Anima

by Jae Choguk

Z said throwing an orange at my head, normally I would’ve caught it, but I was so off into space that I didn’t even notice until I was smacked in the head. I rubbed the back of my head, forgetting that even though he was older, he still had enough strength to cause a bruise, and the need of an ice pack.

  “Yeah, I’m back you were saying something about how I did badly on my first mission?” I said throwing the orange back at him.

  Catching it without even looking at he said, “I moved on from that three minutes ago, now we are onto your new mission.” I automatically brightened up at that, sitting up straighter I tried to seem serious and professional, but he could sense my excitement and anxiousness.

  “What class is the mission…sir?” He rolled his eyes, but cracked a smile.

  “It’s…well off the radar, per se.”

  “Even better, some undercover kick-ass mission?” I said unable to sit still.

  “Something like that.” He played along “Unfortunately it’s not a mission can go and brag about, only three people are doing it. Headmaster is the one who told me to bring you along, so don’t think I chose you personally.” He added a wink, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Okay, so who’s the third person?”

  “He should be here any second and-”

  “That would be me, but you didn’t tell me we had an extra person.” Jeremy said banging the door open. He eyed me warily, but I suppose that was better than his normal cold disdain.

  “I didn’t sign up for this,” I put up my hands, acting innocent. “I was specially chosen.” I winked to Mr. Z and he finally laughed.

  “The more the merrier after all.” He said turning back into the old Mr. Zander. Him being serious all the time just didn’t fit his personality.

  “Right, so get along with me if you please!” I said holding out my hand. He rolled his eyes and smacked my hand out of the way.

  “So what’s the plan?” Jeremy said sitting on Mr. Zander’s desk.

  “That,” Mr. Z came around with two plane tickets “Will be explained on the way.”

  I was packing my suitcase when Mai and Alice came bouncing in, literally.

  “What’re you doin’?” Alice asked sitting on my bed that was already covered in clothes, and other things I still needed to pack.

  “What does it look like?” I spread my arms for emphasis.

  “You’re running away?” Mai teased, and Alice smacked her on the head.

  “Don’t joke about that.”

  “Yes, mother dear.” Mai rubbed her head. “So where are you going for your mission then?”

  “How’d you know that’s what I’m doing in the first place?” I ask, getting my makeup bag that had more headbands in it than makeup. I threw it in the suitcase and went to my favorite shoe pile. I knew I wasn’t supposed to pack a lot so with reluctance I chose 3 pairs; formal, casual and running.

  “So while you’re gone, can I use this room, too much Mai can be bad for your health.” Alice commented folding my clothes that were spewed across the room.

  “Yeah, do what you want, who knows how long it’ll be.” I said double-checking I had everything.

  “Wait, so you don’t know how long it’s going to be?” Mai said bouncing on all the clothes Alice just folded.

  “Not really, no. I won’t know more until later.” I said trying not to give too much away. I knew I couldn’t get out of school without telling anyone something, so I went old school. I let everyone else do the talking and gossiping for me! They will come up with their own answers to where I am, and it saves me the trouble of coming up with one.

  “Alright, well good luck.” She said giving me a hug, and for someone that wasn’t very mushy, she made it seem like I might not come back. Mai on the other hand, who is very emotional jumped on my back and squeezed me like she wouldn’t let go.

  “Okay, I have to go now, I’ll be back soon.” I said when they didn’t show signs of letting go. Alice stepped back, and Mai slowly released me from my chokehold.

  “Bye-bye, see you later.” Mai says as she steps back and Alice holds up her fist.

  “Strong and swift, quiet and quick.” She said in a low voice. I held up my fist as well and smacked hers. Mai joined in a second later and we laughed as they walked me to Mr. Zander’s office. We finally separated, and I waited until they were out of sight before I turned away from Mr. Zander’s door. I walked down the staircase they told me about that led to the teacher’s underground garage and when I saw them I hustled towards them.

  “Sorry, I had to lose a couple people.”

  “It’s fine, we’re ready to go now.” Mr. Z said grabbing my suitcase and throwing it in the back of the black Sudan. Jeremy was already in the front seat tapping his fingers on the ledge.

  “Hurry up!”

  “Calm down Jeremy, we’re right on schedule.” Mr. Zander said getting into the driver’s seat. I climbed in the back, and he shot me a dirty look. I guess he was over me seeing him cry, or almost seeing him cry.

  “So now can you explain why we’re going to Washington?” I held up my plane ticket.

  “Yeah, well first you have to realize that you can never say anything about this mission to anyone or where have been, since we don’t know how long it’ll take to finish the assignment.”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “Alright, and you can use your first name if you want, but nothing more.” He warned and Jeremy snorted, since he already seemed to know all of this.

  “Okay, but what exactly is the assignment?” I asked getting anxious.

  “We have been noticing a lot of movement from the Hunters in Washington near the capitol, and we think they are planning something. Of course we don’t know what, and that’s why we’re on this mission.”

  “I already explained why you two were suited for this assignment, plus the fact that you are used to spending a lot of time together!” He glanced back at me then focused on driving again. “You guys will be around each other even more than before,” Seeing our faces he added “Whatever problems you guys have, you’re going to have to get over it for now. Personal problems and emotions can never be involved in your missions, got it?”

  “Yes sir!” I mock saluted and he shook his head. “Wait, did you say even more time than before?” I asked wide-eyed, not think that we could possibly be around each other more. Jeremy snorted and continued looking out the window, Mr. Zander laughed and I leaned my head against the headrest and groaned. I knew this was going to be a long ride.

  The ride was pretty uneventful; it was the plane ride that things got…interesting. Turns out the Academy had its own private jet, not that I should even be surprised. I was still excited to be on one though. I sat down in a chair that reclined and spun around, and so did Jeremy who wasn’t affected at all. He’d probably been on it many times before for missions, but I was till loving every second of it. The attendant put our luggage away, and brought us whatever we wanted; I got a smoothie, and Jeremy got coffee. I snorted when he looked at me like he was so much more mature than I was, just by drinking it.

  “I have to make sure everything is ready for us when we get there, so just do whatever you want until we get there.” Mr. Zander said before disappearing again.

  I put on my headphones and leaned my head back, looking out the window. I watched the clouds roll by, and I wondered what it would be like to sleep on one and let it fly you away. Thinking of that, I felt sleep wash over me.

  I woke up feeling something wasn’t right. I looked at the time, and found out I’d only been asleep for an hour. I guess I dreamed that something wasn’t right? No, that couldn’t be it; my sleep was dreamless, completely black. Not that that was any better I suppose. I looked over at Jeremy who also fell asleep, I was about to fall back asleep when I noticed something off about his sleep. He was squirming a lot, and sweat clung to his hair and forehead. I quickly got out of my seat and knelt beside him.

  I shook his shoulders. “Jeremy, wake up.” He stirred, but was still i
n a fitful sleep. I wondered if this was a normal thing for him. I brushed his hair back and wiped his forehead with my sleeve. I haven’t seen him this vulnerable before, and it made me want him to become that same unbreakable wall that I couldn’t climb over. I needed him to be that person I could never reach, never touch; yet here I was touching him. I got up and asked for a damp cloth.

  Returning to his side, I wiped his forehead and face. I dabbed at his neck too, not understanding how someone could sweat so much in their sleep. I brushed back his hair again, and he caught my arm. I froze, waiting for something to happen.

  “Heather.” Was the name he mumbled; his sister’s name. I felt a sharp pain in my chest, realizing just how much he loved his sister. When I listened to what else he was mumbling all I caught was “Alex…Heather…don’t leave…alone, please.” My heart ached for him, but all I could do was let him keep thinking I was Alex or Heather. I brushed his hair back in a soft rhythm and sang a song I sang to myself when I had nightmares.

  “Can you listen to my words, don’t say anything yet.

  I know you haven’t ended yet, but don’t cry over the space that I left.

  My heart only has you; your heart only has me,

  Similar sentiments, the proof of our love

  For this instant, something to never forget, please remember.”

  I stopped singing once I realized Mr. Zander was staring at us with a weird expression on his face.

  “Your mom sang like that too, right?” He asked softly. I nodded sadly,