World After Worlds

Kraig walked into the hallway gulping a healing potion for his bruise on the lower lip to be mended. He could not believe that he had a fistfight with Lyndon and got hit on the face. It had been a while since the last time they threw punches at each other. He grinned ominously, what did he expect, they were ticking bombs. Whenever he sees Lyndon's face, he could feel his blood boiling from animosity, and Kraig was certain that Lyndon felt the same hatred.

They were hostile to one another, and when he was given a chance to punch back Lyndon's stoic face he did not hesitate. He clenched his jaw and regretted not using enough force to imprint his knuckles on Lyndon's skull. He barely stopped himself from killing that bastard, he should not hold back. Lyndon had the healing abilities, he could cure himself even of severe injuries.

While Kraig have to go to the infirmary to get a healing potion, Yanarym would be worried if she saw him in bruises—

"Right, Rym." He halted his steps when he remembered Yanarym was waiting for him in the cafeteria. He grimaced, he did not do what he was intending to do because of Lyndon. He had to do that later today. He stopped at the glass door at the cafeteria to see his reflection and there was no evidence to see that he went on a fight.

As he was at the threshold, there were strange gazes from everyone directed at him. Kraig looked around, curious about what the odd stares were all about. He found nothing weird, instead, he found Yanarym sitting on the corner, she was eating without a care in the world. His lips smiled subconsciously as he narrowed his eyes on her. Ignored the others and accelerated his pace to be with her.

"Hey," he called her and she quickly glanced at him before continuing her lunch. "Sorry, I'm late, are you mad?" He uttered and sat next to her.

She shook her head, "I'm not." She answered casually and glimpsed at him to smile. She proceeded on eating, "You should have lunch too, aren't you hungry?" She asked. Kraig nodded his head, hearing her sweet tone. She was not mad, he kissed her temple out of delightness. If she was like any other girl, he would be dealing with some unnecessary explaining and quarrel, or he had to say or do something to appease her because he was late; he made her wait. Yanarym was different, it was easy to please her and it was hard to make her angry. What more could he ask for?

"I'll be back," he left her on the table to get some food on the counter. He did not see Lyndon, then that meant that the asshole used his healing abilities and mended his bruises, and went straight to the cafeteria to probably join Tiana to lunch.

Sometimes Kraig thought that it was such a waste of letting Tiana go, he suddenly recalled Lyndon approaching him with a punch on the face while he was walking his way to the faculty. It was because of Tiana, Lyndon's outburst, and yelled at Kraig's face because he avoided Tiana as much as he could and made her cry. Lyndon was stupid for that girl, Kraig just could not imagine Lyndon was this stupid. Lyndon was desperate to separate them before, and now he was furious because Tiana cried? Because Kraig ignored her?

Kraig cackled, he did not even do anything to Tiana and she was still effective and useful. The initial plan which was utilizing Tiana to cause agony to Lyndon was the best way to make Lyndon lose composure, the smartest to get Lyndon swept on his feet.

However, the thought of having Tiana back to him would immediately fade as soon as Kraig would think of Yanarym. He turned his head to look at her, she was glancing in his direction and would smile at him as their eyes met. He smiled back and waved at her. Assuming that he proceeded on flirting with Tiana, kept it secret from Yanarym and if Yanarym found out, he could not think of anything to explain it to her. Kraig knew people have limitations, Yanarym too. He always reminded himself of that fact because he did not want to forget and create another mistake for Yanarym. If he did, that might be one of the greatest regrets he would have had. Hoped he would never forget.

She could say goodbye, and though it would be an impossible scenario, she could love someone else. She couldn't,  she belonged to him, until he was tired of her. He could let go of Tiana, but Yanarym was not negotiable, she was the only thing who could make him feel good in this exhausting endeavor. He cannot afford to forego her.

"Why do you keep looking at Rym?" Kraig's attention was taken by the group of three younger men that were getting on the line at him from behind. He assumed that if they were just getting in the line, it was the freshmen's break already. These guys were freshmen. "She will notice you!"

"It's been a week since we last saw her. Isn't she prettier?"

"Yes, It was rare for her to be alone after being with that outsider."

"Is she finally getting over him?"

"I don't think that is the case."

"By the way, did you not hear what happened earlier?"

"What happened?"

"Rym—" Kraig heard their whispers. Yanarym's admirers. He thought and stole a glimpse at them, they kept on throwing secret adoring eyes in Yanarym's direction. He never thought he could encounter them up close, they were usually from afar. He never worried about them, they could never get close to her and she never noticed them… Kraig looked at Yanarym and she was staring in his direction. Kraig turned to the boys who saw it and saw their flustered reaction. They could not even say a word and shyly looked away.

"What's the problem with my girlfriend? Why do you keep on looking at her?" Kraig maintained his amicable visage though the obvious displeasure was steaming on his eyes. The boys were startled when he abruptly interjected. They looked at each other and turned to Kraig.

"You're Kraig, Rym's boyfriend?" They asked. He smiled widely and blinked to hide the temper which was rising within him. They kept on calling her 'Rym', it was irking. How could they call his girlfriend by her nickname? Were they close?

"I am." He answered steadily, he saw envy reflected on their reaction as he claimed his throne to his woman.

"You better break up with her," the third boy said with a frowning face, Kraig raised his eyebrow. "You're nothing but a distraction to Rym, you'll destroy her by just being with her!"

"Joey, shut up, bro." The second guy smacked Joey with his elbow. Joey did not throw a glance at his friend and narrowed his hostility to Kraig.

"Why should I listen to your order, kid? My girlfriend and I are deeply in love. You're simple adoration," Kraig said with a soft laugh, "It's nothing to 'Rym'. She won't even look at you." Joey turned to him and stared at him with serious eyes. Kraig felt the nettling wave crawling to his skin as he fought dominance with this kid.

"Do you know Ejai, daughter of the treasury of the town hall?" Joey uttered, "You know, Rym just stabbed her with a fork because of you." The second guy grabbed Joey's shoulder and yanked him to step back.

"What?" Kraig lost his smile, "Say that again."

"Joe—"

"I don't know why Rym would go crazy for an outsider like you but do you know what trouble she is in right now? If Ejai decided to rat Rym to the treasury council she might get suspended!" Joey stepped forward to clutched Kraig's collar. "Keep distance on her, you are not good—"

"She's my girlfriend," Kraig grabbed his collar as well and shot him a menacing gaze with a grin to disguise his irritation. "You don't get to tell me what's good or bad for her. If you like her, you should have used the chance when I was not her boyfriend to get close to her. I bet she doesn't even know you but you act like somebody to her? Stop kidding yourself. Get lost." Kraig thrashed him away and the other guys who stood seemed ready to launch a fight with him and took Joey away.

Kraig closed his eyes and calmed his nerves; breathed deeply and tried to eliminate the annoying thoughts. He knew that it was not only Marcus who was infatuated with Yanarym, some guys too adored her from a distance. He believed they would never take the courage to approach her but judging from the situation, they seemed to gather that bravery to step forward.