Galcia

Star Academy

IY 3204

Tel opened his eyes. "Why?"

He was in bed, it was still very dark, he checked the time, sighed and got up anyway. He went to the sink, turned on a dim light and splashed cold water into his face. He paused and looked into the mirror. "Why?" he asked, as though tormented.

He dressed for running, straightened his bed, tidied the sink and left. Outside, he ran down past the other dorms, past the track and up to the trail. He shook his head, as though he was trying to shake something. He ran faster.

He went up the first hill, breathing hard, running hard, pushing hard. He gritted his teeth and pushed harder.

He tried not to slow down on the next slope, but it was no use. Too much incline and he had spent too much energy earlier. He kept pushing until he made it to the top, beating his last time, but he was completely spent. He ended his run collapsing onto the trunk of a bent tree, in doing so he banged his head into the trunk. Then he did it several more times while saying, "Get. Out. Of. My Head!"

Tel stood at the end of the cafeteria line, somewhat rested after he had showered and changed. He spied Tagus Perida at a table, with books on either side of his tray and another in his hand while he ate. Tel walked over and sat down across from him. "Hello, cousin."

"Hello." Tagus said without looking up.

Tel sighed, a sad long sigh. That got Tag's attention. He looked up. "What ails thee, cousin? Tough upperclassmen, evil instructors?"

Tel gave a slight smile and shook his head. "No, and that's backwards."

Tagus smiled, "Then what?"

"You remember, I told you I wrote a note to that person, who said she was going to end it all?"

"The one who was part of the play you watched, and you saw her Stage Profile and log? Yes. And I still don't know why you did that two months after she wrote that." He paused. "So, something happen?"

"Well... I, I just-"

"She didn't, did she? She didn't follow through, you said you were certain-"

"She didn't." Tel interrupted.

Tagus sighed "Good, good." Then he noticed the time. "Dang it," and he began gathering his things. "Gotta run."

"Right, but-"

"She's fine, right?" Tagus asked.

"'Yeah, but."

"But???" Tagus asked huffily while stuffing the last of his books into his bag.

"I think so. I saw she's in the play that started last night," Tel replied.

"Good, then you did your part, and there's nothing to worry about. You're done." Tagus said sharply then patted Tel on the back as he left.

"Yeah... done." Tel said despondently as he watched Tagus hurry off. "Done a month ago." He sighed again and took a few bites of the meal and then quit, unable to eat anything. He cleaned up, walked over to deposit his tray and turned to leave.

Tel stopped at the doors, looking out through the huge glass windows beside them. Shaking his head he went out and into the sun. He stopped and looked up into the bright sunlight, squinting, finally having to close his eyes, but he quickly turned away. "Why?" he asked again, frustrated.

"Why are you in my dreams?"