Chapter 15

Part 1

For Monster

My mind was occupied on my beating arm until the moment I heard that ridiculous ringtone. Still have no clue why I didn't change it, the damn thing irritates me before wake up calls, I guess I always forgot my troubles when I hear Pandora's hideous demon voice. Heh, seems legit. But it's been awhile since I heard it, the thought kinda shot me down- I realized how much I missed Pandora. How could someone like me, a kid who knows emptiness more than any wallet, reply on someone who causes more trouble than mayhem? How does that even work?

"Pandora?" I find myself out of breath, blaming the deep thoughts.

I can tell she's outside, wind twists between her voice and her phone. "Pffft ha, your stupid voice really did cheer me up," she never changed.

Great. Well it was kinda expected, something in my head told me to ignore whatever insult she threw at me. I can't just think about myself, that incident after the mall is as clear as day and heavens bet I won't let that slide. Instead of slicing back with my sharp comebacks, I remain solid to the point and save some breath. "This stupid voice missed you," the words left my mouth naturally and I anxiously waited.

There was a long pause that would've killed me if it lasted for a second more, I hear Pandora relax a big sigh before replying with a simple, "same here." It was relieving. She continued, "I might come to school tomorrow-"

"-today."

"Tomorrow," she repeated quicker than me. "Things came up and I kinda need the space from everything."

A thought lightened within me, "shall I ditch?"

"Don't even think about it," she sighed again. "I'm basically a rat caught in its trap, there's no way I can walk ten feet from my house without being chased down."

"Sounds like you just need a partner in crime."

"Sounds like you're just crazy."

"Maybe I am."

"Well maybe you'll get hurt."

"Maybe it's worth it."

"Dart, "she breathed out tiredly. "Have a good day, alright? I'll explain tomorrow..."

"Today?" I say hopelessly.

"Tomorrow," and she hung up.

xxx

My motivation to stay at school dropped drastically, she told me to have a good day but I can't help but feel... like this, so lazy I could barely lift my head and so hope-broken that I couldn't stop thinking about tomorrow. Phosphora was happy to see me and continued to talk like always, though my mind was somewhere else. In the classroom, I felt stares stalking my back. In the halls, silence was followed by whispers. I would've gone crazy, I was the center of attention at the same time being nobody- think a little.

Wolf senses activate, I sit at a library table with my newly bandaged arm and close my eyes. Though my ears caught the voice of a group of three who noticed my existence; they spoke low, "you think they're in like some sort of gang?"

Another, "I bet they're a bag of druggies."

"It makes sense, anyone who almost killed a kid with just fists gotta be on something," another.

"Okay that's her, but what about him?"

Someone from the group snorted with disgust, "just look at him-" I had enough, I turn my head to the right glaring towards the group of kids talking about me. Red eyes are powerful. They instantly freeze knowing they were caught, but the one disgusted guy huffed in denial. He stood up abruptly and led his group away.

"What I joke," I sigh and rest my head back under a propped right arm. This isn't the first time I heard trash about Pandora either, the girl herself is oblivious to all of it though…- isn't she? I sigh hopelessly and close my eyes, "Pandora, tell me all your problems… I want, to help."

xxx

"Dart!" greets the blond runner, "this is a first, huh. Usually it's me who runs after you heehee!" She closes her locker and we walk together out of school property. Her smiles feel like the sun that rests over my shoulders, today is windy but warm. Changing who you are isn't as easy as a trigger, but it begins with the first step.

So here's that first step, "Phosphora do you see what I see?"

The athlete takes a breath to think but she already knows, "this is about Pandora isn't it? I'm worried about her, even though I admire her strength (especially against you hehe) Pandora is still like everyone else; and everyone else can feel pain. Those rumors call her a monster, they're whispers but they're everywhere. Dart-"

"I know," it hurts me that I didn't care to realize sooner. I was always with Pandora yet I didn't see through her fake smiles; the way she never stopped talking in the halls, the way she runs away, the way she hides everything. "Phosphora I have plan and it's either you're in or you're not. But this monster act has crossed my taste so I think it's about time I return that demon child's favor. For the first time, school has never been so heartless to me. I'm not talking about those rats spitting about some monster, but when Pandora isn't sitting next to me- I think I'd go insane." For the first time, my body was so ticked off at life. For the first time, I'm finally given a reason to live tomorrow. For the first time, I can drop this ridiculous emo act. I am going to help Pandora Amazon. So, "Phosphora, I need your help."

The girl practically cried seeing my small but first determined smirk, she pulled me into a tight hug. "Of course, Dart! I'm willing for anything, as long as anything isn't everything! Eek! I'm so happy for you, haha I didn't think you could say more than a sentence at a time."

Pushing off of her, I held my injured arm and try to ignore the stinging, "alright," I say. My plan was explained by the questions I asked the girl. By my luck, it was perfect that Phosphora is an athlete; she's well known in the athletic department which only praises my idea even more. "What teams are as willing as you?"

"The track team basically accepts anyone, I'm willing to train anyone who has a passion for running. I can't say the same for other teams though; they're always looking for a player but someone who meets their standards- no less." She glanced over at me and we cross the street, continuing, "since it's the middle of the season, there aren't any set dates for recruiting. But I'm sure if any talent is rumored, teams will definitely take it into consideration to seek and test the fortunate one." Now she asks a question," Dart, I don't know where you're going with this. How will this help her; are you just looking for something to get Pandora's mind off of the rumors or..?"

"Even you? Don't worry you'll see," I assure her.

She doesn't try to argue and I can tell she is patient enough. So instead she gives me some interesting information. "This little after school event started a couple weeks ago. Students gather up to see some teams practice and train, on Fridays they hold a game for everyone to watch. Maybe you can start there, you guys would definitely grab some attention."

"Thanks Phosphora, I'll prep up the girl before Friday. Hope to see you there," I wave and she mirrors me before walking down her neighborhood street.

Friday, huh? That gives me two days for Pandora to warm up. And if sports isn't the thing for her, there's always more opportunities- arts, drama, service. Whatever it is, I definitely help her, "I'll change this monster into someone great."

End

"And friends help each other, right?" I say.