The morning light brought relief with it and although Carrie wasn't completely recovered yet, the rest had done wonders: the extreme pallor had disappeared and a healthier color was returning to her cheeks.
Lief took a moment to evaluate her and say goodbye with a kiss on the forehead before leaving the house, receiving a gust of fresh air upon exiting that finished waking him up while he walked toward school feeling full of energy.
However, his positive energy hit a wall of boredom as soon as he entered History class.
The teacher monologued about Civil War strategies with a tone so monotonous that it worked like a sedative for the rest of the classroom.
The atmosphere was tedious, and the majority if not all of the students were fighting a losing battle against sleep.
The dates on the blackboard were nothing more than white scribbles for Lief, who with his chin dug into the palm of his hand, let his fingers take control, spinning his pen again and again with his mind on something else.
On Carrie.
'She is improving…' he thought frowning slightly. 'But she still lacks practice stamina—'
RIIIIIING
But just when he was starting to outline a mental plan, the bell rang through the hallways, saving everyone from boredom.
The noise of chairs dragging and backpacks closing filled the classroom in seconds, Lief got up, ready to blend in, but a voice stopped his intentions.
"Lief, come to my office for a moment."
The teacher looked at him seriously through his glasses, ignoring the rest of the students who were fleeing toward freedom.
?
Arching an intrigued eyebrow, Lief followed the teacher to his office.
…
In the office…
Sitting in his chair behind his desk, the teacher opened a drawer, took out a folder and slid it until it was close to Lief.
"You see, Lief." He interlaced his fingers, looking at him expectantly, "The school has a student exchange agreement with a high school in Washington state. It is a one-month stay."
With a sigh that barely hid his lack of enthusiasm, Lief opened the folder and his eyes scanned the paper quickly, skipping the fluff until reaching the destination.
Destination: Washington State.
Location: Forks.
Institution: Forks High School.
Forks?
His brow furrowed upon seeing the name of this high school.
The name resonated in his head with an uncomfortable familiarity, although he couldn't place from where, but beyond that…
"Professor, why me?" he asked reluctantly. "Isn't there a list of volunteers or something like that?"
"Because you are our best student, Lief. Both academically and in conduct." The teacher's tone swelled with pride, oblivious to the boy's apathy. "The committee was unanimous and we want you to go and hold the name of our institution high."
"..."
Lief ran a hand through his hair, looking for a quick exit… and found it.
"And what about Frank?" he blurted out suddenly. "His grades are just as good as mine. Besides, he likes that stuff about talking to people and being the center of attention. Honestly, I think he fits the profile of... public exposure better."
The teacher smiled knowing this would come and with painful calm, pointed to another document resting on the corner of his desk.
"Young Frank Abagnale is also an exceptional student, of course. That is why he will represent the school in New York for another academic exchange project."
His smile widened.
"You two are the jewels of this school, Lief. We have high hopes for both of you and we don't plan on wasting that talent by having you sit here all month."
"..."
Lief stood speechless looking at the Forks folder and then at the one that was supposedly Frank's.
It was a trap.
...
The cafeteria was a chaos of noise, trays and the indistinct smell of grease.
Lief, Frank, Jennifer and Anita were sitting at a table in the back, but the atmosphere between them was anything but relaxed.
With a red face from frustration, Frank punished a piece of dry chicken on his plate, stabbing it again and again as if it were the school committee itself.
"DAMMIT!" he exploded. "Are we their pets? They move us like we're chess pieces! New York sounds like glory, but it's a lie!" He dropped the fork. "It's going to serve as props for that nest of Ivy League wannabe snobs. I don't feel like it."
Lief shrugged, taking a slow sip of his ice-cold Coke, the only sensory pleasure he had left.
"I got more or less the same luck, only without the Manhattan glamour. They're sending me to Forks for a month... I'm going to die."
Anita leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms and smiling with sarcasm.
"I'm so jealous."
Jennifer shot Anita a reproachful look, then leaned toward Lief, gently placing her palm on his.
"Don't say that... Look at it as a vacation, honey. A month flies by and then you'll be back."
"That's the detail, guys, settle down!" Anita hit the table indignantly, "Who told you to be the brainiacs and the best-looking in the class. Wherever you go, you are the center of attention. It is logical that the 'good' things" she said making air quotes, "happen to you."
Her words seemed to slightly improve Frank's mood, even so, he persisted in his stubbornness.
"I still think I would prefer to rot here and not go to New York to see the faces of that group of bookworms."
Although as discouraged as Frank, Lief preferred to remain silent.
Trying to refocus on his food, but it was impossible, Jennifer didn't stop gently caressing the back of his hand or playing with his sleeve, preventing him from eating in peace while whispering "comforting" phrases to him.
...
Back home.
Lief left his backpack by the entrance, feeling how the ugly news faded slightly upon entering. He headed to the kitchen, where his mother was finishing cutting some vegetables, and his father was checking the day's mail.
He waited for both of them to pay attention to him before dropping the bomb.
"Washington? To the town of Forks?" Sarah wiped her hands and leaned on the countertop, processing the information with a slightly furrowed brow while she thought. "It sounds familiar... I think it is famous for the constant rain. Well, looking on the bright side, it is a quiet place. Getting out of here and changing the environment will do you good, honey.
"You say it is only for a month? Don't worry about anything, after dinner I will help you see what clothes you need."
"That is fantastic, son! An exchange student!" John reacted with much more enthusiasm, almost as if Lief had won the lottery.
He approached the refrigerator, took out a cold can of beer and opened it with a satisfying snap, "This is the first step to going out into the real world and seeing new things! It is definitely worth celebrating tonight!"
Dinner passed between his father's exaggerated anecdotes about his own youth trips and his mother's plans.
Seeing that they were taking it so well, a slight headache was already starting to manifest in Lief.
Later, when the house was silent, he gathered Lillith, Emma and Esther in the living room.
And making sure they were seated, he stood in front of them.
"Listen carefully because this is important," he began bluntly, looking each one in the eyes, "The school is sending me on a trip for a month to another state and that means I will be away and you stay here. While I'm gone, I need you to behave impeccably."
"It is strictly forbidden to cause trouble, no bullying classmates and, this is the most important thing, keep your abilities under control. I don't want a single 'supernatural' incident while I'm not here, understood?"
"But where exactly are you going?" asked Lillith with genuine curiosity, completely ignoring the warning.
"To a place very far from here to study."
"Then, if you're going so far... will you bring us gifts?" said Emma, her eyes shining at the possibility.
Esther let out a sarcastic snort.
"You talk as if your presence were the only thing preventing us from destroying something. Such little faith."
"For those words you won't get a gift." Overlooking Esther's biting comment, Lief approached the other two and messed up their hair with affection, "and you two, of course I'll bring gifts, but there is a condition: you have to be obedient. If I return and there are no complaints, there will be something for you."
"Yaaay! Thank you, big brother!" cheered Lillith immediately, gifting him an innocent smile that could melt glaciers.
"Thank you," murmured Emma, showing one of her rare and shy smiles.
Esther simply twisted her mouth into a grimace of disdain, but didn't reply anything else.
…
The silence of the night had enveloped the house, and the only light in Lief's room came from the screen of his mobile phone.
He stood looking at Carrie's number for a few seconds, debating internally on how to break the news to her without it sounding like sudden abandonment, especially knowing how sensitive she was.
With a sigh, he finally pressed the call button, bringing the cell phone to his ear while he leaned back in bed.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Carrie." Lief lowered the volume of his own voice involuntarily, adopting a much gentler tone. "Did I wake you up? It's a bit late."
"No... not yet." There was a small pause, and Lief could imagine her curled up in her bed. "I was reading a little. Did something bad happen? You don't usually call at this time."
"It's nothing bad, relax. But I wanted to tell you something before you found out from other people, since you didn't go to class today."
"The principal called me to his office today and the school has selected me for an academic exchange program. They are sending me to Washington state, to a town called Forks."
"..."
On the other end of the line there was only silence.
Not an empty silence, but one loaded with sadness.
Lief waited patiently.
"... For how long?" she asked finally.
"One month."
"But don't be sad, okay? A month goes by very fast. Besides, I need to ask you a very important favor while I'm not here. You have to keep practicing."
"Do not stop the telekinesis training for anything in the world, but remember that your safety comes first. If you feel tired or if your head hurts, stop immediately. Don't force yourself if I'm not there to supervise."
".... understood." Carrie replied submissively, but there was an underlying firmness in her. There was another long pause, where she seemed to be gathering the courage to say something.
"... You... you also take good care of yourself out there, Lief."
"I will, relax. Rest, Carrie."
"G-good night."
Lief hung up and left the mobile on the table, staying a moment looking at the dark ceiling, feeling a slight pang of worry about leaving her alone, but he couldn't do anything.
Shaking his head, he got up and headed to the bathroom, ready for a shower.
The bathroom steam was beginning to fog up the mirror while he, without clothes, observed his reflection.
"Airam."
The surface rippled and from it emerged Airam's face.
"Is something wrong?"
"I'm going away for a month," explained Lief. "You don't have to worry about me... and take care of Maria."
"No problem."
"Good, thanks." The face in the mirror dissolved and the surface returned to calm.
Lief turned on the shower and let the hot water relax his muscles and after drying off, he put on his pajamas and left the bathroom.
He grabbed the doorknob of his room, concentrated on his agency and, upon opening it, crossed the threshold.
Once in the agency, he didn't stop and grabbed the knob again and, visualizing her room, opened the door again.
Upon entering the bedroom, the soft light revealed Jennifer sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs crossed.
She was wearing a sensual white nurse outfit with red details, white fishnet stockings and red heels.
Her black hair fell over her shoulders and her intense blue eyes looked at him with intent while she rested her head on a gloved hand.
"You're late for your appointment... Mmm, bad behavior," she said, holding the stethoscope. "I'm afraid your nurse is going to have to apply a very strict correction before letting you sleep."
________
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