Chapter 26: Never loved me

Veretta swallowed uneasily as he strolled away. She rushed back to her room as fast as her feet could take her. She wanted to lock herself away and throw away the key. How could she be so stupid? However, as she struggled to unlock the door with her shaking hands, she felt someone watching her. Veretta turned back like a shot as her breath unhinged.

Tomas was standing by her side apprehensively, "Veretta, what's wrong?"

Veretta gripped her trembling hand and turned away rigidly, "Nothing," she replied in a high raw tone, I just need to be by myself for a bit,"

She flew into her room as soon as the lock turned and the door shut behind her. Tomas was left standing taken aback. He glanced around. There was no sign of Errik. How unusual...

Tomas had meant to invite her to lunch but now he felt worried. Had something happened? He started back towards the canteen with a sigh. He was halfway down the steps when by chance he glanced outside the narrow inset windows. He spotted Errik out in the courtyard at once. He was hard to miss, drenched in black on a perfectly good sunny day.

Tomas descended the rest of the steps and took off toward him. Errik was sitting on one of the benches outside the garden with a glazed look in his eye. He looked completely oblivious to the students passing by with their curious glances, nor the warm breeze that fluttered through the trees. He was closed off like an ice statue. Somehow impenetrable to the sunshine and any sense of warmth. Tomas sat beside him with a sigh. No wonder no one dared approach. Even he felt apprehensive.

"Are you good?" Tomas asked with his eyes set ahead." Should I get Veretta? "

" No!" Errik ejected hastily, " I mean, I'm fine,"

Tomas was about to ask another question when a group of familiar students started towards them. Merely by sitting, Tomas guessed they had found an in. He had a few students approach him over the weeks trying to enquire about Errik. Usually, they were too afraid to approach on their own, but they must have seen him as an easier target. Tomas knew the feeling well. People were always the same. Using him for one thing or another.

"Seniors!" a wiry looking girl with a high voice approach, "we were just saying what a nice day it was and that we should eat outside,"

Tomas stared up with an irritated smile. They didn't even have any food. What exactly did they think they were eating?

"We're not eating," Tomas answered, "we're having a private conversation so.."

Before Tomas could finish his sentence the girl took a seat beside Errik. He was still staring ahead, completely lost in thought. However, the moment she laid her hand on his thigh, he rose with uncharacteristic severity.

" Get your hands off me!" Errik snapped viciously.

Tomas stared up surprised as the rest. Errik usually maintained a disinterested facade in front of the students. The girl began to shake and tears came to her eyes. Tomas glanced apprehensively at the rest of the group. There were another two girls and one boy looking at each other with decidedly indignantly stares. The boy seemed to take his cue and went to confront Errik. Tomas stood to intervene at once.

"Ah, junior, you caught us at a sensitive moment," he began, "can you forgive us this once and I'll apologise on his behalf?"

Instead, the boy pushed past Tomas intent on confronting Errik. Tomas grabbed him by the arm.

"Hey," Tomas frowned, "You didn't hear me. I said we're sorry,"

The boy turned back goaded by the female students who had rallied by his side.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he seethed, "this guy is the one with the problem. Let him apologise,"

"That's right!" one of the girls enjoined, "he's been so rude since coming here! We were only trying to be friendly!"

"We want to hear the apology from him!" another insisted.

Tomas glanced back at Errik. He wasn't even looking at them. He looked that strange pale again as if he was about to crack. Tomas turned back to the group.

"Okay, well let's all calm down," he smiled uneasily, "He's just not feeling well today. That's why I'm apologising on his behalf,"

"And who the hell are you? Why do we have to listen to you?! You're not even from this college or this country are you?!"

"No, I'm just your senior," Tomas smirked, "And since you juniors have no damn manners, I guess that leaves me to teach you. First of all, who told her to touch him? Is he not a person as well? Instead of raising your voices like children, why don't you reel in your barely disguised racism and listen to reason? Now, I've told you already that we're sorry. So 'please' get lost while I'm still feeling generous,"

At that moment, the boy's face grew red. He threw back his fist and launched it at Tomas. Tomas wrapped a whip of wind around his fist ready to block. However, to his surprise, it was Errik that came between them. In the instant each had launched the blow, he managed to catch both hands. Tomas was thrown back slightly and released his magic begrudgingly impressed. However, his opponent wasn't so lucky. Errik threw him to the ground with such force, the boy's nose poured with blood.

" Touch him again and I'll kill you!" Errik barked with such ferocity even Tomas was taken aback.

The boy was helped up by the other students. They all scattered quickly under the cruelty of Errik's glare.

" Thanks..." Tomas glanced at him with uncertainty, " but I didn't need your help,"

"No, you probably didn't, " Errik sat back on the bench with an exasperated sigh.

"Still," Tomas grinned, " I'm flattered. I guess this means you like me after all?"

" When did I say I didn't like you?" Errik returned without meeting his gaze.

Tomas returned to his seat as well, " you're not exactly the warmest person in the world. You literally almost froze me to death,"

" I didn't mean to do that," Errik replied quietly.

" Oh?" Tomas raised an eyebrow, " Is that your version of sorry?"

Errik was quiet for a moment, " I am sorry,"

Tomas's eyes widened in surprise, " are you sure you're not sick?"

"Actually, I don't feel that great. Can you help me go back to the dorms?"

Tomas was about to laugh. Not only a sorry but asking for a favour as well?. However, upon seeing Errik's expression, he held back. If he didn't know any better, he might have thought Errik looked close to tears. It was a sight so shocking, Tomas almost forgot to speak. Finally, he managed to give a hurried nod and they started back.

At the doors, Tomas hovered a moment longer.

" Errik, if there's something you want to talk about..."

" Thank you for helping me get back," Errik interrupted. Then before Tomas could say another word, he shut the door.

"What is going on today?" Tomas muttered with irritation before turning to leave.

On the other side of the door, Errik hit the floor with a slam. Tomas glanced back at the sound. He turned slowly to the door. It wasn't locked. He opened it apprehensive. He was met with some resistance, as he stared down at the legs blocking the door. Tomas' eyes widened. Errik was passed out on the ground.

Tomas knelt down at once and tried to nudge him, "Errik?" he called anxiously.

He was so pale, he looked like he might be dead. The moment he touched Errik's skin, Tomas pulled back with a cry, "Shit!"

His skin was ice cold. Not like skin at all but pure ice, blisteringly cold. It wasn't just that, the room began to sprawl with ice just as it had done in the forest. Tomas pulled back quickly. He raced down the hall and banged at Veretta's door. For a while, he heard nothing so he banged again with increasing urgency.

Finally, she came to the door with red eyes and tear-soaked cheeks. Tomas had no time to enquire. He brought her at once to Errik's room. Veretta let out a gasp and hurried inside. By the time she reached his side, the entire room had dropped in temperature by several degrees. The floor had turned to ice and was spreading from Errik's body.

"Errik," Veretta pulled his face to hers with difficulty. The cold stung her fingertips. "Look at me,"

Errik's eyes flickered open but he didn't seem to be conscious of her.

"Stop this!" Veretta cried. "I command you. Stop this at once!"

Errik winced with considerable pain as he seemed to awaken from his delirium. He inhaled shapely and finally, the ice began to recede. He threw his arms around Veretta's neck exhaling with a ragged breath. Veretta wanted to pull away. However, as she felt his trembling body against her chest, she relented. She embraced him reluctantly until he calmed.

It was nearly an hour before he appeared able to speak. By then it was still late afternoon and a red streak of sunlight filled Errik's room but it was drenched with melted water. Tomas sat with them. Neither he nor Veretta said anything. All that could be heard was the students passing outside.

"I think I need to leave here," Errik said at last.

"Why?" Veretta looked at him with unwavering slightly watering green eyes, "Why do you need to leave here?"

"It's making me sick," Errik answered reticently.

"How?" Veretta interrogated.

"How?" Errik looked at her uncomprehendingly. He paused for a minute then in a low voice asked, "Do you think I'm doing this on purpose?"

"No, I don't," Veretta answered stiffly, "but since you don't tell us what's wrong, how are we supposed to know?"

"It makes me remember things," Errik glanced down, "and then I feel sick,"

"What things?" Veretta questioned with grave dark eyes.

Tomas rose apprehensively sensing they ought to be alone."I'll leave you guys to talk for a bit,"

The moment the door closed behind him, a suspicious stare took hold in Errik's eye.

"Why are you acting so strangely?" he questioned in an accusatory manner.

"Am I?" Veretta answered without looking at him.

"Is it about Silthus?" Errik leaned forward and stared up at her. "I don't intend to go far, just outside the college where I can't do any more damage. I know you need to stay here until he comes. I don't want you to get thrown out,"

Veretta's eyes twitched, "It's not about that," she said quickly.

"Then what's wrong, Veretta?" Errik asked earnestly.

"Nothing, I'm just tired," Veretta answered with a weak smile.

"So you're not upset?" Errik asked flatly.

"No," Veretta averted her eyes once more.

"Then kiss me," Errik demanded unflinchingly.

Veretta's eyes widened, "No, certainly not!" she expelled the words with more force than intended. She stared down again apprehensively trying to reign in her emotions.

"Why? You kissed me before," Errik played with a lock of her hair, "what's the difference now?"

Veretta stood to leave but paused with a cold smile, "I don't want to. If you're feeling well again, I'm sure you can find someone else to kiss,"

Errik let out a bitter laugh as he stood up barring her way, "Who then? Tell me who I should kiss instead of you,"

"I don't know your preferences," Veretta turned from him.

"Don't you?" Errik gave a smile that didn't reach the eyes.

"If that is all then I.." Veretta started to escape.

However, Errik caught her arm, "What? Don't you like me anymore?" he demanded almost aggressively. This time Veretta turned back to him with a severe glare.

"Maybe I should ask you the same?" She returned unmoved, "but come to think of it, you never said you loved me in the first place...I wonder why?"