A vague reflection of myself is staring back at me. I run my hand through my hair. I'm looking good, as always.

“See what?” I ask again, unsure if he's pulling a joke on me.

The nerd of the school pranking ME? Never. I look to my left, expecting David to answer me, but it seems like he forgot my presence. His eyes are still staring blankly at the water. I follow his gaze to the glowing water and that's when I notice it. My reflection is there, but David's is not.

“What the hell?” I mumble.

"So, you do see it to?"

“All I see is that you're apparently not capable of having a freaking reflection, you creep!”

I can feel myself tensing up and take a step back, away from the swimming pool. You never know what this weirdo might do.

 

“I know,” his voice sounds empty. “He stole it.”

“What do you mean he stole it?” I use my fingers as bunny ears on the word he. Who is he? And who even steals reflections? Life isn’t some kind of creepy fairytale.

“He took it.”

Not up for his bullshit anymore, I walk away. Just as I reach the door his voice sounds again. “Watch out. He has seen you now. He is coming for you too.”

Who is coming for me David, who? Instead of actually asking him, I make sure to get out of here. I'm done with this kid. I quickly walk back through the gym to the library. Shit! I was supposed to meet up with Erika. I check my phone to see the time, but the screen stays black no matter what button I push. Don't tell me my battery is empty, not now.

 

As I turn around the corner, I see Erika standing there. I have to make this right, I can’t let this one get away. She is so goddamn beautiful.

“Hey Erika, I am so sorry, I saw some kid walking around here who wasn’t supposed to be here, so I had to make sure he left the building by walking with him.” I lied, or actually, half-lied. David wasn’t supposed to be walking around here, that’s true, he just didn’t completely leave the school its property.  

“No worries, I get it. You were scared someone was going to find out you were here, even though you’re not allowed to be.”

“I actually am, the journalist pass, remember?”

“Yea, about that, I asked around and people are quite sure such a thing doesn’t exist.”

“I, uh..” She caught me off guard.

“It’s fine. I’m actually quite flattered that a guy is willing to break into the school for me,” she says winking.

“For you, of course.” I smile at her, while opening the doors to the library.

She shakes her head, passing me and putting her handbag on the first tables. I have to say that the library at night looks a lot more interesting than in daylight. While it normally is a place for bookworms and nerds, who are basically the same anyways, it now looks like a cool hangout place, or maybe even the perfect place for a date.

 

“So, what were you planning on doing, mister I-lie-and-break-into-schools-to-impress-girls.”

“Ha ha funny,” I fake laugh. “What about reading this amazing book.” I reach behind me and grab the first book out of the bookcase I can reach.

“A French dictionary? Sure.”

I look at the book I’m holding and realize it is in fact a French dictionary, just wonderfully done Anthony, I think to myself.
“Just kidding obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“Why don’t you start by telling me something about yourself?” I sit down on the chair opposite of her.

She starts talking and I am trying to pay attention, for once, actually trying. But I just can’t. My mind keeps wandering off to David sitting by the swimming pool.

 

“Anthony?” I hear her voice say my name and suddenly look up again.

“Sorry, what?”

“What do you think about that? I mean, I know it’s probably shitty but I can try at least, right?”

“Yea, yea, sure! You should always try,” I answer her, no idea what she is talking about.

“You know, the least you can do when you invite a girl to a dark library, is listen to what she says.”

“I was listening,” I defend myself. “Kind of.”

“Oh, come on, what was I saying then?”

“You know, you were just talking about-” A loud bang interrupts what I am saying.

“What the hell was that?”                                                                                    

“I have no idea,” I say as my thoughts bring me back to David. “But let’s just leave the school, we can go to my place.” I smirk at her. In the back of my mind I know I should go check on David, but I can’t leave Erika alone. And even if I could, I definitely don’t want to.

Just as Erika was about to reply, the doors of the library slam closed and a rush of wind flows through my hair. I jump up and walk to the doors.

“It must just be the wind, right?” I say trying to comfort myself. I push against the doors with my full weight and strength, and believe me, there’s a lot of strength, but they just won’t open.

“I’m sorry Erika, this is totally not what I expected, but at least we have a story to tell when we get out, right?” I nervously chuckle. But she’s not answering me. I turn around and see her standing still next to chair. Almost as if she were a zombie, almost as… David.

“Erika?” I ask her, looking her in the eyes. But her eyes are empty and she just stands there, lifelessly.