The night has been gone and the morning has arrived with the blessing of the sun, its rays of light illuminating the world.
However, in a specific room, the curtains were so tightly closed that no rays of sunlight peeked through them. In there, it was just like the night, dark and cozy with its coldness permeating the ambient.
The sentiment passing through the room was one of calmness and comfort, with nothing from outside having the capacity to possibly interrupt it.
Well, unfortunately, something inside decided to break the peacefulness that settled in the room.
"Ring…! Ring…!"
On the nightstand, the phone resting on its top emitted a high-pitch sound that simply shook awake anyone's brain when they listened to it through their sleep.
And when considering the two people listening to it had enhanced senses, the sound that interrupted their comfortable sleep made them unconsciously frown.
Laying sideways, hugging Hope close to him, John took a deep breath as his lips parted. "Hope…" He weakly muttered, his eyes still closed.
Still half-sleep and with her head resting over John'd arm, Hope also had her eyes shut. "Hm…?" She asked, not conscious enough to muster words.
"Can I blow your phone?"
"Ugh…" She grunted, nudging her head against his skin.
Thankfully, John was able to understand her intentions and knew she was "saying" no.
"Why not?"
"… Cause then, I will go back to sleep." Hope finally said, her eyelids flickering. "And then I will probably only wake up by noon." Her eyes slowly opened, revealing the laziness amidst the blue of her iris.
When finally opening his eyes as well, that was the sight that welcomed John. Her blue eyes, her pale cheeks pressed against his arm and her auburn hair falling over her face, the chaos of the strands of her hair somehow enhancing her beauty.
"I don't see a problem with waking up by noon." John whispered, his finger seizing a few strands of hair and tucking them behind her ear. "Truly, I wish to just hug you tight for a few more hours and do nothing else." Having said that, John pulled Hope closed to him, diving his nose into her hair. "What do you think?"
"Saunds gud." Hope said, her voice muffled. Nudging her face out of his chest, she looked up at him with a small smile. "But you know we can't."
Sighing, John nodded in agreement. "Okay." He kissed Hope's forehead, loosening his hold over her. "Then what about we share a bath?"
"Pft, stop it!" Hope giggled and hit his chest weakly. "Go to your room and tidy yourself for the day."
"Ah… Okay." John sat up on the bed, passing his legs to the side. "I will be waiting for you to go to the dining hall."
"Why are you waiting for me and not the opposite?" Hope asked while sitting up on the middle of the bed as well.
Turning around, John smiled and quickly stole a kiss from Hope. "You know why. Don't try to set a trap for me." He said after leaning back and standing up.
"I promise nothing." Hope smiled lightly, tidying up her hair.
On his own two feet now, John fetched his pillow and blanket and threw it all in the air, with both objects floating at his side while he approached the door to the room.
When opening the door and standing within its frame, John turned around and called for Hope's attention.
"Hey."
"Hm?" Hope turned towards him.
A little bit bashful, John blew a kiss at her. Then, very quickly he walked out of the room and shut the door, not giving time for Hope to react.
Only when a moment passed did Hope react to the boy's reaction, with the prelude of her action being the shake of her lips.
"Pft! Hahahahaha!" Hope heartily laughed, throwing her head back as she fell on her bed again as she wiped away the tears that were starting to gather in the corner of her eyes.
[Scene Break]
"Come on…" Sitting opposite to John, Hope nudged the boy's arm with her fork. "Do it again."
Looking up from his plate, John's eyes fell over Hope's other hand. "Put your phone away and I will think about it."
"I promise I will never show it to anyone." Hope insisted.
"I believe you will not show it to anyone." John pierced a piece of steak with his fork. "It's just that my soul does not allow me to feel that embarrassment again, even more so when I know you will relive that moment dozens of times just to make fun of me." He guided the food to his mouth after saying that, munching on his lunch.
Josie, who was sitting by Hope's side, looked between the couple a few times before her curiosity took over. "What are you two talking about?"
"Nuthin." John quickly said.
"He did something this morning and I want him to repeat it." Hope explained, not revealing many details as well. Then, she turned to face John again. "But apparently, he is now too shy for it."
Gulping down his food, John didn't deny that as he nodded. "You are correct. And your laughter after I left your room didn't help much for it to happen again."
"I'm sorry…" Hope stretched her words while she held John's unoccupied hand, her voice playful.
While the couple playfully talked with each other regarding the events of this morning, Josie went silent while her hand hung in the air in the way for her mouth.
She just listened to a few words that made her question if her hearing was working perfectly. But as the conversation between the two of her new friends progressed, Josie was certain that she didn't mishear anything.
"Um, are you two… sleeping together?" Josie muttered, her eyes flicking between John and Hope.
As they listened to Josie's question, both youngsters stopped what they were doing and looked at the gemini witch.
Just then they realized that they were openly talking about something that was quite intimate. But when looking at each other and seeing that the other didn't seem to be bothered by it, they just silently followed on to respond to Josie's question.
"It was just something we tried to see if I could finally enjoy some sleep." John continued on with his meal as he talked with Josie. "Ever since I… changed, I have been facing problems to sleep. Knowing that, Hope volunteered for us to sleep together since the only other time I fell asleep was when she was close to me."
"I see…" Josie said with narrowed eyes and a weak frown of her forehead.
Chuckling at her expression, John shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, I myself don't know how exactly that works. I just know I relax enough to fall asleep when I am with her despite my body not feeling tired."
"But if you are not tired, why don't you simply stay awake?"
"Truthfully? Sometimes, I just want to enjoy some sleep." John replied. "It initially was because I was getting worried over the fact that days were starting to feel like one since I had no moment like sleeping for my brain to process everything flawlessly, but even that has been improving and has not been bothering me anymore. Like I'm finally adapting to some small things that I wasn't used to."
"I see…" Josie slowly nodded in comprehension. She could understand that sometimes, even if you are not tired, you want nothing more than a good nap.
And while she thought of sleeping, Josie's mind quickly went back to the idea of both of her new friends sleeping together. When she pictured it in her mind, she couldn't resist a thought from rising.
I envy both of them at the same time I am happy for them. Is this normal? She asked herself while bringing her salad to her mouth.
While the trio of friends continued to enjoy their lunch and chit-chat between them, John noticed a person entering the dining hall. Someone he was thinking when they would stumble at each other again.
Looking at her face and the dark circles under her eyes, John could easily say Penelope didn't have a good night of sleep unlike him.
Did my words make her anxious that much? I thought she was tougher. John thought, eyes still fixed on Penelope's figure.
And as he expected, John noticed Penelope feeling someone looking at her and traced her eyes back to him.
Quite immediately after her eyes fell on him, Penelope showed a bit of fright in her expression and a little bit of anxiety as well. Meanwhile, John just gently smiled at her, offering a little wave of his hand as well.
"Why are you greeting the devil?" Josie asked when noticing John waving towards Penelope.
"Well… we recently shared a few words. Then, I thought: Why not greet her?" John casually lied to explain his actions, lowering his hand. "But it seems she doesn't quite like me yet."
"Good for you." Josie muttered, going back to her meal.
Hope, however, kept her gaze at John for she thought–and rightfully at that–that John could be referring to something else when he "shared" some words with Penelope.
Looking up from his meal, John locked eyes with Hope and covertly sent a whimsical smile towards her.
This was enough for Hope to confirm her thoughts. Taking a quick look at Penelope as well over her shoulder and seeing the slightly perturbed state she was, Hope redirected her eyes one more time at John. What did you do with her?
John, despite not actually hearing Hope's thoughts, could actually wonder what was going through her mind and just casually shrugged in response. Then, the situation made him think of something that he decided it was about time for him to work on.
"I think it's about time I work on my mind-related abilities."
"And what do you mean by that?" Josie was the first to ask since she wasn't aware of John's abilities like Hope.
Having finished his lunch, John put the cutlery down by the sides of the plate. "I didn't mention it to you, but I actually have the abilities of telepathy and telekinesis."
"You what?" Josie asked, truly starting to wondering now if she has to see if her hearing is okay.
Hiding his laugh behind the napkin he was using to clean around his mouth, John put it down to talk with Josie. "I guess by your tone you know what I mean."
"Yeah. I'm not MG, but I know a thing or two about superpowers." Josie nodded.
"It must really be quite the rare thing for you to think of superheroes when listening about telepathy, and not a figure like Silas, an actual figure." John acted a little ignorant about the supernatural community, his words trying to pass that image.
"A little." Josie readily agreed. "Are we really talking about true telepathy and telekinesis? And not how witches can somehow copy these but to a much lower degree?"
Instead of replying with words, John responded with actions. Quietly and without anyone paying much attention since he was making sure their conversation wasn't being pried to this whole time, he slowly lifted the napkin he was using with his mind, making it run a circle in the table before settling down. "See?"
"I do, I just don't know how to react." Josie said, her eyes blank as she stares into the void. "Does… my dad know about your powers?"
"I was truthful with him about them." John nodded. "He oriented me about me avoiding a few things, like prying into people's thoughts and such without their approval."
"Yeah, I can imagine why he would think of that." Josie said.
"But recently, I haven't tried anything with it yet. So, I was thinking of learning how to work with it, maybe trying with animals first and then seeing if someone was willing to help me with it." Saying that, John smiled widely at Josie. "Do you want to volunteer for that as well?"
"I will pass this time." Josie said. "Sorry, but I wouldn't even let my mom poking my mind with her own brain."
Understanding her point, John just shrugged. "No problem, I can see it can be quite a scary idea." He said, facing forward. "It's you and me then, Hope."
"I guess it is." Hope said with a sigh. "If you try to unveil my embarrassing memories, I will kick your ass."
"It's noted." John nodded. "Josie, regarding what we talked about I studying your constitution a little bit, would you be available this Sunday?"
"Would it be okay to be after lunch, around mid-afternoon?"
"If that is the best time for you, then it's fine with me." John replied. "And you, girl? Will you tag along with me to my trip Friday night?" He asked Hope, who still hadn't finished her lunch despite having way less food on her plate than him.
Taking a moment to chew on her food, Hope covered her mouth before gulping down. "By that you mean…"
"Vegas."
Hope had a look that she had guessed it right. "I feel like I should just go, for there is a strange voice in the back of my mind saying that if I don't go, something will happen."
"Something good?"
"I don't think so." Hope said. "How will you get into a casino anyway? You are a minor. Have you thought about how you will retrieve the money? You need to fill out tax forms when earning a certain amount of money."
"I have my ideas, most of them are simple." John brought his legs over the bench. "Just believe in me, okay? I mostly know what I'm doing. I won't cause any problems. Also, most of it is also a little excuse for me to myself to test my powers a little in a situation with the chance of me 'getting caught'."
Humming in understanding, Hope held her cup of water high, stopping right before her mouth. "And what will you do, if in the end the worst situation happens and you get caught?"
"If that is the worst situation, then I simply disappear. I can simply make the place go out of energy and disappear." John simply said, his posture indicating he wasn't really worried like the two girls before him.
Exchanging glances between them, Hope and Josie seemed to come to an understanding as they both shrugged.
"If you say so…" Hope muttered, drinking the remaining water in the crystal cup. "But if it comes to the point you face problems or have to give up the money, just leave it there and try to pay it a different way."
"Yeah." Josie agreed with Hope's words. "Believe in me, my dad will not be bothered if you don't pay him a few thousand dollars. You can just take your time to pay for it in the future."
"I know, I know. But as I said, I want to test myself with a few things and the situation can just resolve this money problem as well." John started to laugh at the two girls' worry for him, a certain warmth finding way to his heart when thinking of that. "If even a little bit of problem and suspicion of any kind arises, I will just back off."
With a sigh escaping her, knowing this was possibly the best she could get from the boy, Hope wiped the corner of her mouth as well and set her elbows over the wooden surface. "If you say so, I will believe in you. Just… be responsible, okay?" She reached out her hand, holding John's own hand.
With a broad smile tucking his lips, John rubbed the back of Hope's hand while he agreed. "Okay, I will be sure of that."
Yeah, I am jealous of them. Josie thought.
After the conversation, it still took some time before Hope and Josie finished their meals.
They chatted, using the table in front of them as a gathering point to exchange words, with them laughing happily about trivial things.
John himself was lost in the conversation for most of the time, with him almost falling off the bench a few times.
However, as the time for classes to come back neared, he did notice a movement from the dining hall that interested him. Penelope had just moved up from her seat and walked towards the exit, with her just leaving after stealing a quick glance towards the boy.
Well, I better finish this up soon. I don't hate her and there is no reason to keep her this anxious for any time longer. John thought, putting his hands over the table and pushing himself up. "Ladies, it's almost time for classes and I have something to do before that. So…"
Going around the table, John approached Hope and gently kissed her cheek, with the girl happily accepting it.
Then, taking a few steps and getting closer to Josie, the girl was surprised when John landed a kiss on the top of her head. She rubbed her hair in surprise, looking up at the boy in search of answers.
However, John's following words didn't satiate her curiosity. "I will see you both later." He said, putting some distance between them and walking out from the dining hall.
…
Alone in the hallway, Penelope stumbled on her own feet. Her lack of sleep was taking over her mind, with her now starting to lose some sense of her movements.
All of this just because of those shitty words. Penelope thought to herself, a shiver running down her spine when remembering that page in her book. Damn psycho. What the hell do-
"Hey, Penelope."
Listening to these words, Penelope felt her brain awaking. Different from when people called her attention throughout the day, her body didn't delay to respond.
No. She immediately turned around and faced the young man standing before her, with her eyes widening in slight panic as his figure towered over her.
Taking a step back, Penelope gulped down in fright. "Wh-what do you want?"
Observing her reaction to his presence, John huffed. "I didn't expect for you to feel that bad just by reading a few words."
Penelope's expression went blank, her brain processing the words.
"Wh-what d-did you say?" She stuttered through her words, more shocked than anything. "You-you…"
John nodded. "I know about everything. That you spy on everyone in the school as long as they use the pens you handed out."
"What, how did you…"
"I have my ways." John casually said, closing the distance between them with one step forward. He stood by her side, looking down at her. "Now, how about you hand me the book, diary or whatever fucking object you are using to keep the secrets of everyone in the school?" He whispered, the tone of his voice threading between calmness and threatening.
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A/N
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