Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Last hour was arts. Arts teacher Miss Anderson just told us to draw a scenery. I wasn't actually in a good mood to draw and I ended up drawing my typical sketch of a river with cherry blossom on one side and a blurry ashy hill behind. But it wasn't bad. I got an A for it.

I'm somewhat good at drawing and that's why I choose arts as my elective subject. My Dad apparently draws well. He has done a few exhibitions of his art works and all. Okay, let me agree he's a great artist and that's probably how Eve and I got the talent. I only got a very small part of it but I know Eve has got it all. She already draws well and I know she'll become a really great artist when she grows up.

So the last bell rang a few minutes ago and currently I'm hastily heading towards Michael's dorm, slinging my bag on my shoulder, thinking about something. Yeah What else? Michael itself.

I was just thinking what elective subject he has chosen. Will it be Arts by any chance ? He took half day leave on last Tuesday and today also he was absent. I shouldn't actually hope he choose arts. Probably it'd be journalism or something.

But why is he absent today ? I know he can't be alright after our yesterday's assault on him. But did he really get that much hurt to sit inside his dorm rather than attending class ?

I was genuinely worried about him during the history class and I tried calling him once that hour ended. He answered my call after I tried a lot of times. His response was really cold. He told me not to call him again and I don't need to care whether he is alright. Just that and he ended the call.

But I was relieved. At least he was fine. Probably he now hates me like he said yesterday. But I need to check up on him and make sure he's really okay. Also I badly need to talk to him and apologize for yesterday. I'm not sure whether he'd open the door for me or not. I need to somehow convince him to open the door. I can't let him miss his classes because of me.

I increase my pace and hurriedly walk out of the school building. The outside was noisy and crowded considering the bell just rang a few minutes ago. A few girls at the parking call out to me and wave at me as I pass them. I just wave back and quickly walk in direction of the Dorm building.

" Hey Ethan ! "

It's Kevin. I sigh and stop, turning around to see Kevin walking to me along with Destiny Green, who has her dainty hands latched across his right arm while she wears an excited smile on her makeup clad face, her lips too much red and bright. Destiny is in the cheerleading team and she is often Kevin's hook up. And right now I know why they are approaching me.

" Are you going to dorm ?", Kevin asks me with a smug smile.

" Yeah..", I nod, hiding my annoyance.

" Why ? C'mon dude, I can't seriously understand what you are doing inside there alone after reaching back so early ? Now C'mon, give your key to us and go have a ride with Amelia. She brought her car today.", Kevin says before tilting his head to Destiny and smirking at her. She flashes back a seductive smile.

" Okay..here. ", I say nonchalantly, fishing out my dorm key from my pocket and handing it to Kevin. I clearly know I can't protest against this. So it's better I just give them the key. And this often happens and I'm used to it.

"Place this in the room.", I say shrugging off my bag and Destiny immediately takes it. " But I need to meet with the history professor now. So I don't think I can spend time with Amelia.", I then say.

" Why the hell he need to see you everyday?", Kevin asks.

" I don't know. I slept in his class.", I say. Kevin is about to say something but then Destiny tugs on his arm and hurries to go to dorm.

" Okay dude..then we'll leave now. Come back only after an hour.", Kevin says.

" Hmm..", I nod with a forced smirk and then they excitedly hurry with my key to my dorm like two bitches in heat. I leave a sigh and then walk in direction of Michael's dorm.

I reach in front of Michael's room and lightly knock twice on the door. I hear footsteps inside and the door opens after a few seconds. My mouth drop open on seeing his face. The skin under his right eye has blackened where there's a small bruise in the center. His bottom lips too is bruised at the side. His eyes are swollen red and his hair is a mess. His previously gorgeous face now looks pale and lifeless. He looks horrible, pathetically week. I instantly look away, guilt building up in my stomach.

" What do you w..want ?", Michael scoffs cold.

"Ahmm...I..Michael..I...", I stammer in loss of words, looking back at his terrible face. He looks at me blankly. "You didn't attend school today. I- I came to..",

Michael cuts me off. " Why are you now s..stammering like the stupid me ? Where's your f..friends? Call them. C'mon..come punch me. ", he says furiously and his words stab my heart. It makes me feel even more pathetic.

" Michael..I'm sorry.", I say biting on my lips. I see his hands fisting into balls while his teeth grits together tightly in exasperation. Then he suddenly steps back and forcefully closes the door.

A scream leaves my throat as the door powerfully hit my palm. I had placed my hand on the door frame in a unintelligent attempt to prevent him from shutting the door on me. Michael instantly pulls the door back in alarm while I withdraw my hand and shake it, yelping and crying in excruciating pain that shoot through my whole arm.

" E..Ethan..wh..what did you do ? Are you o..okay ?"