Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2012 14:49:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: Brian Legend <princejosh333@aol.com>
Subject: Enhanted Life/chapter 6/Touching
I wanted to take a quick moment to give my dearest thanks for those
who are following this story. I also wanted to give a deep thanks to those
who have joined my group. You won't regret it.
Enchanted Life
Chapter 6. Touching
When the fight between Mason and I was over, I eventually had to
free him from the Black mirror enchantment. It wasn't my plan. I wanted to
kill him because he was trying to kill me during the fight. The announcer
and the other teachers requested for me to let him free from the dark glass
encasing that held him prisoner.
I let him free, even though I didn't want to.
Ashlynn's bleach blond hair was bouncing in his face when I walked
to him. He kept jumping around me in tiny circles, asking the same question
repeatedly.
`How did you do it?' `How did you do it?' `How does the black mirror
enchantment work?'
I could only answer one question at a time. I know he was happy I
was able to pull a win out for the sorcerer's group. Because it was taking
everything inside of me not to jump around like Ashlynn was doing.
I won my fight! I also knew there were some things I could teach
Ashlynn and Talan now that my true skills have manifested.
As I was leaving the field, I was walking to the stands, sweating. I
stretched my physical form to its limits almost. If it wasn't for the daily
training I think I would have passed out before the match ended. My powers
definitely needed to recharge after being choked, nearly killed, and using
most of my abilities for the Black mirror enchantment.
Which seemed to be the talk of the guys. When I made it to the
stands to take my seat. I kept getting congrats from other fighters who
won. I got high fives from some of the other guys, even some of the losers
were nodding their head to show their compliments to my win.
I was so proud of myself. Earlier when I sat In the stands I was so
nervous I couldn't think straight, my knees kept shaking, my hands were
sweating and I could not get one of my thoughts to process anything
correctly. My mind was a mess, and my focus had left. Somehow I was able to
regain everything I was missing when the time presented itself.
I didn't let myself down.
When Chance saw me sitting in the stands he left his group and came
to sit close to me. which was one bleacher above mine. At first I didn't
know who had sat down. I thought it was another random fighter coming to
get a better view, or someone just plopping down.
Until I felt someone's hand clamp down on my shoulder. Then a fire
like whisper grazed my ear and rush past my neck. "You better had won." He
proudly smiled. I didn't have to look at his face to know he was smiling,
or to know it was him who was whispering.
My brain had his voice programmed to be recognized anytime he was
speaking. I could always tell when he was around now. His existence was
becoming a part of my existence. Anywhere he was I wanted to be, anything
he participated in I wanted to be a part of, everything he knew I wanted to
know. It sounded ridiculous but I am coming to realization about my
feelings toward him. I've been putting them off and keeping them on hold
but I can't do that anymore.
Chance's whisper was in my ear again. With the same fire, and with
proudness only I could feel. "If you would have lost, I don't think this
tournament would be worth fighting in."
It was so wonderful to have a guy like him be proud of you. It was
something worth winning for too. I would fight in another match just to
hear him say those simple words to me again.
What is wrong with me?
I think Chance still wants to fight me. He wants to `light me up' as
he would say, but the way I'm feeling, I think I can take him on.
After the last battle was fought in the arena. The announcer thanked
everyone who participated and thanked everyone who came to watch. Then he
let the fighters return to their dorms. All of the winners knew they would
be returning tomorrow for the second day of the tournament. All of the
losers will be in the audience cheering, now that they can't participate in
the fights.
I was in my dorm, Letting the shower water get hot. Every now and
again, I would stick my hand under the sprinkling shower head to see if the
waters temperature had warmed. While I was waiting, I had the unbelieving
idea that the first day of the tournament was over. The idea kept striking
me in the head.
I don't see how I managed to win the fight against Mason. How did I
pull my strengths together to defeat a worthy opponent like him? I don't
even remember where I learned that black mirror enchantment anyway. I never
went over the enchantment with Ashlynn or Talan when we were training at
the gym.
Was this something that was in my blood line of sorcerers? There had
to be some connection with my family and the black mirror
enchantment. Today when I was fighting Mason the thought just occurred
without question. It was like I knew how to cast the enchantment. It was
like it was my fortieth time casting the black mirror.
It had to have come from one of the women sorcerers on my mom's
side. My grandma, great grandma, aunts or someone had used this enchantment
often. It felt too familiar to me. How could that be? And if one of my
ancestors did use the black mirror enchantment, what did they use it for?
Whatever the reason was, I knew it definitely was not for a tournament.
When the shower warmed I let those thoughts rest, and climbed into
the tub, pulling the shower curtain across the rod. So that I can clean my
days work of stink off.
When I started soaping my body in the soft bubbles. I noticed my
arms were beginning to get heavy with soreness. I could barely reach my
legs to rub them with suds because my arms were hurting from the fight. My
hands were trying to relax in the warm water flowing down from the
shower. The muscles all over my body wanted to loosen but they seemed to be
tightly held by the tension I put them under today.
I would need a full body massage on each of my joints before the
tournament was completely over. I was starting to see that the fight zapped
more from me than I thought it would. At least the showers increasing hot
water lessened the throbbing in my tense arms and leg muscles.
Dirt, and tiny pieces of grass were being washed away from my skin,
and swirling down the drain. Leaving me with a new layer of clean skin. I
also tried washing my hair. I knew since it was long length, it may have
picked up some filth when I was on the battle field.
I was busy messing with my hair when I started thinking about day
two of the tournament. I wonder who my next opponent will be? What will
their skills be? Will I have enough techniques to beat them? ...will my
muscles be less sore in the morning so I can at least try to win something?
There was a lot to think about. More than what I was thinking about before
day one of the tournament. I knew above all else, that I must be better
tomorrow than I was today.
I started rinsing my hair out, and then I began washing my
neck. When my wash cloth wiped its softness around my tender neck. It
stung. There was a dry rash burning against my neck for some reason. I kept
picking at it trying to wash away the pain, trying to let the hot water
take care of what the wash cloth couldn't.
What was wrong with my neck?
That's when I understood. I knew why my neck felt like a rash was
growing on it. I left the tender bruised skin alone. It will only get worse
if I keep rubbing it with this towel.
I felt the print of hands still wrapped around my neck where Mason
was choking the life out of me using the extended shadow arm. The hand
grabbed me with such vengeance that it left a bruise around my neck.
I still think it was by luck that I was able to get out of the
hand's grasp.
I turned the spraying shower water off. I needed to get in bed
soon. There was more fighting to do tomorrow, and I needed to be ready on
all accounts. I have to get sleep so that my awareness is sharp, and my
alertness can pick up on incoming attacks that other fighters will be
launching at me.
After drying off, I stepped into my room. I dried the remaining
wetness from the tips of my hair. When I got closer to my bed I didn't
suspect to see what I was seeing. Especially since the tournaments were
putting every group against the other.
That's right. I didn't expect to see a bundle of covers wrapped to
cover a body on my bed. Which I knew was no one other than Chance. Why was
he here when he knew that we could be matched up to fight tomorrow?
This wasn't a good time to be friends. Especially, when the battles
could come to someone's death. I don't like sharing a bed with someone who
is my friend, and tomorrow I might have to kill him, or he kills me.
Maybe this is what he wanted... he wanted to get close to me. Wanted
to get so close to me that if we ever had to fight I wouldn't kill him,
Because of our friendship. That way, he could take an easy win!
Maybe that was his strategy all along. Chance was no fool. I'm sure
he was using his strategies outside of the field as well as in the battle
field. His strategy for me was, to play like we were friends so he could
light me up in front of the millions of screaming fans.
I won't let that happen!
It won't happen!
We can play friends but he shouldn't think that I will go lightly on
him. I have something to prove. I have to be recognized as someone great. I
have to earn my title as the greatest sorcerer amongst them all. I can't
let a `friend' get in the way of that. I have come too close to be thrown
off my element.
I studied Chance's sleeping body as he laid wrapped in my covers. I
came closer to the edge of the bed never taking my eyes off of him. I slid
one leg into the bed, noticing his black muscle shirt exposing his olive
toned arms. My sight could depict every line, and smooth curve that gave
him his muscular tone.
I finally, slipped into the cool covers of the bed. When I did, I
couldn't stop staring at Chance's back. His back was hardly showing, thanks
to his muscle shirt, but I could see the groves in his back. Where his back
was even toned. My eyes went up to his streaked head closely staring at how
his hair sprawled out on the pillow.
His body was inactive. His body was at rest, and his breathing was
slower than it normally would be because of that.
I wanted to turn my back to his back so that I could get my sleep
for tomorrow, but I couldn't. From what I was seeing and trying to
understand, something else was twirling my mind. Something I couldn't
really explain. All I knew was it felt like something good, then it started
feeling like something bad.
My mind continuously toyed with me. Feeding me things I knew wasn't
real. Making me imagine things I didn't feel like entertaining, giving me a
hard time.
Suddenly, I scooted over towards Chance's back...
What am I doing? What am I thinking?
As much as I found myself fighting these ideas, I found myself doing
them anyway. There was a struggle happening inside of me. There were so
many things, and so much going on I didn't know what to think about
first. I didn't have a clue of what to do or what not to do. Everything
was colliding and running together.
Chance's back was giving off body heat. My chest was only three
inches or less behind him. I know I was way too close. Way closer than what
was considered comfortably normal to a guy, but I was in another mind.
If Chance woke up anytime while I was this close. I'm sure he would
batter me to the pulp. There was no doubting his actions but I was being
tempted by him. I was being drawn into his body even though he was not
awake.
I was being snatched into his fire...his tempting hot fire.
How long had I felt like this? Did this just come over me or has it
been something I was trying to keep away?
The temptation of his body heat was lingering on my chest and
rolling down my stomach. His heat was keeping me from caring if I got
battered. I was only staring anyway. It's not like I was touching him or
staring at private areas.
I wanted more of him though, and I don't want to back away!
He was hard at sleep. While I was awake watching him like a
sleepless stalker. In the stray light I could see my breathing moving the
tiny unsightly hairs on his bold shoulder. Each of my breaths were moving
the small hairs... that's how close I had come to him, but I still wasn't
satisfied. I wanted to be closer.
I wanted his body heat to be on me.
My chest to his back... or his chest to my chest.
I laid my head down on my pillow, holding my mind back from all the
tempting thoughts. I resisted something that tried to summon itself through
me. I knew if I let my thoughts get the best of me, I would lose a friend
for sure.
Lately this guy has been in my head, not as a friend either. In my
head in a different than normal way. If he knew what was going on in my
mind and what I was struggling to fight against, he would dissociate
himself from me and his friendly late night visits will be no more.
How could I think of a close friend like that? I feel so perverted
for doing that. I almost feel like I owe Chance an apology for thinking of
him like I was right now. This wasn't my first time thinking of
him. Throughout the day I had to stop myself from thinking about him off
and on in class. Every night, I anticipated his knock. Wanting him to come
by but I was only showing my negative side purposefully, so I would
believe: I wasn't attracted to his body, or his personality.
Regardless to what I thought about him, I always wanted him
around. I complained in the beginning that he was trying to be my friend to
find out my powers, to see what I was capable of, but that wasn't true. I
knew it wasn't true but I wanted to believe it was. I complained that he
was up to something, and that he was trying to get me not to kill him in
the tournament but that wasn't true either.
I wanted to think all of my negative thoughts, and strange feelings
toward Chance wasn't what they were. Sometimes I think these different
thoughts of him have been in my head since day one, I always have thought
of him the way I do now, but I didn't want to think about him like that.
I like him.
I really like him. Admitting it was harder than realizing it.
What is wrong with me? I didn't come to Celestial Academy for
this. I closed my thinking, and turned my back to his back. I was no longer
facing my temptation. I wouldn't have to worry about doing something out of
my character.
This was my best move. I faced away from Chance's glorious hard
structure. Turning my back to help myself better resist my sudden
thoughts. I did it to prevent myself from carrying out the perverted ideas
I was having.
Chance was laying on his left side facing the wall. With our backs
to one another, I could go to sleep, and stop thinking about my friend in
ways he would find disturbing. In ways that made me want him more,
picturing him as more than the friend he introduced himself as when he
walked into my dorm.
I didn't have to think about him much after I wasn't facing
him. Because my plan worked. I wasn't thinking too hard about him anymore.
I was drifting into sleep when I saw him flash in my head. I wasn't
completely in the dream world yet, but I was just about to enter, and a
picture of Chance flashed before me. Bringing me back to where I was
laying in the bed.
I thought I had got away!
I couldn't hold back what was being thought of in my mind. Why
couldn't I keep him out of my head?
Suddenly, I couldn't deal with the temptation anymore. It had become
so great that I couldn't burden it any longer. I was losing hold over
myself.
The moment I tried to quiet the uproar in my mind, it only spun out
of order and became worse. More flashes started to rapidly shoot through. I
started seeing flashes of: muscles, olive skin, his blood streaked hair,
his fingerless gloves, his flames, his handsome attractive face. It seemed
like everything about him was flashing behind my mind. Even the things I
probably didn't know I was noticing about him were coming to mind.
My body flipped to the side so that I was looking at his back. My
eyes were scanning him from behind, I was looking at his back, his hair,
his shoulders...anything that the covers left exposed, my eyes wanted to
see.
Then it came to the point where seeing wasn't enough... I wanted to
touch him!
My fingertips tingled with sweat. Waiting to see if I would put them
to use, wanting to feel the heat this boy was giving off through his smooth
skin. I know my fingertips anticipated the feel of his muscle under their
touch... I wanted this badly.
It's only touching, right? Just a small feel wouldn't hurt, would
it? Was I really going to do this? Was I really thinking this?
What if he wakes up? What if he feels betrayed by me after I touch
him? This was enough to get me kicked out of the bed, kicked out of his
life, and kicked out of Celestial Academy.
It was the hardest battle I've ever had. Trying to weigh my options,
trying not to go along with the temptatious boy of fire laying next to me.
...but yet my hand slipped from under the cover anyway. Slowly
reaching to his body.
I wanted it!
I was careful, being gentle with my hand, and steady with my
reaching so I wouldn't wake him. It was such a short distance between us
but it still seemed like it was yards away. Easing my hand slowly on his
sleeping body heat. My fingertips made slight contact with his rising and
falling shoulder. The skin of his was moist. It probably came from sweating
in his sleep.
When my fingers were on him, and he did not wake. I instantly felt
red hot sensations of fascination on contact. I should have stopped. It
would have been smart to discontinue the touching. It was already going too
far. I went from thinking about him and his magnificent features, to
watching him like a stalker, and now I'm touching him.
It wasn't suppose to get this far.
I lifted my fingers from his sapping warmth. My fingers were trying
to drink his existence. Trying to make some of him become a part of me. It
was so odd that when I lifted my fingers from the connection, they started
to feel empty with coldness. The longer I kept them away from his marvelous
tight skin, they felt like icicles were growing out of them.
My fingers wanted more. They wanted another drink of his sweet,
moist, heat. My fingers were feeling cold without him so they needed
something warmer to melt the ice. To fill the emptiness growing in them,
and inside of me.
Using the edge of my thumb I glided it in the crevices, and dents
that formed his firm triceps. I allowed the curiosity to overcome me. I let
the temptation become me, and I continued on with my exploration.
The heat, the toned arms, everything about the contact I was making
with him was filling me with everything I was craving for. I think I can
let my hands explore more of him since the sampling didn't wake him.
His breathing remained constant, when I let all of my fingers land
on his biceps. I eyed him closely watching for any signs of waking, while I
slid my fingers from his arm, to his shoulder blade, and down his spine. It
was an amazing excitement of feeling beneath my touch.
I dragged my fingers from his spine and to his rib cage where I
loosely drew circles for a moment, and then I made a trail to his back
again. Rubbing the fabric of his muscle shirt, that I wanted to tear off so
I could make skin contact with him.
How could someone be so enticing?
I thought, running my index finger down each ridge of his spine. I
remember watching his fight during the tournament. I observed how well his
fire ability had developed. I loved how he could handle himself at the
sense of danger. My attention was dedicated to him, and it never left him
the whole battle.
I wanted him to be the center of my world. I wanted him to be the
main jewel in my crown.
Just then, I thought I was caught!
His breathing had changed. He moved around a bit making a snorting
sound. I tried to move my fingers but they were stuck! I gulped down,
trying to prepare myself for an apology and a convincing explanation. I
thought he was about to wake but he returned back to his original sleeping
position.
I was scared. I couldn't believe how stupid I was being. I let go of
him, just in case he was awake for a moment. I pretended to be asleep until
I knew for certain he had at least five minutes to go back to sleep.
That was close. I really thought he caught me red handed.
Seeing Chance's sleeping body gave me another quick invite to touch
him. I knew whatever I did, it should be gentle and quick.
Using my fingers I brushed them across the textures of his
arms. Once again the feeling was unreal and wonderful. I glided my hands to
his chest. I had to reach over his arm a little to feel the fullness of him
there. I was so thrilled to have my hand close to his beating heart. I was
so timid to have my hand above his chest where he was taking his slow
sleeping breathes.
Moving with a slyness in my touch, I grazed two of my fingers
slightly over his round nipple that peeked halfway from his muscle
shirt. It stunned me at first, because they were soft, and so warm too. I
had never felt anything like that.
Letting my hands roam his body more I imagined that I was trying to
repaint his entire image. From his tough arms, to his blood streaked hair,
everything from the groves and curves of his muscles. I wanted to find the
right colors to blend to create his olive skin tone. I wanted to create
everything he had, especially from the waist down.
When my fingers were finally satisfied, I decided I had enough of
Chance for tonight. I turned on my side and fell asleep with no trouble.
*************************************************************************************************************************
"Dude...dude...get up!" Chance woke me, "Get up! It's day two of
the tournament," I could barely open my eyes, "We made it to the second
day. We both need to be at our best." He cheered.
I was hoping I didn't have to fight him today. I thought jumping out
of bed. I started readying myself for the tournament. I know it will be
harder than the first day, because I will be facing one of the winners from
yesterday's fight. I didn't know who that would be, but I want to be in
the finals. So, I better somehow win.
Chance was mostly ready. He held the TV remote and clicked the flat
screen TV on. I was washing my face in the bathroom sink, when I heard him
flicking through a series of channels. It sounded as if there were plenty
of shows on, that he didn't want to watch. He stopped flicking the channel
when I was adding an extra layer of deodorant.
A song started playing from the TV. A song I had never heard
before. The more the tune was played. It affected my mood, and thinking. It
was more like the song was knocking me off course with reality. Knocking me
back into the world I was in last night. Images of Chance being sleep, and
my fingers rubbing on him, and taking advantage of him tumbled in my head.
I blinked hard ridding my mind of the images.
The song kept playing in a none stop easy melodious rhythm:
I worry, I weigh three times my body.
I worry, I throw my fear around.
But this morning, there's a calm I can't explain.
The rock candy's melted, only diamonds now remain.
Ooh ooh ooh ooh
By the time I recognize this moment
This moment will be gone.
But I will bend the light, pretending that it somehow lingered on.
Maybe this morning melody was Chance's way of preparing for the
fights today. Listening to music, wasn't something I hear him do often. I
barely ever see him watch TV so I know he has to be trying to get psyched
for the tournament.
"Julius?" I heard Chance blurt. He was so innocent and he had no
idea what I did last night. What kind of friend am I?
"Yeah?" I answered from behind the closed bathroom door. I didn't
want to have any guilt in my voice.
"When you finish in there, can you do me a favor?"
"Just a sec." I said putting the finishing look to my sleek long
hair. But I could still hear the song playing from the TV, and it wasn't
making me feel any better about what I did.
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever.
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever.
And I will pay no mind
That it won't and it won't, because it can't
It's not suppose to.
I was listening to every word of the chorus trying to block it from
my head. It was making too much sense to me, and I didn't want to come to
the conclusion, this song was bringing me to. I wish this song would end
already.
I brushed my teeth, and put some oil on my skin to hold in it's
moisture. When I rubbed my own skin I began to feel awkwardly guilty
touching Chance in his sleep. Then I began to feel like I couldn't face him
today.
I gave myself a quick small talk in the mirror. I stared into my
yellow iris's and gave myself the best pep talk I could to prepare for the
tournament, and throwing my guilt aside to face Chance.
I was finished. I rushed out of the bathroom. Remembering he wanted
me to do him a favor. "What is the favor you wanted?"
His eyes went from the TV and set on me. "I need you to paint my
fingernails black for me." he said staring at his colorless nails. "On my
right hand." He wiggled his fingers. I couldn't say `no', definitely not
after what I did last night. I felt gallons of guilt while looking into his
smiling face.
I went ahead and painted his nails the best I could. I wasn't a pro,
but it was the best excuse to not look at him and talk to him. While I was
painting his nails, The song kept playing on TV. I would occasionally look
at the screen so I could see what this song was called. The song that was
giving my conscience the heavier side of guilt.
And I will wait to find
If this will last forever
And I will wait to find
That it won't and it won't
Because it won't
And I will waste no time
Worried about no rainy weather
And I will waste no time
Remaining in our lives together.
As the song was ending small white letters popped up in the corner
of the TV screen. Giving me the song title and artist. It was funny how
this song reminded me of the things I couldn't say to chance. It's so
coincidental that this song in particular had to play this morning. When
the song went off a new one came behind it. Even though the new song was
playing I didn't pay attention to it.
The song: Clarity by John Mayer, was still playing its soft morning
melody in my head. Making me think about Chance with every word that was
in the lyrics.
The thought of our friendship not lasting forever bothered me to no
end. The song was telling my emotions so many things that I never thought
about before. Questions about things not lasting forever, and how some
things in life you will have to wait and see if they last.
What if Chance and I aren't destined to keep being friends? What if
he finds out about my crush on him and he stops our friendship? What if I
somehow told him how I felt and got a positive response?... no that last
one is a definite NO!
But I don't have forever to feel like I am feeling. How do I let him
know, without risking our friendship? How would I live with myself if I
never get to tell him how I feel, and he slips through my fingers?
I sound insane! It's crazy how one song can take you to another
level of thinking.
I finished his nails. He claimed I did a good job. I didn't argue
with him about that, I took his word for it. "Thanks man." He looked over
the paint job, blowing on the black nail polish so it would dry. "I don't
know, for some reason I feel good today."
"Really?" I felt so bad.
"Yeah, it's like I went on some vacation and got a massage or
something." he laughed with delightfulness. If only he knew I gave him a
certain type of massage of my own. Maybe that could be the reason he felt
so good, and I felt so bad.
****************************************************************************************************************************
All the students did as yesterday. Walking down the sidewalk in no
particular order, to get to the arena. The second day of the tournament was
here. Talan was walking with Ashlynn and I, even though he wouldn't be
fighting today because he lost his fight.
He was only coming to support both of us.
The further we walked to the stadium, we noticed complaints were
being voiced by the students who were in front of the stadium doors. The
crowd of students were not moving forward. They were stuck in one place
shouting complaints. Whatever was happening, I know the Celestial students
were upset.
"Julius, you beat my friend Mason yesterday." It was James. He
approached out of nowhere. I barely heard his metal linked chain hooked to
his heavy black jeans. I could normally hear the metal rattling on his
pants, but today he appeared out of nowhere. I wouldn't be surprised if he
didn't poof where I was using his shadow powers.
It was almost scary being near him. I didn't know if he was
intending to avenge Mason or what? My only thought was to play it cool with
James. I didn't want to get on his bad list.
"Yes, I did. It wasn't easy." I replied. I wanted to give Mason a
little credit. So James wouldn't kill me. Talan and Ashlynn were listening
closely to every word being said between James and I. This was one of those
times I was glad they were around me. I'm glad they walked me everywhere I
went.
Chance better be happy that he left a mere ten seconds before they
came pounding on my door. He almost got caught. I shouldn't be thinking
about him.
Talan and Ashlynn were in earshot. If James had any dark force
manipulation tricks in mind, my sorcerer friends would certainly come to my
aid.
James continued talking, "You are a strong competitor. I guess
Mason underestimated you."
"Maybe he did." I didn't know what to say back. I was
scared. James's spikey hair seem to stand taller and loom above me. It was
so frightening being around him.
"I knew you were strong. I tried to tell Mason that the first few
days you came to this school." James said in a creepy undertone. It was
like he was hardly moving his mouth to make his deep creepy voice. "I knew
if I fought you, we would probably tie."
Tie? How could my abilities match to his? He was well known for his
gifts. He was supernaturally talented with his shadows. I still had plenty
to learn about my own ability. How could he think we were equals?
"You seemed surprised." He said again, with a more creeping
tone. "You don't think you are good?" James asked, but before I could
answer he said more. "Even if I did win against you... I wouldn't feel like
it was a true win. I wouldn't feel right fighting against you, period."
"What are you telling me?" was my selection of words. I didn't know
his opinion of me was so high.
"If I fought you, I would be in a lose/lose situation." He murmured
heavily. "But we don't have to worry about any fighting for today."
"No fighting? What does that mean?" I was wondering where he going
with this. What did he do?
"Today, I was suppose to be in the tournament, but nobody gets to
fight today because the tournament got cancelled." He shrugged. I could
sense the darker presence of his shadows moving. Something about this was
off.
I looked at the complaining students in front of the stadium doors,
and everything started making sense. I understood why they were shouting
and yelling.
"Cancelled!" Ashlynn, Talan, and I yelled out in unison. There was a
shock like never before in each of our eyes. It was unlike Celestial to
cancel a tournament. I didn't think it was possible. From what I heard,
Celestial has held tournaments while they were in severe life threating
weather. Nothing could cancel at Celestial tournament...nothing!
"Yes, cancelled." James confirmed, without using any
emotion. "Celestial Academy has never cancelled a tournament, but whatever
reason they cancelled the tournament, It has to be big."
"Oh my goodness!" Talan squeaked. His silver eyes were shining like
liquid metal. "What happened? Why would they do this?"
James gave another shrug, making his shoulders hunch over
weirdly. He paused for a moment, watching the complaining crowd around
us. "All I know is, the arena doors have been locked shut until further
notice. There is a note on the doors indicating `All students must report
to regular class.'" He looked down on the cement sidewalk at something. He
got oddly quiet for seconds, and then he spoke. "Maybe when everyone gets
to class we will find out there." He assumed walking away shoving his hands
in his pockets.
When James left he took the strangeness with him. I wonder did he
know how strange he was.
"I hate this school!" Ashlynn stomped, "I'm might drop out." he
started to complain.
"I'm with you on that." Talan joined in on Ashlynn's
rant. "Everytime we try to have fun, something like this..." Talan pointed
at the locked arena doors. "happens."
"I know." Ashlynn continued with him.
I didn't know why Talan is upset. He wasn't going to be a part of
the fun. He lost his tournament match yesterday.
Ashlynn kept griping, "That's exactly why..." and Talan was adding
his comments in, here and there. They stood there exchanging hated word for
the school. Words I never heard them use to describe Celestial.
That's when a particular groping came upon me. While they were busy
running their mouths I felt something touching me, like hands gliding over
my body.
I quickly looked around to see if someone was playing with me, but
nobody was near me. No one was close enough to grope my arms, and chest.
The hands kept moving on me. I tried to brush my shirt off when I
felt it on my chest. Then, I tried wiping my neck and my hair with my
hands when I felt it go in those areas.
I glanced around again. Looking to see if anyone was doing this but
I could only see Ashlynn, and Talan talking.
What is this? What is going on?
I started to think it was bugs or something in my clothes but it
wasn't that either.
I started believing my mind was playing games with me. My conscience
was continuing to give me reminders of why I should be ashamed of my touchy
hands last night. Is this pay back from my mind? Is this how Chance might
have felt if he was awake when I was taking advantage of him?
I violated Chance. I set my self up to feel guilty today. Even my
mind was playing dirty games with me.
Suddenly, it felt like a body was against mine. Pulling me into a
strong hold, as if it was a firm hug. I felt arms around me and a body
pressed-
There it is again! The hugging.
This felt like someone was hugging me from behind. I scanned around
looking for anything that could tell me something. It was too real to be my
mind. It couldn't be my guilty conscience.
I didn't see anything. There was nothing there...until I looked at
the ground.
My shadow was being held in a hug by... When my eyes looked not too
far from the stretched shadow, I saw James. He was standing at a distance
watching me with his arms crossed. He was at a safe distance not to be seen
by eyes, no one could put together what he was doing unless they were
staring closely at the ground.
Although James' arms were crossed, his shadow was touching my
shadow, and hugging my shadow, right there on the ground. No one's eyes
could see, no one else could feel the shadow-play but me.
His stretched out shadow was holding mine continuously in a full
embrace. Every touch, and grope he made his shadow do to mine, I could feel
it happening on my body.
When I made eye contact with him, he smiled for the first time. It
was an eerie smile that I never seen anyone use. I couldn't understand him.
Goths were weird.
One snap of his fingers, and his embracing shadow shrank
instantly. It retreated back to its owner's side where it was its normal
small shaded size. The same instant his shadow released mine, it slithered
to him and he walked away as if nothing happened.
"What is wrong with you?" Talan asked taking me out of the weird
encounter no one could see.
"Yeah you don't look too good." Ashlynn stated with a small concern.
"Oh, nothing...nothing. I'm just shocked about the tournament being
cancelled." I answered with a nervous lie, hoping it was enough for them to
buy.
"Tell me about it." Talan agreed. It was good to hear that he bought
it. I didn't want to explain the Chance guilt I was feeling every minute,
or the thing that just happened with James. I didn't know who to talk to.
Where is Aaronn? This would be a good time to `keep in contact'.
Ashlynn stopped complaining long enough for all of us to walk to our
original class. It was still early in the day, so we might be loaded down
with paper work on offensive battle skills.
I didn't care about the work. Things around here were getting
interesting. In some weird ways...
Like that hug from James. What was that all about? He did it so
sneaky that nobody even saw it. I don't know how to explain it but I think
he was a cool guy.
James was a goth. One of the scariest, and most frightening of is
kind. He had a mysterious way of making me think he was cool. It was hard
to figure him out.
On the other hand, Chance's presence was magic to me. More magic
than any of my enchantments could create. I was being drawn in by him, day
after day. I was captivated by him but he didn't know it. That was the
part that bothered me. He wasn't looking at me the way I wanted him to. He
was too busy trying to make his girlfriend smile.
I couldn't get upset with him about it. Maybe it's better for him
not to know.
We were all in class seated. Waiting on the teacher to give us our
lesson. Instead, the announcements came on.
Announcements:
"Teachers and students we had to cancel the tournament as you all
know. But I will get to that in a minute. First I have to make a brief
announcement to the teachers.
Teachers you have a letter in your boxes..." as the lady on the
announcements went on telling the teachers about a letter they will be
receiving, Ashlynn kept talking to Talan. I couldn't hear the lady on the
announcements words because their whispers were making it hard.
"Ashlynn quit talking while the announcements are on." the teacher
commented.
Announcements:
"Now about the tournament. The reason the tournament was cancelled
was due to the scared scrolls we keep locked away in Celestial hall, are
missing. Those scrolls have been around as long as our school has been. It
was built through the secretive information on those scrolls. Those
documents are the most powerful and important items we own. The principal
has ordered that there will be no tournaments until we have found our
schools sacred scrolls."
The class was rocked by the news. Whatever these scrolls were they
had some kind of secretive power that helped make the school. It's probably
what keeps this school thriving.
Who stole them?
I guess everybody wanted to know that. If the scrolls were stolen
what would the person do with them? It's probably a teacher...or a student
who wants revenge on the school.
It's probably someone who lost in the tournament, and they wanted
everybody else not to participate because they lost.
It could be Mason. He has enough craziness, and reason to do
something like that, since I beat him.
Announcement: "Oh one more thing. We need these students to come to
the office: James Walker, Chance Meraz, Aaronn Everette, and Julius
Rainy. Come to the office please."
What? What do they want me to go to the office for? I didn't do
anything! I don't know anything about who stole the scrolls. If that's what
they are wanting to know, then they are out of luck. I didn't even know the
scrolls existed until today. I'm new here.
Maybe it was Chance, maybe James or Aaronn. They've been here long
enough to know how to get the scrolls. How did I get tied into this?
I was getting out of my desk when I heard some of the students
saying "You're in trouble." everyone's eyes were following me to the door
as I was leaving. They were giving me a look as if I stole the
scrolls. Ashlynn had a worried look stuck on his face before I left.
I can't believe they thought I would steal something like that. I
guess you get blamed for anything if you are the new guy.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
I arrived at the principal's office. As expected: James, Chance, and
Aaronn were already seated in front of the principal's large desk. There
was one empty chair beside Chance, and I sat down there.
There was too much worry, guilt, and strangeness in the room. I
mean, there's James here who hugged me not too long ago. Then there's
Aaronn who wanted to be friends but never spoke to me. Then there's Chance
who I fell totally guilty sitting by because I was tempted beyond my
knowing to touch him, and finally there is the principal. Who probably
thinks one of us stole the scroll.
It was a total bucket of turmoil stirring in the room. I was
confused with every thought I tried to create. This wasn't a good
environment for me.
The principal had a bald spot in the middle of his head. With white
fluff hair around the edges. He was an older man wearing glasses,
accompanied by sets of wrinkles.
"Thank you boys for coming." I looked on his desk, seeing his name
was Shwartz. "I called the four of you to my office for an important
reason. We have a big situation on our hands. Our school scrolls have been
reported missing." Principal Shwartz crossed his fingers and set them on
his desk as he talked.
I wanted to point at James and yell `he did it!' or point at Aaronn
and blame him. Whatever it would take to get out of here freely, I was
willing to do. I didn't want to be kicked out of Celestial for something I
didn't do. I didn't want to go back to my home to fight with my dad
everyday. I couldn't live like that anymore.
"Our school needs those scrolls. Our school depends on those
scrolls." Shwartz was being very serious. These scrolls were no game. "I
want those scrolls back! For us! For our school!" the principal raised his
voice in an urgent tone to get our attention.
Fixing his tie a little, he said "Some of the teachers and myself
went into the lounge when we heard the news." He reached for his white
coffee mug. "We all decided after watching the tournament, who the best
four fighters were."
What did that have to do with anything?
Why did they think I would be in the top four anyway?
He took a hot sip of the black coffee, and wiped his mouth. "You
four," He pointed at us. "Were selected. We thought the four of you would
be best for this mission assignment."
They thought I was fit for a mission? I was still sort of new. My
head spun for a moment. When the reality of a mission came into mind, I
didn't know if I wanted to go through with it. I didn't know if I could
please the teachers and principal's wishes.
I was still trying to get over the principal not thinking I was a
suspect, like most of the classroom did before I left.
"We suspect our arch rivals have stolen the scrolls. Their school
has always wanted the success Celestial Academy has. They have always
wanted our secrets, and our great power. They weren't granted the
opportunity to develop like our school has." Schwartz was getting a pen out
of his cup full of pens, and he uncapped it writing something on a paper
laying flat on his desk. "I know our school has did some terrible, sneaky
things to other schools, but what else would you expect from a school of
villains?" I didn't know if the principal was trying to joke or what. I
didn't know whether I should take him serious at the moment or laugh to
make him think he was funny.
After not hearing any laughs or words from the four of us, the
principal asked, "Will you boys go out there and bring the school back it's
scrolls?"
Chance looked at me. I knew he wanted to ask me if I was going to
attend the mission. My only plan was: if Chance says he is going, I will
go. I can't abandon him. It would be out of line. Especially since, I have
a soft spot for him.
"I will." James shot out first. His eyes darkened. His hair and his
clothes grew so dark that they seemed to be made completely from his
strange shadows. When James' hand went up and he accepted the mission. He
looked like he was making an oath.
Principal Shwartz wrote something on his paper with the blue pen
after hearing James accept.
I could see black wavering tendrils moving around James' raised
hand, as he held it in the air. His shadows were ready for the mission.
"...I will." Aaronn raised his hand in a mannerable way. He shook
his sleet white hair from his violet eyes. Which were glowing like purplish
ring, shaped jewels.
Aaronn's psychic awareness was ready at any moment. From his glowing
violet eyes, I knew he probably would see a vision soon. Who knows?
The principal wrote something on the paper again.
Chance glanced at me. Why did he have to keep looking at me? That
was making me weak. There was a surprise in my heart when he said, "I
will." Raising his hand high in the air.
There was flickering flames burning at his fingertips like lit
candles. I was sitting close enough to feel his heated orange fire.
There was a sting of remorse in me. I couldn't let Chance down. I
owe him... at least I felt like I owed him. The principal wrote something
else. I looked at the sparks flinging from his eyes, and I was left with
one choice.
I let myself think of my decision twice. Before I could fully
reconsider, and stop myself. I went with my first thought.
"I will." I proudly confessed. There was blue glittering sparkles
swirling with white, tingling in my palm. The sorcery inside of me was
ready for the challenge, but I was still scared because I didn't know what
we were about to face.
Tingles of magic , blazing fire, radiant violet eyes, and tendrils
of shadows shook the principal's office slightly from our powerful
abilities being crammed in one small space. There was even a weird color of
green projecting on the walls of the room.
"Good!" Shwartz jotted something down and dropping his blue pen on
the paper. "Now we can get you boys ready."
I was shaken scared beneath the outside, after raising my hand
because I didn't know what I had got myself into. James gave me an odd
smile, after hearing me accept.
"Thank you gentlemen, I knew you wouldn't let me down." Principal
Shwartz celebrated. He seemed to be more happy that he didn't have to go
retrieve the scrolls more than anything. He didn't have to leave his seat,
he didn't have to fight any unknown danger...we did.
"I've already made a map to the rival school. It should lead you
guys there." He handed the map over his desk, and into Aaronn's hands. "The
rest is up to you guys. I figured since you all are going to be a team and
you will be working together. Maybe you should go out to eat. Get off the
campus for a while before the big mission. It should give you time to think
of a plan, and learn each other."
"I thought we would get in trouble for leaving campus?" Aaronn
mentioned one of the rules to the principal.
"You have my permission." Shwartz approved. "Just don't tell the
other students."
The principal continued giving us information. The information he
was giving us didn't sound like he knew much about the school. It seemed
like he was saying random things. Anything to get us out of his office and
on the mission.
I didn't like any of this. I was having a bad feeling about the
mission, but I had to trust that everything would be fine.
I wasn't doing this mission for my school. I wasn't doing this for
the students, or myself. I was doing this for Chance.
Later that night, Aaronn, James, Chance and I took the principal's
idea of leaving campus. We all decided we would go out to eat somewhere so
we could try to learn how to work as a team. Not only that, try to plan
something with the little information we had.
We had to start somewhere, right?
We were sitting close to a window in an Italian restaurant. It was
bothering us all that we couldn't tell any of our classmates at school what
we would be doing tomorrow. It was top secret, for reasons we didn't know.
James had an order of meatballs and spaghetti. He watched me with an
intent stare while he slurped his noodles down. I didn't know if he was
eating or if he was trying to show me what he could do to a noodle. He was
quite impressive if I must say so.
Aaronn's violet eyes were still radiant from earlier. It looked like
his eyes were smiling at me. At the quiet table of eating and plates
scraping, he was the only one giving me a soft sensual conversation. It was
like the conversation we shared the first night I met him. The night of the
party.
I was able to forget everything when he was chatting with me. His
eyes made the mission sound less dangerous. It only seemed like it was us
two at some moments in our talk. I don't know how he was this good at
making me feel good. I couldn't help but wonder if he was using his psychic
abilities to read my mind, or tap into my brain and hypnotize me with his
words. I didn't know what he was doing but it was worth it.
I know we hadn't talked for a long time, but somehow I feel like he
was making up for not being able to talk to me. He was bringing our
connection back.
I knew `this would be a long mission'. Was the first thought in my
mind, when I felt Aaronn's foot rubbing up and down my leg under the table.
I tried to keep from showing any signs of blushing excitement, by
looking somewhere other than his violet eyes. That's when I saw James
giving me his wicked goth smile, sucking another spaghetti noodle down.
I think James was trying to break the connection between Aaronn and
I by slurping. Because it worked a little.
"James!" Aaronn called with a look of disgust. His foot also stopped
sliding against my leg.
"What!" James' response wasn't too kind either.
"Stop that slurpy, sucky stuff. It's rude!" Aaronn said trying to
correct James' mannerism. James rolled his eyes and kept slurping.
Aaronn tried to ignore what James was doing so we could connect on
our deep level again. It's funny that Chance has no idea what is going on
at this table. There was more than eating going on. It seemed more like a
competition. Too bad Chance wasn't trying like these two were.
Like I said: This is going to be a long mission.
****************************************************************************************************************************
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