A Last Change

SOL #30

March 31, 2009

A Last Change

I strode out of the music room and into the Wolf Room. The smell of food waft throughout the room. I paced around the chairs and tables, not touching them. I looked out the window; a janitor leaned against the wall, staring at the trees out side. He was in his own world; the look that was placed on his face said everything. It was relaxed; it was like he was staring at a butterfly, like staring at something delicate and small. It was like he was seeing something no one else could see, an invisible treasure.

There was a gasp. A quick and sharp gasp that slashed through my thoughts like a knife through butter. The air was let go with a yelp and was replaced by another sharp gasp. I didn’t know were it came from or who had made it. I walked a little further. There he was, cringed into an uncomfortable position. He was on his knees, his arms wrapped around his stomach. His face red and tears slithering down his cheek. Brian lifted his dark eyes to gaze at me, his pained breathing echoing in my head.

“I…have…to…vomit…It hurts!” He said in between gasps. I just stared. This was Brian, the boy who annoyed me, the one that made fun of me for hanging out with boys instead of girls, and the one that I couldn’t stand in class. I remember that once, when he teased with the whole fact that my country’s president was causing a big commotion on the news.

“Hey! Ines! Are you with Chaves or Hitler?” he asked, containing his laugh with little success.

“None of your business.” I snapped back.

“”Oh, so you’re with Chaves? Ok!” He said laughing, he ran away, leaving me with my jaw open, but no words coming out.

I had always wanted to see him like that; I wanted to see him in pain for once, or maybe crying. That way I could prove that he wasn’t as manly as he claimed to be. I wanted to laugh; I wanted to laugh at him. I wanted to tell him he wasn’t so good anymore, that he was just like the rest of us. I wanted to laugh at the boy that had irritated me, the one that made my temper rise everyday. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t laugh. I would be so wicked, so wrong, so…not me. I couldn’t even move, I didn’t know what to do, should I help him up, or should I call a teacher? I couldn’t but feel bad for him. Feel bad for the fact that he was in pain. That he was for the first time without the same kind of energy. The energy that made him Brian.

“What’s going on here?” I grave voice said behind me. I didn’t but instinctively steal a glance from Mrs. Walker and then look back at Brian as Mrs. Walker came our way.

“He’s...going to throw up.” I whispered, like if I didn’t intend to let Mrs. Walker hear me.

“Well then, vomit in the bathroom.” She ordered. Brian stood up, his legs wobbling; he made his way to the bathroom. I walked, I don’t know why. I just see that I’m moving, I didn’t have any control over my legs. The image of Brian on the floor crying just kept on coming to me, I couldn’t push it away. I walked upstairs, my eyes locked on the floor. I wouldn’t be able to treat Brian the same anymore.