I’m not happy that my parents said we will have a thorough conversation later tonight with him.  And I’m not even happy that we don’t have time to talk because I’m going to be late for school.  So, that means that I’ll only get the answers I want from him after class. The question is, will he be able to answer all of my questions?
I rush out of his car as soon as we reach the school parking lot.  I don’t look back or say goodbye.  I’m already late.  I don’t get in Mr. Kellan’s car earlier because Syntho insists on driving me.  My parents strangely agreed, but Kellan looked displeased earlier at the dinner table. As soon as I enter the school gates, I run towards my classroom, but I bump into someone in my hurry.
“I’m sorry…” I say, looking at the person I’ve accidentally bumped into.
“Oh, it’s okay. It’s an accident. You seem to be in a hurry, though,” he sounds nice but his stoic expression says the opposite before he walks away.
I watch him walk away.  I shake my head and hurry into my classroom. As soon as I sit down, our teacher for the first subject this morning enters. As the lectures go on and on, the face of the guy I bumped into suddenly sinks into my mind. That guy was the one who brought me to the infirmary. Why didn’t I recognize him right away?
After morning classes, I let everyone leave the classroom, while I stay alone. Charlotte might be waiting for me in the cafeteria again.  I don’t feel like eating when she’s there—
'You’re sacrificing yourself because of her?  Nah-uh, that’s not going to happen now. I’m coming over,' a voice says, interrupting my thoughts.
I jump in surprise, hearing his voice again. I don’t think I’m going to get used to this situation. “No,” I sigh.  “Fine. I’ll eat lunch, but don’t enter the school.”
'Why not?'
“Because I told you so.” I get out of my seat and leave the classroom.  I head to the cafeteria and order some food.  Good thing I don’t hear his voice in my head. People will call me crazy if they see me talking to myself alone. 
“Oh, so you’re still alive, huh?” A familiar voice speaks beside me.
Charlotte and her minions. 
“Looks like she escaped, girl,” Lian comments, glancing down at the food I’ve ordered.
“Totally agree,” Typical Drea, who agrees with everything her friends say.
“Tell me, Shan. How did you manage to get out?” Charlotte asks, closing the space between us.  I’m still holding the tray of food in my hands. “You know, it makes me wonder if I could see how you did it.”  She grabs my chin tightly. “I’m not done with you.” She releases my chin forcefully, causing me to flinch back.  “Girls,” she glances at her friends.  “Let’s lock her up again.” Then she looks back at me and flips the tray of food I’m holding, causing it to fall to the floor. My food.
'That’s it. I’m coming over,' I hear Syntho’s voice.
“Don’t,” I say, without thinking.  Charlotte’s friends look at me questioningly, because I suddenly speak.  “Don’t… make me wait.  Let’s go?” I add. Lian and Selene grab my wrists and pull me out of the cafeteria.
'Missy,' I hear him again. 
I walk ahead with Charlotte's friends beside me but with every step, I hear Syntho’s voice in my head.  As soon as we exit the cafeteria, I see a group of students nearby, and my eyes fix on the tallest person among them.  What the hell? I told him not to come inside the school!
“Hold on, is that the man from the news a week ago?” Lian says, turning to look at Charlotte. 
“Oh my gosh! It’s him, girls!” Selene yells, releasing my wrist and running towards the crowd of students.
“Holy crap, he looks even hotter in real life! Daddy!” Lian says, making me wince.  She releases my wrist and follows Selene.  Even Drea follows them, leaving me with Charlotte.
When Syntho’s eyes meet mine, I shake my head immediately. “No, don’t,” I say, taking a step back. Don't you fucking dare. 
“Missy!”  He tries to get away from the students around him who are screaming frantically.
I step back.
Back.
Back.
Back.
“Missy!  Watch out!”  I see panic in his face. “Ball!” I stop retreating and turn, then I see the ball coming towards me from above.  My body becomes stiff.  I can’t move.  I watch as the ball gets closer to me.  Memories. Memories  from that day. Flashes of memories suddenly pop into my mind, memories that still haunt me.  The plaza, the ball, Diana, the tire truck who crashed her head, the blood splattered on the ground, the hospital, the flatline, the coffin, the burial.  My heart tightens, my breathing becomes unstable—until I suddenly snap out of it when he appears right before the ball hits me and it hits his back instead.
“It’s okay. I’m here. I got you. You’re okay,” he says over and over, as I feel his arms wrap around me tightly. 
“Syntho…” I whisper, followed by the release of tears.
“Shhh, I’m here. I’m always here,” he says softly, gently stroking my back before letting me go. He cups my cheeks, wiping away the tears, slowly tilting my head up to meet his eyes. 'Breathe…breathe with me, darlin’.'  I nod, still looking into his eyes. 'Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale…' I mimic his breathing.  And I notice how my breathing become normal with each word.  It’s working.  'That’s my girl.' My ears burn with his praise. His thumbs stroke the corners of my lips, and I push him away, making him smile slightly at my reaction. Oh-uh, this is not good.
“What the hell is the meaning of this?!” I jump at the loudness of Lian’s voice behind me.  Damn, I almost forgot the students and Charlotte with her friends are still here.
“You’re that woman that he tried to find?!”
“This is totally absurd!”
“How is this even possible?”
“How about the ten million? You going to give it to her?”
“No, you can’t be her. Impossible.”
I don’t turn around or move, while they keep talking and throwing questions. Meanwhile Syntho grabs my wrist and pulls me back against him, making me gasp.
“You forgot to eat lunch. Come on, let’s get you back inside the cafeteria."