More Splashed Water

As he stepped onto the street and grasped the car handle, he settled into the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life with a soothing purr.

The car then reversed into the road, weaving through the flow of passing vehicles. A warm breeze caressed his cheeks, adding to the moment's ease.

He navigated the streets, halting at red lights and resuming his journey when the light turned green.

This routine continued for half an hour until he finally pulled into his driveway, switched off the engine, and made his way inside the building.

As he walked past the lively students, he paused in front of a door. Upon entering, he was enveloped by the sounds of laughter and chatter, but he paid little mind to it.

His gaze landed on his best friend, a constant source of support.

However, as soon as their eyes met, he noticed a troubling expression in his friend's gaze, hinting that something was amiss. Suddenly, a deluge of icy water drenched him, soaking his hair, neck, and arms.

The room fell silent; the laughter and chatter faded away. All eyes were on him—gasps filled the air, some covered their mouths, while others stifled their laughter behind their hands.

His best friend looked horrified, eyes wide in disbelief.

Silas was consumed by a mix of rage and embarrassment. Levi, his best friend, sprang from his seat, the chair squeaking in protest, and rushed over, his gym bag in hand, his mouth agape in shock.

Silas stormed out of the room, with Levi trailing behind, "Hey, we need to get you cleaned up."

Silas let out a wild laugh, shaking his wet hair and wiping his eyes, "Hand me the towel." Levi replied, "I'm really sorry; we thought you were the teacher."

Silas shot him an angry glare, retorting, "And you thought it was amusing to drench the teacher?"

Levi's expression turned guilty, embarrassment flickering in his eyes.

Silas sighed, running his fingers through his damp hair, and said with exasperation,

"Look, I've had a terrible morning; let's not make it worse. I just need to get cleaned up."

They stepped into the bathroom, a deserted space untouched since the start of classes. Silas turned to Levi and asked, "Did you bring any towels or clothes?"

With a mischievous grin, Levi dropped his gym bag onto the sink and pulled out a towel and a change of clothes.

Silas snatched them from him and disappeared into a stall, shutting the door behind him.

Inside, he peeled off his drenched clothes and used the towel to dry his face, neck, and arms, wiping away the remnants of his earlier exertion.

Once dressed in fresh attire, he emerged from the stall, his eyes narrowing as he fixed Levi with an icy stare.

"I'm really angry with you, so don't even think about talking to me until I cool off. And you're buying lunch as a way to say sorry."

Levi nodded, a goofy smile plastered on his face, and together they returned to class, taking their seats.

Silas could feel the weight of the gazes on his back, the silence around him thick and suffocating, as if a serpent were wrapped tightly around him.

When the teacher entered the room, Silas couldn't help but roll his eyes, fully aware that he would be facing a lecture from his mother for being late, all thanks to his best friend and the rest of the class.

In the classroom, the teacher's voice droned on about the thoracic cavity, lumbar region, and other topics that seemed to drift into the background for Silas.

The warm breeze from the window behind him wrapped around him like a comforting blanket.

As fatigue washed over him, Silas struggled to focus, his eyelids growing heavy.

He fought to keep them open, glancing around the room in a desperate attempt to stave off sleep.

Just then, his best friend Levi nudged him, prompting a frustrated groan from Silas.

He turned to Levi, irritation etched on his face, and asked, "What is it? This better be worth it."

Levi flashed an apologetic grin and replied, "You look completely wiped out. Why not take a quick nap? You can borrow my notes later to catch up. I'll fill you in on anything you miss, and I promise to wake you before we leave."

Silas pondered the suggestion for a moment before nodding in agreement.

He rested his head on his arms, surrendering to the pull of sleep, where the noise of the classroom faded into silence.

But in that realm of dreams, he found himself ensnared by nightmares—vivid phantoms that eluded his memory yet lingered in the shadows of his mind, haunting him relentlessly.