A dull thud coming from the kitchen forced Eon awake. He looked at his clock, groaning as the time registered. 5:36. He still had two hours before he had to leave, but with the noise he knew he’d not fall back asleep.
Instead, he rolled from bed and walked into the kitchen to see what Kiel was doing. The other boy was hunched over a cabinet, studying it intensely as if something were about to crawl out of it.
“Kiel,” Eon asked, an eyebrow disappearing beneath his dark hair, “what, may I ask, are you doing?” Kiel jumped, startled by the sound of Eon’s voice.
“Eon! Jesus, don’t scare me like that. I was just trying to…” he trailed off, running a hand through his hair, a sheepish smile crossing his lips. “Okay, I don’t know what I was trying to accomplish.” He turned his back to Eon, reaching instead into a higher cupboard and pulling out a box of cereal. “You’ll need your strength.” This time, the smile was taunting.
“I still think we could pull off the homeschooling thing, you know.” Kiel simply shook his head before tossing Eon the cereal box.
“I have some things I have to do today, so you’re going to have to walk to school. Think you can manage, or do you need me to walk you?” He flashed Eon another smile, his joy so great it made Eon want to slap it from his face.
Eon clenched his jaw as he set the cereal on the counter with a bit too much force. “I think I’ll be fine, smartass.” He shot a forced smile at Kiel, his anger seeping from it before turning to the counter. He began pouring the cereal as he waited for a reply from Kiel. Instead, it was silent. “Where are you-“
His words were cut short as he turned to see Kiel had already left. “Fine then,” he muttered. After finishing his breakfast, he finished getting ready. The clock now read 6:20, still far too early for him to leave, but he ignored this and headed into the chilly morning anyway.
Mist swirled around him as a light drizzle fell. He muttered something about Kiel doing this intentionally as he hunched his shoulders against the cold. By the time he reached the school, he’d be soaked. Great.
He walked at a slow pace, knowing he had plenty of time and enjoying the cool air despite the drizzle. It cleared his head, a reprieve he enjoyed. It was rare for him to have nothing on his mind, with his upcoming birthday and his pain-filled past. Now, with his head free of those things, his thoughts wandered to school.
It wasn’t that he disliked school. It was that he disliked moving so much. He never had time to get to know anyone, and if he did, he’d simply leave soon after. He wasn’t meant to have a normal life; he’d known that since the powers started developing. Still, the thought of a girlfriend, playing sports, or simply being able to hang out was appealing.
Distracted, he was nearly thrown to the ground by the girl who literally ran into him. He caught his balance before that happened, but she was not as lucky. She’d fallen backwards, her headphones skittering to the left.
“Oh!” she cried out. Eon held out his hand, helping her to her feet. Mud was speckled from her sweatpants to her blond hair, yet still she smiled. “I’m so sorry! I wasn’t even paying attention.” Her smile slipped momentarily, a look of confusion touching her features before it slid back into place.
And then he sensed it. Lightly, much like Kiel. It was there, touching his nerves ever so slightly, announcing its presence. It gave him the urge to protect her, to trust her, and yet it was different. It also made him fear her.
“Hello?” she asked, her grey eyes now concerned as they peered at him. “You okay?”
“Oh, yeah,” he shook his head slightly. “I just was thinking, wasn’t paying attention either. Sorry about your clothes.” She laughed, her eyes once again smiling.
“Please, these are just workout clothes. I’m going home before school to change anyway. I’m Celia, by the way. Everyone calls me Lee though.” She held out her hand, waiting for his introduction.
“Gedeon, everyone calls me Eon.” Okay, not everyone. Kiel. Minor details. His hand took her’s hesitantly.
“So, Eon, do you go to school? I haven’t seen you around.”
“Um, yeah, I’m new. At East Heron.” His voice shook slightly as he stumbled over the words, unnerved by the feeling he’d gotten. She smiled a smile that made him forget how foolish he must sound.
“You’re the new kid? Well, it’s nice to meet you. Everyone heard about a new student yesterday, and small towns, you know. I have to get home to change though. If you want, I can show you around school though?”
The invitation was tempting. There was no doubt about that. However, he still felt that urge to run. “I actually was shown around, um, before. Thanks for the offer though.” He held up his hand in a wave and stepped around her, hurrying off in the direction he’d been headed.
Maybe it was a foolish move. Maybe he should have taken her up on the offer, and gotten to know her. But that urge to run had remained, making him feel as if at any moment she’d attack. A thought hit him, and he stopped walking.
If he’d sensed she was a descendant, she had to have sensed he was one as well. He turned, seeing nothing but the mist-blurred outlines of the buildings. He knew he’d have to tell Kiel of her, but for now he simply walked on resuming his slow pace.
....chufters.
Oooooh...Good ending. Really good ending.