22 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: THE REMOVAL DEBATE

[©Lynnifer Ice – February 16, 2023]

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My eyes changed course between the headmaster and the doctor. I could hear every word being said to me, but I could not help but think about what they had been talking about in the hallway. Why had Doctor Kim interrupted the headmaster? Then when the headmaster suddenly made a comment about my safety, I blinked before wrinkling my nose.

My safety? I thought this was a safe country! What's he insinuating?

I dryly laughed in disbelief. I stared at the headmaster, hoping he was just telling me a terrible joke, but his expression didn't change. "Oh, shit; you're serious? So, if I'm on campus, then…?" I leaned forward a bit, suddenly feeling like I wanted to get off the bed, but I was still regaining feeling in my legs and toes. Yes, I said toes.

"While you're on the campus grounds, I can guarantee your safety to an extent. I can't very much control what happens amongst the student body, but I can control what outsiders or staff do," the headmaster nodded without blinking as he crossed one leg over the other.

Is it just me, or does something feel a little fishy? Maybe I missed a crucial part of the information during the orientation.

I sucked my lips in between my teeth, weighing my options. Risk something awful happening off campus or go with the flow on campus? I sighed grumpily, deciding on the latter. When I took a quick look at Xinith, his posture was straightened, very much awaiting my answer. I rolled my eyes before looking back at the headmaster.

"So… There are no other vacancies on campus? That would mean I'd have to room with him," I pointed to Xinith while pouting, "for the next few years… I'm not okay with that."

Xinith's optimistic expression dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. I would not say that he looked hurt, but he definitely looked disappointed by my response. His shoulders slumped as I watched his gaze turn to the floor.

I guess it really does matter to him if I stay or go. It'd feel touching if he didn't creep me out with his clinging and possessive nature.

"So, take the time to get to know each other," the headmaster smiled, ignoring my displeasure and Xinith's change of mood.

By the stars! How many times must I repeat myself to others? It should have been clear to where I stand in this.

"No offense, Sir, but why do you keep insisting on me giving Xinith the time of day? Isn't it evident that we don't get along? We're like oil and water, not meant to be," I stood my ground, not wanting to change my opinion on the subject.

"I beg to differ. I already know you two were paired by those lovely old hags we call The Three Fates. Most people would be overjoyed to find their other half, their soulmate. Xinith can accept the hand he's been dealt, so what is it that's holding you back, Alex?" The headmaster inquired with a slight frown, not understanding my point of view.

"Now, wait a minute," I squinted my eyes, looking the headmaster in the eyes as much as I could while crossing my arms, "How do you know that information? Did Xinith tell you or-…?"

"I didn't tell him," Xinith softly spoke, eyes still glued to the floor as if it were the most interesting thing in the room.

If you didn't tell him, then how would he know? It's not like he can just casually chat with three mythological beings.

"I had tea with the Three Fates," the headmaster casually shrugged, "I met them centuries ago. So, if you have doubts about their existence, doubt no more. I've known for a long while."

What the shit? Am I living in a fairy tale or something? The way things have been going is making me think I'm in some kind of whacky romance novel…..but who would be crazy enough to come up with these ideas? Actually, I don't even want to know.

I forced a smile, placing my hands folded neatly in my lap. Doctor Kim kept looking back and forth between the headmaster and me as if he was witnessing some kind of showdown. It was almost as if you could see tiny sparks appearing between us.

"Did you now?" My left eye twitched while I held my fake smile. "Well, I would appreciate it if you didn't try to interfere with my currently non-existent love life. It's bad enough that Xinith keeps going on about some mysterious invisible red thread, which I am still not convinced that it actually exists."

"It does exist, Alex!" Xinith suddenly belted out, "How else would you have been able to know my last name without anyone telling you? Why is this so hard for you to believe?"

"I swear to Athena, Xinith… If you don't shut the fuck up, I promise you that I'll never speak to you again," I glared at Xinith in annoyance, my fake smile long gone.

"I may be out of line for saying this, but," Doctor Kim interrupted, speaking slowly as if he were trying to approach a wild beast, "Don't you think that was a little harsh? It's obvious, at least to me, that Xinith cares about you."

"CARES???" I snapped. " He barely knows me, and furthermore, he's such a-," I tried raising my voice further, wanting to call Xinith a jerk, but the word kept getting caught in my throat. I clenched my fists before I exploded, "I WANT THIS DAMN MARK OFF OF ME!" I was met with dumbfounded expressions from all three. "What? Did I stutter? GET RID OF IT THIS INSTANT!"

"Do you have any idea what you're asking for, Alex?" Doctor Kim asked as he stood, taken back. "If you thought that the initial pain hurt, you'd be begging for death trying to remove a mark forcefully. Who in their right mind would want to do that to themselves? Rossketill, say something; talk some sense into her!" Doctor Kim turned to the headmaster for help when I crossed my arms, not wanting to be persuaded.

The headmaster's name is Rossketill? How very Nordic…

"Alex, let me tell you a little something about your great-great-grandmother Luisa. Luisa was my other half," the headmaster began to explain.

"I swear if you try to tell me your my great-great-grandfather or some shit-," I warned, annoyed for some reason.

"No, I'm not. Luisa married another man. Look, what I'm trying to say is that we had a connection. When she was going to move back to Italy with her husband, she pestered me about a bonding mark even though I was against the idea. A permanent mark acts as a link between two people; they can feel each other's emotions and any physical pain and, in some cases, can even communicate telepathically. I eventually gave in to Luisa's request. The bond was so strong that many years later, when she passed away, it left me in despairing agony as if my heart and soul were being torn apart."

"Why are you telling me this?" I tilted my head slightly to the side in curiosity.

"I'm telling you because that pain is on par with what you'd feel for forcefully removing a mark, even just a temporary one. Now, think carefully about your answer. Do you still want to remove the mark, knowing what will happen?" The headmaster sternly asked me.

- End of Chapter Twenty-Two -