"That idiot. What is he doing?" Nathan sighed with a silly grin on his face. "He's been absent for so long that if I hadn't called him, he might have forget that there's school at all!"
"But isn't it strange for Rain to be absent so long?" one of the boys asked.
Nathan shrugged. "He's probably playing some video game again."
"He's always playing, but he's never been absent or late once."
"Maybe he got sick?"
Nathan paused, considering his friend's comment. The group of boys exchanged a look before they laughed it off.
"Nah, that guy doesn't get sick."
"Hey! You boys back there! Stop talking to each other while I'm lecturing or all of you will go to the guidance counselor!" Teacher Henry yelled.
The boys quickly stopped their chatting and paid attention to the class.
On the side, the girls rolled their eyes and couldn't help but comment.
"Boys. They're so childish."
"That's why I prefer real men. Like Alice over there. I saw her one time being picked up by a handsome man in the latest edition of Royce. Talk about class."
Alice, who was minding her own business, didn't react and continued to take notes in silence. She had a lot to think about, mostly concerning her territory in the Spirit Realm, and had no time to be gossiping with her classmates.
She was about to undergo the challenge for her Novice Lord title and couldn't afford to be distracted by mundane things. At this point, her social life was practically over.
"Hey, Alice, tell us about that guy you're seeing. Is that the reason why you rejected all of the guys on campus?"
"I can't blame you. That guy is so handsome."
"Uh . . . the truth is . . .
I . . ."
"You?" The Counselor's eyebrow rose into an arch.
"I . . ." Rain shifted his eyes left and right.
"I don't have all day, Mr. Weathers."
"I got depressed," Rain said immediately at the impatient tone in the Counselor's voice.
". . ."
". . ."
The Counselor was shocked, evident by her wide eyes. Rain couldn't blame her; even he was shocked at his own exclamation.
"Depression?" The word slurred on the Counselor's lips, as if she were trying to make sure she had heard him correctly.
Rain nodded and made up an excuse on the spot.
"That's right!" Rain nodded and rolled with it. "I got depressed. My parents aren't home, and I'm alone at my apartment. I just . . .
I'm just dealing with something right now. Something . . . dangerous."
The Counselor took a deep breath and crossed her hands.
Rain pressed his lips tight, his hands shaking. It's over, he thought, wanting to hit his head. From all the things he could say, why that word?
There was no way the Counselor would believe him now!