The Heart Of The Matter

Chapter 4 | Alithir Achard

Hanyah's Point Of View 

I grin at Femi. Her ears are reddening. She likes him. 

"Sir Philip," Femi glared at me. "It looks like you enjoy cooking. These smell nice." I smelled the food that Alithir serve.

“I cooked half of them.” Alithir murmured while glaring at me.

"I took culinary for a year before switching to criminology." Philip said. "Let's eat."

Alithir involuntarily sit beside me. Femi led the prayer before we start eating. 

It's been a long time since I ate in a dinning table with someone else. It feels warm. I have to find my parents before another disaster happens. 

***

The next day, I wore my best dress in the closet. It’s been a long time since I wear papa’s gift after my birthday last year. I asked Femi if we could visit papa’s grave in the neighboring town and she agreed.

“Anya, you look cute.” Femi said when she saw me while preparing the table for breakfast.

“Really?” I blushed.

“Come here. Let me take a photo of you.”

She takes few before we dine.

"Where are you going?" Alithir asked, looking irritated.

"Oh. I forgot to tell you. I am her new guardian so I have to attend a school interview so will come with us first."

Alithir is going in a camp. A Matter Camp to train matter users. He will be out for a month. Philip said I could attend if I want to but I rejected it because I was asked to bring a guardian to a school papa picked for me. While I was at the hospital, Mrs. Beatson, who is holding my phone, contacted Femi. He asked him to reschedule my interview because I was still unconscious. 

"Tsk." Alithir murmured.

I don't know what makes Alithir feel defensive when I’m around. He seems like a good guy when he rescued me but now, he doesn't want me to talk to him or get involved with his business. It makes me feel unwanted. I better find my parents before he totally hates me. 

***

When we arrive in the Matter Association Head Quarter, I was surprised that it is a bank. It is a normal back but it's the MA HQ. 

"You're Hanyah right?" a teen around my age approach me.

He has big round glasses hiding his grey eyes. His hair is a bit messy. He have a matching clothes with Alithir. It must be the Matter Camp uniform. Black Jacket and jogging pants.

“Yes.” 

“I’m Otho Farren. I’m Ali’s best friend and I’m with Ali when you were rescued.”

I shake hands with him. He’s nice. A Techy Nerd. His matter has something to do with electronic gadget.

“I am Hanyah Custa. Please call me Anya.”

“Are you here to see Ali leave?”

Alithir glared at me.

“No. I just came along because I have to go for a school interview with Femi.”

“Where and what year?”

“Aldspring High. I’m incoming Grade 11 Senior High* now.”

“Really? Ali and I were Grade 12 in Aldhigh. We call it Aldhigh. So we will absolutely see each other in school.”

“We’ll find out later if I’ll be attending the school after the interview.”

“Be positive.” He tapped my shoulder. “It will be nice if you know someone in your new school.”

“Otho, let’s go.” Alithir called as he enters the bus with other teens.

“Bye, Anya.” Otho waved at me so waved back.

“Bye, Otho. Bye, Alithir.” I said but he didn’t look back.

Until their departure, Alithir never give me a glance even though I am standing next to Femi. Could it be… He’s jealous because Femi is warm at me? Hmm.

He is such a cat. I can’t read his mood. Could it be… he is seeing me as a new cat that enters his territory? Oh my. What should I do when he comes back?

“Anya? Let’s go?” Femi asked when she was about to get inside her car.

“Ahh. Yes.”

***

Days gone by. A month with Femi is not hard. I’ve discovered that Femi doesn’t know how to cook and she even give me her pink apron. I became in charge with cooking and some house chores to provide help.

I passed the interview and I am the newest full scholar enrolled in Aldspring High or Aldhigh. I am so excited especially now that I am about to get my uniform in a school’s trusted tailor in the town.

“Good morning.” I greeted the attendant in the tailor shop and hand her my receipt.

“Please have a seat, ma’am.” She said so I seat in the vacant sofa.

The bell’s door rang when a group of girls enters.

“Alithir? Of course.” A girl wearing the most fashionable outfit among them said that caught my attention. “He we talked a lot during grade 11. I know he likes me too so I’ll make him court me officially this grade 12.”

“He’s so cold with other. I’ve heard he’s an orphan.” Girl 1 said.

“Yes, his cousin takes care of him. I’ve met his cousin once. She’s a police officer.” Ms. Fashion said. “Excuse me; I’m here to get my uniform. I’m here earlier.”

“Yes ma’am. I’ll get it for you,” the attendant said.

“But I like Samuel more.” Girl 2 said. “Sweet, caring, smart-“

“Girl, he’s a play boy. And we all know that he is Alithir’s rival. You know how many girls cried because of him, right?” Ms. Fashion said.

“But he’s not as cold as Alithir. It’s hard to talk and even approach him. I’ve tried asking his nerdy friend but he refused. As if he’s as handsome as Alithir.” Girl 1

“Girl, back off. He’s mine.” Ms. Fashion said as she receive her clothes from the attendant.

They leave the shop while I was still grasping about the information they’ve said. So Alithir likes that girl? She looks like an idol or artist or something like that.

“Ms. Hanyah Custa?” the attendant called my name then hand me my uniform.

“Thank you.” I cheerfully said.

***

When Alithir came back from the camp, he looks more coldly that before. He glared at me every time he eats the food I prepared. We decided to take turn when cooking and he doesn’t teach me how to cook his adobo.

“Anya, I go to work early than your class so you go to school with Ali. And Ali, help Anya in her first day, okay?”

He didn’t answer but I think I can manage. The school is just near and a walking distance. I’ve been familiarizing the neighborhood so I know I will be fine.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been buying grocery for a month now so I can manage.”

“No. You should- shoots. I’ll be late. I have to go. Bye~” Femi takes her last bite and rush outside.

Now, I’m alone with him.

After breakfast, he volunteers to do the dish so I let him. While I vacuum the living room, he shouted from the door.

“I’ll go somewhere. I’ll be going home late tonight.” He said and leave.

Looks like his done with the dishes. Hmm.

“Necromancy? What desire do you have that makes you want to revive the dead?” I murmured.

Matter reflects one’s desire and I haven’t met a matter user that kind of matter? He can make a dead come back to life for a short time making him helpful in a murder case. He can even summon someone if he contracted them.

Gez. That guy doesn’t still likes me.

Anyways, I continue living my life cleaning the house and watering the plant. Oh! Tomorrow is my first day in Aldhigh. I should ready my uniform and stuffs.

***

First day of class.

“Don’t talk to me at school. Pretend that you don’t know me. Don’t walk with me when going to school and going home. Do you understand?” he asked when we are about to go out of the house.

Femi left earlier so we were left alone.

“Yes, sir.” I said and move away. “I’ll live the house 5 minutes after you leave.”

“Good.” He said and leave.

He is giving me a cold treatment again. But it is also nice to pretend that we don’t know each other. It will be long explanation if other people find out our setup.

After 5 minutes, I leave the house. When I arrived in school, I saw him talking to Otho while walking entering the main building. Our eyes met but he ignored me and continue walking in the pathway. Oh I should emphasize how girls stares at him. 

“ANNYAAAA!”

Someone hugged me from behind.