just stand by and watch these elves show off their fighting skills. Now, I’m not gonna lie, it was really entertaining. But even as I kept my focus on how they fought, I still don’t know how I can go from a nerdy college boy to a saving the world hero just like that. But, until I actually began using some weapons in my training, we were finished with today as Aria walked me out of the arena.
“So,” she spoke as we walked down the hall that led us into the castle “What did you think of today?”
“Well,” I began, “Turns out you’re more badass than I thought.”
She snickered, “Thanks. But you haven’t seen the rest of what else I could do.”
“In that case,” I smirked, “I look forward to that.”
I wonder what else she could do besides fight? Perhaps she plays an instrument, or maybe even knows how to sing. Do all princesses know how to sing? Or is that just a Disney thing?
“So-” she added, “Are you gonna head back home now?”
“I guess so,” I shrugged “I don’t know how much longer my grandfather is going to keep my parents away from my room, so I might as well get going.”
“Alright then. So I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“I’ll try to find some time to come, I’m actually going back to my dorm tonight cause I have classes tomorrow.”
“Oh, I see. I’m guessing you don’t much free time huh? You being a genius and everything.”
I gave a slight chuckle. I don’t consider myself a genius, I’m not like Einstien or some Yale student. And yet everyone says I am a genius. But, don’t get me wrong, it’s flattering being called a genius, but it’s not me, I’m not insanely smart, I do make mistakes, but that’s how I learn, I learn from my mistakes.
“I’m not a genius,” I told her, “I’m just smart.”
“Says the guy who beat the record in solving that impossible math equation” she reminded.
“Math is not impossible, there’s always an answer to every math question, you just gotta think hard and logically.”
“I’ll try to remember that. Although it seems that your brain has more room in it for knowledge than mine.”
“Some brains are different, but you can always improve them.”
She gave a small smile before adding- “Well um, I’ll let you go then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’ll try to be here when I can.”
“Sure thing.”
After saying goodbye, I watched as she turned around and headed down the hallway. I couldn’t help but admire the way her hair swayed back and forth behind her, but more importantly, how was she able to get her hair styled in those braids? Why do elves always style their hair with braids? I mean, it does look awesome but is it really necessary to have it like that every day? Huh, I guess braids are just a popular fashion in this land. But enough thinking about hair and braids, I need to get home.
“If you’re thinking about trying to get with her-” a familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind me “Don’t even think about it.”
Just as I thought, it was Flint, and he was walking towards me with that mad face he had on when I beat his record.
“She’s not interested in dating a beginner” he taunted “If anything, she needs a professional.”
“And let me guess-” I frowned, “You’re a professional?”
“I’ve been training my whole life, so I actually have a chance.”
“Oh please,” I doubted, “Nobody has a chance with her. She even told me that she’s not interested in dating anyone. So there’s no point in trying to hit it off with her.”
“Oh, I know that,” he sneered “But that doesn’t mean I can change her mind.”
“Good luck with that,” I scoffed “Because Aria will never date a narcissist who flirts with every girl and puts others down just to show how ‘cool’ they are. Which by the way, is not cool at all.”
I was expecting some kind of insult, but instead, Flint just stared at me with death in his eyes as I watched him clench his fists. Oh crap, what’s he gonna do now? Okay, Jesse, don’t be scared, you know what to do.
“So um, what’s it gonna be?” I asked him, “You gonna keep staring at me with anger in your eyes? Or is it gonna be a fist to the face? Or perhaps an insult? Though I should tell you, in order to insult me, I first need to value your opinion.”
“Does it look like I give a s**t if you value my opinion?” he scolded while stepping towards me as I stepped back.
“Whoa hold on,” I held my hand out to stop him.
I could tell he really wanted to punch me in the face, and I was trying to avoid getting into a fight. I just gotta be really careful now, anything I say can cause him to lose it.
“Look,” I began as calmly as I could “I understand you’re still mad that I beat your record for solving that math equation, but can we just move on from that?”
“I don’t move on from anything unless I’m satisfied, and do I look satisfied to you?”
He stepped towards me again as I continued to back away. I noticed that my ring had turned orange again, I seriously need to find my way out of this.
“Um, no,” I responded, trying not to sound nervous “You look like you wanna knock my teeth down my throat.”
“It works every time,” he sneered.
“You’ve done that before?!” my eyes widen.
“I’ve done lots of things.”
Oh... no. If he can do that, then I know he can do more terrible things. I’m starting to wonder if I should just run, but I was too frozen to do so. Stupid legs. Wait a minute, I should just rub the ring right now so I can go home. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Um uh...” I mumbled while moving my hand up towards my other hand.
But right before I could rub the gem, Flint suddenly grabbed onto my wrist that had the ring as he stared at it. I tried to pull away, but this guy was seriously strong, I could already feel my wrist turning red.
“Orange,” he observed the ring “I know what that means.”
“Um...” I mumbled nervously as I kept trying to pull my hand away “Can you let go of me please?”
“Why should I?” he mocked.
Okay, that’s it, I’ve had enough of this guy.
“Because you’re really hurting me right now” I scowled “And I have to get home so I can come up with ways to avoid you next time.”
“Oh,” he sneered when he began to pull down my wrist with a strong force that made me yelp in pain “You can’t always avoid me.”
Now Flint was actually causing me physical pain, I kept trying to pull my hand away, but his grip was so tight it felt like he was going to break my wrist off. And as I was struggling to break free, I noticed that the gem on my ring changed to a new color, this time it was gray. Since blue was for calm and orange was for nervousness, I’m guessing gray is for pain. I’m not sure if it’s also for emotional pain, but at the moment, it was definitely for physical pain.
“Oh, look at you,” Flint continued to mock me “Struggling in pain. See, this is why you’ll never become a hero like your grandfather. You’re already weak, you won’t even last a full minute in training.”
I tried to scream at him to let me go, but he was causing me so much pain that I couldn’t get my words out as he kept on squeezing my wrist tightly while twisting it back with much force.
“You wanna scream don’t you?” I heard him grin due to my eyes being closed from all this agony “Go on, scream all you want.”
I’ve been trying to do so since he grabbed my wrist, but all that came out of my mouth were yelps and wincing.
“You can’t do it, can you? Well then, I guess I’ll just make you-”
“Let him go, Flint.”
Oh, thank goodness! Someone to the rescue! I could feel Flint’s grip around me loosen as I let out a deep breath in relief while feeling the pain lessen. Once I was settled, I looked up to see who had said that. I realized that it was the man who I helped in the arena, the one with the strange mark on his arm, Averyl.
“I said let him go, Flint” he ordered sternly.
After a moment of staring, Flint released my wrist as I gently took it to see that it was all red and throbbing, but at least it was still attached to me. The ring was still gray, I just hope it’ll change back to blue as soon as possible.
“I’m letting you off this one time” Averyl warned him “Next time I see you beating up Jesse or do any other forms of harm to him, I’ll have you up and front with the king. And you don’t want that to happen again now, do you?”
Flint didn’t say anything as he just glared at Averyl, I could tell he was getting ready to punch him as well, but at the same time, he had to hold it back.
“Now go,” he ordered.
Flint turned to me as I stepped back. And after giving me one last glare, he took off while purposely bumping his shoulder into Averyl’s as he stormed down the hall. Jeez, that guy needs therapy.
“You alright?” Averyl turned to me.
“Oh um, yeah,” I nodded, even though my wrist was still throbbing.
“Are you sure?” he questioned while staring at my wrist.
“Yeah,” I assured while gently rubbing my wrist “It’s just pain.”
“Put some ice on it, it’ll get better.”
“Right,” I nodded “Hey um, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. I mean, someone has to tell that jerk to butt off, and since I’m the only one who witnessed it, it might as well be me.”
“Has he always been like this?”
“For as long as I can remember, pretty much.”
“Great...” I muttered.
“Hey, you know to stay away from him, right?”
“Of course, I’m not stupid.”
“I know you’re not. Considering that I heard you beat Flint’s record in solving that impossible math equation, I think you know how to take care of yourself.”
“Yeah well, he’s still pissed about that.”
“He’s always pissed. The only times when he’s happy is when he watches others suffer, especially when he knows he’s the cause.”
“Jeez,” I breathed in dismay.
“Just keep your distance from him and you’ll be fine.”
“I’ll try my best.”
He then held his hand out towards me.
“Name’s Averyl,” he smiled “Thanks again for the help in the arena.”
“No problem,” I smiled back as I shook his stern hands.
But when I glanced down, I spotted that strange mark on his right forearm again, what is that thing? He quickly pulled down his sleeves to hide the mark as he pulled his hand away.
“Sorry,” I apologized.
“It’s fine,” he assured while keeping his arm close to his body “Um, see you around.”
He took off before I could say anything else. Who is this guy exactly? Where did he get that mark? And why does he keep hiding it? I can tell he didn’t want anything asking about it, so I guess I won’t. But I can’t help but wonder about it. But then I guess some questions are meant to be unanswered.
- Writer
