166 Cold, Winter Winds (1/2)

I fell back and onto my soft, downy bed after showering. My hair was still somewhat damp but that did not bother me much as it will soon dry off. As for my body, it was still warm from the warm water that my body had come into constant with just a few minutes earlier. Dressed in my hoodie and sweats, I was protected from the worst of the cold temperature.

Even if I were cold, I would've probably ignored it for the time being as I stared at the ceiling in my room. After speaking with Luna, I felt that the agonizing feeling that I had endured the day before had alleviated greatly to the point that I could simply sleep on my own. However, that did not mean that the fact that Luna's life will soon be lost within half a year any easier to deal with. But... what can I do about it? I've asked Noah and Emilia and... they've told me that there's nothing they could do in regards to it as well. There's nothing that I see that's capable of reversing that fact, so... there's nothing else that I can do except wait until it happens.

With a sigh, I brought my left forearm up and placed it over my face, blocking out the ceiling lights.

It's just so... so weird to think that in less than half a year, she'll be gone. Maybe before I even finish the school year, she would be dead. When would it happen exactly? I do not know. However, it will happen, and that's the scary part about it all. It's that uncertainty as to exactly when that frightened me. Would it happen when I'm asleep? Would there be anyone with her when it happens? Would she be suffering from any pain? None of that is a given fact, and there's really no point in thinking about it. But why? Why would it just nag on my mind so much?

And then there's the situation with Irina. I still have to apologize to her for what had happened. Maybe I should confront her feelings for me and explain to her that she has confused a sense of gratitude for love. But... would that change things for us? Would it ruin the relationship everybody had built up within the group? What happens if this simple conversation tears the entire group apart?

With a frustrated sigh, I turned off the lights using my phone and placed it on the charging stand on my bedside table. Then, I pulled the warm bed covers over my body and rested my head on my pillow. With a sigh, I closed my eyes and prepared myself for my slumber.

***

The next day, school went by as usual. Boring and repetitive, yet it went by way faster than the day before as I was able to completely zone out as I stared at the cloudy sky outside. There really wasn't much for me to think about other than how I should apologize to Irina.

During class, I would find myself looking over at her, watching as she focused on copying down notes in her notebook. Her brow was partly tensed as it would appear she was trying to understand the material being taught. Overall, it just simply appeared as if there wasn't anything wrong with her. However, I know for sure that there was something that's on her mind. Even if she tries to conceal it, she cannot hide it from me. The unnatural movement of her eyes when she turned to talk to the others during break was all I needed to confirm my suspicions.

When school finally ended, my plan originally was to visit Luna at the hospital. Since the others were simply told that she was in the hospital for an appendix removal, they must not see anything to severe with her condition. That explains why some of them do not see the point in seeing her every day after school.

”Are you going to see Luna today?” Muria asked Irina who simply nodded in response.

”Yeah,” Irina nodded.

”I'm going as well,” Loyd chimed in.

”You are her boyfriend after all,” Irina commented.

”I'm sorry but I won't be able to accompany you,” Muria told Irina. ”My sister asked me to help her with something...”

”It's fine, Muria,” Irina smiled.

With her comment, I peeked over at her, taking in the subtle abnormality in her tone. It would appear that the others had not noticed, but... it was definitely there.

In the group, Noah wasn't able to go as he had to stay behind and receive a scolding from Emilia for the joke of an essay he wrote during one of the history exams. As for Zaksus, he apparently needed to help set up the championship banquet for the basketball team. Therefore, the roster of people that will be visiting the hospital was Loyd, Irina, and I. It would appear that they will not allow me to go off on my own this time with the atmosphere being a subtle demand for me to accompany them. However, I believe this wouldn't be that bad since I might have an opportunity that I may formally apologize to Irina.

The trip over to the hospital was one that I conducted in silence. I was simply like a shadow in the background. With my right hand grabbing onto the pole, I peeked over from the corner of the car and watched as the two friends talked. Even though Loyd had tried to bring me into the conversation, I would act as if I did not hear him as I had my earbuds in my ear with music playing. However, the truth is that I could hear clearly what they were saying even with all the noises in the train car interior.

It wasn't long before we finally arrived at the nearest station to the hospital. Once we exited the station, we could actually see the hospital in the not too far distance as it stood between the nearby highrises near the banks of the Helliger River. It took us about five minutes to walk from the station exit to the hospital, and it only took us about three more to make it to the room Luna was in.