Chapter 42: Chapter 42

Since Al left, I have been feeling burdened by unwanted feelings. I was angry, but at the same time, I was sad and hurt. Those were troubling feelings that burdened my chest so much that I had to distract myself.

For the past few days, I have focused intently on learning magic. I broadened my imagination to the point that I could easily manipulate the stream of my powers.

Tyrelle hasn’t spoken to me about the events of that day, which I dearly appreciated. Julie, when she found out, wasn’t that thrilled. She was angry to the point where she told me that we should kill Aelfric for his deceit. It was a side of her that I could barely recognize because it was so out of character for her. It scared me, but I did not make any comment about it.

“When will you travel back abroad?” Tyrelle and I are in a yogurt shop and eating massive servings of yogurt. Unlike before, we aren’t hanging out like this because we’re trying to fool anyone. It’s just two friends hanging out and talking after school.

“In three days. I already booked a flight.” Tyrelle had long since finished his meal and was studying my bowl of yogurt as if it were interesting.

I chuckle and push my bowl towards him with the intention of sharing. “Isn’t that on a school day?” I scrunch up my face a bit. “I wanted to see you off.” I say in disappointment.

“No can do.” Tyrelle shakes his head in amusement. “Just admit that you want to have an excuse to miss the science exam, don’t you?”

“Hey, that’s not entirely true.”

“Entirely.” He quotes me. “I think I am hearing something along the lines that it might be true.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine. Maybe there is some truth in it.” I admit it. “But I won’t be lying when I say that I am going to miss your presence.”

Tyrelle blinks and starts to look a little bashful. “W-well, we still have a few more days ahead of us to hang out. A-And don’t worry so much, because I will be back as soon as the competition is over.” He promises.

“Speaking of which, I have a little something for you.” I grab the small present that I have been keeping in my bag ever since I bought it and had it wrapped. “It’s nothing much, but I figured that it might be something that you’d use.”

I handed the neatly wrapped present to Tyrelle. The curiosity in his eyes was adorable enough that it made me laugh. Somehow he reminds me of a little wolf rather than a little puppy.

“Can I open it now?”

“It’s your gift. You decide.” To be honest, I rather that he doesn’t open it while I’m around because I am a little embarrassed about it.

Tyrelle did not hesitate when he started tearing through the wrapper until he saw the water jug and the personalized blue towel that I ordered for him. I suddenly became conscious.

“I heard that athletes usually lose their towels. I had one made to have your name, so that way, you will know that it is yours. As for the water jug, it can store cold water for a long time, so you’ll have something cool and nice to drink after your game. I can’t be present when you have your game, but I will be cheering for you in spirit.”

I felt a little insecure when Tyrelle seemed to be studying my gifts thoroughly. For a brief second, I almost thought that he didn’t like my gift. But that was over when I saw that he was looking up at me with a bright smile on his lips.

“Thank you, Gabriella. I like it. No, I love it!”

“Are you sure?” I blink at him in surprise. “B-Because I know that it might not be that much, so I-”

I was cut off when Tyrelle started to laugh. “Gabriella, I mean it. I have never received any gift where they carefully thought about me. I’ll treasure these for sure. And if anyone tries to steal or use them, I might just break their bones.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “You don’t really mean that, do you?” Tyrelle just grinned at my query, which was soon followed by a chuckle. I went along with it, but my eyes were still showing concern over what he had said earlier. “No, really, would you?”

Tyrelle never answered that question, even as we started to leave the yogurt shop. In the end, I just forgot about it since Tyrelle and I were talking things about my magic and how my smile seems to be improving.

“It looks good on you, you know.” Tyrelle tells me just as I was about to exit his car. We’re already in front of my house after a very long day of hanging out.

“What looks good on me?” I pause, leaving the door hanging for a bit to look at him.

“Your smile.” He says. “I’m glad that you have it back.”

“Well, it’s thanks to you and the witches that I have it back. If anything, I owe it to you and your family.”

“Speaking of which, we’ll be having a gathering tomorrow to wish me luck on my game. Since our contract is done, you can choose not to go-”

“I’ll go.” I promised him. I can tell that Tyrelle did not expect my response to be a positive one because I see the surprised look on his face.

He gives me a smile. “Great. I-I’ll text you the details about it later. See you, Gabriella.”

I nodded and got off of his car. “See you tomorrow, Tyrelle.” I return the grin before shutting the car door closes.

That night, while I was preparing to sleep, I happen to find the phone charm and bracelet that Al gave me before. I don’t like seeing it because it would only remind me of the hybrid who played us all for a fool - me, especially.

I sigh loudly before grabbing the trinkets and throwing them in the trash bin. I don’t know what I was thinking by keeping such a trinket nearby. It only costs me so much pain that I would rather not see it anymore.

***

I woke up in the middle of the night to a strange sound in my room. My first thoughts was that it might be Tiger, the cat that I adopted a while back. But then I remembered that mom took Tiger earlier so he could sleep in their room. My parents have taken a liking to the cat and are often fighting me about taking care of him.

I got out of my bed and immediately noticed the freezing cold air entering my room. I hugged myself until I realized something.

My window is open, which only made me anxious. My first thought is that Al must have returned because he should be the only one who is capable and confident enough to pull off such a trick.

I let out a frustrated sigh and headed for the switch in the room.

“Alright, Al. If you’re here, I’m telling you now to get lost!” I whirled back into the room the moment I flipped on the switch. I was right about one thing. I wasn’t alone in the room, but as for the person in the room with me, it wasn’t Al. It was a man with a lot of scars on his face.

I’m not one who usually judges a person based on their looks, but from the looks in his eyes, I can tell that he’s someone dangerous.

Out of instinct, I turn my hand towards him so I can push him back with my magic. Unfortunately, I miscalculated the speed of the intruder because he started to grab my wrist to bend it sideways, away from him.

“Magic.” He mutters before looking at my face with a smug grin. “So he was lying when he says he hasn’t found the witch.”

“What are you talking about?” I demanded and tried to pull my hand free. “Let me go!”

As I continue to struggle, his grip on me only turns harder.

“I’m afraid I cannot do that.” There’s something about this man’s smile that was beginning to set me off, but he was too strong for me to break free. I was beginning to panic especially when he lowers his face do address me. “I need you to deal with a certain menace in the pack. I hope you’ll forgive me for this, but not that I really care in the first place.” Before I could say anything, the man covers my nose and mouth with a wet cloth that soon drove me into darkness.