Liam sat up against the wall. An entire minute had passed since Dylan left but Liam hadn't moved from his position this entire time.
He helplessly traced his fingers along the skin on his neck and sighed.
The burn marks that had been so apparent before were now gone. There wasn't even scar tissue to indicate that Dylan had injured him to begin with. He was fine just like before. No bruises, no scratches, no sign that he had been abused just minutes ago.
The only evidence that something had transpired was his uniform but even that was inconsequential.
When Dylan had just began to pick on him he had tried to report the matter to the teachers but every time he tried they would tell him the same thing.
'Where is the proof?'
And of course there was no proof. After all his awakened ability rendered the injuries that would be there to support his claim null and void.
'I hate this fucking curse'
Liam pushed himself off the wall and stood. He made his way to the lockers just a few feet to his left at the back of the class. Just as he reached his locker.
Vooom! Vooom!
Liam's phone rang from his pocket. Even with all that rough housing it managed to stay intact.
Liam checked the caller ID and smiled at the words written in bold letters 'MOM'.
"Hey mom!" Liam answered with fake enthusiasm.
"Hey baby how was school today?" his mother's sweet voice filled him with joy. A heavy weight that Liam didn't even know had been on his shoulders was lifted.
"Its been a great day mom...I managed to get A's in all my tests" Liam explained. He wasn't lying what he lacked in the physical department he made up for it in the mental.
"Really!? That's wonderful news" he heard his mother clap in the background, clearly delighted.
He could almost imagine her green eyes light up and the soft smile grace her lips. In fact she might very well be in the kitchen this moment making preparations for dinner.
"Yeah"
"Well then this calls for a celebration. Hurry up and get home soon, the sun is about to completely set and I don't want my little boy out in the dark"
Liam groaned in exasperation.
"Mom I'm almost 18 now you don't have to worry about me that much"
"Honey you could be a 50 year old man and I'd still worry. Thats just what moms do"
There was silence for a moment. Liam froze not knowing what to say to that. A warm feeling settled in the pit of his stomach and tears formed on the corner of his eyes.
They were tears of happiness. His family were the only ones who seemed to not mind his flaws and weaknesses in the slightest in fact they gave it their all to bring him into this prestigious institution despite there financial situation.
It was a feeling that Liam never got anywhere else. And it left him longing.
Longing to repay this kindness to his family, to bring them up from their current situation and lead them to a life of luxury.
"...iam...Liam" his mother called out to him
Liam snapped out of his thoughts. "Huh yeah?"
"Hurry and get home alright?" she said softly.
"Alright I'll see you soon" Liam replied while wiping the tears from the corner of his eyes.
"Bye Love you"
"Love you too"
He hung up.
...
A few minutes later Liam was walking out of the classroom in a new change of clothes and a backpack hanging to this back. He swapped out his ragged uniform in favor of a simple black t-shirt and grey sweatpants. His uniform was folded and tucked away in his pack.
Bright Academy's hallways were dark and devoid of life. It had been a full hour since recess after all and no student, no matter how prestigious the school, would spend that long after the day was over. All except Liam who had gotten special permission to use the library after school.
Unfortunately, Dylan caught him before he could even use his privilege.
'Arrogant prick'
Liam's trek through the dark corridors of the school consisted of several turns down corridors and some stairs. His classroom was located on the 3rd floor of the 4 story building.
He passed by classrooms, laboratories and as well as training rooms for those who liked to workout physically. After all there were several students here who aimed at becoming Hunters.
By the time Liam got out of the school's main building and into the parking space the sun had already set and it was beginning get dark.
He barely took a step away from the front doors of the school's main doors when he froze.
As his eyes landed on the young lady standing just a few feet away he couldn't help but give a wry smile.
'It seems she was waiting for me'
She regarded him with her steel-grey eyes and a smile curved her pink lips. Liam could hardly react before he was warped in a warm embrace and since she was taller than him Liam's face ended just above the supple molds on her chest...that didn't mean he didn't feel them though.
Caught in the awkward position Liam couldn't help but let out a nervous cough.
"Uh, Emily?"
"Yeah?"
"Too close"
"..."
There was a pause and then she hurriedly pulled away. The skin on her jade-like face giving off glaring hints of red.
"Oh wow" Emily fanned her face with her left palm. "Is it hot out here or is it just me?"
Similarly Liam looked down in an effort to hide the embarrassed blush that covered his cheeks as well. There were a few extra moments of awkwardness before they could finally look at each other once again.
It was only then that Liam could finally make out the yellow flowery knee length dress that she wore. It was a modest piece with no sleeve but a pair of shoulder straps that held it up at the chest. It made her look like an innocent maiden, a rare sight given that most girls preferred to wear short and revealing clothes instead.
"What are you doing dressed like that eh? You going out for a date or something?" Liam teased her slightly
"Hah! Me...on a date" Emily gave a slight laugh before she gave him a rather strange look as though hinting at something. "Like I would waste my time on such trivial matters..."
Liam shook his head. "Forget I asked" Then he paused. "What are you doing here anyway?"
"Waiting for you" she shrugged. The two began walking side by side.
"I thought I told you I was going to be in the library...don't tell me you were waiting for me this entire time?"
"What, can't a girl wait?" Emily smiled a bit but then the smile fell. "Besides I just saw Dylan coming out"
There was a small pause in Liam's pace but he quickly recovered. Not before Emily noticed though.
"Is there something you want to tell me?" she asked
"Nothing in particular"
By then they had already reached the gates of the academy, opening up to a road that branched to the left and the right.
Emily reached out, her fingers wrapping around his wrist, prompting Liam to look at her.
For a moment Liam's sea green eyes were reflected in her steel grey.
"You know you can tell me anything right?" Emily's voice was laced with concern...and something else. Something that together with her eyes in that moment pulled him in. Comforting him and making him feel almost a certain desire to close the distance. To reach out to her. To open up to her, but...
'Flies like you should know your place better'
Dylan's voice shattered that atmosphere. And Liam could no longer let himself open up to her. She was someone who was destined to soar. A distant star that he yearned but could not reach no matter how hard he tried.
Liam gave her a soft smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"See you tomorrow Em"
He pulled away from her touch, turned around and walked down the road that went left of the academy gates.