009 - Aftermath

With my eyes closed, I steady my breathing. Remembering that dream makes my heart race. Seeing Bella with that guy in the same frame leaves a foul taste in my mouth because, although it’s just a dream, it still feels like a slice of reality.

Despite my dislike, I can’t bring myself to wish Bella a terrible fate. Her prolonged joyful squirming following the shots to her messed up face—

Bluekk! I sit up and vomit on the towel on my forehead, which overflows and drips to the floor.

“Leithe!” In a state of fear, Kairo bolts in through the doorway, with Snow close behind.

The boy wasted no time getting my towel that’s hanging just beside him so he could help me wipe up my vomit. I flopped back to the mattress as he wiped my hands.

“I’m exhausted, Kai.”

“Then shut up and rest.” A heavy tone of worry permeated his voice as he spoke. He had a red nose and swollen eyes.

“I’m fine, you crybaby.”

“Fine, my ass. Last time you said those words, you collapsed before my very eyes. I had to ask for help since you’re too heavy to move.”

“Hunter?”

“He’s our new neighbour. He happened to be on our doorstep when I was about to leave.”

“So, he showed up before you even called him?” He nodded.

“What’s he doing here?”

“I don’t fucking know, Leithe. Whatever the reason is, I’m just grateful he’s there. I just dragged him here.”

“Kai, did he see my eyes?”

“When we checked it, your eyes had returned to normal, so no. He didn’t suspect anything.” He crossed his arms. “My storytelling skills are something you should be grateful for. I came up with a random excuse and he seemed to believe it.”

“That I have a fever and passed out?”

“That’s the best I can come up with.”

“Nice one. I wouldn’t think of that if I were you.” I mocked, which immediately received a glare. “But you did cry like I was dying. Do you think he’ll believe you when you wail like that?”

“I can’t help it, okay? You’re so annoying.” He pouted. “It’s not like I can send you to the hospital. I’ll have to fabricate a more substantial lie and worry mom. You know how panicked she can be.”

True. Mom is a nurse in the emergency department. If I were sent to the hospital, mom would eventually know, whether in person or through records.

I wish I could ruffle this boy’s hair, but my hands are covered in vomit. “Thanks, brother. You’re the best.”

I heard a sniffle when I was just closing my eyes for a bit. “You better be. Don’t you die on me, you hear me?”

I chuckled, and then I felt a quick, intense ache in my rib that caused me to cough. The agony was just momentary, but it worried my brother.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna go to the hospital?”

“I’ll give it some thought when I’m feeling better. It might just be because I’m tired.”

“Okay.” A feeble assent as he rubs his eyes with the back of his hand.

Now that I’ve puked, I feel much better. Although I don't want to worry him further, my curiosity overcomes me.

“Hey.” I called. When he lift his head up, I lock eyes on his-

“Fuck no, Leithe.” He exclaimed as he covered my eyes. “Are you crazy? You’re about to die because of your stupid ability, and you’re still attempting to read my mind with that said ability?”

Chuckling, “I feel fine.”

“Shut the fuck up and go get some sleep. I don’t wanna hear your fine bullshit. You’re pissing me off.”

With the towels coated in vomit, he got to his feet. I yelled out to him before he left. All he did was stand by the door.

“Thanks, Kai.” There is a lot more I want to say, but that is all that comes out.

He took a glance at me. His eyes is glassy again. “Only because I’m gonna be lonely if you die.” Then left.

He didn’t say anything particularly moving, but his line made me smile. For someone who’s not affectionate, it’s enough to indicate that he cares about me.

“He doesn’t know, right?” Kairo knew who I’m talking about without me being explicit.

“Don’t worry. I’ve made sure of that.”

“Hm.” That’s the only response I could give as my consciousness dwindled and I eventually passed out.

-

Thankfully, Leithe’s morning class got cancelled so he can get more rest. He hadn’t eaten anything last night yet he’s not that hungry either.

With a deliberate stride, he rose from his bed and glanced at the digital clock resting on the nightstand. The clock is ticking towards nine o'clock.

About twelve hours have passed since he went to bed last night at the same time. It was no surprise that he was aching everywhere.

He rubbed the drowsiness from his eyes before carefully placing his feet on the floor, putting his weight gradually until he eventually stood and then walked towards his big mirror placed just beside his study table.

“Why are they still like this?!”

His eyes remain the same brilliant shade of yellow as they were last night. He begins to question whether his 'ability' began to behave strangely due to his exhaustion but even after twelve hours of sleep, it still remains the same. Such a thing had never happened to him before.

‘Could it be that it went into overdrive after I irritated it too much?’ He thought.

{ *Shoot*

“No witness behind!” }

Leithe squinted as he began to read his mind again, just like last night. He realised it was the cause of his fainting spell.

Memories of that day flooded his mind as he involuntarily reenacted and unfolded some people’s secrets—not the greatest ones. It, together with the looping event, made him sick to his stomach.

Knowing he could read his own mind was the worst feeling he'd ever had since becoming conscious of his ability and it may just be the last time he will ever do that.

“How am I supposed to go to class now?”

He shut his eyes and ran his fingers through his hair in a fit of frustration.

He heard Snow's joyful barking from downstairs while he was mulling over his predicament.

“Oh, great. Now mom’s home.”

In his haste to find his glasses, he accidentally knocks over his tumbler on the desk, causing it to bounce and make an incredibly obnoxious metallic sound.

“Shit!”

Although he acted too late to prevent it from announcing his presence, he snatched it up in a flash.

“Kairo? Is that you?”

In a state of terror, he threw himself on the bed, lying on his belly with his face hidden, as soon as he heard footsteps approaching. It is a strange and unnatural pose but it’s the only thing he could think of.

His mom pushed open the slightly ajar door to his room after checking on his brother’s. Kairo had left it open since last night so it’s easier for him to detect if something’s happening to his brother.

“Honey, wake up. Don’t tell me you overslept.”

“Hey, mom.” Laugh slyly.

“Did you miss your class?”

She furrowed her brow in a flash. Having her sons purposefully skip class is something that has always frustrated her. Missing lessons isn’t an issue for her, but the fallout is. Following the established protocol, she is required to meet with school officials to discuss the pardon for her sons. There was already too much on her hands to waste time on an event she could avoid.

“I wish.”

“What?”

“I didn’t. My class was cancelled. Geez.” As soon as her expression changed to one of anger, Leithe quickly retracted his attempt at teasing her. He was not planning on meeting the Grim Reaper today.

Her face immediately lightened. “Oh, so when is your next class?”

Actually, Leithe has no plans to go given his condition. At least until he can figure out what’s going on without letting his secret pass.

“Noon?”

“Okay, then go brush your teeth and come down. I was just about to make a pancake.” Her voice trailed off as she gathered the drenched garments from the floor. “Why is it so dirty, Leithe? You’re a grown man already. At least tidy up a bit. You’re going to scare off the ladies with this attitude.”

The mother continued talking incessantly while she cleaned the room. Usually Leithe would clean them because he knew how awful his mother’s babble was, but he was too unfit to do so.

It fell to his younger brother to keep the house clean, but he was too worried about Leithe to even eat, let alone clean any of the mess.

“Yeah, yeah. Okay, mom.”

His mother finally left after what seemed like an eternity, clutching a few articles of clothing and a message telling him to brush his teeth and then have breakfast with her; all he could do was draw out his thumb to indicate a yes.

Upon hearing the door close, he sprang to his feet, beginning to feel a twinge of dizziness as he hurried to his bathroom.

With a gentle tug, he opens the bathroom mirror, exposing a hidden compartment behind. He keeps his contact lenses there; while it’s not exactly a very sanitary setting, it’s certainly better than any part of his room.

He wore it only twice in the past three years because he believed it was too large for him. He kept meaning to toss it out, but he always forgot because it was in the back of his extensive collection of contact lenses.

He used the buffer to wash the lenses multiple times since it was technically past its expiration date, but there was an urgent and more pressing problem than eye infections.

He manages to put it on after twenty minutes of arduous effort. Despite feeling uncomfortable at how big and dark it is–as if he were possessed–it masks his brilliant eyes perfectly.

He wasted no time brushing his teeth and showered. Upon descending the stairs, he was welcomed by the delightful aroma of freshly cooked pancakes.

A feeling of hunger had set in as a result of all his contemplation, anxiety, and fear.

“I thought you don’t like wearing lenses.”

“Huh?” In the middle of devouring his pancake, his mom asked, tapping at her eyes.

“O-Oh yeah. I’m kinda lazy to use my glasses today.” He cleared his throat.

“I see.” She smiled. "I can't stress enough how beautiful you are with or without your spectacles. I hope you never feel self-conscious about wearing them."

Back then, when Leithe started accepting his ability, he occasionally vented his frustration regarding lenses to his parents at that time. With glasses, he could easily remove them if he chose not to read people, but with lenses, he is essentially stuck.

His mom has been reassuring him whenever he uses his glasses after his outburst. She reasoned that it might be due to his insecurity.

Keeping his abilities hidden from his mom was a constant struggle for Leithe, and he often felt guilty about not being transparent with her. However, he knew that coming up with a plausible tale that would tie all his lies together would be too much of a hassle.

One can choose to either lie or stay silent. With the latter being the more convenient option, Leithe naturally chose that.

“Thanks, mom.”

Following his morning meal, Leithe made up his mind to visit a doctor; however, he had no intention of going to a hospital nearby but rather of making his way to a clinic in another city. Since his mom has no idea what he’s going through, it is best to keep his record off the hospital or clinic where it might reach her.

He leaves the house with his bag–which contains only his water bottle–to make it convincing as the time for his regular noon class approaches.

[yo u skipping?]

[sorry. not feeling the best today]

[is that true, Mister Iodye?]

[Photo]

It is Griffin, all impish, in a selfie.

[ask Kai if u don’t believe]

[bye]

Subsequently, he set his phone aside and turned on his car.