It's been a few days since we all found out I got an Element, more importantly it's been a few days since I told my parents that I don't want to go to the Elemental Academy. My Dad is still acting weird around me. I can tell that there's still something bothering him about all of it, I don't know what though. I can't tell if he's disappointed in me for not being the son he wants, the son he deserves. If he was mad at me for not saying anything sooner? I don't know what, but he's been acting strange since that day around me. I still haven't talked to any of the guys yet. I decided I'd wait to tell them when we got back to school because to be honest, I'm too nervous to tell them anything. So I just want to put it all off. I mean with the way my Dad reacted I can't even imagine how Art will react I mean, I'd basically be saying that I think his dream is a joke. That it's my worst nightmare. That I never supported any of them when it came to getting Elements. I don't want to tell anyone that again. I don't want to have to go through the stress, the judgement, the panic, and the awkward moments again… but I have to. I owe them at least that much if they don't want to be friends with me after that I'll deal with it. Since it's my fault. All that stress aside, things have been fine since the talk. The next morning I told Tristan who didn't really seem to care too much, thankfully. I was more worried about me affecting him wanting an Element. I still want him to get one after all, plus I think Dad kinda needs him to want to be one right now. He did seem to be a little upset about it, but I think that was mainly because he couldn't brag to anyone about his older brother being an Elemental. "Rien come down please!" my Mom yells from downstairs. Hearing that I hope out of my desk chair where I was writing all my thoughts down to help me calm down about all the stress coming in the next few days and head down.
When I get down there my Dad and Mom are both sitting in our dining room with a letter in the middle of the table. What's going on? I think while sitting down with them. "What's up?" I ask, clearly confused about this scenario. My Dad for some reason seemed different right now compared to every other time I've seen him the past few days. AS if on queue with my thoughts my Dad opens his mouth "The letter from the Academy came in today." Oh "You have to bring it up to the school today signed with your decision. I want you to know that whichever one you pick we will support you but.." But? "You can't change your mind after so please make sure you want whatever you pick." I now see why my Dad seemed different today was judgement day. The last bit of hope I changed my mind, he'll find out today if his hope was answered. I'm sorry Dad but "I don't want to go to the Elemental Academy." For the first time those words didn't come out shaky, they came out certain. Hearing those words my Dad leaned back in his chair with a slight hint of sadness on his face. "Then rip the letter open and go hand it in." He at least seems a lot more accepting of my decision. With that I opened the letter, grabbed the pen from my Mom, quickly skimmed the letter to make sure I was making the right choice, and circled "NO" with the pen and wrote my signature. "Alright lets reseal it, give it a stamp for you to go hand in." my Mom says getting up to go to the kitchen to get the stamps. After she got the stamps she came back to the dining room to help write on the envelope, since I don't really know how to do it. Now that the letter was all done I went to the front to throw on my shoes and got ready to walk to the school. As I said bye and walked out the door my Dad stopped me. "What's up Dad?" I asked and right after those words escaped my mouth my Dad pulled me into a warm embrace. "I still love you kid, sorry it took me so long to accept." those words, oh how happy I am to hear those words. Hearing it I hugged my Dad back as hard as I could "I love you too Dad."
After those parting words I left to go to the school the happiest I've been in a week. The walk to school was pretty empty. It was kind of uncanny compared to the usual walk to school filled with other kids and Art, but I tried not to focus on stuff like that too much since everything in my life just got better. I mean I still need to tell the guys which I'm scared as hell for but I'm ultimately happy right now. The walk to school felt like it took longer today but that's probably because I have no one else here with me so it was a lot more boring but after what felt like 20 minutes I arrived.
I walked up to the entrance and rang the doorbell so someone will come and unlock the door. Ringggg I stood there for a couple seconds not hearing anything coming from inside but right when I was about to ring the bell again the man from the meeting opened the door. "Ahh if it isn't Rien Imana hear with your letter of admittance for the Elemental Academy?" he asked with a warm smile on his face but for some reason it irked me "Uhh no mister I'm actually not going to the Academy." I tell him since I don't think there's any reason to lie but then suddenly his entire demeanor shifts "oh" He says while just looking at me with something akin to disgust in his eyes "Very well then hand it over and go home kid." he says while sticking out his hand, so I hand him the letter then he quickly goes back inside and slams the door muttering something I couldn't quite hear under his breath.
What the fuck was that I wonder as I turn around ready to leave. I mean that was a huge switch just because I wasn't going to the Academy I mean he just basically had the word disgust written all over his face just cause I wasn't going. That interaction, no that entire thing honestly just made me mad but I decided it wasn't that big of a deal and I shouldn't let it ruin my good mood since my family is at least back to normal. About half way through my walk I saw a kid I've never seen before who looked about my age walking in the direction of the school who's he. I wondered right as I thought that though our eyes met and he started walking towards me "Hi I was wondering do you know where the school is? I just moved here and my Mom told me to go give them my papers." he says while waving his hand in the air that clearly showed a bunch of pieces of paper "Uhh yeah it's just down this path you shouldn't miss it." I respond answering his question "Okay perfect, what's your name by the way?" he asks "Rien." "Hi Rien I'm Zolo but most people just call me Zlo, it was nice to meet you, thanks for the help." he says while sticking out his hand for a handshake this kids formal "Uh yeah no problem" I respond while shaking his hand back. "Alright bye now I'll see you at school!" Zlo shouts while walking away That kids weird I think while I continue my walk home
After another couple of minutes I got home and opened the door. I walked in and took my shoes off. "I'm home!" I shout, I expect to hear my Mom yell back something like asking about how it went but I hear nothing. They must be in the backyard I think as I start walking to meet with them and tell them all about how weird that old man was and how he switched up on me immediately and was really rude. Oh and about that kid I ran into Zlo or smth right as I step into the kitchen I feel a sharp pain on the back of my head as I'm about to yelp out in pain. Another huge shock of pain jolts through my entire body and my face quickly meets the floor and with that I don't have the energy to do much of anything so my eyes close and I slowly fall asleep.