The Boiling Point
1088 Words
Maddison
“Hey Maddie! Where have you been? You’ve been absent for like . . . weeks?” Andrew mocked as I opened my locker.
I ignored him and took my books out silently, imagining him smiling and standing behind me. As I turned to head for my class, he blocked my way to stop me. Staring at his eyes, I lowered my torso to pass through, but he lowered his arm too as if to provoke me. He laughed like there was no tomorrow, and it made me clench my fist. Taking a deep breath, I was praying for patience and self-control. I was glad I succeeded but realized I was wrong when he pushed me against the locker, facing him.
“Don’t you dare ignore me Maddi—”
“Stop it!” I blurted out.
A loud clang was heard. Andrew unexpectedly flew upwards, hitting himself with the steel compartments against the opposite side of the locker room before landing on to the floor. The world seemed to stop as I looked at the students’ eyes filled with bewilderment.
“I-I’m sorry.” I immediately walked away, leaving Andrew groaning in pain. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and it scared like hell. My thoughts were in chaos for losing control but the truth was, I was celebrating in victory.
When the class was over, I went to my favorite spot at the school grounds. My mind was stuck in a series of flashback. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I was shocked to see Olivia beside me when I opened my eyes.
“O-Olivia?” I uttered.
“Hi Maddie. Welcome back. I haven’t seen you in a while.” She smiled.
“Uhm . . . yeah, I’m fine. I-I just did not notice you beside me, I’m sorry,” I said.
“No worries. Seems like you have a lot of things going on in your mind, and I chose not to ruin your moment actually.” She laughed. “So, how’s your date with Michael?”
’Date? Ahm . . . It’s fine. Nothing special. We just . . . drove off and explored nature outside the town . . . that’s it.”
’Nothing special? What do you mean ‘nothing special’? Come on, tell me. Did you . . . kiss?”
“What? No!”
“Oh . . . that’s boring.”
“There’s nothing boring about that. I mean, we were just starting to know each other better. That’s it.”
“Seriously? Oh, you’re such a loser.”
“What? I-I don’t understand.”
“Never mind. See you tomorrow. Bye!” she said, walking away. “Hi Hannah!”
“Hi Olivia,” Hannah answered with a smile. “Are you not joining the cheerleading compete . . . tion . . .” Hannah asked but ended up talking to herself when Olivia did not answer and continued walking.
I furrowed my brows at Olivia’s strange behavior. I knew she had been jealous of Arthur’s treatment towards me, but I couldn’t understand why she was jealous of my friendship with Michael too.
Hannah sat beside me with narrowed eyes. “What’s wrong with her?” she asked.
“I don’t know. She kept on asking about Michael,” I replied.
“And why would she ask you about him?”
“I don’t know,” I answered. “Hannah?”
’Yeah?” Hannah replied, fishing something into her bag.
“I think I’m scared. With all these powers and stuff. These are new to me, and sometimes I feel like I’m not being myself. I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore.”
Hannah paused to look at me. She held my hands and smiled.
“Hey, there is nothing to be scared of. I know it’s strange and the ‘not being myself’ thing could be just your body’s reaction to your transformation. Chill.”
“Yeah. That night when I turned into a . . . vampire. Its . . . gross.”
“I understand. Don’t worry. I will always be right here to guide you and guard you. I’m your best friend, remember?”
I looked into her eyes and saw sincerity. Those eyes were enough to make me feel safe. “Thanks.”
***
Ava
“Are you ready, my dear?” Orpheus asked.
“More than ready,” I answered.
“Remember to use the right body. That body should openly invite you in. Make sure to choose a feisty one. Use her friend Olivia.”
“Ahh . . . the brunette. I couldn’t be more excited, Orpheus.”
“Beautiful. The perfect body to use must be very close to Amara’s heart. Someone with an angry, resentful, and envious soul. You have to do everything to make Amara let you in, and you shall take control and kill her inside. Once she’s dead, get out from her body, and rip her heart out. Her blood shall make your father rise again as an immortal being. And you, my dear, shall be hailed as a heroine.” Orpheus grinned.
“I shall exactly do as you say.”
“When desperation comes, go and find Lilith’s messenger. A woman by the name . . .”
I nodded.
***
Maddison
“Hey!”
“Oh my . . .” I gasped. “You freaked me out!” I said as I walked outside the school.
“Did I surprise you?” Michael uttered.
“What do you think?”
“Still grumpy?”
“A little.”
“Shall I take you home?”
My eyes caught Olivia in her car, watching us. She smiled as she blew a bubble with gum.
“Ah, sure. But your car’s gone, right?”
“We can take a walk. That would be fun.”
I glanced at Olivia to see her reaction. I wanted to avoid any clash with her, but being with Michael made me scared. I knew I liked Michael, but I value my friendship with Olivia too. Olivia shot daggers at me before spitting the gum out. She hurriedly drove off, making me feel anxious.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Uhm . . . nothing.”
“Did you have a fight with your friend?” he said, looking at Olivia’s car as it disappeared before our eyes.
“No, but I think we will.”
- Writer
