30 Days of Writing: Day 15 – Order

“Zack! What did you do to my room?”

Zack stepped out from the bathroom and smiled. “Maeve! Welcome home!” He went to her to give her a hug but Maeve pushed at his chest.

“What did you do to my room Zack?” she asked, her piercing glare immediately making Zack uncomfortable.

“I, um, cleaned your room?” he whispered uncertainly.

Maeve sighed and shook her head, trying to dispel her frustration. “Why? My room was clean enough. Not spotless, but I had an order, a system to my mess.”

Zack hung his head in apology. “Sorry. I thought you’d be happy.”

Maeve saw Zack’s depressed expression and softened. “It’s okay. No harm done. I was just surprised,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around Zack’s neck and pulled him in a hug.

30 Days of Writing: Day 14 – Wind

She stood under the shop’s canopy, near a street lamp. Strong gusts of wind were blowing in her direction and she shivered. The rain had lightened to a light drizzle but the canopy didn’t prove useful in shielding her during the rain shower a few minutes ago. She scanned the street, eyes squinted, trying to see if there was anyone coming her way. “Where is he?” she muttered, her face masked with a mixture of annoyance and concern.

She suddenly felt two arms wrap around her waist and she screamed in surprise. The person tightened their hold on her as she struggled to get away, her heart pounding louder. He was saying something in her ear but in her fear, she couldn’t make out what he was saying.

“Maeve! It’s me! It’s Zack!”

Finally recognizing the voice, she stilled and looked behind her. Zack’s signature grin, that weird mix of both confidence and sheepishness, greeted her. She felt her annoyance come back and without thinking about it, she bopped him on the head. “What were you thinking scaring me like that? I thought you were some criminal.” Though her tone suggested she was angry, he eyes showed her relief at knowing it was just Zack. She was safe.

Zack’s grin turned into a frown. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologized.

Maeve turned back around and leaned on Zack. “Well, it’s fine now.”

30 Days of Writing: Day 13 – Denial

His hands clenched into fists at the sight that greeted him as he entered the common room. His face retained its signature composure but his hand was itching. He wanted to beat someone up. Preferably, the guy currently snogging Koren. He didn’t have anything against Severus, but seeing him — seeing any man — with Koren made his blood boil.

He shouldn’t be affected by her actions. He knew what she was. They had an understanding of how their relationship worked. They both didn’t want the complications love brought. But it was too late. His denials were empty words now.

30 Days of Writing: Day 12 – Knowledge

“Comfort yourselves with the knowledge that you escaped. Get some rest. We’ll catch them, don’t worry.”

After Jaisoun had walked out the door, Skye and Kyle plopped down on the bed. With a sigh, Skye fell on her back and curled into a ball. Worried, Kyle turned to Skye and laid his hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Are you okay Skye?”

“I’ll be fine,” she replied, her voice muffled.

Kyle stared at Skye’s curled up form, trying to decide what to do. He knew she was trying to be strong. But he wouldn’t have blamed her if she broke down and cried. She almost died. The silence in the room seemed to echo with that thought. The seriousness of the events of the day finally registering in his mind. She almost died. Unable to stop himself, he hugged Skye tightly from behind.

Skye flinched and stiffened, surprised at the sudden contact. “Kyle?”

“I’m sorry. It’s just, I’m so glad you’re safe,” he whispered. “You’re safe,” he mumbled, as if assuring himself of that fact.

Relaxing, Skye turned to Kyle, hid her face in his chest, and finally allowed her tears to fall.

30 Days of Writing: Day 11 – Prepared

It really was too near.

She should’ve listened to her instincts. Her heart and her mind were both telling her, screaming at her, not to go. She knew the mall was near his house. The chances of seeing him was highly probable. But did she listen? No.

She was having so much fun with her friends; it had been too long since she laughed freely. She had just started to move on. So her heart definitely wasn’t prepared to see him with some girl, walking hand in hand and looking so damn happy and in love.

It just wasn’t fair.

30 Days of Writing: Day 10 – Silver

Natalie gasped as she opened the box to find a silver necklace with a beautiful amethyst heart pendant. “James, it’s beautiful,” she whispered, mesmerized by the jewelry she held in her hands.

“You like it?” James asked, a hesitant tone in his voice. Seeing Natalie nod, he smiled and continued, “Great. When I saw it in the shop’s window, I knew I had to get it. Do you think Lilian will like it?”

Jealousy stabbed at her heart. The gift wasn’t for her. What was she thinking? Looking back, amethyst is Lillian’s birthstone. Of course the gift was for Lillian.

30 Days of Writing: Day 9 – Move

“Everything’s going to be okay Lexy,” he whispered as he hugged Alexa tightly. Truthfully, Michael didn’t want to do anything but break down and cry holding Alexa in his arms.  He glanced at Alex and could tell that he was also trying not to cry. Both of them seemed to know that they couldn’t cry,  at least not at the moment. He was thankful for Alex’s hand on his shoulder; it was a comfort he clung to.

“I don’t want to go,” Alexa mumbled, so softly that he almost didn’t hear her.

Neither do I. Michael hated this. He didn’t want his two best friends to move. They’ve been inseparable since they met that first day of school all those years ago. Of course he had other friends, but none of them knew him as well as the twins did.

“Alexander, Alexandrite, it’s time to go. We might miss our flight.” At their dad’s announcement, Alexa’s hold on Michael tightened.

Alex squeezed Michael’s shoulder and said, “See you Vince.”

Michael looked back at Alexa and smiled. “See you Keith. Don’t forget to write, okay?” Alex smiled back, nodded, then walked towards their car. Michael turned to the girl crying in his arms and whispered, “It’s time to go Lexy.” She shook her head in reply.

After a few minutes, Alexa’s dad called out, “Let’s go Alexandrite.”

Alexa’s hold finally loosened and she looked up at MiMichael. “Promise you won’t forget me?”

Michael chuckled softly. “I don’t think it’s possible to forget you. You’re my best friend Lexy, you and Keith. I would never, could never, forget you.”

“I won’t forget you either,” she replied, finally smiling at him, albeit sadly. She stepped out of his arms and took in a long breath.

Michael took her hand in his and cocked his head to the side as if asking, “ready to go?” when she glanced at him. Seeing her nod softly, he led her to their car where Alex and their dad were already waiting inside.

When they reached the car, Alexa surprised Michael by hugging him tightly. “I’ll miss you Chael.”

Michael pushed back the rush of emotion that flowed at Alexa’s words. “I’ll miss you too Alexa,” he said, his voice breaking.

As Alexa stepped back, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Michael on the cheek. His eyes widened at the contact and his cheeks reddened. He wanted to say something, ask what the was kiss was for, but his mind seemed to have flown away. Seeing Michael’s reaction, Alexa blushed and smiled. She opened the car door and before entering said, “See you Chael.”

At that, Michael shook his head and smiled at Alexa. “See you Alexa.” He stood there watching as Alexa went inside the car and finally, started leaving. Alexa turned in her seat, looked at him and waved at him. He waved back, continued to do so until the car was out of sight. He turned around and started to walk home. On the way, he kept his head down and didn’t even try to stop the tears steaming down his cheeks.

30 Days of Writing: Day 8 – Companion

She looked uncertainly at the flickering street light. She assured herself she was safe: it was only a few meters to her house. Still, her skin prickled and she felt there was something lurking in the darkness. If only she had someone with her, a companion, she wouldn’t feel so nervous.

A soft crunch from behind put her on alert. She picked up her pace, trying not to break into a run. Seeing her house a few steps away, she stopped and heaved a relieved sigh. She bit back a scream when she felt a hand land on her shoulder.

30 Days of Writing: Day 7 – Formal

She tugged at her dress as she stood uncomfortably near the entrance of the hotel. She didn’t really know what she was doing there; she already said that she wasn’t going to prom. But as she stared up at the ceiling in her room, pondering what she could do to pass the time, she realized that there was simply nothing to do. Between expiring of boredom — an exaggeration, yes — or going to the prom without a date, the prom, even dateless, was definitely more appealing. Decided, she rushed to her closet, pulled out an emerald green evening gown, and dressed up as quick as she could.

Peering into the lobby, she spotted a few others wearing formal wear. She looked down at her gown and hoped that she wasn’t underdressed. She didn’t have time to fix her hair so she just brushed it and let it flow. Her makeup was simple and light, the most she could accomplish in her haste. Gathering her courage, she stepped into the hotel lobby and headed towards one of the ballrooms where their school prom was currently being held.

~ ♥ ~

Led by his gut feeling, he looked towards the entrance and caught his breath. Even from behind, he knew who the girl in the beautiful green dress was. It was Alexa.

He continued to stare as she made her way to her brother. The dress she wore was magnificent, fitting her perfectly. Of course, it probably was made to fit her perfectly. The shade of green of her dress would compliment her eyes; it was quite dark in the room so he couldn’t tell for certain. He noted that she didn’t seem to walk, but glide, like a skater on ice. He was mesmerized.

“What is she doing here? I thought she wasn’t going.”

He looked back, surprised to find his date back by his side. Ignoring the hint of disdain in her tone — it could’ve been his imagination and if he asked, she might get offended — he just shrugged. Glancing back, he asked the very same question in his mind: What is she doing here?

A tug on his sleeve brought him back to attention. “Come on Michael. Let’s dance,” said his date as she pulled him slightly towards the dance floor. Not having any reason to object, he followed her towards the middle of the dance floor.

30 Days of Writing: Day 6 – Flame

“Please! Wait!” he called out, chasing after the long-haired brunette who has walking towards the train station. Keeping his eyes on the brunette’s back, he desperately squeezed his way through the throngs of people. He needed to catch up with her and warn her but the street was crowded. Someone bumped into him hard and he turned to say a hasty sorry. Looking back, he became frantic when he realized he lost sight of her.

Where did she go? He stopped walking and looked around, trying to search for the brunette. His heart dropped when he couldn’t find her. Needing to think of a new plan, he moved towards the edge of the crowds where there were less chances of people bumping into him. He was caught by surprise when he caught a glimpse of her as she disappeared around a corner. Hope renewed, he walked faster, knowing he could lose her again.

Sprinting now, he turned the corner and fell when he bumped into something. Opening his eyes, he saw that he had bumped into the brunette he had been chasing, now also sprawled on the floor. Something behind her caught his eye — a small flicker of a flame — which made his mind race and pushed him into action. He quickly got up, rushed at the brunette who was trying to get up, and pulled her towards the station’s main entrance.

“Kyle, please stop. It hurts,” the lady said as she stopped running and pulled at his arm.

Looking back at her, he pleaded, “Please Kei. We have to get out of here as soon as we can.” Desperation was printed on his face and he knew she could see it.

Kei nodded and was about to run when a loud boom shook the whole station. They tried to keep their balance as people became frantic, everyone running around, trying to find the nearest exit far away from the location of the sound.

Kyle pulled Kei to him and whispered, “Stay close.” As soon as he said this, he felt something big hit his head and he blacked out.