Throughout the day Elian kept following after me. He sat with me at lunch. Always sat beside me in class. To be honest it was beginning to annoy me. 'Why couldn't he just leave me alone, like everyone else.' It wasn't that I disliked people talking to me it was just that I had tried so many times when people tried to get close to me and just straight up leave afterwards. Couldn't blame the people who turned their backs on me, after all who would want to be a target for countless insults.
Deep in thought I didn't hear my name being called repeatedly. My brain continued going like a high-speed train. But Elians slight touch on my shoulder brought me back to reality. I had been so lost in thought I nearly jumped in place.
"Hey, you okay Kieran, you don't look too good." Elians voice rang in my ears.
"No, I am good, just lost in thought." I gave a smile as to reassure, but I think it just made it worse. Elian looked even more worried than before. Well, it wasn't like I was lying I really was lost in thought, but my smile was clearly fake, and Elian had picked up on that. I was about to reassure him again but before I could something bumped into my arm. It wasn't hard but enough to make me lose balance for just a second. I stumbled a few steps forward.
Looking up stood a group of three people. Clearly, they weren't fond of me as smirks were written all over their faces. They looked so ordinary - dark hair and pale skin - that I was unsure if I had met them before. I was fine with letting it slide that was why I didn't try to stop them when they began walking again. But clearly only I thought that way.
Before I had realized it Elian had caught one of the guy's wrists. And I was left stunned.
"Before you go isn't it proper manner to apologize?" He talked in a hushed voice, while wearing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Or did your parents never teach you that?"
The guy froze, his cocky smirk quickly vanishing as Elians grasp tightened slightly. For a heartbeat no one moved. His friends seemed torn between stepping in and acting as if nothing were happening.
I wanted to say something but couldn't. Why would I even step in? I just quietly observed. Elians gaze stayed fixed on the boys, his eyes sharp and cold. "Well?"
The boy yanked his hand away and quickly muttered something that might have been a "sorry". Without delay he and his friends quickly retreated, not even daring to look back.
As his eyes once again turned back to me, the warmth had returned as if the darkness had been nothing but an illusion. "See that wasn't so bad." He talked as if he hadn't just sent three boys running with their tails between their legs, with only his voice and smile.
But my eyes didn't reach his. I still focused on the wrist Elian had caught. Left behind was faint red marks matching the outline of his hand. 'Why go to such length for a person you just met? I don't get it.'