VICTOR

Victor was sitting in lunch detention when the bell rang. Him and the other kids stood up and walked out. Victor walked over to his locker where his friends, Zeke and Dexter were standing, chuckling, Jax looking guilty. Probably something that happened during lunch. Most likely someone was walking with a tray of food and slipped, which made the food go all over them. He approached them and asked, "How was lunch?"

"You know, the usual trip and fall that only we notice." Jax groaned.

"Oh, cool, wish I was there." Victor laughed, spinning the dial to his locker.

"Ya!" Dexter cried.

"Whatever, how was your lunch detention?" Zeke wondered in his normal deep voice.

"Boring." Victor moaned, gathering his stuff for language arts.

"Cool," Zeke walked away to his next class.

Jax and Dexter did the same. Victor heard the five minute bell music and rushed to his next class. Once he sat down in his seat near the front, the bell rang and the teacher started calling roll call.

"Angelina. Angelina? Has anyone seen Angelina?" Mrs. Dorten called.

"She was here, Mrs. Dorten. Maybe she is just late..." Victor answered.

"Maybe. Victor? Oh, yes, you're here."

Angie was never late for class. Victor wondered if she was called to the office and he hadn't noticed. Probably. It isn't really a big deal although he had a gut feeling something was wrong. He closed his eyes, trying not to think about it.

It was the middle of class and Angelina still didn't come. Mrs. Dorten called the office to check if she was gone or something. They said she wasn't. Now, Victor was more worried than ever. What had happened?

"Angelina Barrings. Please come to the office, Angelina Barrings?" The intercom blarred.

Two minutes later.

"Angelina Barrings? Come to the office right away. Angelina Barrings?"

Ten minutes later, there was still no sign of her. Victor had finished his assignment and was listening to the outside sounds, worrying over his neighbor and friend. He heard sirens coming from the hospital, getting closer and closer. One of the boys, Jorden Anderson, stood up and looked out the window.

"It's an Ambulance! Um, it just pulled in front of the school!" He cried.

The rest of the class got up and looked out. The principal rushed out of the school. The principal looked at a paramedic with a frantic look then said something, then he pointed towards the back of the school. The paramedic signaled for the ambulance to follow him to the back of the school. The students passed around a worried look. Victor felt sick to his stomach.

"What happened?" A girl asked.

"Is someone dead?" Another girl cried.

"I hope!" A boy cried.

"Class! Sit down!" Mrs. Dorten roared.

The class sat down.

Annie? Victor called.

Hmm? She answered sadly.

What if... Victor started.

Doubt it. Annie answered in an unsure tone.

Victor felt not a bit better, the terrible thoughts continued to float around in his head. The teacher's school phone rang, which startled him. Mrs. Dorten answered it eagerly.

"Hello?" She greeted. "Oh dear... I was wondering what that was for... That's terrible!... Are they okay?!... Oh poor thing... Barely?... Yes, I will... Goodbye."

She hung up and looked around the room frantically. Victor and one of his good friends, Marick, exchanged worried looks. The bell rang. Victor picked up his stuff and ran out of the room.

"Look! The ambulance! Someone is on the stretcher!" A girl cried by the window that faced the school's courtyard.

Victor and many others joined her. Victor shoved himself to the front of the crowd. He saw the stretcher with a lifeless body lying across it. Paramedics were giving the person air and was giving them CPR. He saw what the gender was, a girl. Then he saw the hair, blond, no strawberry blond!

"It's Angelina! No it can't be Angie!" A girl named Aspen cried, crumpling to the ground. Victor dropped his books, making a loud bang.

Alice, Angie's other best friend ran to Aspen's aid and helped her up, comforting her. Victor stood there silently, too scared to talk, too shocked to move. He felt sick to his stomach, a strong urge to puke raising in him. He felt tears bundle up in his light colored eyes. He tried to fight them as he watched them roll her into the loud ambulance. The crowd became smaller and smaller until it was just Victor, Marick, Aspen, and Alice. Aspen was in tears. Alice stood there comforting Aspen and looking at the ambulance as it pulled away from the courtyard. Marick put a hand on Victor's shoulder. If that was some sort of attempt to calm him, it wasn't working. Aspen and Alice rushed to class sadly, as did Marick. The bell music started playing and Victor ran to his locker, grabbed stuff for math, then dashed there. Aspen and Alice were there, sitting close together. Victor picked a spot away from everyone else. He only spoke to prove he was in class. The whole class, he sat there staring into the distance, his mind numb, listening to the latest gossip: Angelina Barrings was found unconscious on the school grounds. He only looked around the room once, and that was to see how Aspen and Alice were holding up. Aspen was also staring off into space and Alice was doing her work. Was Alice not fazed by the situation?! Was Alice not scared or worried?! Was she not wondering what happened to her best friend?! When the school bell rang Victor slowly got out of his seat, keeping his stuff there because he had Mrs. Kendall for his last class, the class where you jump start on your homework. He got his school planner and walked back to his class. It seemed like the whole school knew about the Angelina thing.

Victor passed a boy and a girl, and the girl said, "I wonder what happened to Angelina."

"Who cares. She probably deserved it. I bet you she messed with one of the bullies." The boy sneered, giving Victor a look as he passed.

"What do you mean! She would never do anything to anyone!" Victor roared. "And she most definitely didn't deserve it!"

They looked at him, "Sorry for his behavior. I know she did nothing and would never do anything," The girl apologized.

"Wha-----" The boy started, angrily but the girl grabbed his ear and dragged him to their class.

Victor glared their way then strolled slowly to his class. Mrs. Kendall was standing outside the door and gave Victor a sad, worried look. She went to put her hand on Victor's shoulder but he shrugged it off then stormed into the classroom, sitting down at his seat in the shadow of the room, wondering what had happened. The boy mentioned bullies, so maybe some group of bullies teamed up on her... The bell rang and the teacher and lots of students piled into the room.

In the middle of the class Victor was called to the office.

"Can I have Victor Angelose to the office please, he will be leaving." The intercom called.

Victor got up slowly, gathered his stuff and walked out. Why was he being pulled out of school? He walked down the halls, went to his locker and put his school textbooks, supplies, and notebooks into his backpack, then he went to the office. His mom, the principal, and Aspen with her parents, was standing there talking. Victor walked in and they all looked at him. His mom walked over to him and gave him a hug.

"Why are you pulling me out of school, Mom?" Victor asked after his mom withdrew the hug.

"So, um, you can see Angelina." She answered.

He was suddenly hit with a surge of sadness, "Oh."

"Aspen and Alice are coming too. Alice is already there."

"Oh, what happened? Where was she? Is she okay?" He asked frantically, a lump forming in his throat.

"We don't know what happened. We found her in the alley between the gym and the school. The doctors are working their magic, but we have no reports. She was unconscious when one of our students found her. She hasn't woken up as far as we know." Mr. Viberent, the principal answered.

"Oh. Is she injured?" Victor replied.

"Yes, very much."

Aspen glanced Victor's way and then put her head on her mother's shoulder. Her eyes started welling up. Victor could tell she wanted this to be over, wanted to see Angie. Her hurt, sad eyes looked at the floor.

"Can, can we go. Me and Aspen would like to see her." Victor asked nervously.

"Mrs. Angelose? Can Aspen ride with you? We have to run a very important errand." Aspen's father asked.

More important then your daughter's best friend being in the hospital!?

"Of course!" Victor's mom replied. " Come on, kids."

As they walked out to Victor's mom's car Victor looked at Aspen. Her eyes were dead. He could tell she was super sad about this situation, and honestly he was too. As they got into the backseat they buckled up. For half of the ten minute drive there, they were silent.

"This is crazy. Why Angelina?" Aspen cried in a quiet voice.

"I wish this never happened." Victor said, looking at her.

"Same here."

"She's strong."

"What if... She doesn't get through this? What if we lose her?" She asked, her voice quivering.

"Don't say that. She'll be fine. She will recover." Victor answered, squeezing her hands.

She sighed and then looked at the ground, then spoke in a low whisper only Victor could hear, "She better recover. I can't lose another best friend. It's like I'm cursed!"

"What do you mean?" Victor asked. "Sorry. None of my business."

"No it's fine."

"We're here, kids." Amélie said, pulling up to the hospital.

The kids unbuckled then opened the car door, when they got out they looked at the towering hospital, eager to go in. Fear filled Victor's mind. As they walked into the hospital and to the front desk, Aspen sighed. His mom checked in and told them they were here to visit Angelina Barrings.

"Okay, Miss Angelose. Her room is room 317 on the third floor." The secretary informed Ms. Angelose, kindly and calmly.

They walked to the elevator and pressed the button to call it. After a minute, it finally opened and they stepped in, pressing the button to make them go to the third floor. Once they reached the third floor they wandered the halls trying to find Angie's room. Finally, after a few minutes, they found it. Victor stopped dead in his tracks, afraid to go in. What would he witness in there? What would his poor friend look like? He could only imagine she looked like she was sleeping. Was she still unconscious?! Victor clenched his eyes closed then took a deep breath. The three walked in and looked around. When Victor's eyes landed on poor Angie he gasped. She looked terrible. Victor and Aspen stepped closer to their beloved friend. Victor looked at Angelina, creases forming on his forehead, his eyebrows arched like a u. He stared at the three major cuts on her forehead in horror, the dark circles under her eyes greeting him. Her frizzy hair laid across her shoulders, lifelessly. Angelina had deep creases in her forehead and was very pale. Like a colorless candle, who's light had been blown out. Tears welled up in his eyes, making it hard to see.

"She looks..." Victor started, not wanting to finish the sentence.

"Terrible? Dead?" Aspen cried.

"All of the above." Victor moaned quietly.

He felt the waterworks coming. Suddenly, the doctor walked in with a clipboard, a lump formed in his throat, making it hard to speak.

"Hello. You must be her friends." He greeted walking to Angie's side to check the monitor.

"Y-yes sir." Victor cried. "What happened to her? When will she wake up?"

"We have no news about what happened to her. If you two kids could help us figure that question out it would be much appreciated. But, I hate to inform you that she has slipped into a coma, unfortunately. If we are lucky... she'll wake in a month's time." The doctor informed, trying to soften the blow.

"If we're lucky! A month is too long, sir. Is that really the earliest she could wake?" Victor cried.

Why couldn't it have been him instead of this innocent human being?! Why?! He cursed to the winds angrily.

"Now, now child. The earliest could be in around a month considering the shape she's in. It would be a miracle if she awoke even at a month." He continued, then walked out. "Have a nice rest of your day."

"This is outrageous! She'll never wake up." Victor cried, crumbling into the chair that was by Angie's bed.

"How? Who would dare do this!" Aspen shrieked in a quiet voice. "I'll kill whoever did this to her! I don't care if I end up in Juvie!"

"Now, now, Aspen. Calm down. That will only make it worse." Mrs. Angelose informed her, taking her into her arms. Aspen started crying.

A half an hour later, the three walked out of the hospital and got into the car. They started home. Once Aspen was dropped off, they set off for their house. It was silent the whole way home. Victor leaned his head against the window and stared out. The next thing he knew they were getting out of the car and walking into the house. Once Victor was in the house he dashed up the stairs and went into his room, then slammed the door. His mom didn't dare scold him, knowing Victor was upset in great measures. He jumped onto his bed and curled up, in the dark, under his covers. He didn't have the strength to get up and change out of his jeans. Then, sorrowfully so, he cried himself to sleep, letting the world slip away.

He was standing in the fields again, halfway to the village ahead of him. It was sort of a relief to be away from his world, he never wanted to go back. Victor walked towards the village, slowly, taking in the sights...not that there were very many. When he approached the village a scent of bread and pie filled his nostrils, allowing his nostril hairs to dance around gleefully. The scents made him hungry, making him yearn for food. He walked the crowded street, slipping past the large group of people standing, looking in store fronts, his curiosity getting the best of him. Little girls in yellow dresses skipped past him, singing lovely tunes, making the nearby people giggle at the silly lyrics of the songs. Older women were drying their sheets on a few pieces of wire that connected to two wooden poles, careful not to let their cloths touch the dirty ground. He watched other younger women as they watered their daisies and their pure yellow marigolds and snickered with the town's finest suiters. He looked around the busy streets more until he finally decided to go in one. A delightful smell of bread and a mix of different kinds of cookies: lemon cake cookies, gingerbread, and shortbread ones, erupted in his face, making him feel warm and fuzzy inside. A baker noticed him admiring the lemon cake cookies and rushed over.

"Looking to buy any?" He simply asked, wiping his dusty hands on his apron.

"I haven't any money, sir."

"Oh! Would you like to work here, young man? We are in desperate need of help." He looked at Victor with despairing eyes.

"Um, sure. I'd love to!" Victor replied.

"Great! I'm Chadrick the local baker! And you are?" Chadrick asked.

"Hi! I'm Vic-... Vincent!" Victor replied happily. He didn't want him to call him by Victor, this was his only chance to be someone he wasn't. The only chance to start his life as a clean slate.

"Come to the kitchen, Vincent!" Chadrick smiled, walking through two doors to what he presumed to be the kitchen.

There was one woman in there, which was putting a pan of loaves of bread onto a fire with a large, wooden spatula. There was a big cauldron sink that held what seemed to be three gallons of clean water. Bottles of spices, flour, and sugar were resting on a wooden table in the middle of the room, surrounded by bowls and wooden spoons.

"Isn't it pretty!" The baker cried proudly.

"Yep."

"This is Sarah, my wife. We have an orphan working with us but she is collecting more eggs from the market. She'll be here soon." Chadrick informed Victor.

"I'm also an organ." Victor sighed.

"Great! Erm... Bad! You can stay with us!"

Victor and Sarah set to work making another loaf of bread. It actually wasn't that hard! He rolled out the premade dough Sarah had made for him and put it on a pan, then put the small pan on a bigger pan that fit right over the open flame of the fire. He was just glad to have a home and job.

About an hour later, the orphan girl came back with a basket of a dozen eggs. Victor stared at her. She looked like the fictional girl from his drawing that he drew during science. Her yellow dress kissed the ground slightly and danced as she moved. They both stared at each other.

"Who's he, Chadrick, Sarah?" She replied with a voice like a dove. A voice that brought back memories. The voice sounded too familiar, like...

His mind froze. Angelina. No, it couldn't be! She's in a coma!

"This is our new worker, Vincent. He'll be living with us and helping us out, like you!" Chadrick replied proudly, putting his big hands on Victor's shoulders.

"Nice to meet you, Vincent. I'm Aria." Aria replied.

"Same to you. Have we met before?"

Maybe she'll recognize my voice, Victor dreamed.

"I don't think so." She said trailing off, sadly.

"I must return to my work."

She giggled, "Of course."

A few times he caught 'Aria' staring at him. Whenever they made eye contact his cheeks flushed and his stomach felt odd although she would quickly look away, embarrassed. He often found himself wondering if she would ever notice he was Victor. What would he do if she didn't?

"Children? You should have the rest of the day off. You guys have worked incredibly hard today. Go on." Sarah demanded in her soft, gentle voice.

"Are you sure, dearest Sarah? We can continue to work! It wouldn't be much of a hassle." Aria replied, picking herself off the wooden floor, which she was scrubbing with soap and water.

"Yes, I'm very sure! Now go on!"

"Can I at least finish the floor?"

"No, no, I'll do it, Aria." Sarah smiled, getting up from her small stool that stood in front of the fireplace.

"Oh ok... Come on, Vincent, I guess." She sighed, opening the back door of the bakery and walking out.

"Bye, Sarah, we won't be long." Victor sighed, a little happy he got to spend time with Angelina.

"No no, stay out as long as you'd like." She grinned with a wink, flustering him. He laughed nervously and walked out the door, closing it behind him, "Wait up, Aria!"

She was standing at the edge of the stone paved road, looking at the horses and carts, a look of interest spread across her face, "Isn't Casewick just darling!"

"Ya, I guess." Victor replied standing by her side, watching two little boys sword fighting with wooden poles.

"Why such a buzzkill, Vincent?" Aria asked, turning towards him.

"It could be better. Not the town I'm used to." Victor sighed quietly.

"Ya, same." She replied in a quiet voice that Victor could barely hear.

Wow! Aria is so darling! Aren't you lucky! Annie cried.

Shush it, Annie!

Annie sighed. Just tell her it's you already! She will find out sooner or later.

But... It's nice being someone I'm not. I can be happy in this world! I can be whatever I desire! I want to hang out with Angelina... with her not knowing who I am really.

Annie became silent for a while, pondering the perfect response:

Don't change so people will like you.

Be yourself and the right people will love you.

Victor gave the quote much thought, almost considering the advice. He sighed, looking at his drawing look alike.

Should... Should I really tell her?

Yes!

But... What if she hates me!

For what?

I don't know! For something!

Well... Then you would change her mind. It's that easy!

Easier said than done.

Come on, Victor. Stop being a good for nothing CHICKEN!

Victor scowled, angry at the voice. Aria gave him a confused face. "Are you gonna answer me or what?"

"Pardon?"

"What do you want to do?"

"Watch the sunset?"

"How long till then though?"

"Thirty minutes." He replied, pointing at the sun. "I saw the perfect place to sit and watch while on a... stroll."

"Sure lets do it then. Take me there." She smiled, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Victor smiled back at her, taking her hand. The teenager guided his friend, taking an alleyway as a shortcut. As they walked through the dark alley something moved in a trash can, sending Angelina jumping closer to Victor, holding onto his waist.

"It's okay. I won't let anything happen to a girl as stunning as you."

She looked up at him, her large pouty eyes looking into his, their faces only inches apart.

"My knight in shining armor." She joked, her smile goofy.

They stared at each other for a moment more, lost in each other's eyes. Aria slipped her arms off of his waist and onto his arm, holding on to him, keeping close. "Shall we?" She smiled nodding towards the exit of the dark corridor. He smirked, "We shall." He led her out of the alley, emerging into a grand meadow. Victor took her up the hill, careful to hold her, permitting her to slip. The poor village boy stepped on a wet mushroom and quickly lost his footing. He tumbled backwards down the hill, Aria tumbling after him, grunts escaping her mouth as she hit bumps. He landed at the bottom of the hill in a pile of white wildflowers, Aria landing next to him. They erupted in laughter, lying next to each other.

"That was a blast!" Aria giggled. "Ten out of ten experience!"

"Glad you had fun."

"Oh, I almost want to do it again, but man does my back hurt!"

He laughed. "As does mine! I wouldn't do it again! It was much too painful for my liking!"

"You are such a wimp, Vincent! It didn't hurt that bad!"

"Maybe you are right, Aria. I might as well be a wimp!"

They laughed again, this time Vincent sat up, getting ready to stand up. He slipped on another mushroom.

"Ga! How many mushrooms must I slip on!?" Victor growled.

"Calm down, Vincent. It was just two. I'll help you up if you so insist." Unlike Vicor she got up with ease, avoiding the cursed mushrooms. She held out her hand to him, making him smile mockingly.

"That's my job, Aria! I am the gentleman after all."

Aria giggled, "You aren't doing a great job at it, Mr. Gentleman."

Victor laughed, accepting Aria's help. She pulled him up, struggling greatly, but in the end she got him up after a few laughing breaks.

"See! It isn't easy being a gentleman!"

"Perhaps that is because I am not a gentleman but a fair maiden." He whooped at Angelina's choice of words. 'Fair maiden' she had said. If only she knew he was Victor! It would send a great amount of shock through her!

They two teenagers returned to the hillside, cautious of the cursed mushrooms Victor so happened to keep running into. When they made it to the top they spotted a creek that separated into two creeks, forming a small island in the middle. The creek connected together again but this time flowed down a waterfall. Victor made his way across the low rising creek first but then helped Angelina across as she lifted her skirt just enough to where it wouldn't get wet. She giggled when they sat down on the small seven feet wide island together. They were just in time for the sunset. As they watched the blue sky turn into an abundance of different shades of orange and pink Victor reached for her hand. She seemed surprised at first but then settled down, resting her head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Life was perfect at that moment. Victor Angelose moved his head slightly, looking into Angelina's eyes. She looked up at him.

"What?" She giggled quietly, breaking the silence.

"I'm lucky to have met you."

Her cheeks became a soft peach color. Victor contemplated coming clean about his identity. He sighed.

"What? Whatever is wrong?"

He looked at her with gleeful eyes, smiling. "Nothing is wrong... sweetie."

It took Angelina a moment to figure it all out. She suddenly sat up straight. "Is that really you?!"

"What do you mean? We have never met." He joked.

"Victor Angelose! I know that is you!"

He laughed. "Good guess."

"Why didn't you tell me!?"

"Why didn't you recognize my voice?"

She went silent. "Fine. You're right. I just... I didn't think I could see you in this world but here you are." Angelina Barrings smiled. "You look different."

"As do you!"

She giggled.

"First of all, I have so many questions!" Victor cried.

"So do I! You go first."

"The most important question is... who did this to you?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Who... Who knocked you unconscious?"

She grew sad, "Zeke, Jax, and Dexter."

"What!?" He cried. His own friends put his friend in a coma?! His anger level grew.

"They were bullying me, and they shoved me into the cherry blossom tree trunk, then when I got up, they shoved me into the wall."

"What?! Did they really? They are the ones that put you into a coma!?" He yelled.

"A-a coma?" She gasped, clearly unaware of the damage. "It was that bad, huh?"

"Yes, that bad! I... I visited you in the hospital during last period. You are in terrible shape."

"Who discovered me?"

"I think a student."

"How bad do I look exactly?"

He clenched his eyes shut, remembering the lifeless clone of Angelina back in New Jersey. "You have three nasty cuts on your forehead, they might leave scars. You are pale... There's dark circles underneath your eyes..."

"I'm sure Zeke and Dexter broke a few of my ribs."

His eyes flew open in disbelief. "Did they kick you?!"

"Yeah, after they pushed me the second time. It was insanely hard. If they didn't break my rib I'd be surprised."

His anger grew. He clenched his jaw, wanting to kill Zeke, Dexter, and Jax. Victor buried his face in his hands, groaning. "What have you gotten yourself into, Angelina Barrings."

"Something bad, that's for sure. Do you think I'll survive?"

He didn't answer her question, afraid. Victor almost said, "To be honest, life sucks right now. So no, I don't think you'll survive because life is just that cruel to people like me," but luckily he bit his tongue permitting him to speak a word.

"Why would they do that to you?" He sighed.

"Because, and I quote, 'You are making Victor too soft! You guys can't be friends!'"

Victor clenched his jaw harder, his blood boiling, his thoughts overthrowing. Next mission: Beat the daylight out of the three bullies.

"Victor, don't do anything extreme... Definitely to Jax... He actually tried to stop Zeke and Dexter. I could tell Jax didn't like being that way."

"Jax still didn't tell anyone though! He just left you to... to... to die!"

"Victor! Calm yourself! You aren't gonna make anything better if you continue to act like a sun bear!"

"A sun bear?"

"Yes, a sun bear. They are extremely ferocious."

He rolled his eyes but suddenly he felt a familiar feeling. He hugged Angelina tight, knowing he was going back to his terrible life. They hugged each other as they slipped away, the awakening ending for the night, knowing the only thing they had in this world was each other.

Victor opened his eyes slowly, bright light covering every sharp aspect of his face. He rolled over on his back and looked at the plain ceiling. The boy thought about Angelina in Elysia and his new job.

Suddenly, Victor shot up in alarm. What time was it? He jumped out of bed, hurried across the room, and looked at his phone. 11:03.

His mom walked in and looked at him with her kind, gentle face.

"Mom! I'm late! I'm late for school!" Victor cried while running to his dresser.

"I know. I shut off your alarm so you could sleep in. You're going to stay home today because of... all the drama happening." She replied walking out and down the stairs into the living room.

"Huh? Mom I can't be gone!" Victor cried while running after her.

"Go back to bed, sweetie. It was Mr. Viberent's idea." She demanded, gesturing towards his room. "Mom... Nevermind. Whatever, I guess I'll stay home. But just this once!" Victor agreed in a sleepy voice then walked back upstairs to his bedroom.

He shut the door and crossed the room to his bay window. He went to grab for the curtains and glanced at Angie's house. It was still, too still, and quiet. Lifeless even. Tears welled up in his eyes and he jerked the curtains shut. He walked to his bed and sat indian style right in the middle. Victor set his head in his hands and moaned, rubbing his eyes.

After a few minutes he finally fell onto his back, pulling the covers over him, and rolled over onto his side, overlooking the draped curtains. Finally, he slipped into a short slumber. As his spirit traveled in darkness, he felt restless. Once again, he was in Elysia and was still where he left off, but Angie had disappeared. He gasped for air then looked around. Slowly, he walked back to the village. He quickly found his way to the bakery. Victor opened the backdoor quietly, careful not to wake anyone in case they were asleep, slipping into the bread-fumed kitchen. He shut the door behind him softly then slipped through another door leading to the sleeping quarters. Everyone was asleep. He slipped into his new bed and made himself cozy.

"You got back here quickly." Angelina whispered to him, nearly making him fall out of bed.

"My mom made me take a day off of school. I decided to go back to sleep after hearing the news."

"Oh, gotcha."

"How long ago did you get back here?"

"Only like seven minutes ago."

"Really?"

"Thank you."

"Pardon?"

"Thank you for being so kind to me today and every other day."

"I wouldn't say I've really ever been that nice to you."

She laughed but hurried to cover her mouth, afraid to wake the adults.

"Shh!"

"You really have rarely been nice to me huh?"

"Unfortunately so. I wish I wasn't. I guess it's my way of saying... Nevermind."

"You can't just not finish that sentence!" She hissed in a whisper. He could practically hear the smile spread across her face.

"I'm tired. I'm gonna sleep."

"Goodnight, Victor Angelose."

"Goodnight, Angelina Barrings."

Victor awoke to frantic shaking. He groaned looking up to see Angelina. "Vincent! You overslept! You need to work! There's over ten people in there who have been waiting for their orders for over ten minutes! Get up!"

"I'm getting up! I'm getting up!" He growled. Angie threw an apron at him, laughing. "I'm not joking, get up!"

He sat up, throwing his thin cotton blanket off him. He watched Angelina run out of the room, frantic to work more. He groaned, not bothering to change his clothes from yesterday. He walked into the kitchen, immediately sweating since the fire in the fireplace had been burning all morning. He rushed to the wooden table and gathered loaves of bread in small, neat paper sacks. He dashed out to the storefront and gave five men their orders. The men did not say, or do any gesture, to promote 'thank you,' which oddly enough angered him. Victor turned a one eighty into the buzzing kitchen. Chadrick was yelling orders and demands, a nerve bulging on his forehead. What a mess! He grabbed five more loaves and ran back to the front, giving more customers their order.

When he gave a woman and her six year old their order they, unlike everyone else, said, "Thank you kind sir."

He gave them a comforting smile, "Of course."

The woman gave him a kind smile then walked off, holding hands with the six year old boy. Victor stood where he was and watched them walk around a corner into an alley. Then, he walked back into the kitchen. The kitchen wasn't as busy as before, the crowd had decreased to only a few elderly women and a teenager around Victor's age. Victor aided the teenage boy, while Angie aided an older woman in rags.

"Hello, sir! What can I get you this fine day?" Victor asked the boy.

"Hello. Can I get a loaf of bread? Actually make that two loaves." The boy asked, retrieving coins from his pants pocket.

"Coming right up, sir!" Victor answered retrieving two loaves of bread from the back.

After the boy paid he said, "You sound familiar."

"Oh, um, really?" Victor replied leaning against the counter. Now that he thought about it, he also sounded familiar.

"Ya, but I don't know why... I recently just came to this village. I don't know many people." He sighed with a puzzled face.

"Same. I'm Vincent. Or you can call me Vic----" He introduced himself but the boy cut him off.

"Victor?!" He cried sitting up straight.

"That's me. How do you know... my name... Wait did you awaken too?" Victor gasped, sitting up straight too.

"Ya. I'm... Marick..." He said slowly with his eyebrows raised in hope.

Victor grew quiet, "Marick? Really? It's you?"

Marick nodded his head.

"One sec. I need to get Angie!" Victor cried, going back into the kitchen to receive Angie. He pulled her to the front without saying anything.

"What are you doing, Victor! Ouch!" Angie called.

"Look, Angelina! It's Marick!" Victor cried pointing at Marick's tall frame!

"Hi..." Marick smiled shyly with a small wave.

"Hey..." Angie greeted in a small voice.

"So... How's the coma, Angie?" Marick asked.

Victor glared at him, "Too soon, dude!"

"No he's fine... It's a nice break from all the middle school drama..." She answered shyly, laughing. Angelina Barrings always found a reason to laugh.

The front of the store was empty, except for the three kids, who were talking away.

"So why aren't you in school, Marick?" Victor asked him.

"I was puking all night. Why aren't you?"

"My mom made me stay because of... what happened..." Victor answered, turning to look at Angie.

She gave him a sad smile, "I'm sorry for causing so much grief... For you, Aspen, and Alice... I'm so sorry for it all," Then she looked down at her feet.

Victor and Marick gave her a big hug, "Don't say that. You didn't do anything to deserve it! They were just jerks," Victor cried in his comforting voice.

Marick broke from the hug, "Wait, they? Who did this to her?"

Victor inhaled, "Zeke, Jax, and Dexter."

"What! Your own best friends did this, Victor? Seriously?" Marick yelled.

"Shh, Marick. It isn't that big of a deal..." Angie hushed in a small voice.

He looked at her weirdly, "What? Not that big of a deal! They sent you into a coma! How is that not a big deal!"

Angelina sighed, then Victor replied for her, "Calm down. She isn't the kind of person to hate someone, or spread hatred. So, cut her some slack, okay."

"Whatever. I should be getting back. The people I live with will be getting worried about me. See you later guys!" Marick walked out of the bakery and dashed down the street.

As the two teenagers walked back into the kitchen and into the door that led to the rest of the house they were greeted by Sarah and Chadrick. Victor sighed deeply. "Aria? Would you like to go for a walk?"

"I would love to, Vic-- Vincent!"

"Great! Sarah, Chadrick? Is it okay if we go?"

"Of course, Vincent! Here is your guys payment for today. Six coins each." Sarah smiled, handing them twelve coins for them to equally ratio between them.

"Thank you!" Angelina appreciated, her and Victor running out the back door, laughing. Victor handed her her six coins then stuffed his in his pocket.

"How are you, Victor?"

"I'm good... You?"

"I think I'm good. I mean how good can I be? I'm in a coma."

"Fair point." Victor looked to his left at a store that caught his eye. He grabbed Angelina's hand and pulled her to the store. Angelina admired the merchandise.

"Oh, Victor! Look at this book!"

"What's the title?"

"Erm... Oh! A Wife's Promise!"

"That sounds good!"

"Oo! Victor, I'm gonna go look at those homemade toys over there so if you need me I'll be over there!" She grinned, pointing at the merchant wagon across from the one they were currently at. She put the book back on the shelf it had been.

"Ok!" He called after her as she rushed over to the wagon.

"Can I help you sir?" The saleslady asked.

"How much for the book, miss?" Victor asked, a plan slowly forming in his mind.

"Six coins! Are you interested?"

"Yes! Very much!" He fished the coins from his pocket, giving them to the lady.

"Would you like me to wrap it in paper for your little lady?"

His cheeks turned red. "Yes, please."

He watched as she wrapped it then handed it to him. "It brings me happiness seeing a boy spend all of his money on a girl! She must be one special girl! Good luck!" The merchant smiled.

She is, He smiled to himself, taking the wrapped book from the sweet lady. He stuffed it into his large pockets, for the book was only the size of his palm. "Thank you, miss."

"Anytime!"

Victor turned around to find Angelina buying a painted, clay horse at the wagon. The merchant exchanged the horse for three of her coins. Angelina gladly accepted the deal. She crouched down next to a boy who seemed about four, giving him the toy. The boy's eyes widened. He accepted the toy, jumping up and down then giving Angelina a large hug. Victor couldn't help but smile at the exchange. Victor walked over to Angelina, smiling, watching the grateful, gleeful boy run off into the distance, a large grin plastered across his face.

"That was kind of you."

"He wanted it but had no money... So naturally I ought it for him."

"Shall we continue our walk?"

"Oh, yeah." She giggled.

"I love how we can talk like medieval villagers." Victor laughed.

"Right! It entertains me!"

"I wish we could stay here forever."

"So do I... It's perfect here!"

As they walked through the dark alley Angelina still clung to Victor. They emerged into the meadow and sat down.

"What do you do for fun?" Victor asked, plucking a daisy from the fertile Earth.

"I read." She replied, staring into the trees behind Victor. Victor sat up onto his knees and tucked the daisy behind the girl's ear, a slight smile spread across his face. Her cheeks quickly turned from her natural rosy cheeks to a light red tone.

"Speaking of reading..." He pulled the book from his pocket. Angelina looked at it puzzled but then her jaw dropped open. "Here. For you."

She grabbed it from her friend, hesitantly tearing the brown wrapping paper, revealing a book with a leather cover, designs imprinted on them. Angelina gasped.

"Victor! You didn't!"

"I did." He smiled. "Do you like it?"

Angie ran her fingers along the leather, tracing the designs. "I love it, Victor..."

"I'm glad."

"How much did it cost?!"

"Unimportant."

"Victor! You spent all your money on this, didn't you?! You little butt!"

"I do not regret my decision."

"Oh I'm sure you don't, but seriously don't spend anymore money on me! You need to save it!"

He laughed at her. "You sound like my mother!"

"Is that so bad?" She giggled.

"A little bit!"

They snickered together for a good thirty seconds. Victor laid down on his back, watching the clouds. "Hey, look, that cloud looks like a duck!"

"I doubt that!" She cried, laying down on her back right next to Victor Angelose.

"See! A duck!"

"No! That is not a duck, it is clearly a rabbit!"

"A rabbit?! No that's a duck! See look at it's beak and it's tail feathers!"

"I still see a rabbit."

He chuckled. How lucky he was to be alive. "Look that one looks like a castle!"

Angelina gasped, "I see it! Look! That looks like white bird flying!"

"That is a white bird flying, Angie!"

"Oh! Silly me!"

"How do you have better grades than me?" He joked.

"I often wonder that myself."

Victor pointed at another cloud, then another, spotting more and more shapes. He let his arm fall to his side, landing next to Angie's. Victor sneakily moved his pinky closer to hers, fiddling with it.

"That tickles!" Angie screeched giggling.

"Oh yeah?" He laughed, quickly sitting up, beginning to tickle her waist. She laughed nonstop.

"Ah! Victor! Ah! Stop! I'm ticklish!" She shrieked.

"Well duh! Why else would I tickle you?" Victor laughed.

Angelina reached up and tickled his waist, making Victor screech like an owl. "Hey!"

Victor watched as she laughed over him now pinning him down to tickle him. "Now you can't tickle me! I'll just get you back myself!" She giggled.

"No! I'm extremely ticklish!" He laughed.

"So am I, yet you still tickled me!"

Victor laughed, shrieking every now and then as she tickled him. Victor broke free from her hold and carefully pushed her. They giggled together for a good five minutes, laying underneath the clouds, the sun smiling down on them.

"I'm glad we met each other." Angelina sighed, calming herself down.

"Same. I couldn't imagine not knowing you."

"Why us?" Angie asked completely out of the blue.

"What do you mean?" Victor replied, turning his head to look at Angelina.

"Like... How did we, out of everyone in the world, get guardians? Why were we so lucky?"

He thought for a moment, "I don't know. I just know that we were chosen for a reason..." He trailed off.

"... That we have to find." Angie realized.

"I've probably been asleep for the whole day on the other world," Victor whispered then concluded with a small, quiet laugh.

"Ya, you probably have. You should wake up." Angie agreed, looking at the clouds.

"That's the thing... I don't know how." Victor replied.

He was still looking at Angie. She looked so peaceful lying there, her arms laid out across the ground, her chest moving up and down every time she breathed, her rosy lips moving gracefully everytime she spoke. He wasn't ready to ever leave her.

"We'll get through this, Vic. I promise. Tell Aspen and Alice I miss them. Please, Vic. It would mean everything to me, to know they know I'm okay." She cried in her soft, quiet voice. Then, as if on cue Elysia slipped away, and he returned to his dark, cruel world.

He breathed sharply as he recalled the last few moments he saw Angelina. His curtains were still closed, and light still seeped through them. Victor groaned and rolled onto his side. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand beside his bed, and checked the time. 5:23 p.m. Great. He slept five hours. His stomach growled and ate at his sides. His mouth was dry too. Also, his eyes were wet from the tears that still dripped down his face. He got up slowly and opened his door, feeling extremely groggy, then walked downstairs to the kitchen.

His mom was at the table sipping her green tea, reading her novel. When Victor came in she turned her head and got up quickly.

"What do you need, sweetie? I can get it for you, dear."

His voice cracked, "Oh, um, sure."

"How about eggs? Or fruit salad? Maybe soup? A sandwich? You know what you need? Some green tea, too!" She cried rushing around the kitchen.

"Mom... Please stop. I'll have some tea. But not green please. I can't stand that stuff." He replied sitting down slowly at the table. He set his head in his hands and groaned.

A few minutes later his mom placed a steaming hot bowl of soup and a warm cup of herbal tea before him. He looked up confused as to why he was given soup as well. His mother rushed out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaving him with his beverage and soup before he could say anything. He assumed she was going to watch her new program which she watched every night.

"Hey, Annie? Do you think Angie will wake up?" Victor called while staring at the carrots floating in his chicken noodle soup.

Probably, but, we can't be sure, you know? Just keep on hoping, and one day, you never know, she could wake up. Annie replied in her confronting voice.

"Wow that was a deep speech," Victor replied, chuckling.

Annie chuckled, which made Victor feel more hopeful for Angie. He was going to fulfill her wish, no matter what it took. It was probably going to be hard to explain to the doctors or the principal or the cops who did it and how he knew, but he had to tell them. They would probably land him into a mental hospital if he told them the truth. But, he would do anything for her.