Aeteanilise

January 4th, 2046
Altadena ECHS
College Library
Altadena California
11:07 a.m.

I dropped my bag down and collapsed in my seat. The celebration for a new year is much different in the human society than Aeteanilistic society. I never heard so much screaming in my life. I rubbed my temples. Ugh. It was 4 days after the incredible celebration but I felt like it was still happening. I wondered if it was possible to have a screaming hangover. Humans may be small, but they scream like rudantils. I was just relieved that I had a free period to relax a bit.

“Hey, Cladorai!” I looked up to the rude person who called my name in the quiet sanctity of a library. It was Kalytem. I sighed. I could not yell at him back not just because we were in a library and I would most likely get yelled at, but also because I just did not have the energy to become stern with anyone.

“Yes, Kalytem?”

He walked over to me at the self study desk I was at. I pushed my platinum blonde hair out of my face. He motioned towards my forehead.

“You mad?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Pardon me?”

“Your ilitis is glowing.”

I looked up. Oh. I had not even noticed. I took in a deep breath and focused. My ilitis ceased glowing. I looked to Kalytem.

“All better,” I told him in our language. “Now I doubt that was the only thing you wish say to me.”

He smiled and his smiled seemed brighter than normal against his dark skin. He leaned against the desk and I could smell the Karis flower soap on his body.

“Have you seen Leitun recently?” he asked me in our language. I raised an eyebrow.

“Not really?” I lied. I had in fact been with him throughout nearly the entirety of the vacation. “Why?”

“I just feel like he’s been a little off recently.”

I chuckled. “I think Leitun is fine,” I told him however I knew exactly what he meant. I just did not want to make him worry. “Seriously, when is he ever normal?” I continued.

Kalytem didn’t smile. “I just think that, he’s been… quieter than normal. It’s really starting to bother me. I feel like something’s wrong.”

I sighed and touched Kalytem’s hand. “Look, I am positive that whatever is possibly, maybe going on- which I doubt is- Leitun can handle it the same way he always does, quietly and swiftly. He is a big boy. Do not worry over something so minor. We are fine. He is fine. And the world is happy.”

Kalytem ran his hand over his short red hair. “I don’t know. I just-”

I quickly added, “I think being back here after that whole Festival incident is just upsetting you.” I smiled. I leaned back in my chair and told him confidently, “It’s all good!”

Kalytem laughed quietly. “You’ve been around Lilly too much.”

I smiled. “Perhaps it is something needed. A little change is not particularly a negative thing.”

Kalytem nodded. “I agree.” He turned around and started to leave. “And, thanks, Cladorai. I feel a bit less on edge now.”

I gave him an assuring smile and waved him goodbye. He then turned and left.

I turned back to my study desk. Kalytem was right though. I had noticed this slight change in Leitun too. He had begun to open up before the vacation but during, it seemed as if he had become more secluded than before.

I pursed my lips. If Kalytem could tell, I wondered who else would notice. If they did, I was concerned about what that might mean and if it would be bad.