origins-P12

Rowen slowly opened one eye and then the other. The smallest of small whimpers escaped his lips as he felt the beginnings of a headache. But the sun streaming in onto his face sure felt good. And so did the bed he was lying in. Rowen had never slept in such a comfortable bed, with multiple fluffy pillows, warm flannel sheets, and a down comforter. Where the hell am I? he wondered.

Rowen's mind came more to wakefullness as he tried process of elimination. It's definately not my room. It's too nice, he reasoned. It's not Kento's room either. It's too clean. Rowen ran out of options. Well, I must be somewhere.

Maybe... maybe I'm dead. This thought almost appealed to him. Given what he remembered of the previous night, Rowen had no reason to believe he wasn't dead. And if he was dead, then he'd never have to go through that again. Yes, Rowen decided, I'm dead, and this bed is some version of heaven. Though I'm not entirely sure what I'd be doing in heaven...

A light knock on the door startled Rowen out of his fantasy. He tried to answer for the person to come in, but nothing came out. His throat felt extremely sore, as if he'd swallowed sandpaper. He coughed.

The door opened slightly and a blonde boy slipped in and shut the door behind him. Rowen recognized him as the flirt from school who kept staring at him. I guess I'm not dead then, he figured. But what's up with him? The blonde was hardly looking at Rowen now, and he was fidgeting.

Finally he spoke. I, um, just wanted to see if you were okay before I went to school. He looked up at Rowen, genuine concern evident in his one visible eye. Do you feel okay?

Rowen was astonished into speechlessness. No one, save Kento or one of his parents, had ever showed such concern for him before. This was truely a monumental occassion. I - Rowen coughed a few times, needing to clear his throat. I guess I'm okay. he shrugged weakly.

The blonde boy didn't look convinced but he let it go. Is there anything you need or want? he asked.

My million yen question, Rowen thought. Could you tell me where I am please? His embarassment at not knowing showed in his voice.

Oh! Sorry, my fault, I should've - well nevermind. This is the guest room in my house. My room is right next door. He took a deep breath. I don't know how much you remember about last night, but when I found you on the street, you weren't doing so good. I took you back here so my mom could look at you. She's a doctor. She's working at home today , so she'll be up to check on you later. He stopped as if there was something else he was forgetting. My name is Sage Date.

I know. I've seen you around school. Rowen didn't quite know what to make of this boy, Sage. I'm Rowen Hashiba, but you probably already knew that.

I did, actually. So, Rowen, do want me to get anything for you at school? Books, assignments... Sage trailed off.

Rowen started to say no, but then he remembered. Assignments. Usually Kento got his assignments for him when he wasn't in school. Kento. He'd be really worried when Rowen didn't show up for school. Maybe... Do you think, Rowen asked, if you could - well, I don't want to impose or anything -

No, it's okay. What do you need?

Do - do you know Kento Rei Fung?

That's your friend, the Chinese boy, right? Sage remembered seeing him in the hall with Rowen the other day.

Yeah, Rowen said, surprised that Sage knew that. He's going to be kind of worried about me. Do you think you could just let him know I'm here and that I'm okay?

Yeah, sure, Sage said. No problem.

Thanks.

An uncomfortable silence fell as neither boy could think of something else to say. Both of them glanced nervously around the room, looking at anything but each other.

So, um, I have to go, Sage said finally. But I'll be back later. See you later Rowen.

Bye Sage, Rowen said. The blonde slipped out of the room as quietly as he'd come, leaving Rowen to ponder the implications of his new situation.

*****

Kento jumped up and down, trying to see over the mass of heads in the hall. All black, he thought. Damn it, where is he? Cye, are you sure he wasn't in fifth period history with you?

Yes, I'm sure, Cye answered, exasperated at the repeated question. Look, you said he wasn't at lunch either, right? Maybe he came in later.

I would've seen him by now.

Maybe he's just plain skipping. People do that, you know.

Kento shook his head. He always tells me when he's going to skip. Always. Cye opened his mouth. And don't even try to tell me he forgot, Kento cut him off. Rowen doesn't forget stuff like that.

Maybe he - Cye stopped and glanced to the floor, ashamed for even thinking of it. He wouldn't wish THAT scenario on anyone.

Kento understood. He also realized that that was probably what had happened. I'd rather believe he forgot, Kento said quietly.

Kento Rei Fung?

Kento turned around at this strange new voice saying his name, and came face to face with the most popular guy in school. Kento eyed him somewhat suspiciously. Although he'd never had the privlege of talking to him, Kento had never much cared for the high and mighty Sage Date. Sage could have any and every girl in school; his whole manner seemed to exude a sense of superiority. But more than anything else, Kento had often seen him hanging around Kimi, Tammy, and the rest of the Bitch Squad. For Kento, that was reason enough not to like him. Kento folded his arms. Yeah, what do you want?

Sage frowned to himself. He found it somewhat difficult to believe that a boy such as this could be Rowen's sole friend. You seem to missing your other usual friend today, Sage commented, mostly for lack of some other way to broach the subject.

What the hell would you know about it? Kento growled, trying to keep his temper in check. He was in a bad mood already; he didn't need this kid, of all people, to be treating him like a second grader. But even so, whatever this guy knew about Rowen, Kento wanted to know it too.

Sage, unused to being spoken to like that, almost turned around and walked away. But he had promised Rowen, so he pushed ahead. Not as much as I'd like, he said cryptically, but he just wanted me to let you know that he's at my house and that he's okay.

What's he doing at your house? Kento demanded. The bell rang to be in class.

Better get to class, Sage said casually. You're late. Sage moved away and merged with the crowd.

Kento turned a wide-eyed look to Cye, who shrugged. Hey, Cye said, at least you know he's okay. He dashed off to his own class leaving Kento alone in the hall.