Written by the Moon

19~ A SIGN

I went straight to where the noise was. I just finished breakfast and I noticed that no one was in the dining room. I also noticed unwashed plates on the sink as a sign that they already finished breakfast without me.

As I get closer to the practice grounds, the noise gets louder. Then I saw them having exercises and practices just like what we do in Paredes. it felt nostalgic for a moment to see them like that.

I remember my training days in Paredes. I was the Acadian known to tire myself out in practice. The drive to be better and fit ingot into me that I almost take no rest in training. My body wasn’t used to the workload but sooner, I got used to it.

And the next thing I knew, I am already at the leading boards. It gave me the confidence to live at least. I smiled while I saw them do their training. Markus was the only one who stayed with me while I battled myself.

I stood by the porch and just watched them take the practice seriously. This is actually the first time I saw them this seriously since we came here. Sham then noticed me.

“Naveah! Help me beat Markus!”

They all laughed. It looks like Sham couldn’t beat Markus in archery. Archery is a sport in Paredes that all Angels should master. And in Acadians, I am the best at it. I am the only one who can beat Mark in archery. But our archery isn’t just the normal archery sport. We have obstacles and targets. Instead of using a board as our target, we must shoot each other.

But of course, we won’t die doing archery.

“You can’t beat Markus at that Sham,” with my powers, I summoned a bow and arrow.

I went down to the practice grounds. They got so loud when I started to stretch my bow. I only shook my head and laughed. I miss this.

“But he can’t match to you,”

I shook my head.

“I can beat him in archery but I can’t beat him with his kindness,” I winked at him and he just rolled his eyes.

I chuckled and stretched my bow and positioned my arrow. A board just ten meters away from us is my target. And as soon as I let go of my bow, it shoots to the bull’s eye. I got excited that I had to draw again. Another bull’s eye and again and again.

“I didn’t know you were humble,” Mark said in interest.

I shrugged.

“It’s good to be nice for a while,” I said as I took another shoot.

The next thing I knew, my bows has run out. I sighed and looked at the others. They still have a lot. I summoned another pack of bows and did some shooting. They went back to their training and I focused on my archery.

They were going around the place when I noticed they got louder. I turned in their direction. My jaw dropped as I saw who was coming. I slowly lowered my arms that were already ready to draw another bow.

The Wolves are here and of course, Forest is here too. Why are they even here? My eyes, unfortunately, found their way to Forest’s brooding eyes. I smiled just to get away from any awkwardness. I don’t really get why I am acting this way.

He smiled tightly at me that I found weird. He doesn’t smile that way. He looks forced to smile at me. I looked at him one more time just to make sure but his already busy talking to his friends. Sham, Michelle, Jedi, and Markus already went to them.

I was the only one who stayed in my position. I’ll just greet them once they’ll come closer. I tried to draw another bow just to release some tension in my body but it only ended up on the grass. When Sham saw it, she laughed so hard.

I don’t know what to feel. Should I laugh too? or get embarrassed? I mean, the Wolves are here.

“Finally!” Sham shouted.

Markus laughed as well as the others. And I just want to hide and disappear. I licked my lips when I felt them dry. I huffed an amount of air and just sat on a log just near the practice grounds.

“What are they doing here?” I asked when Sham passed by to get my bow so she could borrow.

“Mark invited them,”

“Why?”

“They wanted to learn archery. Anyways, let me borrow your bow. This might have your blessing so I can beat Mark!”

I nodded and just remained lonely in the log. I watched them talk for a while as I started to walk out of the practice ground. I really don’t have any business here so it’s better to leave. As I got closer to the porch, my eyes caught Forest’s intense look at me. His eyes were full of intensity yet seemed gentle.

I looked away and started to half run and walk. I almost got to the porch when I felt a warm hand stop me from my steps. It was electricity out of nowhere. My body reacted and flinched from his touch.

I moved away and faced him.

“Where are you going?”

I sighed.

“I’ll be out,”

He nodded as he licked his lips and looked at the others. I noticed that he’s still holding my hand so I had to move farther away but his grip was just too strong yet… gentle. It was strong enough for me to not get hurt.

“You look flushed. You might want to take a rest,” now, he’s looking at me intently that I had to look away.

He is still holding my hands. I couldn’t move.

“Yeah,” I tried my best not to stutter.

“I can take you to your room if you want,”

I immediately shook my head.

“No!”

“Then can anyone take you to your room? you don’t look fine, Nav. It’s important for me that you get to your room in good condition.”

I laughed but I sounded awkward instead.

“You really don’t have to worry. I’m fine,” I tried smiling but I think he didn’t buy it.

But I think he surrendered. He sighed heavily and nodded slowly.

“Signal me if something bad happens,”

He handed me a bracelet. I just looked at it but he already placed it on me.

“I was planning to give this to you last night but I chickened out. If you’re not in good condition in any circumstances, this bracelet will signal me as long as you wear it. so, I hope you wear it all the time.”

Something is wrong here.

“Why are you giving me this?” my brows furrowed.

He smiled.

“A gift from me,”

“I never asked for one,” I shook my head.

 I felt him force himself to smile. I felt the pain in his eyes yet he is still smiling.

“This is specially for you, Nav.”

He is acting weird. I have a hint as to why but it is impossible. Something I will never accept. I shook my head. I took of the bracelet and gave it back to him. Good thing everyone is busy with each other that they didn’t notice me and Forest.

“I don’t need it,”

His head lowered in my rejection. He pursed his slips and when he raised his head, I saw the flash of confusion in his eyes. I didn’t know if I was just hallucinating or I really saw it.

“I understand,” but his eyes tell otherwise.

Without a word, I left him. I ran immediately to my room. I opened the glass box of my relic and tried my hardest to call for the Moon Goddess. I don’t want to assume anything. I don’t want to jump into assumptions. But for what I saw in Forest, I am scared. Not just for myself, but for him.

If he will continue with this madness, it will end with chaos.

With my trembling hands, I kept on calling for the Goddess.

I need a Goddamn confirmation!

It took a whole hour just for the Goddess to answer but it only made it worse.

Child, see for yourself.

No.

To be continued…