Stretching never felt so good. As I slowly sat up I cast a quick look around the room. Still a mess, no surprise there. Tipsy was laying just at the edge of my feet, purring softly as she recharged. For once I slept soundly with no dreams, not after that flashback. It all still felt like a dream though, that maybe my subconscious triggered dormant memories and my mind wound them into a dream while I was sleeping.

 

"Still... it felt so...real," I whisper, facing my palm toward me than turning it back and forth, like maybe I'd fade away in an instant if I wasn't careful, that maybe this wasn't real. Last night had me a little more than shook up. "Ren, who are you..."

 

I slowly got up out of bed, trying not to startle Tipsy and headed over to my desk. Sunlight streamed through the window, telling me school wasn't going to be cancelled again today. Good thing to because I pulled a clothing button out yesterday; a simple tank top and dark blue, denim shorts. Shoes were one thing I couldn't quite figure out how to compress, so I had to stroll over to the closet and grab my pink boots once I got dressed. I also grabbed my brush of my side table before heading to the kitchen, scratching Tipsy behind the ear as I did so. I don't know what I'd do without her.

 

As I strolled down the hallway I began brushing my hair while thinking about what I wanted for breakfast. Yesterday was hectic, but today felt so calm and serene. Almost like entering the twilight zone. Running the brush through my hair was a chore though, as every other tug seemed to hit a knot.

 

"Ow! I really should brush more often."

 

Turning the corner to enter the kitchen made me think of Dizzy, which it did more and more lately. After her fix up of the kitchen and bathroom, and just every other part of the home really, it made me kind of jealous. She was really better than I was, and not having her here actually felt like not having a family member here.

 

"Ham & cheese omelette with green peppers and onion," I call as I enter, my voice echoing off the walls of the huge, lifeless space. It was so spacious in the kitchen I barely knew what to do with all the free space. I took a seat at the center counter stool before continuing to fiddle with my hair, my stomach growling rather loudly. For some reason I was overly hungry today.

 

"I wonder how everyone at school is doing."

 

After the incident yesterday, I didn't know what to expect today. I remembered Mrs. Natsume sounded panicked on the phone, like she was caught in the storm. I hoped she was okay though and wasn't out in the rain during that call, because it really sounded like she was...

 

"Eep!"

 

I got so lost in thought I'd forgot that I asked for anything, and when it appeared next to me with that same "whoosh" sound it always has, I nearly jumped out of my seat. Now that I think about it, I wonder what Cody would do with this...

 

"Orange Juice please," I ask, now realizing how dry my throat felt.

 

When I finished up with breakfast I continued messing with my hair till I had it just right. I wasn't one to worry too much about appearance, but today I felt like looking just a little more refined. Try something else out for a change.

Snatching my backpack from on the couch-which I left there last night-I headed for the door and nearly jumped for a second time that day when it slid open on its own, revealing a familiar, brown haired girl on the other side.

 

"Morning," she says tentatively, like I was about to snap at her.

 

"Morning," I reply, unsure of what to say myself.

 

"Ready to go?" she asks, head tilting toward my backpack.

 

"Yeah... let's go."

 

Those were the last words spoken between us as we strode down the road toward the school. It was awkward the last time we saw each other, so neither of us probably knew what to say or ask. I could ask how her time at Aurora's went, but I don't think I'd want to know. What her and Aurora do are between them; I didn't really care. But then I realized how conceited that sounded, and my heart ached a little. I may not care about Aurora that much, but I did care about Cocoa. So I swallowed my pride and decided to ask her.

 

"So Cocoa, how was Aurora's?"

 

At first I thought she didn't hear me after 30 seconds slowly crawled on by. Maybe she didn't want to answer, I concluded on my own. Or maybe it was a really horrible time and I shouldn't have brought it up. I opened my mouth to ask again when she finally said, "It was...okay."

 

When she finally answered, she looked very solemn, like it wasn't a pleasant experience. Damn Aurora, what have you done to Cocoa?

 

As we continued onward I glanced over at her from time to time and noticed she was more pale today than usual. She was always so full of spirit-and maybe a little hyper on hot chocolate-but now she looked like she was heading through the gates of the afterlife. Whatever had happened, I may or may never know. But one thing was certain; I was going to cheer her up by the end of today. But now wasn't the time to start; Cody was here before either of us, sitting just by the fountain, his head staring down toward the sidewalk. At that moment though he looked up and noticed us and began to walk over, which Cocoa took as a sign to bolt, because she was halfway to the school entrance when I looked to my side again after noticing him.

 

"Hey Random, how's it-" he stops mid way and turns toward Cocoa, who narrowly disappears behind the double doors before finishing wistfully, "going."

 

It's been so long since I've seen Cody, and I didn't realize how emotional I was, that I ran up to him without thinking and wrapped my arms tightly around his waist. Tears stung my eyes as we stood there, ones I didn't even know I was fighting back. I felt too emotionally unstable to let go; it was a long, lonely way down here, even with Cocoa by my side and between her, Dizzy and Aurora... Thankfully he didn't let go till I was ready to let go, when I felt like the tears were going to finally stay put.

 

Wiping the remaining tears away, I look up at him and smile to try and lighten the mood. It was all I could do to bar back the tears. They were a waterfall waiting to burst, and I had to get through the stress of today first before I broke down. He looked so concerned and sincere about how I was feeling too that I felt bad for having to brush him off and tell him everything was okay when he asked.

 

"You sure?" he asks again, confirming that I was feeling okay, or as okay as I led him to believe. I nodded and laced my hand with his, urging him to walk toward the door to the school with me. He reluctantly let it go, smiled his dreamy, bright and white smile, and walked hand and hand toward the doors.

 

After he kisses me on the cheek goodbye right outside my locker, I go through the security steps before being let allowed inside. Sometimes the high-tech upgrade was a bit much, but I tricked it out enough and stored enough of my things in here that it was necessary. I needed my mini pad today and a few other things. I could just tell it was going to be a long day.

 

"So did you hear? Mrs. Natsume supposedly isn't in today. Rumour has it, she was caught in that storm yesterday."

 

As I rummaged through my locker, some girls passed by behind me, spreading rumours no doubt. The girl speaking had a loud voice, which allowed me to easily hear what she was saying even with my head in the locker. So I just made myself look busy and kept my focus on them.

 

"No way, really? Like in the hospital or they don't know where she is?" the other girl ask, excitement running through her voice, as if this was all a game to her.

 

"No one knows, but I heard the principal was talking..."

 

They must have just rounded a corner, because they were out of earshot as their voices slowly receded. After closing my locker my curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to follow after before I lost them. But I didn't get to make that chance as Aurora rounded the same corner, nearly knocking into me.

 

"Sorry- oh, it's just you Random," she says with a scowl, which seems to be a regular thing where she's concerned.

 

"Sorry," I tell her, not wanting to deal with her and hoping I can continue my pursuit of those two girls, but she just stood in my way, not willing to budge an inch.

 

"If you're after those two girls don't bother," she tells me vehemently. "They don't know what they're talking about."

 

After she finishes she pushes past me without so much as an ounce of decency, seeming more pissed off than normal. Just what had happened to her? I didn't get to question it because upon making contact with her as she passed by, a sharp flash of pain shot through my mind, then quickly dissipated. My whole body shook afterwards; a shiver sent straight down my spine. Just what had that been about? Taking one last look behind me, I continue around the corner and find the two girls had disappeared. Looks like Aurora was true to her word.

 

When I reach Mrs. Natsume's classroom later, I find the class in hushed whispers, everyone joined in a tight knit group. As I pass by them heading toward my seat, I can hear the hushed whispers coming from them, and they're all about Mrs. Natsume.

 

"Did you hear about the storm?"

 

"Mrs. Natsume stopped the storm using..."

 

"I hope she's not in today, not after yesterday..."

 

The rumours all made me feel depressed, afraid even. Like I didn't have enough on my mind as it was. Even when I reach my seat and notice Serena sitting alone, it isn't enough to lighten the mood when even she brings it up as well.

 

"Did you hear about Mrs. Natsume?" she asks with genuine concern. At least she wasn't on the rumour mill like everyone else. But still some part of the rumour clung to her question.

 

I shook my head as I sat down, "only what everyone is saying about her."

 

"Oh," is all she says before turning toward the front of the class and hanging her head low, as if I should know what had happened. It seemed to be something of an epidemic, and if you weren't in you were definitely out. It had the whole school panicked, or at least this class. I was in-between wanting to press for more information or deny it completely. It was too farfetched to believe she had any part of the storm other than being out in it, yet a part of me did believe it, that she had something to do with it. My curiosity was creeping up on me as usual. I had thought it finally died down on its own, but now...

 

"Hey, Sere-"

 

"Good morning class, I hope yesterdays storm didn't dampen your spirits too much."

 

Mrs. Natsume strode into the room before I could even begin to ask Serena, who I think promptly ignored me, shrinking down into her seat. Probably trying to avoid Mrs. Natsume's gaze, which the rest of the class seemed to follow suit in. Whatever she did during the storm was setting off my curious radar faster and faster with every passing second.

 

"Since we lost a day, I'm going to be combining both yesterday and today's lessons into two mini-lessons, allowing us to cover the basis of each category. Now no groaning; yesterdays storm was unexpected."

 

The class didn't look all that excited to learn as she took her seat; they looked ready to crawl back into their coffins and never come back from the dead with how pale they all were. Why were they afraid of her? Even if she stopped the storm it couldn't be that much of a shocking event that she would terrify half the class. I didn't even hear rumours on the way here, and Cocoa didn't mention...now that I think about it, she didn't mention a whole lot.

 

At least the class went by quickly enough, mostly because she cut everything in half, so she jumped back and forth between the two subjects enough that it managed to keep at least me interested. I managed to get notes taken and focus a little easier today because the class remained quiet, even Aurora, who was known for trying to outshine me. Even she showed a shred of fear, which was unusual for her.

 

Mrs. Natsume ended class soon after, but as she was tapping papers on the desk, trying to get them back to being orderly, everyone quickly packed up their things and dashed out of the room like skittish animals. It wasn't the strangest thing I've seen since I've been here though, but it was an odd enough site. I took my time packing my things, as I had a few more notes taken than I thought at first. As I was finishing up Mrs. Natsume came up behind me and used Serena's desk as a chair.

 

"Glad to see you're not running with your tail between your legs, Random," she says after letting out a long sigh, as if she's been holding it in all day. When I looked up at her she looked distant, as if she couldn't wait to go home. It made me feel bad for her, like she was being held against her will.

 

"I just don't see what all the commotion is about," I tell her, honestly unaware as to why they all fled. I throw my backpack over my shoulder before taking a seat on my own desk opposite her. "Whatever happened obviously has everyone spooked though."

 

I almost wanted to eat my own words at that point, as her expression changed from distant to completely alone. I felt hurt for her, not just because of everyone acting strange, but because she was the reason they were acting strange. Anything I said clearly wasn't helping her, and I didn't know what I could say to lighten the mood. Talk about an oxymoron.

 

"Maybe one day I'll tell you," she whispers, loud enough for me to hear. She then looks toward me and tries to put on a smile, something to keep me, her student, from feeling worse for making her feel worse most likely. "I'm glad that you got my message yesterday, Random. I didn't think it'd go through. I had to message a few others, but after the call to you the phone lines went down. I had to rush up here in the storm to find the numbers for the students, but the connection was cutting out and I ended up using my cell phone on the way back home to contact at least you. The first message, as it turns out, never went through."

 

That would explain why she sounded like she was in the storm. I guess it would be a priority to make sure we didn't attempt to leave our homes. But why didn't the principal just...

 

"Right! What's going on with the Principal?" I ask, quickly aware that she wasn't paying attention and accidentally scared her a little. After I apologize she begins to explain.

 

"He tried to contact me after he found out I was already in the storm, but my cell phone had died after the call to you. He then announced, I found out later, over the loudspeaker today that I would most likely not be teaching. But it was before that... Never mind, you'll be late."

 

As she finished the bell rang, causing me to spring from my seat. I quickly thanked her for the not-so-clear story in the process, and rushed to my next class. I didn't get what information I wanted from Mrs. Natsume, but I wasn't going to dread on it. Mr Bits class was up next.

 

As I walked into the door, I noticed his class was more ordinary than Mrs. Natsume's had been, which let me breathe a sigh of relief as I took a seat, till I saw Aurora walk in. Whatever fear she harboured had all but faded from Mrs. Natsume's class.

 

"Hello Random," she says smugly as she goes to take her seat. I was almost ready to snap back when Cody came in. I watched his eyes moved around the room till they found mine and that gorgeous smile of his lit up my face. Thankfully his seat was next to mine. But when he came within a few inches of Aurora, he suddenly stopped, gripping his head like he was in pain. But it only lasted a few seconds and he continued my way. No one else seemed to notice, so it could have been my eyes playing tricks on me, but I decided to ask him at lunch.

 

Nothing much exciting happened throughout Mr Bits class, at least not much I didn't already know. Aurora took the spotlight throughout the class though, but I didn't mind too much. My mind was swimming with questions. I was so glad when the lunch bell rang; I was finally going to have my questions answered.

 

As I quickly shoved my stuff into my backpack, Cody came up behind me. My mind choose then to go into overdrive after I scooped the last item into the backpack. I didn't know what he wanted, and when he tapped my shoulder I jumped a little, feeling far too nervous for no actual reason.

 

"Hey Random, could I...talk to you during lunch?" he asks with a serious expression, one that my heart refused to turn down. With a curt nod, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed through the metal door to the classroom, a satisfied smile across my face. But I felt guilty as well, like I was forcing information from him. But he came to me, so I shouldn't feel anything, no matter how brief. Shaking off the feeling, I head toward the lunch room amidst the shuffling crowed of students.

 

Once inside the lunch room, the smell of food wafts from the kitchen and my stomach complies with the delicious aroma. I didn't realize how hungry I was, for the second time in a row that day. Why was I hungry so often all of a sudden? Another growl from my stomach causes my thoughts to waver, and I no longer wanted to stand there and think about it as I headed for a tray and joined the long, curving line.

 

It felt like an eternity standing in line by the time I finally got my food, and I couldn't locate Cody anywhere in the lunch room, which seemed odd since he asked me to meet him here. I decide to wait a few more seconds before taking a seat near the far left side of the room. I also take note that Cocoa is nowhere in sight, which saddens me a little. I don't know why she was so distant, but only one problem could be solved at any given time, and right now it was with Cody, wherever he was.

 

Taking a seat and setting the tray down, I pick up the fork and start to dig in. It was ravioli today, not one of my top favourites, but I didn't mind. It felt like something was missing though, and if Cody were here I'd ask what it was. But as I turned my head through the room once more, Aurora is the only one I see, eating and laughing over at the popular table. Usually she'd be trying to pick a fight with me, but today she seemed more distant than usual, ever since Cocoa went over... Did they make a deal? Stay away from me for her to do whatever she says? I didn't want to think about it.

 

Halfway through my plate and with no sign of Cody I began to worry. Cocoa had shown up at least, but she sat by herself opposite me on the far right wall, a distant look on her face. As I watched her she slowly played and picked at her food, not really having any sort of appetite or feigning hunger, pretending to take a bite than set it back down. I've never seen her like this before, not in all my years of knowing her, which I'll admit isn't long. But that didn't stop the aching in my heart. She occasionally casted glances over at Aurora though, and I knew something was up between them.

 

"Hey Random," Cody says, interrupting my train of thought and startling me all at once.

 

"H-Hey," I tell him, completely baffled as to what to do or say. He finally showed up, but I was more concerned with Cocoa now; there's no way I could focus on our conversation now. I was about to tell him that when he interjected with, "It's about..." he stops and gives a sideway glance at Aurora before turning his head back to me, "Aurora."

 

My attention perks up again at the mention of Aurora, and I feel I'd be one step closer to figuring something out if I stuck around and talked to Cody. The thought juggled itself inside my head before I nodded and repositioned myself more comfortably, expecting it to take awhile, even if half our lunch was already over.

 

"Okay, I'm listening," I tell him, trying to put some sort of excitement into my voice, my mind still trapped between him and Cocoa.

 

"Well, I don't know exactly how to explain it, but whenever I'm near Aurora, I feel...light headed and dizzy. And that's just right before a sharp pain, like an intense headache forming. Sounds strange, doesn't it?" he adds, trying to lighten the mood with a smile, but it doesn't mask his apprehension. "I don't think it's Aurora affecting me directly, but something she carries... Something that glows."

 

My mind quickly races back to the day of the junkyard when Cocoa and I trailed Aurora to the exit, carrying a glowing rock surrounded in coil. I peek over at Aurora to make sure she's not paying attention and it turns out she doesn't even look the slightest bit interested, too caught up in her own laughter.

 

"Random?" Cody says tentatively, making sure my focus wasn't lost. And too an extent it was.

 

"Yeah, I'm not too sure, Cody," I tell him wearily, unsure of how to quite explain it to him. "For now, just keep your distance from her. If it's affecting you physically, I would put some distance between the two of you."

 

"Yeah, you-you're right. I only wanted to let someone know because my sister found out rather awkwardly the other day, but she promised not to tell anyone. You know how my mom already is, I didn't want anyone else worrying over another family member if it wasn't worth it."

 

With one last solemn look toward Aurora, he grabs his tray, gets up and heads toward the exit of the lunchroom. I felt bad for not giving him my full attention, but Aurora seems to be coming up as the center of attention a lot as of late.

 

"Right!" I exclaim through gritted teeth, remembering I was going to talk to Cocoa, but the bell halts my actions, letting me know the day goes on, and all other form of communications during lunch are cut short as students begin dropping off their trays and head toward the door. Sighing, I also make tracks for the door, dropping my tray off and noticing Cocoa was long gone, preventing me from talking to her for now.