Just Awks

Kathryn

The atmosphere was choking, it felt like the air was being sucked away and not a single wisp was left. Walter and Bon had both unleashed their auras that filled the whole room. The red and yellow flames clashed with each other as they fought for dominance.

By now the room had split into two with Bon’s supporters on his side of the circular table and Walter’s supporters on the other side. The three of us; Henry, Zak and I; were watching from the sidelines since we didn’t want to get roasted.

Kylie tried to stop them but we all know how that’s going to end. "Bon, Walter. You guys have to stop.’’ Her hands were brought close to her glasses so they wouldn’t gloss over by the heat. "You’ll burn the room! Even the building!’’

The whole room panicked as the reality of dying set in. Everyone forgot about the once heated argument as they all tried to get out of the room, all at once. Walter and Bon could care less about the building, since they were still going at it.

Zak tugged on my shirt suggesting we leave. "Kat, I don’t think it’s safe anymore. We need to go. Don’t you agree, Henry?’’ We both looked at Henry waiting for his answer. He cleared his throat excessively before he answered.

"Knowing both of them, they’ll def burn this place down if they don’t stop now. Also, it’s so obvious that it’s not safe anymore. We need to get outta here.’’

He stood up from his chair and began treading towards the door and Zak followed suit. I, on the other hand, stayed where I was seated. Zak noticed I wasn’t behind him, so he turned around seeing me still seated.

He just stood there and gave me ‘the’ look. That’s the look that says ‘If you don’t get here right now, I.Will.Beat.Your.Ass’. I laughed and whimpered at the same time as I felt some sweat dribbling down my face.

I swallowed hard. Now was not the time to be intimidated. Mumbling words of encouragement to myself, I looked up towards the two boys that were waiting for me, one not being very happy. I sucked in some of the burning crisp air before opening my mouth.

"I’m staying. Could you maybe get me some popcorn……?’’

They were both silent for a while making me regret what I had said. I stared at them as they both conversed with their eyes, finding an appropriate answer to give to me. Why do I feel like I just angered them?

Four pair of eyes returned to staring into my being as they began to walk towards me. As they came closer, I noticed they’re faces were painted with what looked like a load of annoyance.

But me being me, I was more concerned about other matters, like popcorn. "So, are you still getting the popcorn? ‘Cause I need something for my taste buds.’’

Zak had had enough and reached for my wrist yanking me off the seat that we had moved to the wall. He dragged me towards the door, dodging some items that had lost their way during the fight. Henry jogged after us and shut the door behind us when we got out.

We all leaned on the wall for support, gathering some much needed fresh air we couldn’t get in there. I stood up straight, my hands springing up to my head to get rid of an uninvited itch. Finally done with scavenging my scalp, I put my hands down and started heading back to the Visual Room.

"Where are you going? And aren’t we going to talk about your little stunt back there?’’

My sneakers squeaked as I stopped in my tracks looking back at Henry. Zak had cooled down a bit and it looked like Henry was the mad one now. Sometimes, I just don’t understand his mood swings.

Zak put his hand on Henry’s shoulder using it to lift himself up. "You know how she is. I admit it’s annoying but you need to chill.’’

He patted his shoulder before striding towards me. He bumped my shoulder with his as he walked by me. I lingered on waiting for Henry to get up. He didn’t move from his position so I turned to follow Zak.

"Wait.’’

Henry slowly straightened up against the wall before taking steps towards me. He reached for my arm interlacing our hands together and pulled me with him as we caught up with Zak matching his pace.

As we continued walking, silence slowly creeped into the air taking over the environment. Our intertwined hands swung back and forth as they silently followed my lead.

As we drew near my destination, I spotted Will just outside the Visual Room, hands in the pockets of his red letterman jacket eyes closed while humming a tune. My eyes darted around in search for a certain brunette but she wasn’t anywhere to be found.

"Where’s Jasmine?’’

He flinched probably from not noticing us coming his way before extracting his hands from his pockets and pointing a finger to his left down the hallway. "She went to find something to eat. Apparently, she didn’t eat breakfast before coming.’’

"Well, I’m going to look for her. Who knows what creepy dude lurks in the lounge.’’ Zak volunteered going in the direction Will had pointed. What a gentleman. Cue eye roll.

"I’m heading back to my office. If you need anything Kathryn, you know where to find me.’’

Our hands untwined and just like that my two friends went in opposite direction leaving me alone with Will. We stood outside in awkward silence, me playing with my fingers and him suddenly becoming interested in the tiles.

I reached for my back pocket flipping out a phone with a blue pouch, snowflakes adorning it. Swiping up and punching in a password, I clicked on ‘Phone’ and shoved it in his face. He looked at the phone, then me, a bewildered look on his face. "Are you giving me your phone or?’’

"If I’m going to be your tour guide, shouldn’t I have a way to contact you?’’

His lips parted and formed an ‘o’ shape but quickly morphed into a smirk as he inputted his digits saving his name with a heart behind it. I took back my phone and dialed the number as a soft tune began playing making his phone escaped his pockets into his hands. He ignored the call so he could save my contact putting a heart behind my name before shoving his phone back where it belonged.

I rested beside him leaning on the wall breathing out a sigh. It had only been minutes since Zak left but it felt like hours seeing as we had nothing to talk about.

Awks.

“I think we should go home.”

I had absent-mindedly blurted out what was on my mind, making him look at me confusion sprawled all over his face. “Huh?! I thought we were having lessons?”

“Well, knowing Zak, he isn’t coming back.” I glanced at the clock in the hallway, “plus it’s 2:30 pm so my shift is almost over.” We waved each other goodbye as we left the huge building 30 minutes later, filled with awkward silence, heading to our homes, mine probably already occupied.