The word struck like lightning. Ringing in my mind long after being said. Philosophy. The one subject I despise with body and soul. With its never-ending debates. I couldn't wrap my mind around why people would use hours to differ from right and wrong, good and evil.
I didn't really feel like participating today - or rather every day. I could have gone with any excuse, but I just had to go with such an obvious one.
"Sorry, but I don't think I can go. I have a headache, didn't get much sleep last night. That must be the reason." I thought I played it pretty good despite everything. But looking at Elians face it was clear he didn't buy it. A could feel a shiver run down my spine. I tried to turn away before it was too late, but like always Elian was one step ahead of me. He lightly tugged my sleeve. His grip wasn't tight but confident wouldn't that I wouldn't get away.
"I saw you drawing for 2 hours without any problems, so I think you can survive one more." His voice was soft but it left no room for argument.
He didn't drag me as much as he was guiding me. And for some reason it really annoyed me. And it also felt really stupid, I knew this school more than him, yet he was the one taking the lead.
As we stood in front of the classroom door, I made one last attempt to escape.
"Hey, I-" but before I could even start I was cut off.
"No you just want to skip."
"You didn't even let me start. How would you know?" I muttered under my breath.
Elian just brushed it off, but his eyes gleamed with amusement. The door creaked a little as it opened. The moment all eyes averted to us. I felt like digging a whole and burying myself for a few years - maybe even more. Elian on the other hand didn't seem shaken in the slightest. No more than that he seemed to be enjoying himself.
That was another thing I managed to learn about Elian. For whatever reason he always enjoyed making fun of me. Of course, not in a hurtful manner. And despite him hovering around me all day for the past week he never talked about himself. And whenever I brought it up, he slipped around the subject like a snake.
But now wasn't the time to talk about such things. I quickly found a seat, and like always Elian sat beside me. His face shining as if he just won a prize at an arcade.
The lesson had already begun before we got here so I was at quiet a loss. I didn't understand a word of what we talked about. Or that was until the teacher - a middle aged man with brown hair and glasses - asked the class a question.
"Do you think it is justified to hurt another person if it means helping yourself or someone you care about?"
All the normal answers were blurted out - just like expected.
"No, it is never justified to hurt another person."
"Yes, if you have no choice."
"I mean if it is self-defense."
It was the answers you would expect from students. It was only when Elian raised his hand that the atmosphere changed.
"Of course, if it is someone you deeply care about you would do anything for them. Even if it means hurting another person, or maybe even killing." His answer was said in the same tone you would use to announce dinner.
Everyone turned silent. Not expecting an answer like that.
"What do you think Kieran?" He once again turned his attention to me. Why are you asking me? I wanted to disappear. But his tall figure kept me in place.
My mind went on overdrive trying to think of an answer. I knew nothing about stuff like this, or you could say I didn't care. Yet I couldn't stay silent because of that idiot. In the end I just said the first thing coming to mind. The truth.
"Do you really have to justify it. If you want to do something, do it. Simple as that."
Saying it out loud make it seem idiotic. Who said stuff like that. My mind completely blanked out afterwards. The only thing I registered was a soft chuckle from besides me.
After the bell rang and the students had left only the teacher was left. "Elian Liora and Kieran Raven" he muttered to no one in particular. "Those two are really something."