Beyond a Reflection

Chapter 7: His Body

It's been days since that freaking ritual happened and I could say that things became more normal for me and I could even recognize myself as a human now. It's a win-win situation, I guess? Well, of course, I know that I'm only deceiving myself and I'm far from the word "human" but I could feel that I could turn into one right now.

It seems like Grandma hasn't noticed my great-grandmother's mirror in my room since she hasn't brought that topic yet but for sure, she will talk to me about it. She's just like, "Do you have problems that you're dealing with? Have a chat with Granny!" and so. She is just childish like before.

Our retreat is going to happen this week— it's not even affected by what happened between Isaiah, Kia, and me. That event will remain a secret. People in the classroom were so fired up. Well, I'm just going to fool myself if I said that I'm not excited. I want to experience things that a normal person could.

This is my first retreat if ever. I talked with Isaiah about it and he said that I should go if I wanted to since he is also coming and he could watch me closer there. I bet he is just trying to act more like a "brother" this time. Perhaps trying to make up with the days that he is neglecting me.

The day he decided to go with Kia instead of being with me.

"Kens!" an annoying voice suddenly called me from outside the classroom.

It was Mr. Masochist. He was standing right in front of the doorway, blocking my classmates' entrance while waving as he smiled so brightly.

Maybe that little chat that we had the other day had some serious trigger inside him.

"Kenny!" another voice called me from the other side of the classroom that's why the girls immediately reacted.

It was Mr. Popular. His smiling face started to fade as he noticed that he had attracted some attention as he slowly bring down his outstretched hands as if he was embarrassed by what was happening. He flashed an awkward smile while downcasting, peering his eyes upward to met mine.

"Ms. Grueli," a chilly voice called my surname and I slowly turned in that direction. I barely recognize that voice and there he is. Mr. Silent.

I and Drake haven't spoken for a while that's why it is unusual for him to approach me like this.

I just lowered and placed my head on the desk and used my hands as pillows, not bothering to respond to any of them. What is their deal anyway? I'm not close to them and we're not even friends but why are they now acting like we are childhood buddies? I've preferred to have my fancy dreams rather than entertain them.

I was about to close my eyes for some nap when the ugliest creature I have ever seen appeared in my sight. She was crossing her arms while peering down on me and having that annoying smug on her face that irritates me the most.

She's back. The queen of ants.

The reason why she was absent last week is that she colored her wavy hair— purple, and it took her one day just to have a hair makeover. Now that her hair color is purple, she most likely resembles an eggplant since the green dye in her previous hair color on the upper part of her hair was not removed yet. Of course, no one complained. No one wants to be bullied by her.

But she really looks like an eggplant though. Those hazel eyes with blue flecks really compliment her fair skin. If it wasn't for her attitude, there is a hundred and one percent that I would worship her.

"You are already popular with boys, Kenny? I wonder what kind of potion you have brewed for them," she teased me and let out an annoying laugh but I just shrugged and proceed on sleeping.

Who cares about her anyway?

Of course, she doesn't know my secret. She's just great spouting nonsense and such.

I woke up when I heard someone arguing with someone. I drowsily opened my eyes to see what is happening and there I saw three people surrounding my desk.

Don't tell me they are here the whole time I am sleeping? Beat it.

"I invited her first!"

"I-I'm sorry, but I was the one who invited her first."

"Good noon, Miss Grueli," Drake greeted me the moment he has noticed that I am awake. He is sitting on the chair right in front of my desk while looking at me.

The other two boys stopped arguing and turned their gazes to me too, from being a tiger and lion, they both turned into a cat.

"'Sup, Kens? Want to hit the cafeteria with me?" Mave invited with a smiling face but suddenly, Vaughn softly pushed him aside using his shoulders.

"Hello, Kenny. I am hoping that I could talk to you... about some matters," he said formally.

I looked at him for a second. Perhaps he is not good when it comes to conversations and such. He looks pretty tense too.

"Miss Grueli, I wanted to talk to you about something too," Drake formally said, straight to the point without any reaction can be seen on her face.

"Oh, I see. Good luck then," I said as I return back to sleep.

"Cruel," the three of them muttered in disappointment, slowly losing their hope.

"How 'bout we will have lunch together?" Maverick suggested.

I could still hear their voices even though I'm keeping my eyes shut. I can clearly familiarize Maverick's tone because of his annoying and weird high-pitched voice.

"Good idea... I guess," Vaughn agreed while looking down.

Vaughn's voice is calm but I could sense a lack of confidence in him.

"Oh, no thanks," Drake said.

While Drake is a cold one and his tone is like he is too lazy to speak up.

"I know you are awake, Kens! Are you okay with that?" Maverick energetically said and I could feel his stares even though my eyes are closed.

Creepy.

I sighed in my thoughts and I opened one of my eyes and there I saw Roe enter the classroom, heads directly towards her seat, and started rummaging her bag as if she wants to flip her bag upside down to find whatever she is finding.

"No," I simply answered and closed my eyes again, preparing myself to sleep.

"Talk about being a brat," a disgusting voice woke my whole system up.

I opened my eyes and sat straight and looked at her while raising my eyebrows.

"Are you referring to yourself?" I shot her back.

She flipped her hair and looked at me with full of confidence pairing it with a smirk.

"Do I look like one?" she answered me in a question too.

"Apparently, yes," I answered Roe directly and that made her dramatically hold her chest while her mouth is slightly parted as if she was shot an arrow.

Neither of us gave up and we continued giving each other tensioned looks while the other three were just looking at us as if they were also enjoying themselves.

Is this their first time to see a catfight?

"Hey... Roe, right? How about you join us in lunch?" Maverick suddenly interfered, making my whole system wreck, and looked at him as if he just said the most unexpected words that he could say in this situation.

Join who?!

"Huh?! Do you hear what you have said? Why would I have lunch with this delinquent?" she unbelievably said and looked at me from head to toe as if she judging my whole existence.

For the nth time, I am not a delinquent.

I stood up and put my other leg on the chair causing the boys to avert their gaze while Roe looked like me as if I'm a disgusting kind of species and she literally stopped curling the tip of her hair just to look and judge me using her sharp eyes.

"And who would want to have lunch with a brat like you?" I glared at her making her flinch a little as if I have said something threatening.

"Miss Grueli, I don't think it is appropriate for a lady to raise their leg like that," Drake said while averting his gaze.

Can he at least tell me what's appropriate for a lady? Maybe I should consider his opinion if he could.

"Huh? Do you have a problem?" I retorted, challenging in my tone.

I could see how sweats formed on his forehead.

"Nothing," he answered, backing up and wiping his forehead using his handkerchief.

Huh? Is he afraid of me too?

I just shrugged and sat back on my seat as I move my leg down and took my lunch from my bag to eat. I don't care about what they will do, but for me, I just want to eat since I haven't had breakfast earlier too.

"Guys, the bell will ring any minute from now... maybe. I think we should eat our lunch," Vaughn said in the middle of the ruckus and began moving the desk and chairs in my area.

didn't mind them and just opened my lunchbox. There I saw the precious food that my grandmother had prepared. It is a scrambled egg with a happy face drawn using ketchup. She sure does love eggs.

"Well, I guess I'll give you a favor for now, you normies," she said in the worst tone while crossing her arms as if we really insist on having lunch with her.

Lame.

When Maverick and Vaughn finished connecting the two desks, they took their lunchboxes and placed them above as if they already knew that this would happen. Mave is sitting beside me and on the other side of the table are Vaughn and Roe. I looked at Roe who is simply looking sideways. My forehead creased as I followed her line of sight and I saw Drake who is now walking away from us while his hands were slid in his pocket.

"Drake, dude! Join us!" Mave invited him and took a bite from his fried chicken but Drake just waved his right hand without turning back as if he was saying that it was okay.

"He is quite odd," Vaughn commented as he wet his lips using his tongue before eating.

"Honestly, why am I even with you people?!" Roe irritatedly said and opened her lunchbox, revealing a high-class viand.

You didn't have to join us, you know?

The eyes of the two boys sparkled while looking at her meal, completely forgetting that they have their lunches too.

"Whoa... I haven't seen a steak ages ago," Vaugh amusingly said while taking a peek at her lunchbox.

Is he living in a mountain or what?

I glanced at Maverick and I saw that he is almost drooling while looking at Roe's food as if he was starved for years. I intentionally kicked his foot from below to stop him from being an i***t. That drooling face of his turned into a sweet smile while looking at me, blushing.

"That was the most delicious meal I ever had, Kens," he dreamily said as if he is already in the world of fantasy.

Seriously, he needs some help.

After that, they didn't bother each other anymore, silently saying "thank you" that finally I'm able to eat my lunch at peace. Or maybe not...

"Hey, hey! I'm excited about this retreat. Really!" Maverick exclaimed like a kid.

Vaughn wiped his mouth and smiled shyly. He looked to his side using his eyes only while gently scratching his face and answered, "M-Me too... even though I don't look like one."

"What is good about this upcoming retreat though? We are only going to a forest," Roe commented and covered her lunchbox even though she hasn't done eating yet.

Scratch that. She barely touched her food.

Her face went emotionless and stood up from her seat. The two of them looked at her with confusing looks. "If you'll excuse me. I'm already done eating," she said and head back to her seat.

The two boys looked at each other as if they are asking each other if they have done something wrong but they just shrugged in sync.

"There is no bite on the steak," Maverick worriedly said.

"Maybe s-she is on diet," Vaugh said and took the last bite of his food.

I have noticed that Vaughn is stammering every time he says something. He pauses alot too. I guess he just doesn't know how to communicate. I shook my head. He has nothing to do with me.

He is just...

I looked at Vaughn slowly chewing his food. He peered at me when he had noticed that I am looking at him, making him chew his food faster.

... a mere volant.

I just sighed because of the happenings and started organizing my stuff. The bell already rang and they rearranged the desks that they have borrowed. Maverick went back to their classroom and Vaughn go back to his seat as our first subject teacher for this afternoon entered the room. I just placed my face on my right hand and looked outside the glass window.

Retreat, huh?

Classes passed that fast and the moment the bell rang, I immediately head home even though I'm the one who is scheduled for cleaning. I just want some peace but those three won't really let me go and the worst part is, Mave knows where I live. Unfortunately, I can't take my shortcut anymore since I no longer have my witch magic and it would really be the end of me if I tried to use some witchcraft again.

As soon as I got home, I'm dead tired. Sweats won't stop dripping from my body but I didn't even bother to wipe it off. I haven't got a chance to rest when some parts of me want to see him. It is been years since I get sight of his handsome face. My sneaking operation should be going smooth since Grandma didn't notice my presence at all. She is too absorbed cooking my favorite curry for dinner. I snuck in towards the basement where he is right now.

I looked back to make sure that no one is here except for me. I took my wand from my pocket and used it to unlock the door that is covered with witch magic.

The only way to cut a diamond is to use a diamond. The only way to get rid of magic is to use magic.

I know that it's bad for my own sake but I don't care. I want to see him.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I began waving my want and chanting different spells until I could no longer feel the presence of the barrier and my hands starting to get numb too. For the second time, I looked back to see if Grandma sensed what was going on but seems like she is so attached to her cooking.

I turned the doorknob. My heart started racing when the door finally opened. I slowly took my step forward. A tear dropped from my left eye when I saw his barely n***d body, lying on a bed of Wisteria. His skin is so pale and his lips are so dried. I walked closer until I have reached the protective barrier that is surrounding his body to preserve him.

I touched the barrier and rested my forehead on it as tears started flowing from my eyes. "Forgive me... Dad."