Elaine
If a month ago, just before the atrocious christmas night. If someone had enlightened me of a near future that I'd be flying to England for the birthday of a rich Asian dude and would probably end up helping an FBI senior tech recruit to carryout the operation invoving the kidnapping of a senator.
There might have been a possibility that I would've died, chocking of laughter.
But here I was, in a secluded room full of two male detectives and the disproving woman deputy with an extremely bored sofware engineering graduate by my side.
They say there are two kinds of people when the working atmosphere is involved. One that does the entire work and the other who pretends to do so.
The initial was me and the latter?
"Thank God I was right on time. Or else it was next to impossible for the signal transmission to have a clear coast if they had taken the subway route before we successfully hacked" proudly squaring his shoulder the short, not really but if you consider someone equal to my height, especially a man as concise, then short, average built geeky guy with nerdy glasses and complimenting dorky clothes angles his sharp nose at Mr.Graham, the name of the bald detective that I learned from all the shouting directed towards his direction.
He looks at the man with tired but rather worn down gaze as he lethargically takes a seat for the first time.
"I think what you mean to say is we found her in the right time" with a lazy but really strong work of his jaw Mr. Graham smiles at me, his thick British accent filling the room.
"She's young" scratchy, that's how he sounded as he took a glimpse of me frowning. Diverting his gaze back to the large man he drums his finger across the mahogany desk. "She can be mislead easily"
slowly but steadily I felt my brain cells die each wise he made use of that corpulent mouth of his. With each passing second I disliked him a bit more. And now I was prematurely sure that I borderline hated him. He was a headache and I felt the onset of a severe and literal one at the moment
"She's young, but really smart. We could use someone like her." Mr. Graham nodded distinctly as he played with a bronze, paper weight.
"If you ever are in a need of a work place after your studies. Contact me on this. We are more than happy to train someone like you" sliding me his card past an utterly displeased guy, who abruptly shuts the laptop and gets up whirling around, finding his way out.
Pretending to be grateful I clear my sore throat as the cold from the night took it's toll on me. I take the card.
After I was introduced to the system, I was proficiently able to manage the quaint hacks with a knowledge that somehow crawled back from times that I can't even recall.
Upon it's success, that navigation page was taken over by the lead man himself as Mr. Graham barked the directions to not so much of a local police chase. In the end, the operation was an A grade success as the senator was found drugged but very much alive on the passenger front of SUV that the kidnappers had abandoned on an alley way, probably cautious of their disastrous failure.
The room, which at that time was filled with anticipating and nail biting amount of officers erupted into a rattle of applause and happiness. A bluff man with the enthusiasm of an iron patted my back in an act of painful praise as I almost lurched forward on my seat, pecking the table, almost.
Since then the crowd dispersed and I waited to be excused. The ticking clock perched on the top stated that it was way past eleven. That's marks two hours of my presence here.
"Can I leave now?"
"Yes, and don't worry. Your help will be rewarded discreetly and since you're a minor we won't disclose any information or your name to the media" with a warm fatherly smile Mr. Graham walks me to the door as I nod processing it all in. A slight tremor in my spine as I realize the danger of mistaken suspection and identity that could've taken place if these officers would've decided to divulge deeper about my existence.
I shrug it off as I step out after wishing the man drained of stamina to serve his nation a heartfelt goodbye. Silently praying to never see his face again.
My legs groaned with each step that I exerted, with an oath to never wear such platform of self torture as I try to find my way back to the central hall. Were everything began.
I don't know what I was expecting to see back there. An empty hall, workers cleaning the night off, or may be someone who waited long enough to take me back. Cursing at my stupidity for the latter part as I had already declined the Officers offer to take me back home, I still found my legs stalking out in hope of what I wished for.
And then I got more.
"Elaine" when I saw Edmund across, still on the same spot from were I was escorted to a secluded room.
My eyes solidly but softly scanned the people with him. Lee hastily got up from the chair as I slowly walked towards them. But in a radical moment Lee strides in my way and soon my body was engulfed in a bear hug.
"You have no idea what you did for me Elaine." If I hadn't heard him with a visual for support, I would've probably declined this voice to be his. It was so thick with emotion and gratitude that it even teared me up.
When he untangles and places his grip upon my shoulders shaking me slightly as he blinks away the moisture, probably from stress and a forced all nighter as he has a hard time staying awake.
"A friend in need is a friend indeed" I say smiling meekly.
But he barely smiles, nodding sideways inclining rejection to my statement.
"It was more than what anyone could've done. I am forever in your debt" speechless to such raw expression of emotions I let the current situation flow on its own.
It went blurry as I felt Edmund hug me from side as he whispered something. I was informed that the girls left once they were forced to evacuate the scene along with others. Riley and jared left with their brother. As for now Lee left for hospital were his father has been admitted, I felt Edmund kiss my forehead as he muttrred an apology since he had to leave with Lee as he needs him.
I remember smiling at him in understanding, but not feeling it. I felt tasteless, numb to the core and exhausted to the extremes. My ears rang with rough frequencies, I saw things taking place but it became a challenge to perceive them. Well that was until_
"Are you alright?" Shutting my eyes I cough, the headache intensifies by the second as I nod at Alex's enquiry as we walk out of the building. Mike takes the lead in front of us as he takes the shot gun. Alex and I, opt for the only reamaing back seat.
Once in, I let the momentum of the car cradle my neck as I leaned them back against the head rest. My hands on it accord runs it's fingers over the tormented skin of my ankle as I crossed my legs.
"Why wear them when it hurts you?" in normal circumstances my eyes would've snapped open at his remark, but owing to the present condition I arched my back and lazily watched as I trailed my index, hooking them inside the buckle and tugging at it for some kind of relief.
I sense his eyes hot on my movements, like a snake I felt it spiral around the exposed skin of my legs. And that's when I shifted clearing my throat uncomfortably.
For a second my eyes meets his which held more darkness than the night sky above. I tried not to think about them.
"There are things that hurts you, but you fall in a delusion, an illustration of your own that makes you think that you are complete with them no matter how destructive they are. In the end you suffer and you regret" the soreness in my throat was like a salt to the wounds as I coughed again. He passes me a bottle of water from the holder as I chugged it down. Soothing the brewing itch for a moment.
We both know it wasn't the accessories I was talking about and it didn't appeared that he minded much being compared to a high heel.
"Sometimes they just can't help but hurt you unknowingly, no matter how much they mold themselves to be enough deserving" at that I narrow my eyes as he causally watches the front of windshield.
Alex smirks as he looks at me sideways. When I opened my mouth to retort another philosophically coated insight of my own. He intrudes ruining it all.
"I have a pair of jimmy choos that got torn at the edges in just one wear."
We hold each others stares for a long time before i sighed and peered at Mike, who was too deep texting someone to notice our little devotion towards cobblerhood.
Good.
When we reached the Mansion I was engulfed in a hug by Hailey, followed by Clarissa who quoted.
"You are the only good decision Lee ever made"
Since Riley was with her brother I selfishly walked back to the room with a sense of accomplishment to have the whole room for myself.
Once I was behind the safety of it, I felt the intensity of fatigue hit me ten times harder. Not wasting a minute more I got rid of those monstrous heels and tossed it across the room. It landed with a thud somewhere followed by the other.
Changing into a blue full sleeved blue shirt and sweatpants I snuggled inside a small mountain of blankets that I hope would save me from the bone chilling cold trespassing through my skin pores.
Sleep was almost in the course of consuming me, but even in the sufficiently induced hibernating state I heard the soft stretch of the door being opened. The steps that followed alerted me pointedly, sliding to the edge of my bed I let my hand wander down. An attempt to grasp the shoes I had carelessly thrown across.
To my sheer luck my fingers latched onto the velvety buckle, curling it around I hoisted it up in time as the silhouette in dark leaned right down beside me. Before the sharp edge of my heels was about to meet the skull of whoever that unfortunate intruder was, the bed side lamp flickered on.
Shielding the eyes with vacant arms, i blindly hurled the shoes.
"What do you think you are doing?" Alex's stoically calm voice catches my utmost attention as I tentatively remove my hands. The scenario that welcomed me was quite familiar with little alteration by his side as he stood analyzing my shoes in his hands, weighing it from right to left as if as kitten playing with furball. He must've have caught it when it should've done the aspired job of knocking him. Damn reflexes.
"Do you have a thing for hitting boys with high heels?" he looks at me arching a brow as an image of our first official encounter flashes before my eyes. It seemed like yesterday and yet so detached, nostalgic and so far.
"Only when it involves people breaking into my room" I stopped short as so did he when I spoke. My voice, I sounded like a moaning broken hair dryer.
I watched as Alex who stood five steps away from my bed ducked his head slightly in question.
Licking my lips I breathed through my throat, coughing and clearing my trachea I tried again.
"Old Mc Donalds had a fa-" I couldn't even complete it as it trails out breathily. I glare at the brewing smirk that formed on his lips at my misery. It was getting worse by the second, if it was a dryer back then now it sounded as a generator dying.
Narrowing my eyes I pursed my lips, I flagged my hands into an why are you here? sign.
For an answer it takes two leap of his steps to come and lean down above, startled I shuffled and buried the back of my head into the pillows. When he raises his hand I shut my eyes, squinting it close.
But I opened them slowly once I felt the back of his fingers on my head as it gradually shuffled to cup over the crook of my neck. For a second I was taken aback by our proximity as his face skillfully hovered above mine. His blue iris, deep in thought and yet distinctly fixated on me.
But soon the moment came that I had been waiting for the past few seconds, and the tingles inside the walls of my nose morphed to a stark sting, on it's onset and for his precaution I grabbed the edge of the duvet with both hands and covered it upto my nose.
And sneezed.
Though I would've enjoyed the flinch that I never thought Alex was capable of, my present nasal state played a rookie as another sneeze caused my hair to jerk forward and fall upon my face. I won't blame him, since I was pretty sure I looked like the Japanese girl from grudge and surprisingly with odd vocals.
When I peeked at him, blinking tear brimmed lids, he had this patient stance going on as if he waited for the next expulsion of air from my nasal cavity.
But it never came leaving behind the uneasy sensation of prickling nose.
"You're hot" he said biting his lips in a cold way. Ah the irony of situation. But my temperature induced mind had the brain of their own as it croaked.
"Thank you" though my gratitude reverberated an impersonation of that of a toad who had sucked helium for breakfast, not that I know how it sounds. But it did quite the work of entertaining Alex and flaring my cheeks.
"I am sure what I referred was your temperature" I nod sniffing, and after his acknowledgement feeling hot literally.
"Figured" I mouthed as he pats the pockets of his dress pants from the party, he still wore the same clothes minus the blazer with the sleeve of his black shirt folded to his elbow. When he found the content he was checking for, he pulled it out. I opened my mouth to question his motives for his presence in my room when he shoved something inside. I yelp clamping my lips sealed around the cold plastic texture.
When I crossed my eyes I read the numbers on a tiny square screen grow in number. The thermometer poked the sensitive flesh down to my tongue and when it beeped, he gingerly took them out.
No less than a professional he squinted as he brought them to his study level.
When I lethargically propped myself up with the support of my elbows and flailed my hand to see them, his expression changes to a bitter disapproval. His lips thinned as he pressed the tip of his index and middle to my forehead like a gun and pushed me back.
"Sleep." He ordered " I'll try to make you appear less tomato like" he mumbles as I gape at him in disbelief.
"You can't mock me. I am the patient here" I tried hissing, but it was stubbornly difficult when your voice box was being held captive by cold causing, fever embedding and head cracking virus.
"Keep talking. You are giving me reasons to tease you more"
Feeling useless I watch him grab a bowl of water with cubes of ice floating in them, I had no idea where it came from except that he suspected my condition even before I, the host herself did and he brought his mini emergency unit of first aid along with him.
And when he lays the wet cloth across my head, dabbing them, smoothing it. The pit of hollow space in my heart burned with a comforting warmth. I had no idea what we were or what I should conclude his actions as. Regret? Debt? Care?
But for now I had no other choice but to leech the little light I could find in him, bathing the pinch of hope within me. But deep down I know this was an illusion, he was an illusion.
But telling my heart that was a dispute all by myself. It was chaotic, it was confusing and it was calming.
With too much tempting argument within my head and too less energy tranquilizing through my body. I fall into a slumber, a sleep that was never so clean and blissful.
When I woke up, the room was empty. It was like the night never happened. The mere sign that he ever came in here was the forgotten cloth on my head, that now laid wrinkled beside me.
Morning light beamed through the windows, seeping the walls with the sun light that was rare sight in this country.
Sighing I got up on my feet, but frowned down as I felt a texture of oily sensation on the sole of my feets. Squating lower I inspect the white creamy substance that coated my bruised ankles.
I blinked as the events from last night percolated, slowly but surely I did realize that it could only be the work of Alex.
Nursing my fever, aiding my feet and probably a cold shoulder by morning. Sounds like him.
When I peeked a glimpse of my reflection on bathroom mirror I winced visibly. Mess was an inferior term for the girl who stared back at me.
My hair appeared as if they had been left on washing machine for extra few hours. My nose were like soft blossoming cherries acquiring it's ripe colours for the spring and I don't even want to describe the nature of the mascara that ran down my eyes.
I looked like the worst night mare of any child who believed in the existence of dark witches.
But let's divulge on the commendable part. I sounded like human. Well I was close. But enough to put my word out there. I tested them by reciting good ol nursery rhymes.
Apart from that I felt well rested and ready for the day. A shower and breakfast later, the limousine transported us to the Airport.
Edmund and Lee were still at the hospital and rang us informing that they'll take the evening flight once the senator leaves the country.
I used the brevity of time in mansion bidding farewell to the lobster. It went for my nose again. I was fine with it, he was still better than some certain companion who had been ignoring me flawlessly since the dawn of the day.
The story of my journey in flight was rather loud and energetic. Both from the side which involved Jared Rivers and his sister who joined us directly at the airport.
Jared propped himself next to me as Riley, sadly with no other choice planted her behind beside Mike. Who at present gave her a look of sheer amusement as she prayed with her eyes shut before the flight took off.
I didn't missed the reluctant twitch of his lips everytime as he eyed her discreetly from the corner, especially when she wiped her eyes watching a sappy, and probably tragic romantic movie.
But what ever it was, they had a grounded and calm atmosphere circling them. But I had a young lad to deal with.
"That was so cool of you. I mean I never pictured you as a hacker."
"Did the rescue operation went like those in movies? Like mission impossible and stuff?"
"Do you guys randomly type keyboards as they portray it?"
"Can you stop eating bananas and answer me?"
At that I nod at him, claiming no. But he kept going on. That is until he fell asleep two hours later and I followed his lead.
Landing back on orlando felt more like home than I would like to admit. To feel the bright afternoon sun kiss your skin with hospitality filled me with a new spirit.
The various chauffeurs picked us up and when the silhouette of familiar modern building that was also my residence since past month came into view I visibly sighed.
The weekend was over, but the long path to Elite's dorm was something that felt endless, especially when it involves reaching your destination by putting both of your feet to use.
"Where are you going?" I ask Mike as he turns into a prallel hallway.
"To my dorm?" He frowns, the green orbs judging my ridiculous question.
"But don't we have to take this hallway?" I pointed the one were everyone had went from. For a fact I realized Mike's residential status is Elite too. So my query were quite apt as far as my knowledge went.
"This is the shortest route to Elite" he mumbles before walking the way I had distracted him from. Hopping mildly to adjust my back pack, wheeling my suitcase I jog to join him.
"Now that's something I like to hear" I gasp when I finally get to him.
"And you blame me for being a lazy ass" he smirks shoving his hands inside the pocket. He only carried a back pack, probably since he flew over to another country with an intention to spent less than twenty four hours there.
"I am not lazy. This school is just too big" in my defence I add weakly.
He doesn't answer or retort. It was usual with him. He spaces out, falling into a wonderland in between classes and probably even coversations. The fact that he's a friend of the ever enthusiastic Nathan was a curious paradox.
We turn into a corridor were the entire wall on either side hoisted red and black cases with see through glass panels. Inside them were throphies and proundly hung were images from the events.
I've never been to this part of the academy before, as we passed my eyes roams over them, taking in the glory of this institute. No wonder they Top the chart among the best schools that United States retains.
"I've a feeling that you and clarissa will soon contribute a niche in one of these" I snorted as he raises a brow. I've a feeling that him trying to act supportive and encouraging was a dysfunctional scene to witness. He tried really hard though. It's like Ed sheeran trying to act manly.
"What's so funny?"
Resuming my previous task of admiring these victories I prepare an answer for him, but as I slowed down my pace at a certian glass encase with the contents inside which grabs my attention in a tenacious grip. He imitates me as he stood behind,as over faint reflection silhouetted the reflector.
My eyes falls upon the large golden trophy with the wings of a phoenix stretching on either side. My gaze goes back to the initial entity that had taken away my breath as it now came out in ragged soft puffs only of me to hear as my heart pounded in my ears.
The image of three boys in basket ball jersey with the smile of triumph and glint of achievement in their eyes.
"Who are they?" My voice barely a whisper i ask. It was the immense thirst in me to hear some one else say it, though I know the answer. A last resort to wake up on my bed, throwing this moment away as a mere nightmare.
"The one on right is Ian Blakewall and the One on left is Leonard White, he's Alex's father." licking my dry lips I take in the the boy with sandy blond hair and sharp jawline, his movement were that of a forced one as if stretching the curve of his lips for the sole purpose of a picture and not because of an internal happiness. But the eminent fire of success in his eyes said more than his features did. He reminded me so much of Alex.
"And the one in the middle" Mike points out pausing as he squints mildly "he was the first scholarship student the academy ever had. He's said to have rocked the school with charm and wit, eventually befriended the two most eligible students of stuart. The stories and achievements of these three trios still serves as inspiration during annual inauguration speeches" though he informs me briefly, he never mentions the name of the boy in middle. And I don't ask him either.
I see the same brown hair she used to make tiny braids out of, the lively eyes that promised an after school ice cream while dropping a groucy primary girl to school. The smile she woke up to every single morning.
The boy who was her superhero, the entire world of Elzina Winston stared right back at her. That was until everything was ripped away from her in a course of a night. Without a closure or a justice.
Mike doesn't say his name, but once again I hope for a miracle to consume me away from this moment. To wake up believing my life wasn't a lie.
But then again I read the inscription below. And any last hope of convincing my heart of it's anger towards the betrayal spirals down.
NSD champions 1986
Captain
Frederick Douglas Winston
***