The Wind of My Life

…

- Did she really say that to you?

- It was… You and your mouth pierced to make her lecture me like that.

- Well, if she hadn't told her it was a secret before, I might be able to avoid talking about it.

- As if you could keep silent something you could use to pick on me later.

- Look, think on the bright side. She now knows it's not her attempt to try to impress Naomi, so now you can exercise normally without having a problem with her.

- Why do you talk like things are easier than they seem to be?

- It's all about thinking positively and taking advantage of things you believe are baf. For example, my grandmother ended up at the hospital, but now I know it was just a heart attack, which makes her leave the hospital soon with the certainty that she is okay and that I just have to watch her in case something happens similar in the future and prepare to take the necessary precautions.

- (Slightly disgusted) You exaggerated a lot on that one. The first part had only been said and I understood right away.

- Well, of all the people I know, you always need examples to follow.

- But not in a way that will leave me with your grandmother's pity for having a very positive-thinking grandchild that might even be weird.

- Anyway… Since they know this, I don't think I need to shut up and tell them where we're going to exercise anymore.

- No way! Do you think I'll be fine with Naomi seeing me?

- But I didn't say I was going to call them to see. Calm down, Sebastian.

- (Slightly embarrassed) Sorry. It's just that knowing how Stella is, I don't doubt that she'll come up with something like that.

- With Stella, let me control her. You can leave it to me ~~

- I'll be more worried about this than I already am...

- But come on… You staying healthy was an excuse I didn't even believe in, so can you tell me what the real reason is for you to get back to exercising?

- Why don't you believe me? I want to get back to staying healthy, that's all. Nothing unusual.

- I know… Well, if that's the case, I think we can do something to advance the relationship between you and Naomi. What do you think?

- (slightly embarrassed) N-No way! The last thing I want is for her to think I'm like the stupid boys at school wanting to hit on girls because of this. Even more if you go after her.

- (Ian speaking quietly) I think she would enjoy it coming from you…

- How it is?

- Nothing, Sebastian.

As much as Ian and I are pretty relaxed about talking this kind of thing when we're alone, there are times when I wonder how these conversations started. But their arguments don't seem wrong to me. Of course it's for the sake of keeping healthy in case Ellyn uses magic and needs to use my life energy as a source because of the contract, but using this argument to hit on Naomi seems very wrong to me, especially when I'm worried about what she will think of me when she discovers this information.

After Stella and I talked and met Ian and Naomi in the hospital cafeteria, we talked some school stuff and other random stuff, until the two of them ended up going to the bathroom together, leaving Ian and I talking about these of ours secret conversations. We also talked about his grandmother's condition and he seemed very calm knowing she's okay, and as the conversation progressed, I ended up talking to him about what Stella talked to me about. Basically, she asked me why I decided to exercise and made the excuse of just keeping healthy and fit because I just wanted to. She didn't buy the conversation and just started haranguing me about getting back on this without talking to her and also about wanting to be using this as a way to impress Naomi, the same way Ian just talked to me. Of course I ended up saying that it wasn't about that and to try to smooth things over, I ended up saying that she didn't need to worry about me, as that wouldn't remind me of Allison's time and if that was the case, I would have her, Ian and Naomi to help me with what I could because I trust them enough to say my vents and lean on them when I need to. In the end, I ended up convincing Stella minimally about why I went back to exercising, which made her pull me to go meet Ian and Naomi as a way of not spoiling the atmosphere of support for Ian, which is what we came here for do first.

- So how was the situation there at the supernatural studies club?

- Oh, as always, the teachers won't even try to find out who it was and the blame fell on me, so there's not much to say.

- Strange you are not shaken and worried about it.

- Well, I already paid by cleaning the whole room and I think everyone in the school must know by now that I didn't do that.

- So it is. Your good-guy image has spread in a way that no one would say it was you. But I don't know, whoever did this thinks they got some result, don't they?

- I don't think so. The school principal is smarter at solving these problems without making too much of a fuss about the behavior of some students, so nothing more than an appropriate punishment for a scapegoat like me to sort things out.

- That was very wrong of him, but I think even he knew it wasn't you and he did it just to set an example.

- It might be. But…

- But?

- I don't think a person would think that way. And that's what worries me.

- Speaking of whom?

- (laughing lightly) From Naomi, of course~~

- Oh, come on. She would forgive you for so much more if you did something like that.

- Don't exaggerate. She hits me proportionately so I wouldn't count on it.

- How cruel...

Of course it was Claire, but I wouldn't say that to Ian even if it was extremely important. The less they know why I'm interested in talking to Claire, the better it will be to find out if she's one of the people Ellyn and Jack are looking for and would avoid creating some uncomfortable situation as it happened with just a few words from Ian to a few minutes ago.

*Ian yawning

- Dude, don't you think it's time to rest?

- (Ian finishing yawn) Yeah, but I'll stay here a little longer.

- (Stella appearing behind Ian and touching his shoulders) Stay here a little long my ass! You need some rest, you idiot.

- (Ian turning around and sighing) I know that, but if I go home, I'm going to fall asleep and I don't want that.

- (Naomi approaching) But Ian, you really need to rest. You don't look very good and I very much doubt you'll be able to spend a few more hours without falling asleep at some point.

- (Ian) Nah, I'm fine. I can stay awake for a long time thanks to my instinctive stimuli.

- (laughing ironically) Vulgus, coffee until can't get enough...

- (Stella) I don't know how you guys put up with this crap. Too bitter for me...

- Will restart this stupid discussion of coffee is bad?

- (Naomi) Humrum… Shall we avoid causing scenes here? As long as we're out of the hospital, I think you'd better hold your personal hates to a more suitable place, don't you?

- (Stella snorting) Okay. Really, you two…

- (Ian smiling slightly) At least someone here has a good sense of behavior, unlike the three of us.

- Glad you recognize that you are a mini project of social chaos.

- (Ian) Do you need to exaggerate when you say these things?

- (Naomi) Well, I appreciate hearing that from you, but I don't think it even takes common sense to understand that you can end up creating a lot of disturbance in inappropriate places if you act that way.

- It hurt, Naomi.

- (Naomi) A-Ah, I didn't say it in a bad way, you know? It's just that even at school, the three of you are in the habit of yelling and doing something too loud, even when you shouldn't have. At the very least, you should understand that there is a time and a place to be you, understand?

- (Ian) I don't know if it was to clarify or to make us worse off than we were now, but ok…

- (Stella) You two are idiots, do you know that? And don't care about their comments Naomi. One hour, even you as student council president will wipe them out if you can take it easy in their way.

- (Naomi) Now I'm worried about you, Stella…

...

As time passed, we ended up talking for a while, updating Ian from classes and explaining what happened in those two days he missed class. By the way, it wasn't good we're doing it now as his head would be collapsing if he didn't fall asleep soon, but since he insisted I keep him awake until he got home, we agreed to do as he asked. And then I'm the one who goes overboard with helping people, but that's something anyone would do if they were in a sticky situation. After a few minutes, his dad ended up meeting us in the cafeteria and asked if we wanted a ride home, but we ended up saying we'd walk Ian home and make sure he got some rest. Of course his father gave a smile when he heard this, but to maintain his serious manly posture, he just thanked him for the intention and decided to make this excursion to Ian's house. As far-fetched as the idea seemed, at least if I included Naomi in it, she took it easy and wouldn't mind doing it, as it was because of new friends she would be making and it was the least she could do, the I thought it was an exaggeration on her part because the 4 of us were already hanging out together when we had time to meet at school, but I decided to overlook that.

After we hitched a ride with Ian's father, we ended up arriving in front of his house. From the front, it reminded me a lot of my house, except that his house is more spacious and located a little far from the school, which always put me in doubt that if it weren't for Stella and me, he wouldn't even do it question of studying at the same school as us. It didn't take long for his mother to open the door and give him a very strong hug, asking if he was okay and that he needed to take a shower, and that made him ashamed for her to say in front of us, even more in front from Stella. Her mother even called us in, but as the idea was to make Ian rest, we decided that we would go away and let him take the opportunity to compose himself, and we just got a thank you for taking care of her son, and right after that , we ended up leaving. As Stella lived in another direction, she decided to go alone and told me to accompany Naomi to her house.

- (Naomi smiling slightly) Glad things have improved so far for Ian.

- So it is. I hardly see him get that way, so it's good to know she'll be fine and get back to normal after a good sleep... In fact, if he behaved a little more, it would be better...

- Strange that you two get along so well. As much as you two have your differences, you guys being close friends is something that fascinates me.

- Fascination? Because?

- Well, from what little Stella has told me, Ian is the very opposite of you. Charismatic, with no limit to what he will say, he treats everyone as if he were a brother. You are more serene, you are careful with what you say so as not to offend anyone and you treat everyone with respect, depending on who you are. You wouldn't be the kind of person who would get along under normal circumstances.

- At that point, you can blame Stella. If not for her, I wouldn't even have met him and I wouldn't have to endure his chaos.

- (Naomi chuckles) I think I'm going to start feeling sorry for you putting this idea in my head.

- Don't say that, please. I will feel worse than I already do.

- But you know... They can be chaos whatever it is, they both care about you and you do the same for them, so I don't see it as a bad thing. People aren't always going to act or be the way we imagine them to be, but the good thing about it is that everyone adapts when it comes to something worthwhile, don't you think?

When Naomi said that, I just glanced at her.

- (laughing lightly) You're right~~

- But answer me one thing… Do they like each other? Like, like a couple?

- Did you just realize it now?

- Hmm? Seriously? I thought it was Stella's joke when she said Ian was the closest to making her happy with a few attitudes.

- How can she be more open with you than with me?

- Friendship between girls is something neither you nor Ian would understand.

- I know… And you approached her to the point that she made it very clear, right?

- This was not the case. We only spoke for a moment in the hospital bathroom, no biggie. Girl stuff like classes, hobbies and...

- And?

- (Naomi slightly red) A-About girl stuff, you know? Nothing different~~

- (looking curious) Okay… I see.

- But I'm going to tell you something you should already know. She really cares about you the same way she cares about Ian. Not the same, but enough for her to worry about you.

- Well, it makes sense when you know some dark secrets...

- (Naomi laughing slightly) No~~ She really cares about you. Of course in her way, but she cares.

- Good to know. At least she doesn't curse me behind my back.

- I hate to say this, but she called you wit bad names like 3 times.

- She really has no way...

- Well, no wonder we all have our ways of caring about people. Nobody would be too sincere to say how they feel or express it in the right way and it is only up to us to do our best for others.

- Had this reflection because of a girl talk in a hospital bathroom?

- No. I've had this thought for a long time, but I could see it with Ian and Stella. And I must say that I would be happy to be a friend they can trust, just like you.

- (slightly red) A-ah, I'm glad you think that way.

Usually Naomi would say this and joke with me right away, but she seems to be pretty calm about it. It's what I would expect from Naomi if we were at school, but to put it that way while we're walking close together and in a very causal situation… It makes me happy, but at the same time, scared. I can't just say how I feel about her so casually and hope that nothing changes for good or bad, but I don't know… Now I just care about being someone she can trust, as much as I think I'm already in that position in her perception.

After a few minutes, we started to see the front of her house. I was slightly sad because I wish I could spend more time with her. As much as we spent time there at the hospital, that would be the worst possible place to talk about anything, so if I had made this walk longer, we could enjoy the afternoon more.

- Well, there is my home.

- Yeah. Thanks for coming with me to visit Ian. I know it wasn't the best of situations but…

- Dont worry about it. It's the least I could do for someone who was in need of support, let alone someone I know. And I think I should thank you for trying to make me comfortable with your friends.

- My friends? I think when they see you, they will consider you one of our group. Of course if you don't hit them over the head at school, it will be easier.

- (Naomi laughing) Come on~~ You know it's impossible.

- I'm glad you know it's going to be hard for you...

- Well, I can't be relaxed about that. If I try hard for them, I'll be happy to try.

- You only say these things when you're sure of yourself, don't you?

- Logical. But also…

- Also?

- But also why are you listening to me. I wouldn't speak so casually to someone if it wasn't important to me~~

*Me and Naomi blushing

- (blushing) A-Ah, I'm glad you trust me that much...

- (Naomi blushing) Y-Yeah, Sebastian~~

We were laughing a little at what she just said, but it was hard not to be embarrassed by what she had just said. It's silly, but knowing it directly from her only makes me want more for her. She didn't even notice, but since I suggested the idea of ​​getting her closer to Ian and Stella, I had the idea that it would be a way for her to regain her confidence in talking normally to people at school after everything that had happened to her in the last 2 months she has changed drastically. I know it sounds very convenient to me, but I knew Ian and Stella would agree to this, even if they didn't know I was in love with her. Well, it's something I couldn't tell her, but if it's a short step and it can work, I don't mind doing more.

In the end, she and I were already at her front gate. I'm always impressed with her house, which is very different from the normal houses in the city, having two floors, a large garage and inside it looks like a small mansion, even if only 2 people live there.

- (Naomi opening the gate) Well, thanks for the afternoon, Sebastian. I had fun for today.

- Good to know that. I just don't know if it would be easy, considering that we went to a hospital.

- I already said. Don't worry about it.

- Okay, Naomi. You the boss.

- Well, see you tomorrow, Sebastian~~

- See you tomorrow, Naomi~~

I kept waiting for her to enter the house, and after she entered, I decided to make my way home. I don't think it would be a good idea to ask to come into her house on account of her mom maybe being there and joking about making me go to Naomi's room, which would make me really nervous and uncomfortable… And maybe happy, but… Forget it!

…

05:00 PM

I walked slowly along some streets that led towards the central park, passing a small shopping center where some people were passing by. I knew I recognized some of Cassie's classmates and even students from my school who hadn't gone home yet. As I walked, some students at my school would say "good afternoon" or similar things and respond normally. I'm glad nin…

- (?) Give it back to me, please.

- (?) Please? Are you really talking about that? I don't feel like it~~

- (?) Hey, don't you think you're attracting attention?

- (?) Oh nothing. Besides, no one cares what this girl is reading, and honestly, you piss me off a lot just being around Robert.

- (?) Please, givrit back...

- (?) Are you going to cry, are you? What an annoying girl! Since you want your book, go to…

- (seriously) HEY!!! STOP DISTURBING HER!

When I started to hear all this noise, I looked across the street from where these noises were coming from and I ended up noticing that it was a group of girls from my school who were known to be cocky and idiotic as well as being popular. And seeing what they were doing, I decided to go there to help those in need, and to my surprise...

- (Girl A) Look if it's not Sebastian~~

- Return her book soon.

- (Girl A) And why should I do this?

- It doesn't matter, just give it back and we won't have any problems.

- (Girl A) Problems? You saying that sounds like a joke after you've spray-painted this idiot's club room.

- What I did or didn't do is beside the point here.

- (Girl A) Really? Are you going to talk like that in front of her? I don't think it will make a good impression.

- (Girl B) Hey, that's enough Kiara! People are looking.

- (Kiara) Tsk. Wants to know? Take this s*** and deliver to this brat who doesn't even deserve to live...

In the heat of the moment, I ended up doing something that I shouldn't and I didn't even do that…

- (Kiara startled) HEY, LET ME GO!

I ended up grabbing this girl's shirt collar and pulling her hard to see if I could shut her mouth. I can't believe I'm doing this, but the way she was already irritating...

- (Looking serious) Whatever the f*** you have with her, f*** you, okay? Just deliver the book and I'll drop you, you a****** from hell!

I had already noticed that there were a lot of people looking my way, but for the moment, damn it. And I could explain myself at school if it came to the case, but I don't think these girls would want an exaggerated controversy at school, even if I would be the one who would be hurt the most.

- (Kiara trying to look serious) Hehe~~ Do you really think you'll keep that fake behavior you've got, Sebastian? It won't come cheap for you when I go…

- (Looking serious and looking harder) Do you want to risk making trouble with me, you idiot? Go ahead, but you know it won't be cheap even for you.

- (Kiara looking to the side) Tsk…

In the end, the girl ended up throwing the book on the floor and I released her after that. When she straightened up, she and her friends ended up leaving, with a lot of people watching. I could only sigh to recover from that weird adrenaline rush that gave me what's unusual, but whatever. I picked up the book, ran my hand all over it to get any dirt out of it and handed it to the person who was just looking at the whole situation behind me.

- Sorry you saw this, but here's your book, Claire.

- T-Thank you, Sebastian...