Pov, William.
I yawned for the fourth time in a row. I rest my head on the back of the seat with my eyes closed, trying to take a short nap on my lunch break.
Maybe the image of that stupid goblin will fade from my mind for a while.
That is, if it doesn't invade my dream.
"William!" A loud voice startles me, and I reopen my eyes wide, staring with a grumpy expression at the tall man who bursts into the classroom, smiling broadly and holding two cups of iced coffee.
He puts one of the cups on the desk in front of me and then sits in a chair in front of me.
Barbaric.
"Thanks for the coffee, Leo, but I'm not in the mood to gossip." I say, feeling a bit under the weather, then I pick up the coffee cup. I stare at it silently without sipping even a drop, and I can almost feel my friend's gaze penetrating me.
I know him well. He's not going to leave me alone until I tell him what's going on.
I don't even realize what's going on with me.
He puts his coffee on his lap, and asks. "What's wrong?"
I swallow, then slowly raise my gaze towards him, sighing softly. I'm not sure how to explain what I'm feeling right now.
All I know is that it's really annoying.
This feeling has been with me ever since I kicked Evander out of the house.
I'm not sure, but the closest word to describe what I'm feeling right now is "longing."
Longing?
Am I missing a goblin?
What's wrong with you, William?
Leo cuts me off as he snatches the cup out of my hand and waves his hand in front of my face. "I'm getting worried, buddy. Tell me what's going on with you."
I purse my lips and lower my gaze, leaning my elbow on the desk and resting my chin on the bottom of my hand, drawing an imaginary circle with my index finger on the surface of the desk.
I don't think it's a good idea to tell him I miss a goblin.
I say quietly as I look back at him. "I feel exactly the same way I felt after Rose left me."
Then, we're both silent for a bit.
A few moments later, I feel my body being pulled into his arms, and then he says in a worried, dramatic voice, "No, William! All that psychotherapy for depression can't go to waste!"
"I'm not depressed, you idiot; get away from me!" I grumble, and I pull away from him. Then I leave the hall.
I turn to him and point my index finger at him, saying in a stern tone, and he just stares at me with wide eyes, shocked at my reaction.
"Don't follow me!"
...
I got home after spending the day counting down the hours until I could go home and rest.
I open the door, feeling tired, with a bunch of pink roses in my hand. I have no idea why I bought them.
It's like clockwork — every time I get this awful feeling, this is what I do.
Maybe it's because they remind me of that woman.
Rose.
I fill a vase with water to put the roses in, and I can't help but stare at it in disbelief.
Why do I keep living in the past?
You're thirty-four years old, William! You're still young, so why are you wasting your precious time and youth thinking about a woman who left you without even explaining herself?
If she had just come clean, I'd try to understand.
That's so unfair!
"William, you're really pathetic!" I yell, picking up the vase and throwing it wildly on the floor, scattering the crystal pieces all over the place.
I stand there, staring at the mess I made, and I feel a hot liquid running down my cheek. I wipe it away roughly.
I get down on my knees to pick up the sharp pieces, and one of them goes through my thumb.
Ouch!
I let out a big groan, and I start crying like a baby.
I can't keep pretending to be okay.
But then I feel two arms wrap around my body from behind, and then I feel someone's head resting on my back.
"Don't cry, Mr. William."
I stop sobbing and stare blankly into space as I recognize his voice.
I turn around and stare at him with wide eyes.
Is he really there, or am I just hallucinating from lack of sleep?
There he is, smiling broadly at me.
It's a really nice smile.
I blink a few times as he holds my hand, staring at the bleeding wound with a worried expression.
Is he worried about me?
He goes into the bathroom and comes back with a first aid kit and kneels down in front of me.
He carefully applies the sterilizer to the wound and wraps a white cloth around my hand like I did for him last time.
I laugh, "It doesn't take much. A Band-Aid will do."
But it's still a nice gesture.
"Do you feel better now?" He asks me, smiling big, and I don't even realize I'm smiling back.
I move closer to him, wrapping my arms around his body and resting my chin on his shoulder with my eyes closed. "Yes."
...
Pov, Evander.
Sitting on the kitchen chair, I look at the masterpiece in a glass filled with a clear liquid, touching its pink, flat circles in awe.
"These are the roses, then." I say, then flinch a bit as William puts a plate of noodles in front of me, sits down, grabs his sticks, and starts eating.
"Eat with the fork; it's easier." He says, and I look at this sharp thing that looks like a weapon to kill, not to eat with.
I look at him, silent, and then he adds, "Eat your food before it gets cold instead of staring at the roses. They won't talk to you."
I blink a few times, staring silently at him as I detect the sarcasm in his tone.
I ignore him, rest my chin on my hand, lean my elbows on the table, and after a long sigh, I say,. "My mom loves roses."
I look back at William when I feel him looking at me.
He stops eating and swallows his food, then says with a smile as he goes back to stuff the rest of the food into his mouth.
"Nice. What's your mom's name"?
Is he trying to get close to me since he's creating a dialog between us?
Or maybe he wants to be friends?
I hope so.
I smile and grab the fork to catch the noodles, answering. "She told me that her husband named her Rose because he thought she was beautiful, but her real name is Luciana."
I'm about to shove the food in my mouth when William coughs, his face red and looking like he's about to choke.
I keep staring at him with wide eyes, not knowing what to do in such situations.
He surprises me when he picks up the roses from the glass and drinks the clear liquid inside.
I say, "Are you all right, Mr. William?"
His face went back to normal color, and then my heart jumps out of my chest as I see the small sword William is waving in front of me.
He yells at me, and I can see the fear on his face.
Is he afraid of me?
"Tell me who you are before I lose my mind!"
"I told you."
I say, nervous, not able to move, my body shaking, and my eyes squeezing shut as he comes back to yell at me.
"You lied to me! I knew it! Tell me the whole truth or I'll poke your eyes out!"
I swallow hard.
I don't have an excuse anymore.
I just have to tell the truth.
...