71. Mavrik
Mavrik
Congratulations to the happy couple. Now stop projecting it.
Even with the murder, the carnival continues.
The body moved before the blood had the chance to stain the grass.
It’s too loud and too bright. Too many shadows.
They keep spooling around me, making my parents uncomfortable.
I used to be able to control them better.
Keep them in line. But lately they’ve been… rebellious.
I know what started it. I just don’t know why. Ever since the day Thea started in Misfits, I’ve felt like my shadows have two masters. They went to her even when I told them no.
I almost always know where she is, the shadows follow her, even more since the whole kidnapping event.
Maybe it’s because I’m thinking about her. Or maybe the shadows are assholes. Either way, they show me Thea… having sex.
Fucking wonderful.
Who with? Never mind. It doesn’t matter.
I’m certainly not going to study the image. Hopefully it’s Zair. I wouldn’t mind seeing his ass.
I’m not even jealous, I knew I didn’t have a chance.
Thea is the best friend I’ve had since I was a kid. She’s the only one who’s ever accepted my shadows without question.
“Mavrik.” My dad’s hand clamps on my arm. Hard. “Get those damn things under control. You look like a freak.”
Look like a freak.
No. He means you are a freak.
“Where are all your friends tonight?” Mavis asks with false sweetness.
I shrug. Why would they be hanging out with me and my family during a carnival?
Honestly, I don’t even want to be here with my own family. And judging by the way they act, they don’t want to be here with each other either. My parents have two things in common. Mavis and I.
“You made a friend, Mavrik?” my mom says. Like I’m a six-year-old who brought home a crayon drawing.
“He’s been hanging out with Zair Brennan,” Mavis tells them. Great. Bet she’s been waiting to drop that.
“The soccer star?” my dad asks.
“Oh, honey,” my mom says. The sympathy in her tone is worse than anything. Like she thinks I’m the loser tagging along behind the popular boy, trying to be noticed.
I swallow it all down.
Not because it’s true. But because if I start shouting, the shadows will shout too. And I don’t want to scare the kids in line for funnel cake.
I see Thea again. It’s Zair. I feel myself smiling. Good for them. Now stop showing me her. I tell the shadows. She’s obviously too busy to play with you.
I look up and see my parents watching me with horror. I look around, but everything looks normal.
“Do you need to call it a night? You’re grimacing,” my mom asks. I almost snort, but hold it in. She’d probably think it means I’m about to vomit. But I’ll take whatever opportunity I get. I nod and hurry off after they tell me they’ll see me at breakfast.
I take the steps two at a time as I head to my dorm. The shadows yank me towards Zair’s room.
“No,” I tell them firmly.
“Mavrik?” someone calls and I peek around to find Benson standing at the top of the stairs.
“Hey, what’s up?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he says too fast.
He rubs his hand down his face.
“Did you go to the carnival?” I ask. Maybe he knew the girl?
“Yes, and Thea freaked out and Zair took her home and I want to check on her, but also don’t want to pressure her when I know she is already freaking out…” It all comes out in one breath like he had been holding it in.
“They’re good.”
He looks at me and raises an eyebrow.
“The shadows showed me them earlier. They were… happy.” This is stupid. Why am I being evasive. “They were having sex.”
His eyes widen and he looks away and I know I said the wrong thing. He turns quickly and retreats down the stairs, them echoing under his loud steps.
“Benson!” I call, chasing after him. He didn’t make it outside, just leans against a dark corner. “I’m sorry, I didn’t — I don’t know how to talk to people.”
He looks up at me and I realize what I missed.