CHAPTER EIGHT

Sometimes, it's okay to cry, it's okay to stop pretending and break down completely. That's what makes you human, that's what makes you real. Your humanity. Don't be ashamed of it, live it.

Victor Mairo

  I took a moment to catch my breath. Tyler and I just had a race to school and boy, was I gasping for breath. A sharp pain in my side lanced through my body. I never really had tolerance for sports. Tyler was absolutely winded but still laughing about it. His good nature was contagious, I found myself laughing after a while. It was all so natural. Then, from afar, I spotted a ride I'd recognize anywhere. It was the twins'!! I slowed down considerably, dawdling, waiting for them to level up with Tyler and I. 

  "Hey Dean, Tyler. Care for a lift?" Brianna asked as the car rolled to a stop in front of us. I could see the school clearly, just a few minutes walk, but well, what the hell, it's a free ride. 

  "Tyler, get in. If we're going to school, we might as well do it in style" I said motioning for Tyler to come over. He was reluctant at first, totally understandable. But he got in, immediately I did. 

  "Let's drive!!" I said screaming in Brian's ears. He just laughed and gunned the engine. We were off. 

  

  "So Dean, you seem hyper today. Such a nice change. Care to talk about it?" Brianna asked turning back to look at me curiously. 

 "Knowing all I do now, all I've discovered over the past few days.. Well, let's just say, I'm a little bit mad. A teeny tiny bit though" I said emphasizing on the tiny, bouncing on my seat. Tyler just shook his head and stifled the laugh he was holding in. 

  

  "Well, time to get going," Brian said unstrapping his seat belt. I held him, and raised my hand, a motion for silence. Brian, Brianna and Tyler looked at me simultaneously, and shrugged. They were totally silent. Then, I began. 

  "I've thought about what you said, the responsibilities, the possibilities. Being a secret geek, you should have an idea what that information did to me. I couldn't sleep, I was too hyped to. I finally had something worthwhile, a cause to pursue, to believe in. Before, I was comfortable being in the shadows, unseen, not a target. But now, now that I have heard this, I have something to look forward to. By the way, I noticed one thing. My dreams, they have a sense of deja vu. Like it happened before. As though I'm reliving a life I'd already lived." I raised my hand, silencing Brianna as she wanted to speak. I can be that petty. I continued anyway,"I have friends, I have you guys. That counts for far more than you can ever imagine, trust me. Friends, real friends. Tyler is more of a brother, sorry Ty," I said as I saw his stricken look. He looked heartbroken, but there was no helping it this time. I had to say everything,no matter the cost. 

  

 " I'm proud to be a part of this, I really am." I finished, and honestly, I could see the tears shining in their eyes, even Brian, the supposedly macho man. Tyler's tears could have been one of heartbreak, but, no difference really. 

  "Well, we have something to tell you too. Come to the field, the football field by 8pm. Can you do that?" Brianna said pointing at Tyler and I. We nodded simultaneously. 

  "Well, we better get out of the car, our fans are waiting." Tyler said dryly. And true to his words, girls were all around, all in pretense of doing one thing or the other. I didn't really care. 

  "Well, let's do this together. Out in 3....2...1..Go!!" Brianna said as she stepped out of the car with a fluid grace I couldn't replicate even if I had a genie and two thousand wishes. Immediately I stepped out, I was ambushed with hugs, pats on the back, from people I don't really know. Don't get me wrong, I know them, but I've never actually spoken to them. 

   I looked around for Tyler to save me from this mob but he was nowhere to be found. Figures. The girls probably have him. I was on my own this time. 

  "Hey guys," I said hugging, shaking, and what nots, actually having fun. 

  "What you did yesterday was so badass, the way y'all unified as one against Mr Stinkmeaner, that's some friendship goals there, to be honest" a jock by the name of Jack Creevy said patting me on the back with his meaty hands. And so, on it went. 

  Finally, after another slightly painful pat on the back, I found them, the twins, and Tyler walking behind them, explaining something I had no idea about. I just know he was looking agitated, glancing from side to side. I didn't think twice about it, I went to join them. 

  "Hey, I am positively swamped. Can you believe how instantaneously I got popular?" I said trying to lighten up the mood. They all looked grave, Brian, slightly graver than usual. No shadow of a smile on Brianna's face. Tyler smirked, as usual. 

  "Well, popularity is overrated anyways," Brianna said her mind somewhere else. "But I'm glad you like it, it doesn't hurt to see a smile on your face every now and then." she said giving a small smile for my benefit. 

  "Now now, we have to go to class. First period starts soon. I'm glad we came early enough at least. Weird that half the school turned up early too, but oh well, it happens. Let's head to class." Brian said edging closer to Tyler, leaving me alone with Brianna. Not like I didn't like it, but something smells fishy. 

 " What happened?" I asked in a low voice. 

 "Oh, sorry. Nothing happened. Why?" she replied a little bit unfocused. 

  "Nothing really, I just noticed you aren't smiling or laughing as you usually do. So, I thought there must be something wrong. Even Brian and Tyler. Like y'all are mourning or something..." I finished lamely. 

  "Not to worry, everyone has their bad days I guess... Now, you have to put it out of your mind," she turned towards me few steps before we enter into the class. "We have detention today, but you still have to come by 8pm. Remember. Can you make it?" She asked looking so intense, as though her life depended on it. I nodded, not sure of the reply I'm supposed to give. But she seemed satisfied and walked into the class without a backward glance. That day, I sat alone again. 

  Lunch, we sat together but there was a huge wall between us, and try as I might, with my jokes, funny anecdotes, I only got a forced laugh from them. They were troubled by something. It's time I discovered what. 

   "Now, you brats will sort out those files, in alphabetical order, don't forget that!! It's very vital. When you're done, you can go home. That's all. Stop looking at me like dunces, get to work!!" Mr Adams screamed in our faces. None of the others looked bothered, but I was. I was really bothered. 

  For the first ten minutes, we worked in silence and in sync, only the ruling of the papers broke the silence. I couldn't take it anymore, I just had to talk. 

  "If I don't get an explanation, now, I won't forgive any of you. Yes, even you Tyler," I said as Tyler motioned to himself. Brianna gave a sigh of defeat, and motioned for everything to be stopped. Then she told us to sit. I did, Brian and Tyler remained standing. 

 " Well, Tyler overheard something, something he wasn't supposed to. That's why he's so cranky. But, not to worry, I'll tell you now. I just hope you don't hold it against me." She gave a dramatic pause, my attention was all hers, and she continued. 

  "Brian suggested we tell you the real reason we're here, and not pretend to be your friends," She gave a long sigh, "But I think it's time you found out. You're not just an ordinary kid, you're one of the most powerful. Ever. Most times, I'm in awe of you, what you have but you have no idea about. I'm sorry but, you grew on me. The innocence, the carefree way you go about everything, but I'm sorry, all that has to end." She said, and I interrupted immediately." End?? How?? Why??" 

 "We have a way to do things, we have laws, rules that govern us." she explained, looking at me. 

  

  "Us? Who is this 'us' you speak of?" I asked, feeling chilly even though it was warm. 

  

  She took a deep breath before continuing. "There are many of us, beyond what you'll ever believe. We have a council, oh damn. This feels weird" she stopped abruptly staring at her shoes. 

  "Nice to know, I've been used. I have just one friend. Wow. And to think I thought you liked me for who I was. I'm just so naive. Never mind, I'm going home. Tyler, don't. Don't follow me." I said as Tyler made to get up. I walked out, walked out of the school, not caring about Mr Adams, or the extra punishment I'd face the next day. 

  I walked till I was far away from the school, far away from home. And I sat on the bare ground, held my knees, and cried. I'd always be alone, always alone.... Nobody loves me for me, but to get something from me. It wasn't fair, but life often never is. After a few minutes, I walked back to the school, it was 8pm already. As I approached the field, I saw something that stopped me dead in my tracks. 

  Brian and Tyler were kissing.