Whitefield: Shattered Realms

What Could Go Wrong?

Chapter 12

~~ What Could Go Wrong? ~~

After the chemistry class, they all proceeded to take other classes till the last period of the day. Ian could barely concentrate all through. The only thing on his mind was that he and Kira were lab partners and they had an assignment at hand. They had agreed to meet at her house after school today. He was tensed.

The same thing for Chase. Just that in his case, he was petrified. He was also going to Mia’s house after school today. Saying he was tensed is most likely an understatement. He couldn’t help but imagine if her parents and brothers were like her also; aggressive and nonchalant.

‘What if they’re cannibals? Should I call in sick? No. she’d just drag me along anyways. I have to find a way to avoid her,’ Chase pondered as he and Ian strolled towards their side-by-side lockers.

Both of them were silent. They didn’t talk to each other as many anxious thoughts ran through their heads. They opened their lockers in unison, stuffed their books in and closed them shut at the same time.

Ian saw someone approaching them from the corner of his eyes and he half-turned to have a better view. It was his lab partner, Kira, approaching with elegant steps.

She walked past Chase with a shy wave and stopped in front of Ian who stood straight immediately. Chase raised a brow and just rolled his eyes.

“Hey,” Ian was the first to speak, smiling.

“Hey,” she raised a hand and waved, books in her other arm. They stared at each other in the eyes, not knowing what to say thereafter. Well, they knew what to say, just not how to say it, or when to say it, so as not to interrupt the other.

Chase broke the silence with a chuckle and moved closer, “So you guys would see each other later this evening, right?”

“Oh, right, right,” Ian and Kira chuckled nervously.

“So.. Uhm… I have a car. Would you like to come along?” Kira asked sincerely. Her tender voice was low.

“Oh… Err… Thank you, but I have to go home and tell my mum first. I’m kinda grounded right now,” Ian chortled, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Oh, okay,” Kira nodded, a little disappointed but she didn’t show it.

“See you later then,” she waved and left.

“Phew…” Ian let out a long sigh of relief and stumbled on his locker.

Chase just looked at him with furrowed brows.

“How did I do?” Ian asked, talking like someone who had just completed a race.

“Uhm…” Chase pouted his lips and rubbed his chin like he was thinking about something. “Pretty good actually, you’re getting there.”

This put a smile on Ian’s face.

Then Chase whispered, “Come on, let’s get out of here before--”

“Before what, fluffy hair?” Mia said appearing out of nowhere and ruffling Chase’s auburn hair. It was really soft and fluff like she said. Then she wrapped her arm around his forearm and rested her body on that same arm.

Chase’s heart skipped a beat when he heard her voice. But when she rested herself on him, his heart skipped two beats. Heh…

He could feel his bicep press against her chest protrusions.

‘Can she feel it too?’ he asked himself, tensed up. She looked relaxed like nothing was happening.

“Sup, Ian,” she waved. Ian smiled back. They actually got along pretty well and were next door neighbors before Mia moved out some years back, so they’d known each other before Chase knew them.

“So, you ready to go?” she looked at Chase, who quickly retracted his brown eyes from her alluring blue eyes. He’s always had mixed feelings about her, even though he was supposed to just dislike her because she acted superior to him and him alone.

“Erm… No….” he began to zone out, thinking of an excuse not to go with her since she also had a car like Kira.

“Hey! Baby cheeks! I’m right here!” she snapped her fingers at his face.

He jolted back to reality and said out of the blues, “I’ll join you, just give me five minutes”

“Huh?” Ian raised a brow. “I thought you didn’t--”

Chase quickly interrupted with a weird loud laugh, “Very funny, Ian.”

Ian still raised a brow, “What did I---”

“Haha,” Chase laughed again and shot Ian a menacing look. The latter stepped back with sealed lips.

Then Chase turned his head to look at Mia, who had her brows furrowed, “Just, five minutes.”

Mia glared at him with her narrowed eyes before smiling and letting go of him, “Okay. Five minutes.”

She walked away to meet Kira waiting at the door. They hugged before walking out the building. They had become friends in only a week.

“Oof…” Chase staggered back, colliding with his locker and he exhaled.

Ian scoffed, “And I thought I was the only nervous one with the girl I like.”

Chase, regaining his balance, raised a brow at Ian, “Huh? I don’t like her. I feel the exact opposite. She’s so mean.”

“Mean but pretty, and attracted to you,” Ian winked, smirking.

“How… How does that even work? It doesn’t make sense!” Chase was completely puzzled.

“You’ll see,” Ian wore his backpack. Chase did the same and they faced the door leading outside.

“What could possibly go wrong?” Ian asked sarcastically, mimicking Mr. Humphrey’s nature.

“Nothing. I mean we’re gonna study with the girls we’re very anxious and scared to talk to. Nothing could go wrong,” Chase answered with a full load of sarcasm.

They kept quite for about a minute.

Sigh… Both of them sighed.

“Good luck,” they bumped fists and walked forward.

They split ways when they got outside. Chase went with Mia. The expression on his face when he reluctantly entered her car, made it look like he was being kidnapped. Ian mounted his bike and rode home.

He met his mom at home and told her all that happened. She remained quite for a while and then shrugged, saying he could go.

Just like that?... Ian was shocked, considering all the drama that happened last week.

She even added that it’d be an opportunity for him to get a girlfriend, that he was getting old. He retorted that he was almost eighteen and still very young. She only laughed heartily. She then warned him not to get into trouble before letting him go. He nodded and left with a smile. This was the mum he knew, before Peter came along.

Not that she wasn’t calm and lively like her usual self, it’s just that she tends to follow Peter’s words and Ian hated that.

~

Whitmore’s Manor….

Chase had his right elbow rested on the window frame of the car, while his chin rested on his fist. To his left was Mia, who held the steering wheel with a smile.

The car stopped in front of a black shining gate with unique engravings on it. Almost making no sound, the gate rolled open from left to right, paving way for the car to drive in.

‘Damn!’

Chase was flabbergasted as soon as they drove into the large compound. The route they took was interlocked, while colorful ornamental plants lined by their sides. They took a turn around a water fountain before halting in front of the mansion.

He hopped down, not able to hide his surprise. By his right, he could see a tall wide grass carved in the image of the Whitmore family .

“Wow! You guys are billionaires?” Chase blurted

Mia laughed as she closed the door to the car and began to climb the short flight of stairs, that led to the mansion’s entrance.

“Not quite.”

She clicked the doorbell. Chase soon joined her side.

The gold plated door was opened from the inside, a male butler standing by it. He moved back and sideways for the teenagers to walk in.

“Wow…” Chase blurted subconsciously immediately they entered, his head tilting left and right. They had entered a wide hall with an archaic structure. The walls were brownish in color, and various knight armor statues were placed by them. He saw some items he couldn’t even describe.

Then they got into the first living room, where he met Mia’s parents and her elder brother. They welcomed him so warmly, that he felt at home and at peace. All his anxiety had evaporated. He couldn’t get one thing though. How was Mia so rough and guy-ish, if she lived in a place like this and had a nice family.

As he rubbed his chin, he could only deduce one reason.

‘Mia was adopted.’

~

Revv! Revv!

Ian stopped his bike in front of a white duplex. He parked, hopped down and removed his helmet, placing it on the bike’s handle. Then he exhaled, his backpack behind him, before walking towards the door. He noticed the carving of triangle in a circle on their door. There was a writing within the triangle but he couldn’t read it; he felt it was Japanese.

He raised his hand and folded it to a fist, about to knock. He paused for a bit, sighing. He saw the doorbell, but decided to knock, not wanting to disturb the whole family. He hoped only Kira – who had been expecting him – to hear him knock and guide him to her study, so he wouldn’t have to deal with her family. He was just too introverted to engage in even small talks, especially with adults; it didn’t just feel right to him.

Knock!

He knocked on the door once, with only a little force. No one answered, he then decided to knock more and louder.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

His heart skipped a bit as he felt he knocked too loud.

“Oof…”, he took a step away from the door in anticipation.

Seconds later, he heard a click and the door was opened. His tension subsided to a reasonable extent, seeing who opened the door for him. It was Kira.

She was wearing a pair of shorts, that was almost hidden by her long sweater, that was obviously too big for her. She had her long black hair packed, to rest over her left shoulder, her peculiar black eyes much more clearer to see. Ian was no doubt mesmerized by this.

“Uhm… Please come in,” her tender voice called him out of his gaze and he nodded, entering immediately.

“Please remove your shoes and wear these,” Kira humbly told him, holding up a pair of crocs. “My dad is kind of a neat freak.”

“Oh. No problem,” he smiled and took the crocs from her. He removed his shoe and socks in seconds, then wore the crocs.

“Wow. These are very comfy,” he couldn’t help but comment as they strolled past the stairs and into the living room proper.

“Hm-hmm,” Kira nodded with a smile.

He met her dad, who had an average height and build, black hair and black eyes. Her mum also had the same characteristics, just that she was taller. They were seated on a couch opposite the TV. He greeted them and they welcomed him with a bright smile. They knew who he was already, Kira had told them all about him, if not too much.

Once again, he noticed that same carving of a triangle inside a circle on their wooden center table. The same Japanese text was written inside the triangle. He thought it to be a Japanese family thing?

After exchanging pleasantries, they allowed the teenagers to go. Kira held Ian’s wrist and pulled him gently upstairs into her room. Ian noticed that she seemed more confident than she usually was at school.

The setting of her room was like every normal teenage girl’s bedroom. The bed, wardrobe, mirrors and dressing table. The walls were painted white instead if the casual pink. It seemed the family were a fan of white.

They sat by her reading table, side by side and opened their books on the table. Kira didn’t waste time for casual talks, she delved into chemistry and listed out ways they could create their ‘colorful and beautiful fluorescence’ like Mr. Humphrey said.

“Wow. Have you done something like this before?” Ian asked, shocked by her bright ideas. He even felt she was much smarter than him at this point.

“No. I only read ahead and I’ve been thinking about it,” Kira smiled.

‘That explains the carrying of books home,’ Ian took note.

“Then you must really be a smart girl. We just started this semester last week. I couldn’t have read that much in such a short time,” he said with all sincerity. He couldn’t be shy in complementing her brilliant effort.

Kira’s face flushed red from his complement. Her face literally turned red and Ian noticed, but he kept his cool.

“I think your idea will work. We just need to save money for the items,” Ian returned to the main topic.

“That’s not a problem. My allowance is more than enough,” Kira smiled.

‘Ouch! You don’t have to rub it in, you know?’ Ian retorted inwardly.

“You really don’t have to carry all the burden alone, you know?” he tried dissuading her, as an act of courtesy, not that he could afford it in the first place.

She stared at her trimmed fingernails, “Nah… It’s fine. You can do most of the building. I heard you’re really good at creating machines.”

“Whaaa? Where did you hear that from?” Ian chuckled nervously.

“Students were talking about your Solar-gale, including Mr. Humphrey before you got to class this morning,” she said, toying with her nails.

‘That explains the immediate silence and gazes. But I didn’t tell anyone it worked, it was even destroyed…’

He looked at the side of her face, “How did you guys know? I don’t remember telling anyone expect…”

“Chase!” they chorused together and they laughed.

“Jinx!” Ian said out of habit. Though he regretted it immediately. He felt she won’t take him seriously with that.

“Oh no…” she feigned a surprised face and laughed.

She laughed? She laughed!

Ian felt relieved that she played along.

“You owe me a drink tomorrow at the diner,” he blurted. He felt stupid again after speaking so rashly.

“It’s a date then,” Kira replied, still laughing. But after recalling what she said, her laugh faded and she felt embarrassed.

Ian was shocked. This was the same Kira that was too shy to walk along the hallway at school, but she’s now so free with him.

“Sorry, I mean… okay,” she dropped her head again.

“Oh…”

Then they studied for about an hour more in awkwardness and unnecessary silence. They only talked about chemistry all through.

Then, they heard Kira’s mum say it was time for dinner and Ian should join them. Kira stood up and was about to walk out in shame, when Ian lunged and pulled her back.

Kira slowly raised her head to look at him, they were very close as he held her hand.

Staring into her peculiar black eyes, he smiled subconsciously, “I’m really sorry I made this all weird for you. It was not my intention--”

“No, I was the one who--”, Kira interrupted but Ian interjected too.

“Nah, it’s the guy’s job to take all the blame.”

She scoffed.

He let go of her hand and his voice went low, “I would really like to know you more. Mind… giving me… your number?”

She chuckled softly, “Sure.”

They exchanged numbers and went downstairs for dinner. Ian was a bit stunned, he had never heard of the food he saw before him. They called it… He couldn’t even remember the name like after two seconds. Well, luckily for him, he knew how to use chopsticks, so they were impressed.

They chatted casually, Kira’s father asking most of the questions like Ian was about to marry their daughter.

Dinner was over and Ian bid them goodnight, Kira escorted him out the door. They waved at each other with beaming smiles and she went back inside.

It was dark already, the moon radiating it’s luminescence.

He got on his bike and was about to wear his helmet, when his phone buzzed from his pocket. He pulled it out and checked its screen to see that Chase was calling. He kick started his bike and rode to the road slowly before picking up. He placed the phone on his ear and rode down the road with one hand.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey bro. You home yet?” Chase sounded happy. Really happy.

“No. You?” Ian asked.

“Yep. And I had a really good time at Mia’s place,” Chase sounded happier.

”Really? I thought you disliked her,” Ian scoffed.

Chase coughed, “Well, I did, some hours ago. But when I got to her house… Sorry, manor, everything changed.”

“Thrill me,” Ian said.

“Okay. As I got there and met her family, who were incredibly nice, unlike the aggressive, hot headed Mia. Her dad, her mum, her ripped elder brother, they were all nice. And damn, they’re freakin’ rich. I even thought Mia was adopted, but she told me her back story, whiiiiich… I can’t tell you or she’ll kill me. Heh…

“So, um… We entered her room, which was super big but had this Mia’s guy-ish vibes, you know? We started reading and thinking of ways to do our assignments, when we suddenly got lost in each other’s eyes and kissed. Yeah, we kissed. Then she told me she had always had feelings for me, like you said. I also felt the same but was scared she’d clobber me. After all that, we read a little and we kissed again and I went home.”

Ian was shocked to the bone, “Damn! Wow! Who would have thought… Such a lucky guy.”

Chase laughed, “Yeah bro. Didn’t yours go well? You don’t sound so good.”

Ian sighed, “It was horrible. Cringe. Weird. I don’t even feel like talk--”

Bam!

Ian got knocked off his bike and was sent skidding down the road by some meters. His just repaired bike, steered down the road and made a head on collision with a tree.

Ian squirmed on the asphalt ground in sheer pain, as a humanoid silhouette approached him with a taunting growl.

His now cracked phone at the side of the road, vibrated as Chase’s yell came out of it.

“Ian? Ian! What happened? Ian. Are okay? Answer me….

“Ian!”