Chapter 8
Hayden wakes up with her body aching from what happened with her torture and her act with Merlin last night. Rethinking about that conversation she sounded like an ass. He can be with whoever he wants, it really shouldn't bother her. Sighing, she slides out of her warm sheets. Walking to the closet, she notices a note on her desk in Merlin's handwriting.
Hayden, I am sorry for getting that mad at you and 'throwing' you into the wall. It was a terrible act on my part. Today I will make yesterday up to you. I promise. –M.
Okay, so that means he will be pinned to her hip today. First though, she has to apologize for being an ass. Turning, she walks into her closet. She picks out a grey long-sleeved shirt, black skinny jeans, a pair of boots and a white infinity scarf. She brushed her hair and then her teeth. She continues with her essentials to getting ready in the morning.
She walks down to the kitchen. There she sees her mom making her favorite kind of pancakes, chocolate chip with blueberries.
"You didn't have to make these for me."
"Yes I did. You were sad yesterday and even though you are over it now, I thought it might cheer you up."
"Thanks mom."
"Oh and here is your lunch."
She hands her the black pal and places a plate of warm pancakes in front of her. She walks to the fridge to grab the butter and the cabinet for the syrup. She sits at table and butters the pancakes first. Then she cuts them to be bite size and pours syrup on them. It takes about 10 minutes to finish her breakfast.
She runs out the door to her car and quickly turns it on. She reverses and drives a couple of mph over the limit so she won't show up late. She finally reaches the school and parks in her spot. Opening the backseat door, she grabs her backpack and shuts it. She walks quickly to the doors. She bursts through them and quickly walks to her locker. Spinning the combo into the lock, she hears a thump like a body leaning against the other lockers.
"Hey…" he says once she had closed her locker.
"Before you say anything, I need to tell you something." She interrupted. "I am sorry about yesterday and everything I said. I was an ass and I need to make it up to you."
"Well that was a wonderful way to say hello. I am sorry as well. I lost my temper and you got hurt because of it. I shouldn't have put you in that position in the first place. I know what you've been through lately here and there."
"No, it's not your fault. And very soon I swear that you will see him. Currently, not now."
"Right. Did you know that Arthur knew of my magic when we came to rescue you?"
"Oh thanks for telling me that!"
"You're welcome!"
"So what did you do?"
"That is for me to know and you to find out."
"Grah!'"
He smiles and they enter the classroom. The girls motion Merlin to go sit with them. He shakes his head no.
"No, go ahead. I'll be fine and anyways I will talk to you after."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Gooo!" And she pushes him towards them.
She goes and sits in her regular seat. After grabbing her binder, pencil case, and book, she looks to see Merlin laughing. But she could tell by his posture, his laugh, and his eyes that it was not genuine but more forced. He glances this way and winks. She scoffs at his fatuous behavior that it was not genuine. The teacher, Mr. Schauman, calls the class to attention.
"Hello, today we are taking a break from Wuthering Heights and talk about the themes, motifs, symbols in the book up until this point. Any volunteers?"
No one raised their hands
"Come on! Not even one?"
Merlin raises his hand.
"Finally! Somebody who participates! Enlighten us," he glances at the class list which he takes everywhere, "Merlin."
"Well, when Hadley is showing Isabella the gun, it is symbolizing that Isabella is an independent woman and can handle herself. It can also show that she is not afraid to defend herself if the event should occur."
He stops speaking and all the girls were staring at him, hoping that they could catch more of what he said. During this time all the boys were taking note, probably on how to sound sweet and smart at the same time. Even though I knew who it was directed towards, me.
"I have never thought of that. That was very enlightening. Anyone else?"
She raised her hand.
"Yes Hayden. Do you have another point or would you like to add to Merlin's?"
"Well, but to argue, she so far has not been the headstrong character Merlin says her to be. She's needs a man because she called Heathcliff before Hindley tried to kill him."
"But, she says, "He's not a human being" (Cite). So she doesn't need him."
"I agree with Merlin." Aubrey says. You could tell that she was attracted to him by the lust in eyes.
"All well and good but she is too naïve to handle herself."
"Not a bad point. I concede." Merlin responds.
She has a triumphant smirk. He could've met the Brontë sisters and know the secret meanings behind the characters, but she won in this debate. The girls looked at me like they were going to kill me for standing up to him.
"Well, that was enlightening now, read until the bell rings."
30 minutes later, Hayden has already finished chapter 18 and started 19. The bell rings and everyone rushes out with headphones in their ears. She waits for Merlin outside. He finally comes out and pulling Aubrey off his arm.
"I'm sorry. I can't right now. The whole changing of schools is difficult for me. And there is another part that you just don't want to know." He says to her.
"Fine. But I will break you one day Merlin." And Audrey stomps off.
"That went well." She says.
"Yeah. I'm waiting for the right one." He looks at me.
"Oh shut up!" And she shoves him.
He comes back with a smile on his face and laughing.
"Not me you idiot! You're waiting for her."
"Yes I am." And he goes silent.
"Well, I will see you in social studies?" She says.
"Yeah, see yah."
She enters the art room to see William Müller, one of the best art students and is nice to me, already working. I walk to the cabinet to retrieve my canvas and an easel. My theme is realism but they say it is actually surrealism. Anyways, the painting is of a castle with blue turrets and green trees surrounding the town. It currently looks nothing like Camelot. Other kids fill in the other seats. Most take this class because they need an art or music credit to graduate. These kids just so happen to be the loudest and the rudest. I asked the teacher, Mrs. Giorno, one time if I could listen to music instead of the conversations. She said go right ahead. So, I put my ear buds in and listen to my Disney playlist. William also puts his music in and we work until it is almost time to go. For the first time, William talks to me.
"That's really good….?"
"Hayden. Thank you. Yours is great as well. What are you doing?"
His was of a lightning rod arching across the sky with different colored clouds.
"Will." He holds out his hand, I take it. "Ah, its part realism part post impressionism."
"Why lightning?"
"It's just interesting. What's yours on?"
"Well it's my interpretation of Camelot."
"I can see it. It's very detailed."
"Well it is surrealism so it has to be."
"Good point. I never see you with anyone."
"Well, I am not a people person."
"Me neither. But I can make an acceptation."
She smiles and the bell rings. She exits and walks to calculus. She couldn't believe it. Will talked to her. Before it was an unspoken friendliness like helping each other put things away. Now, they were on speaking terms. When she reaches her destination, she goes and sits at her desk in the back of the room near the printer. Which means many people come in and come out and they have to pass her desk. Her teacher, Mrs. Taylor begins talking about the lesson of today, limiting of a function as x approaches a fixed constant. Notes continue until the bell rings. Now up to the second floor for AP US. The Revolution was okay in her perspective. But it was better than learning about philosophy. That was very boring. Merlin walks in with confidence in his stride and smile. He sits in front in front of her.
"I'm glad you haven't run off yet."
She smacks his arm saying, "Oh shut up!"
He holds his hands in surrender.
"Oh, yesterday we talked about Lafayette arriving in Philadelphia."
"Oh, thanks."
He nods his head and the bell rings.
Mrs. Gioseffi begins saying, "Today, we are going to finish talking about Lafayette and the French involvement in the Revolution."
So the class was mostly about the shipping of goods and soldiers across the Atlantic. During the middle of the class we were talking about the treaty the French signed, the Treaty of Alliance and a Treaty of Amity and Commerce.
"And who was the foreign prime minister at the time."
No one raised their hand. Then Merlin did attentively.
"Ah yes Mr.?"
"I don't like Mr., so just call me Merlin.
"Okay Merlin, who was the foreign prime minister?"
"Charles Gravier, Comte de Vergennes."
"Where was he born?"
"Dijon, France in 1719."
"His wife's name."
"He didn't have one."
"How do you know so much?"
"I read, a lot."
"Fair enough."
She continues talking for the rest of the 42 minutes. The bell finally rings and a whole sheet of paper is filled with notes on the French. Finally it is lunch time. She and Merlin walk to the big cafeteria. The color of the walls are white and the pillars down the sides are the school colors, navy blue and sea green. The only kind of tables are the long tables with benches. She finds her table and sits down. No one ever sits with her, but today would be different. Merlin sat across from her smiling.
"Merlin."
"That's my name, don't wear it out."
"Ha ha, very funny."
"I try, I try. What's up?"
"Can you start talking about your past? Please?"
"I had hoped that you forgot about that."
"Well too bad. You can talk about after his death if you want. Otherwise, spill."
"Where do I start?"
"How about your favorite decade or century."
He ponders for a moment.
"Okay, my favorite was the 20th century to be honest. Advances in medicine that baffled me and Gaius. The women got their rights which Gwen would've wanted. And I was sure so many times that he would come back. There were so many wars that rocked the world, literally. World War I and II, Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War, and so many rebellions. I was most assured he would come back during the rise of the Nazis and the Japanese. Alas, he didn't. I don't mean to raid on these beautiful countries either. Major advances happened under these powers. The Nazis were the first to figure out about the dangers of smoking. These groups unified countries in debt and the Japanese were isolated on their archipelago. Now look at them! A head of us in technology. Then when the tsunami hit, I donated so much to help out these people. Then the nuclear meltdown. And while they are cleaning it up, they are probably getting even more a head of us in clean energy. Now that I look back on it, that century might be the sign."
"What sign?"
"That he is coming. Think about it. The world is going into chaos. The climate change, the amount of debt every country is in and the cost of oil or the amount of oil lost over the years. Sooner or later, the human race will fall."
"Such spirited words." Says a voice behind her.
Will stands there with a tray of school food. She has never tried it nor wants to. Who knows what is actually in that stuff?
"Do you mind if I sit here? Like you, I sit by myself." He asks.
"Sure, go right ahead."
He sets the tray down on the table and moves his legs over the bench. Once he was seated, he introduced himself to Merlin,
"Hi, I'm Will. I am in Hayden's art class." He holds his hand out.
"Merlin." He accepts his hand.
Hayden then remembers that Merlin's best friend before Camelot was named Will. He died saving Merlin's life. She reads Merlin's eyes and there was a hint of sadness and is that anger? Why would he be angry? Who knows!
"So, the human race will fall. Why do you say that?" Will says to cut the tension.
"Well, think of how our world is changing. With everything changing, bad needs to balance it. Or vice versa, after the bad things, good comes out of it."
"That is a good statement. Prove that this has happened or is happening."
"Well, all the racial and ethnic injustices. Women were treated well but not to a high standard. So, women began protesting for rights of their own. Eventually, women were more equal to men but there is still a little injustice. Sure they can vote but don't get paid as much as men."
"And how would good come to bad?"
"Our use of oil and fossil fuels. The more we use, the less there becomes and excess gases pump into the atmosphere. Also with the more we use, the more the left over becomes and plunges us into more debt."
"I like you. But in a friendly way of course. No one thinks of the news or history like that anymore. It's all social networking and hashtags and selfies. No one takes time to read or keep up with what is going around us. Even then, the news can be unreliable. And we are making mistakes that have already been made and no one sees it."
"So, Will," she asks, "what are your views on mythology or legends?"
"What kind of legend are we talking about?"
"King Arthur and the Round Table."
"Ah. I think it is quite interesting really. A king who stands for what he believes in and is righteous while doing so. I wish he was real. Many kids look up to a role model like that. Well, not the betrayal of their best friend but of a young boy becoming King. And along the way, fight."
"What do you think of Merlin?" Merlin asks.
"Well, I think he's a pretty cool guy. He advises King Uther on his deathbed so the kingdom he built wouldn't go into chaos. Then when Arthur takes the crown, he becomes Arthur's advisor. But, he has a terrible ending. The whole thing with Nimue or the Lady of the Lake. Well, I can't really remember the rest of his story all too well. But, he seems like a good guy."
Merlin remains speechless.
"Oh, Merlin, you should see Hayden's painting." He says to change the topic.
"Oh yeah?"
"No, you don't. It's terrible."
"No it's not! All the little details in it! After school meet me in the art room 124. If she won't show you, I will. Well, we won't take it off the rack and mess with the paint."
"Okay. What's the painting on?" Merlin asks me.
"My interpretation of Camelot."
For the rest of the period they talked of nonsense. It ranged from the difficulty of school to the newest episode of Doctor Who.
"He can't have just left like that! Matt should have had a better regeneration!" Will says.
"I know! Chris and David got an entire body change while Matt moved his head and the new doctor was just there! It was stupid." She agrees.
"I hope Peter can live up to those three doctors. That's big shoes to fill." Merlin adds.
Merlin seems more comfortable around Will than at the beginning of the period. He is smiling and laughing like he does with me. She never met Will from Ealdor and what it was like having a childhood friend. Maybe he was this happy before going to Camelot. She was happy for him.
"Will?" Merlin asks.
"Yeah?"
"What are your classes?"
"Well, I have Social Studies first, then Art, French…"
"You have French third?"
"Yes I do."
"So do I."
"Awesome! Do you want to sit next to each other tomorrow?"
"Sure!" He smiles brilliantly.
"Okay, from there I have English, Lunch which we are currently in, Math, Science, Lab and/or Gym, and lastly, Study Hall."
"Well, we also have study hall ninth so we can see Hayden's painting then."
"Sounds like a plan." The bell rings, "well see you two later."
(Fast forward to 9th period study hall)
"Well Spanish was boring today. Grammar lesson."
"Grammar is not so bad."
"Oh, of course you can say that! You've had centuries to perfect it!"
"True."
They sign in and wait on the side for Will.
"So what do you think of Will?" she asks.
"He's cool. He gets things that other kids your age don't."
"Is he like the Will you knew before Camelot?"
"Yes and no. Both craved a sense of adventure but stay home to protect the ones they love. The thing that sets them apart is the subject of nobility. Ealdor Will hated all nobility while this one doesn't mind it."
Will then walks up to them.
"You guys ready?"
"Yes."
The three walk out of the room and head to the art room. When they reach the room, Merlin opens the door and holds it for us.
"Thank you." Will and I say at the same time.
Mrs. Giorno is not in her room most of time during ninth period. But, she said to her once that she is welcome anytime as long as nothing is broken. Hayden walks over to the cabinet and opens it. She grabs her painting and Will grabs an easel for it to sit on. Once set up, Merlin walks over. He stays silent and his eyes seem to flash with memory. For a moment, sadness breaks through his mask. The walls of the past come back up as fast as they came down.
"Wow! That's amazing."
"No it's not. It's terrible. It looks nothing like what it does in my head."
"But it's beautiful." And she could feel the double meaning behind those words. He really misses his home and family.
"I told you! Someone agrees with me finally!" Will interjects.
She laughs and takes the painting off the easel to put it away.
"Do you want to see Will's?" I ask.
"No. Not that terrible thing!"
"Yes. I had to show mine, now you have to show yours."
He huffs and grabs his canvas. The dark clouds with the lighting rod is put on the easel.
"I am guessing part realism part post impressionistic in Van Gough style."
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Well, the lightning rod would be realism since each lightning strike is different and the movement of the clouds and the brushstrokes make it Van Gough like so that would be post impressionism."
"Why are you not in art?" Will asks.
"Drawing is not my forte. I just know some art history and the styles within those periods. But this is really good as well."
"Thanks." Will puts his painting back and grabs the easel.
They all exit the room and head towards the study hall.
"You know guys, this was a lovely trip but, I leave school during this period so I will see you two tomorrow?"
"Sure. But first I need your number." Will says
"Okay." She pulls out her phone and he pulls out his. She opens a contact and hands it to him. He gives her his in return. She types her first and last name, then her number. She hits save and hands it back to him at the time he is done as well.
"Bye." She walks away and leaves.
At home, no one is there. She makes herself a snack of fresh cut fruit and heads to her room to tackle some homework. At 3:00, she hears a knock at the front door. She runs down the steps and opens the front door. Merlin stands there with his backpack on one shoulder.
"Can I come in?"
She motions him inside. He steps in and takes his shoes off.
"Well, this is the first time I have seen your house. Well, all accept your bedroom."
She shoves him lightly, "Very funny. Do you want anything to eat?"
"Sure. What do you recommend?"
"Nothing really. I just had some fruit."
"I will have fruit then."
She opens the fridge to retrieve the strawberries and blueberries. She also opens a cabinet for a bowl. She opens the blueberry container and pours some in.
"Do you want the blueberries cut or whole?"
"Whole is fine."
She pours some in and hands him the bowl. She puts the fruit in the fridge and closes it.
"Follow me." She walks to the stairs and climbs. She turns to her right and walks to her bedroom. When they are inside, Merlin puts his backpack on her bed.
"So when do you want to see Arthur?"
"Where are you in that timeline?"
"Umm, I am currently getting tortured by Morgana and it must be a day after you and I had our ride."
Merlin was silent as he sifted through his memories. Then she finally hears an, "Ah! I know where you are now. Okay, so give me a couple of days. It took more time figuring out how to get in and all of us out than to get there. So Monday or Tuesday next week would be the best time to do it."
"Okay sure. Do I stand that long in torture?"
"Unfortunately yes. We do not know if you told her anything because it was too horrible for you to talk about."
"Oh great! A fun time with torture! Yay!" she says sarcastically.
He laughs lightly.
"Hey, do you want to get started on your training?" he asks.
"Sure. So teacher, where do we start?"
He grabs her hand and pulls her outside and drags her to the backyard. He places his hands over her eye.
"Close your eyes."
She obediently did as he said.
"Now I want you to listen to the wind and the birds. Feel the rustling of the leaves on the tree. Smell the dirt and grass around you. Soon a soft vibration will thrum all around you. It will be weary of you. Open it with open arms. Tell it that I am here to teach you." He stops talking.
After minutes of feeling nothing, she started to get frustrated. He could tell she was getting frustrated by her posture.
"Don't fret. Focus on one thing." She chose Merlin because she knew so his voice, the obvious touch of his hands, the smell of the summer sun, and could see him perfectly without needing her eyes. She nods to him slightly.
"Okay. Make it all you are and envision the spark of life. Magic was present at its beginning."
Merlin was literally magic so she could see everything. She feels a slight pull in her gut. She does nothing as it explores her memories.
"I am a friend. Emrys wants to help me learn about your ways."
"Then we shall oblige my lady to Emrys's wishes."
A rush envelopes her entire body. Each one of her cells were extra-charged. Her blood rush quickly and she gasps. Merlin lifts his hands off. She opens her eyes and everything living has a thin ribbon of gold around it. She notices Merlin smiling at her. His form practically glowed with gold. Out of his ebony locks the gold left. She couldn't help but notice that his blood flows entirely gold.
"What do you think?" he asks and spins around. As spins, droplets magic splatter around him.
"You look different. Almost god-like." That was not the thing to say. His happy expression turns sour.
"I am not a god. I have no right to be one."
"Sorry I said that."
He face turns back to his smile.
"It's fine. Now that you have some magic at your disposal, I need you to say this exactly. Leohte."
A small ball of light appears in his hand. She moves her lips to form the word. She gathers up her courage to say, "Leohte."
Like Merlin, a ball of light appears. It is not as large as Merlin's and it doesn't last long. After 3 seconds, it fades. It takes with it her strength. Her legs collapse but she doesn't fall unconscious. Merlin abandons the light and runs to catch her falling form. He catches her and holds her bridal style.
"Why do you always fall on me? Is it because of my good looks?" He laughs slightly.
"Yes that's it. Not because I am both mentally and physically tired."
"Which room is yours?" He says as he crosses the threshold into her house.
"Upstairs, take a right, it's all the way at the end."
He walks as softly as possible to the stairs. When he reaches them, he takes his time going up. At the top, he follows her instructions and walks into her room. He walks to the bed and sets her down on the bed. He runs into the bathroom and wets a washcloth for her face. While doing so, he grabs some aspirin and a glass of water. He walks back in and lays the cool cloth over her forehead and helps her to sit up for the medicine. She swallows the pill and the water at the same time and lies back down. Merlin sits there and strokes her hair. She smiles weakly.
"You know you actually did very well. Most of the people I taught didn't feel the magic until after a month. Even then it was only a little bit. What did you focus on?"
"You."
Merlin nods.
"I figured as much. No one ever tried that. Why not use the highest being in magic as a conductor. We will keep working on getting that spell stronger. But, I will teach you the language so when we get there, you already know how to say the spell. I'd bet the connection between the two times is magical. So that means that magic is in your blood but it is so small that you cannot draw from it."
"Maybe. Can I go to sleep?"
"Sure. I will wait here until your mother gets home. I will tell her that I am a friend that you invited over. You collapsed after a slip in the kitchen. Sound okay?"
"I like it. You could teach younger Merlin how to lie better."
"It came with time. Now. Sleep my lady."
Before she could retort, her traitor eyelids close.
A/N;
Wow I am sooo sorry for being so late! March and April were very busy... Let me tell you, putting on a musical production is hard work… And I admire everyone who has been reading since my last update. I feel mean… Thankfully my schedule is starting to clear (except school of course)… Thank you for reading!
What do you think of Will?
***My the countries in this chapter are Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia***
Answers to the reviews;
Aan (Guest) - First I am sorry I didn't add you in my last note... I'm making Gwen sweeter and head strong in this story. I would be glad for some pointers on what you want to see her do/be.
ProcrastinationIsMyCrime – I thought this concept would be better. And thank you for saying that as well, good booster.
larasmith – Hayden does have some growing up to do. I created her to be like this so by the end she will not be the immature person we see now. She will become very selfless in the end (spoilers). No, I am definitely not taking away Gwen from Arthur's life. I truly believe that Arthur and Gwen were meant to be together. Now, you sort of know what Morgana wants with her. Their backstory together will develop in the following chapters. Originally no she did not want to lure Emrys. She only wants revenge. You know Gwaine is with the ladies... ;)
