Chapter 2: Shaun

Two

The wind blew harder as she just walked away without looking back. Without hesitation, her foot took determined step after another. She shows no signs of doubt in her every moves. She really is confident and sure as hell in her every step. It was as if taking those steps would never cause her regrets. She is really amazing.  

"She's always like this" Justin suddenly said looking at her friend who is getting further and further away from us. "It's like she could leave anytime she want. Without having second thoughts, she could leave everything and everyone behind if she really have to. That's crazy and selfish Austin".

I look at Justin, only to see her smiling but her face shows the complete opposite of that smile. She looks like she is about to cry. "Oh... Ju-Justin, are you okay?" I said and rushed over to her side but she raised her hand to stop me from taking another step.

She smiled and took a deep breath, "Yes, I'm fine. I'm still not used to her being like this" she said and wiped her eyes. "Its like there is a thick barricade between her and the world. Between me and her. No matter how hard I pound onto that wall or how many times I punch and kick that wall, I still can't reach her. And she won't even let me in. Damn that Austin and her great wall" she added.

Minutes passed, Austin's back is all we could ever saw, until she became little to eyes. We look at her until she disappeared from our sight. I look at Justin, "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't tease her like that. I really didn't know" I said.

Justin wiped her eyes and turn around to face me, "No, I told you, it's okay." she said. "I mean, what happened? She's not one to snap over few little things" she added.

"I saw her in the library, reading some book in the mythology section. And she looked so engrossed in the book she saw so I tease her a bit" I said as I remember Austin's face. She looked like a child reaching for the newest flavor of lollipop. Her eyes were sparkling as the light from the fluorescent shines in her eyes. She is so focused she failed to notice my presence. She's really interesting.

"Oh lycanthropes." Justin said sitting in the bench, "she's so obsessed in those creatures. She won't hesitate to start an argument whenever you cross that line" she added and laugh

"Lycanthropes?" I said, confused.

"Yup. Wolves and Lycanthropes from the ancient period. Apparently, she believes that those beasts exist. We almost went into an argument this morning. She never one to back down on what she believes. Damn that Austin" she said and smiled while shaking her head lightly 

"Ohh... She doesn’t look like someone who would believe in those" I said and sat beside her

"Never judge the book by its cover." she said and laugh again

"Oh, it's almost time for my next class. I'll go now Prof. Aphelion" she said

"Ah, okay. I'll just see you at our next class. I'm sorry again" I said and wave my hand at her

"I told you it's okay. Stop saying sorry. I'll go now!" she said and run away.

Lycanthropes.

I see.

There is a portion of people that still believe in those kind of things. Some would still find themselves researching and reading every materials that they could find about these mythological beings. I'll give an A+ for the effort though. 

Even without modern evidences, some still find themselves curious in those mythological beings. No wonder she got upset. Justin said she strongly believes that they exist. Austin might be an avid believer. 

People would find themselves diving deeper and deeper in what they believe is true, even without actual proof, as long as it picks their interest. And there is a large portion of the current population that believes in mythological beings like gods, goddesses and beasts; wolves and vampires even though they don't actually ever saw one.

Well, that's the fun part of being a human. Human race is naturally curious and would definitely feed that kind of interest no matter what. Curiosity is what drives them to discover the mysteries of the world. And that's the one thing I like about them.

"Hey Shaun!" someone from my back shouted loudly.

I looked at the back of the bench and saw his figure approaching me. He's still wearing that long black coat. Its been with him for a couple of years. That cheap flirtatious man. His hair is quite long and curly, it really doesn't suit his brown skin color. I already told him that clean cut hair suits him the best but he still won't listen. He said he like his long hair best.

He would occasionally wave at the students who are looking at his direction. And that's the reason why tons of female students and co-workers would go to my office just to ask for his details and such. It would be more problematic now as he will be one of the substitute professors. A real pain in my life.

"What's that look? It doesn't suit you, just so you know" I said as I bumped my fist into his.

"Who's that girl? Girlfriend?" he said pointing at where Justin run off to

"Don't joke. She's one of my students." I said frowning my forehead to him. 

"Ohh... I didn't know you're actually this cautious" he said and laugh at me.

"Grey, don't put us together in one category. I'm not like you. I prefer knowledge over some girls" I said and flicked his forehead

"And can you please act like a professor from now on? Stop flirting with female students and instructors." I added and rolled my eyes at him.

"But I'm not flirting with them. I'm just being kind and approachable. I'm just like you!" he said pointing his fingers at me.

"Come on! I told you, I'm not like you" I said and punch him lightly to his shoulder

Grey smiled at me. A kind of smile that he would show when he saw something interesting. And when he is teasing me. He bumps his shoulder to mine, "Really?" he said

"What the hell Grey!?" I said angrily. 

"I saw you at the library. Don't tell me you don't actually feel my presence there?" he said teasingly and crossed his arms.

I actually do notice him watching Austin and I from a far. But the more attention I gave to him, the more he teases me. The more I show emotions, the more he hovers around me. Grey's been my friend ever since we were little. Or maybe even before that. And I'm actually used to him watching my every move. But nowadays, I sometimes find him annoying and I would just choose to ignore him to save my nerves from popping.

"I do. I know you're watching. You always do" I said and rest my head to the trunk of the tree behind and close my eyes. I felt Grey's presence sitting beside me.

"You know I have to" he said in a much more serious tone. 

"Yeah, I know" I answered.

Grey is both a best friend and a guardian to me. He's always there to support and guide me. It's always been me and him ever since his dad passed away. He's like a butler, willing to sacrifice his life for my sake. It was amazing yes, but sometimes, I just want him to live for his own. He lives as if the very purpose of his existence is my existence. Kind of extreme, if I would describe it. That's why sometimes, I want him to do things for himself and not for me. 

He suddenly put his hand in my forehead, "You're quite hot. Are you okay?" he said. I flick his hand off my forehead, "I'm okay" I said. 

He reaches for his pocket and toss me a vile. A blue colored vile.

"Its near. I raise the dosage this time. Always keep a spare in your pocket. You'll never know when it shows. It's better to be prepared than sorry later" he said

I looked at the vile he tossed. A smile sneaked to my mouth. He's really kind and love to observe every single thing. I cannot really hide anything from him. He know me too well. I put the vile in the pocket of the coat I'm wearing.

"Thank you. How many days left?" I said as I turned to look at him. 

"Hmm. 10-15 days. You know its not always the same. But I'll monitor it completely so you could ask for a leave before it's too late. We don't want to commit the same mistake we did in the past" he said and laughed.

I laugh with him and shakes my head in disbelief. "Of course. Okay, thank you, Loki” I said teasing him. 

"I told you not to use that name here. I'm Grey. G-r-e-y. Grey!" Grey said giving emphasis to every letter of his name.

"Okay G-r-e-y, Grey." I said and chuckled at him

He stares at me without saying anything and he smiled, "You're actually changing the subject. Who's the girl in the library?" he said

I laugh at how he looks. He won't let me go if I don't give him an answer. That's for sure. And I have a class in 10 minutes. He's a curious type. I can never get away with just a half-ass answer. 

"Austin. A believer" I said

His eyes widen. Mouth was a little open. It took a few minutes before he burst out laughing. He is holding his stomach while laughing his heart out. He looks like an idiot when he is laughing.

"Ri-di-cu-lous!" he said in between of his laughs. I waited for him to settle down before saying anything

"I thought so. But apparently, she really believes." I said, "she's quite amusing you know" I added and smile

"Woah! You're actually smiling!?" Grey said putting his hand in his mouth while looking at me with his eyes really wide, "Wow! I can't believe it!" he exclaimed. 

"Wh-what!? I-I'm not!" I said frantically.

"Yes, you were!" he said, "Alright! I'm off! This is creepy!" he said and walk away.

Why do these people have the habit of walking away from me? Am I some kind of a disease?

I just shake my head while watching Grey running away from me. I too, find it unusual. Very unusual. I'm not the type to took interest over something or someone. Well, not on the first time. And I refrain myself from liking something or someone too much. Too much on anything would never end good. At least, that's what my experience taught me.

"Maybe it's because of that Shaun. Don't think too much" I said to myself and stands up. Time to go to my class