“Is it true?” Isla’s voice hit Phidel before whatever she had thought of escaped her lips. Deftly, her gaze went to the former, totally taken aback and puzzled at the same time. “Do you see things we don't?” She quickly added.
Phidel who was by herself lost for words; stared at the anxious and curious gazes fixed on her. “Are you going to tell them?” Phidelia slightly nudged her on the shoulder in a whisper as if they could hear– the whole atmosphere tensed up just by their gazes.
Truth be said, Phidel had no problem letting the cat out of the bag but then her problem was her cousins; how were they going to take it? Were they going to believe her or just see her as some weird kid as she had always been referred to in her former school. These thoughts raced through her mind as the feeling of standing at crossed roads surged through her.
Phidel intently stared at her sister– clearly hearing what was going through her mind. Has she been having this ability for a while? How come she never said anything about it? Has she been having a hard life because of it? This and more questions slammed through Phidelia’s mind.
Jayden was no different either; he glanced at Phidel– stunned by her outburst. Phidelia’s puzzled mind was already consuming her but before she could utter a word, Phidelia's voice snapped in.
“Are you guys going to believe it?” she finally managed to say after what seemed like a long thought.
Phidelia intuitively felt her sister’s fear. She instantly felt her confidence drop which was so unlike her. At that moment, she felt like hugging her and assuring her she was there for her but then that would be absurd.
“Why not?” Isla muttered, rushing over to Phidel. As she neared her, she gently grabbed her shoulders in assurance. “You can trust us.” she nodded.
“We’re a family Phidel,” Jayden’s voice came in from behind, “And families got each other's back. You should keep that in mind.” he quickly added as he took a stand beside Isla. Watching them, Phidelia teared up.
****************
Back at the Lawsons' house, Rowan sat quietly behind the table with his gaze fixed on the meal before him. Though his hand was set to scoop the food, he seemed frozen– his face clearly showing how puzzled he was. Words between his conversation with Isla which he couldn't wrap his head around- kept playing in his mind. Was she saying the truth or hiding something from him?
Giving it a deep thought, her actions were clearly off her words. She was unusually stiff and careful with her answers like she was playing it safe.
“Are you okay?” a voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts; making him cast a glance at his mother who had been watching him all along. “You seem off, is everything okay?” she asked the moment their eyes met.
“Yes, yes” he muttered with a smile– immediately tending to his food. His Dad took notice of him but said nothing. “Was it obvious?” he muttered to himself– not realizing how tense he had been.
Despite how worried Mrs. Lawson was, the rest of dinner continued in silence since Rowan assured her it was nothing. He was not one who seem to keep such things to himself so she couldn't drag matters any further.
Moments later, everyone retired to their rooms. It was already 9 pm when Rowan checked his mini clock– crawling into bed in the process. Tacking in, he tried calling Phidel but there was no answer. He had no other option than to send a text.
[We need to talk. Call me when you get this.]
The message read. With a sigh, he stared at the screen for the last time then dropped it on the mini drawer beside his bed. He didn't realize how long he had been staring at the ceiling but soon drifted off to sleep.
*************
Wednesdays have always been the busiest day at Wesley High. Rowan combed the entire hallways for Phidel but she was nowhere in sight. It was like she was not part of the school at all and as to if she had seen his text, he had no idea– given the fact that he had not received any calls from her.
“Hey, have you seen Phidelia?” he held a by-passing student to a stop as he came to a halt himself– just in front of the infirmary.
“No~” she muttered with a skeptical gaze–slightly shaking her head in the process then went her way. Rowan sighed, lurking around for the last time. Just then, he noticed a familiar figure walking on the other side which was headed to the hallway lockers.
She looked more suspicious like she was in for something mischievous looking at how haste her steps were and she seemed to be snooping around.
It was past 9 am, the hallway lockers were by now empty since everyone was on their way to the main hall for the General Assembly gathering.
“What is she up to?” He uttered with a crease gaze– dashing after her.
Checking her wristwatch, she has about 20mins to do what she was out to do and get back to her place without notice. Though she had asked for a cover-up, she still have to play smart.
Quickly, she blushes through the lockers – accounting them along as she matched past each. On the 14th count, she came to a stop in front of the one she was out for. Lurking around, she grabbed her hairpin. With a few tries, it opened.
She slammed it open, briskly turning things as she rummaged through the locker. She was still searching for whatever it was when suddenly, a hand slammed the door shut– taking her aback.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Rowan asked, stunned by the unusual sight before him. “What are you doing with Tina’s locker, Phidelia?” he added– casting a gaze at the locker and then at Phidel.
With a sigh, Phidel locked it up– throwing a gaze at Rowan with displeasure. “Were you expecting me to answer that?” she uttered, setting the latter's right palm out as she dropped the pin in it while wearing a sassy look. “Stop poking your nose where they shouldn't be,” she added and scrolled off.
Rowan on the other hand remained frozen in outer disbelief, this was not the Phidelia he knew. The face remains the same but then the personalities were just in contraction. Phidel was about to turn the corner to the hallway she came from when Rowan held her back– pulling her to a stop. A gasp intuitively escaped Phidel’s lips from his strong grip as she stared up at him.
“Who are you?” he asked– staring into Phidel’s eyes with a burning gaze while Phidel’s eyes remained fixed on his.