Chapter Seven

FOUR YEARS AGO - Delton

- A Few Months Later -

Public school was a joke for someone like me. I knew that as soon as the teacher drew out a number line. Since then, I've breezed by without listening to a single word the woman said. Observing my classmates wasn't worthwhile either.

Sometimes, in between classes, they let all the kids out to play. I didn't know what they meant until I ambled outside after the tidal wave of running children. A full multilevel playset paired with swings and a soccer field sprawled out before me. The sun beat down against my pale skin, forcing an immediate sweat. Screams of joy echoed from every direction.

I hated it.

It took a lot of convincing, but the aid allowed me to head down to the library instead. That's where I spent all my free time. They had reference sections for teachers only which I snuck into on a regular basis. Those textbooks were much more informative than Ms. Ferndale let on in class.

I found myself wondering if this was all a prestigious middle school could offer. The musing filled me with dissapointment as I stared out the window past Uri's head, gaze dipping to his face again and again.

Most of the kids here had the emotional range of a houseplant and even less intelligence. Dean had a point when he said I had no idea what I was in for. Me having a privated tutor made a lot more sense now... But this boy beside me with his secrets and bruises left more questions than answers in his wake. He was a puzzle to solve at the same time as being the opposite of me.

I was a seeker of knowledge who enjoyed learning to a degree others would find tedious. It began at the age of three when I grew bored of children's stories. My maid took me to the library on the first floor and I lived there ever since, absorbing facts like a sponge. I knew how to do things in the right way at the right time.

Uri brimmed with this instinctive curiosity and creativity I lacked. He listened with a diligence most kids didn't hold a candle to. Plus, his notes were filled with tiny comics I secretly read over his shoulder. The art was good, too.

"Delton," Ms. Ferndale snapped.

Uri whipped his gaze to me, face paling as if he felt all the anxiety of being called on by the teacher for me. I winked at him before slowly turning toward the front of the room.

"Yes?"

"This is the fourth time this week I've stopped to tell you to pay attention to the lectures. Do you take notes, young man?"

Her scolding was mild in comparison to my mother's iron will. I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest.

"There's no reason to. You're teaching the class the basics of grammar and punctuation."

She didn't back down. "List the most important grammar rules."

I complied, but blew out a long winded sigh before hand. Ms. Ferndale's brow twitched.

"Make your subjects and verbs agree. Be consistent with your tenses. Choose the right articles. Use complete sentences. Capitalize where needed. Use the right pronouns. Add the right preposition. Link your ideas with conjunctions. At least that's my opinion. That's a subjective question, is it not?"

The longer I spoke, the more flushed her face became. I didn't understand why, that felt like a genuine question to me. The other students volleyballed their domes back and forth to watch the exchange. I couldn't tell what the vacant looks on their faces meant.

Ms. Ferndale clenched her hands along the top of her podium. I didn't say anything else, letting the silence drag on.

Waiting for me to squirm wouldn't work. My mother's training over the years readied me for all manner of poisonous serpants in high society, let alone school teachers.

"Go sit in the hallway, young man. I will take you to the principal during recess," she said through a clenched jaw.

I sighed again but grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder. She avoided eye contact as I left but I didn't mind. That meant I won, right? A smug smirk lifted my lips as I politely closed the door.

There's no way I'd sit out here. Where were the chairs?! I wouldn't dare touch the dirty carpet in these light khaki pants.

I took a left through a set of double doors. This led to the school's basement level. This was where they kept the library to preserve the books in a cool environment all year round.

Going right at the cross roads took you to the public library. The route on the left was labeled with a firm sign.

TEACHING PERSONNEL ONLY

I was about to ignore it, as usual, when a crisp voice rang out.

"Del-!"

His tone struck me like lightning, puppeting my body as I swiveled, eager to... what? Answer him? Attend to him? Look at him? I didn't know why his menial friendship meant something to me.

"Yes? Did the teacher notice I left?"

Uri stopped in front of me, bending over to catch his breath as he shook his head. "No! I, uh, came to see if you're okay after all that."

My lips parted. "Me?"

"Yes, you!" He replied, brows furrowed as he pushed against my shoulder.

I didn't move a millimeter, staring down at him. Static buzzed between my ears, replacing the constant stream of thought that plagued me. It was bliss, drowning in Uri's gaze.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and captured the hand against my shoulder, squeezing it.

"I'm fine, Uri. Thank you for checking."

He blew out a breath. "Ah, I'm so relieved. I don't know why she keeps picking on you! You're the top student and always answer correctly."

"Do you really want to know why?" I asked gently.

"I do!"

I smiled. Uri was enthusiastic whenever I offered pieces of the knowledge I'd cultivated over years. Think of me as a dragon sitting atop their hoard of gold, snorting and unsatisfied with their evergrowing collection. Though I found my interactions with him educated me just as much. It was net zero.

"She was embarassed."

"Why?"

"Because she asked me a difficult question for your age group and I replied with a high level answer. It's not her fault. My education exceeds my age."

"Oh, right. That makes sense."

"All I'm doing is disrupting class. This place honestly holds no value to me after I finish the reading in the teacher's reference section."

His fingers curled into the shirt against my shoulder, digging in.

"What happens after that?" Uri asked, head bowed so low I couldn't see his expression.

"I don't know, maybe leave and continue studying elsewhere. Why?"

Uri sucked in a quick breath. I urged his face upward with two fingers to see tears brimming on his lashes. It made his eyes even more prominent.

He hiccuped, lips wobbling. "I-my mom told me not to be selfish, but I don't want to miss you, Del. Please, stay by my side."

My mouth opened and closed several times. I could hear my heart beat pounding through my ears. The skin of my arms flooded with goosebumps, leaving me suspended in wonder.

"Okay," I forced out, whispering.

He was hysterical, so upset my mind reeled. "Do you promise?"

"You're my best friend, of course I promise."

Then my arms moved on their own and I pulled Uri into my chest. He collapsed against me, fitting perfectly into the crook beneath my chin. I held him tightly, feeling elation and unease flickering beneath my breastbone.

"You're mine too," Uri wailed. "I miss you!"

"Calm down," I scolded. "I'm right here and already promised not to go anywhere. At least not without you."

He clung to me as his sobs quieted to sniffles. "I'm so grateful, so happy to be Del's best friend..."

My cheeks grew warm. "You're ridiculous. There's nothing particularly special about me. You're the one with talent."

Uri pulled back to look up at me, wet eyes wide. "What do you mean?"

"Your comics," I replied, smiling fondly. "They're really good. I like the one about a poor street merchant being courted by the prince."

Uri blushed so hard steam should've come out of his ears. "Wha-wait, you read those?!"

I was delighted by the pairing of embarassment and fresh tears, pulling him closer by the waist. He put both hands on my chest, turning away while closing his eyes.

"Don't hide from me, I'm complimenting you."

"That's exactly why I'm hiding! I didn't know you were going to see."

"What would they be if you did know? I don't want the censored version! Now I'm sad I said something. Don't stop creating your favorite series on my account."

Uri shook his head back and forth. "God, stop being so, gah!" He gestured toward my face as if I should know what that meant.

"So... what?"

"Nice! No one's ever—" He cut himself off with a scowl.

I'd do anything to eradicate that look from his face. What he meant was clear enough. From the bruises and skittish movements, I suspected mistreatment.

My hand on Uri's back spasmed, pulling him closer as I smoothed his hair aside. My maid did the same thing to calm my nervous system after a nightmare.

That's why I did it, right? Not because my soul was bubbling with something of far greater scale than satisfaction...

He relaxed with a sigh that warmed my neck. It was tangible, the connection we had. This. This is what I came here for.

"Well, I'll be the first."