Ten:
"Where am I?" I asked as soon as my eyes open. And there he was standing right beside me.
"Are you alright?"
Worries and fears are written all over Almos face and I knew it is a genuine concern.
I smile before I answered. "I'm fine thanks to you."
Relieve filled him in and to my surprised, he suddenly hold my hand that gives warm through my heart. "This dream won't be long so, I will not make it too long. I promise you I'll always be by your side no matter what." He said before I felt that I'm starting to wake up.
However, his warm hand never left me. Almos warmth embraces my whole being as I wake up.
*** *** ***
Infirmary
When I opened my eyes once again I immediately saw the white ceiling and immediately heard Chadd's voice at my side.
"Chadd?" Questions, that is the first thing written all over my head and I know it shows all over my face.
"You're okay, now?"
I felt myself and the dizziness I was feeling was completely gone but the weakness was still there and… the warmth of Almos' palm on my hand just stayed there and I couldn't help but quietly think of him and call out his name.
"Oh, you're finally awake." The Doctor of our school suddenly interrupted my thoughts as she check on me. "I'm glad you're okay now." She added and smiled.
"Wh-What happened?" I curiously asked.
"Low sugar, which is why you suddenly lose consciousness and it, seems that you also felt dizzy before that, right?"
"Yes."
"Then, I think you shall consume fast acting carbs like glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candy to boost up your lack of sugar into your body, okay?"
I smile and answered. "Yes, Doc. I will do that. Thank you Doc."
"Okay, good! That will be all."
"Can I go home now?" I hurriedly asked since I just wanted to go home right away.
"You can go home now if you can."
"I will accompany her home." Chadd answered.
"Of course, you need too. And you have nothing to worry about with your teachers I will send them an excuse letter to excuse you both for today."
"Thank you, Doc." We answered in unison.
"Alright, I leave you now and prepare the letters."
Afterwards…
"Do you really need to take me home?" I asked as soon as we came out of the infirmary.
"Of course, I have too."
"But…" I don't know if this is the right time to say this but…
"Anne!" Suddenly Claire came together with Rina and Ariel. "Hey! Are you alright?"
I smile. "Of course, I am. I just need some time to rest."
"That's good." Rina answered that I just nodded.
"Then, you'll need to take her home, Chadd?" Ariel asked.
"Yes, I'll send her back home."
"But I was worried for his practice later." I honestly answered.
"Don't think about it, I'll take care of our Coach besides it was an emergency he will let him leave for today." Ariel answered that I just look back to Chadd.
"Alright, we need to go back to our class so, take a good rest and don't worry about our lesson we'll give you a copy of it." Claire clearly stated.
"Thanks." I said and smiled.
"You're welcome."
"What about me?" Chadd asked.
"Ariel will take care of it." she said.
"What!" Ariel exclaimed.
"I think I'll just borrow Anne's copy because I'm more sure the lesson I'll get are complete and in good shape."
"Hey! Man! You don't trust me?!" Ariel whined.
"No. Not at all." He plainly and coldly replied that makes us laugh when Ariel's face falls down in disbelief.
It was just a simple laugh but I was able to forget the scary experience I had earlier before I lose my consciousness. However, that didn't make me forget the warmth Almos gave me. I can still feel it in my hand and I don't know if I will want to wash it or I just let my hand get dirty rather than to take away Almos's warmth.
*** *** ***
Fabbri Residence
I've been staring up at the ceiling while in deep thought. I wanted to know Chadd's reason for his sudden absence in the midst of their practice, and he himself opened up and said, 'At the right time I will explain everything to you', as if he already knew what's on my mind. And with that, he just left me after taking me home safely and making sure that my parents knew my situation.
I felt like he was hiding something important from me that he couldn't say yet. That is why I'll wait for that time he's ready to confess it all.
*** *** ***
"You shouldn't be here."
Suddenly someone spoke up to me and to my surprised I'm in a dream again.
I quickly stand up only to find out I'm at the outside field of our school. "What am I doing here?!"
"Dreaming."
"Huh?" I turned to face him. "Almos?"
"Call me Al." He said and sits down on the grass. "Have a sit." He offered and even if I don't want to sit beside him, I don't have a choice but to do it before it attracts more viewers. Because it was only then that I noticed we're not alone in this place. Students are everywhere and hiding is impossible.
"Alright," I said as I sit down not too closer or not too far from him. "Let us talk since you were here already." In my peripheral vision, he lightly nodded. "Okay. So, what is happening to me? Why do you enter my waking life? And how?" I asked and look at him straight. "Tell me, what is going on? Explain it to me, please."
"Looks like you still have no idea of your abilities?"
"It was the same thing that you said before." I answered then asked. "What abilities are you talking about?"
"You being a Questor." Almos seriously answered which further confused my already confused mind.
*** *** ***