 “There is nothing permanent except change.”
-Heraclitus.
 Honestly, I was just glad that Spring Break started today. I told Thomas that I would be hanging out with my friends for the entirety of spring break before stuffing my bag with more granola bars, all my money, a few pairs of clothes, and heading out the door. Notos told me we would be gone for awhile, and I just had to hope that what I got was enough
“So, what exactly are we doing?” I muttered as I stumbled out of the lobby and he jumped down from who knows where to stand beside me.
He glared at me with disdain. “Troy.”
“Wasn’t that- it’s in ruins. Are we even allowed there?”
“From what they say, sure. But that is just what they see. The real Troy is hidden in the middle of a nearby forest, lost in a different plane of existence. Stuck in a separate time and space. But, with Aeolus’s help, I can get us there.”
“WAIT! Are we going to freaking Greece?! Nope. I’m officially out.”
“Turkey, technically. First, to find the third member.”
“Third? No. Wait, what is even hap-“
“Oh! There!” Notos grinned his creepy grin. I followed his gaze to see an all too familiar figure leaving the building across the street from us. Dawn must be back from Texas and Myrah must have been visiting.
I checked the time. It had been four hours since I had escaped school.
“Wait, no. Anyone but Myrah.”
“Why,” Notos stated, glaring at me, obviously not looking for an answer.
I gritted my teeth. “How old are you anyway?”
“Uh… well… I don’t know. I got kind of closed off from the world, so- mentally and physically, I guess 16? I was 12 when Aeolus cracked down in my studies and slowed my aging and I’ve spent about a year in your modern world, learning how it works.”
He glared at me as I rolled my eyes. Myrah was still on the block and I didn’t want to listen to the elf-bird anymore so there goes stalling. Besides, someone like her or really just not me would say no to everything to do with Notos.
We caught up with Myrah who barely even blinked at Notos. “Caio?..”
I almost tripped. She was staring at me like I had sprouted an extra head. I snorted. “Greetings, Milady. What I am about to tell you is shocking…”
“You’re dating Coders here?”
“What- no. What?”
I stared at her for a moment. What the hell was wrong with her. When Notos explained it to her, she just nodded thoughtfully. SHE NODDED! WHAT. THE. HELL.
“Cool. So, when do we leave? I’m good with now, but I would prefer to get certain things from my apartment- and tell my brother that I am going… to a boarding school for a school program or something like that.” I blinked. Notos grinned widely. I glared at him. He ignored my existence.
“We leave at midnight! Cody and I will wait here,” Notos piped. What is happening?!
“No-“
“How about Cody walks with me? We could get both of our excuses out of the way,” Myrah pronounced.
She began to walk off before I could argue. I, of course, followed her. The sun had then set and we were in one of the darkest parts of the city. Of Chicago city. And she was a sixteen year old girl.
“Hey, Cody, how come you have- well…” she started.
Why have I been able to feel how your emotions have been really messed up and shoved to the side for a year and we found out your mom was sick five months ago and you only started being weird three weeks ago- I jumped. She didn’t actually say that, right? Her mouth didn’t move. But it was her voice-
“What the hell?!”
“What?” She flinched, eyeing me.
“You didn’t speak yet I swear I heard you- and I’m pretty sure I am not going insane,” I said. She looked me over. Then she smiled slightly before stifling it.
Can you hear me now?
I narrowed my eyes. Her mouth didn’t move and she seemed to be concentrating. Focusing my thoughts in her direction, I clearly thought, “yes.”
She raised a brow. Nothing. Again. Nothing.
Yes?
She smiled. That was how she did it. It was weird, I never heard of anything like that… could it have something to do with the fact that I had different and random waves of emotions around her. Man, I really should have questioned that more.
I had known Myrah almost all my life. We hadn’t been talking as much recently, but we were still friends. I doubt anything would change that. Same thing with all of our other mutual friends- except Bella ghosted me after I dumped her. Which was about three weeks ago. People need time, sure, but she was also being rude to me when we did run into each other. Let me get something straight, our break up was not the reason I had gotten “weird.”
“So, are you going to answer my question?”
“No.”
“Alright,” she said, though I felt a wave of disappointment from her. “I miss you, that’s it. We all do. Except I’ve missed the real you for a while…”
Her voice was quiet but carried. I gripped the collar of my jacket and looked up at the clouds that umbrellaed the night stars. Her stride began to waver to stand back with my slow walk and it began to zigzag. I snorted and she grinned up at me.
We reached the building she lived in, it looked older than the rest of the city. She nodded to me.
“We are going to a school in Europe called, uh, Voltine Academy. It was a last minute thing so we didn’t really get a chance to prepare. Are you going to tell your mom or-” Myrah shifted awkwardly until I shook my head and she jogged in.
I held my breath before leaning against the cool red brick of the building.
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