Fallen (Based on Pittacus Lore's "I Am Number Four")

Fallen-GEMMA II

   “You’re not serious are you?”

   I didn’t reply. I wanted to sleep. No one can stop me.

   Oops, I think Tristan just did.

   “AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! PUT. ME. DOWN!” I screamed. I struggled at his strong hold of my body. “SOMEBODY! ASSAULT! ASSAULT!” That sure did catch some people’s attention. I kept on screaming and struggling, catching more people’s attention. Why? Can’t you see the look on Tristan’s face?! AHAHHAHAHAH he looked so terrified and ashamed.

   “Stop it Gemma, you’re making a scene!” Tristan told me through gritted teeth. I stopped struggling and screaming and he put me down.

   “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!” Tristan yelled at me just when we reached our flat.

   “What’s wrong with a little role playing?” I giggled, remembering the look on his face. Tristan cursed under his breath while rolling his eyes. “Okay! Okay! I’m sorry! Why do you have to be so upset about it?”

   Tristan looked at me in the eye and said. “What if one of our enemies saw us because of the ruckus you were making? What if a police saw us and took me away from you?”

   “What’s so wrong in that?” I asked.

   “You want our enemy to--”

   “No I meant, what’s so wrong with the police taking you away from me? I wouldn’t mind that at all.” I said. It actually half-joke, half-true.

   Tristan turned bright red. “DAMN YOU, GEMMA!” he shouted and went in a room. I brace myself for the sound of him slamming the door--which he did do--and sighed. “I was just joking...” I whispered.

   I spend the whole afternoon sitting on the couch, drawing a garden. Just then, I heard a door open. I expected Tristan but *gasp*....nah, it’s Tristan. I watch him close his door and sit beside me. He stares at the ground for a minute and looked at me. “So what’s for dinner?” he asked. It was 5:30, a little early for dinner but meh.

   “Meh....maybe a cup of noodles.” I shrugged. I knew neither of us wanted to say or do something related to what happened earlier, but to my surprise he said sorry. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I fake-gagged.

   Tristan smiled and repeated, “I said I’m sorry. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Do you finally get my point?” I smiled and nodded. “So, a cup of noodles, yeah?” I nod again. “Okay, will take a few...” he said and went to the kitchen.

   While he was heating up the water I was looking out the window. “I haven’t even said goodbye to them yet....” I muttered. Somehow, Tristan was able to hear that. “Goodbye to who?” he asked, now putting the uncooked noodles into the boiling water.

   “My parents. Duh.” I replied.

   “Yeah me too.” he said.

   Another awkward silence. I had a thought and started to laugh. Tristan looked at me as if I was crazy. Well, I am. “Why are you laughing?”

   “You know, if you sum this all up it sounds really funny.” I said, still smiling from the laugh I’ve had.

   “Oh really? Can you sum it all up for me then?”

   “Well...” I began. “I partied with my two friends on the street, had pizza, said goodbye to each other and I was left alone at home. I cook some strips of chicken and place my hands on what I thought was a bar and thought about some stuff. Then, I realize my hand is on fire but it isn’t burning at all. I panic and call your sister. You rang the doorbell and I let you in. It wasn’t you and he tried to kill me. You came bursting through the doors and beat the crap out of him. You bring me to your house, and the next day we move somewhere far, now living together in a flat.”

   He chuckled and looked at cooking noodles. “And it just timed with my cooking.” he said with a smug look. I giggled and realized something. “Oh, crap.”

   He was still into what he was doing but he asked what’s going on. “I....I left the chicken strips cooking.”

   He shrugged. “So?”

   “SO? SO?! MY HOUSE CAN BE ON FIRE RIGHT NOW. AND YOU’RE TELLING ME SO?!” I shouted. Then I started pacing around the room. He put the noodles into a bowl and placed it on the table in front of me. Bowl of noodles, cup of noodles....there’s no difference. But still, OH MAH GOD MY HOUSE MAY BE ON FIRE.

   Tristan placed a hand on each of my shoulder. “Gemma.....Gemma, Gemma....chill. Okay? It’s a pan of chicken strips...I’m sure the fire won’t spread.”

   “I don’t know Tristan.... Can you check the internet for news?” Okay, I know I’m being overly dramatic here but I love my parents as much as you love your....food.

   “Okay, just eat your noodles and wait.” he said. He took out his computer from a large bag, and placed it on the table and searched for yahoo. I worriedly ate my noodles (is that possible?) and felt impatient. I tapped my right foot and breathed fast. “Nope...nothing.”

   I smiled, and continued eating my food properly. “I’m glad.” I said when I finished my noodles. Tristan smiled at me and took the bowl, and placed it on the sink. I guess he felt lazy. Ah, freedom.

   “I don’t feel content....” I blurted out. “What do you mean?” Tristan asked, tilting his head to the side. “I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Don’t you feel not content about leaving without saying a proper goodbye?”

   He started to fumble with his shirt. “Maybe....”

   “I mean, you haven’t said goodbye to your mum and dad....and mostly Cheska. You know she really trusted you.” I said. Then there came a moment of silence. I assumed that he wouldn’t say anything anymore, so I got up and started to walk to my room.

   “No.” he began. I stopped and turned around. “I mean, yeah....she trusted me. But no, you don’t understand. I kept it from her because I had to...it’s either her or my kind.”

   “It sounds so stupid.” I said a little too angrily. “I’m going to bed.”

   I went to my room and flopped on the bed. I decided to think what has brought me here. Okay first, I used my powers. I have powers cause I’m a...Garde? I am from a planet named Lorien. And as much as how stupid that sounds, it’s actually true. This is not my first time...I mean, I remember this school year, when I was on the bus and I made the hard plastic window turn just by casually resting my elbow by it. I just thought of the quote, “A girl doesn’t know her own strength.” and trust me, I never knew I had strength.

   I sighed and sat up. I checked my closet if my clothes were already there, and they were. I’ll thank Tristan tomorrow. I put my pajamas and a shirt on, and went back to bed. Then soon, I drifted to a deep sleep.