First

Henry and Landon took turns looking at one another's backs. There was nothing left. Not even a sign of the big markings. At first, they struggle to believe that they had gotten rid of every little scratch. The tattoos of Junace were supposed to last forever, and according to the old master, this curse that was placed inside of their bodies would forever be tangled inside the rope that tied the blood of the Volcan and Teren names.

"We're free now."

Henry had a deep breath, staring hard at Landon, who had his large arms crossed. Henry kept gazing at him, seconds going by quickly to reach their minute. And the big brain inside Henry's head still couldn't remember his line.

"Cut!" Said Evelyn. Landon began a burst of huge laughter and Henry dropped his head. The play, school spring play they had been planning since the previous year would be ruined, because of him.

Henry and Landon were standing on the stage of the school hall. Evelyn sitting in the audience seats alone. They had been practicing all day long, but still couldn't get the lines right.

"It looks like I wasted my Saturday." Said Evelyn as she shrank into her seat. Henry wanted to respond, but he wasn't able to do it over Landon's laughing.

Henry glared at him, that turned out to be the secret to stopping Landon. Henry then pulled his full attention back to Evelyn, but she rolled her eyes and stood up from her seat when Henry held his dusty hands up in an apology.

"I'm going to get a glass of water." She said. And then walked out of the hall.

Landon lightly slapped Henry on the back. "We’ve sealed the answers away though. They’re deep inside of us and for them to open we need a key. Like an excellent treasure chest, all our golden memories have been kept shut." Said Landon. He was grinning. "That's your line. Don't forget it next time."

Henry nodded, knowing he likely would. It was the stupid plot of the play. He didn't understand any of it. He walked to his bag and took out his lunch box. Maybe a snack would help him out. A toasted bread. He took a big bite, but his teeth couldn't pull the bread apart.

Henry passed on a piece of the bread to Landon. The bread was dry and hard, he didn't want to be the only one to feel the pain of biting into that meal.

Eating didn't stop Landon from talking though. He was telling stories about a nice-looking girl who had been chasing after him for five years now. Saying she had nice eyes, claiming it was the best thing about her, but that she would need much more if she wanted to win him over all the other girls.

Henry glared at him. He remembered that it had stopped Landon's chuckling a few minutes ago, but Landon didn't stop this time. On and on, he went on yapping.

He had nothing to say and that's why he wanted to speak.  He lifted the box that lay in the corner and pushed it into the center of the stage. Then he stood on it.

Telling the story louder. Henry shook his head, giving him the signal that it was a little too much now.

Landon got off the box and sat next to Henry again. The silence between them was there as they waited for Evelyn.

It was when there was a silence that the hard questions came. Questions that no one wanted the answers to. And Henry got pulled into asking one.

"Landon, do you ever worry that the people you like secretly hate you?"

"Sometimes I do, but I don't worry about it as much these days. I can handle it."

"But what about the people you care for. If you take a bullet or two for them, won't you go and expect them to do the same? Then you find out they would never even think of doing that for you. That has to hurt."

"But theirs nothing I can do about it. I took the bullet cause I care about them. It was my choice."

"That sounds like the wrong choice then."

"How so?"

"You should only protect people who can do the same for you. Or those who want at least. Saving a person who might stab you in the back later isn't very smart."

"But because you saved them they'll the change their opinion of you. People's big opinions change all the time. I'm sure you didn't like me in the beginning when we all meet that first day. Look at us now."

"If you hated me, I wish I knew that cause I would've stopped talking with you. I never hated you. You were annoying, but in a fun way."

"I didn't hate you too. I'm saying I thought you disliked me."

"We should ask Kim what she thinks?

"No, that's a bad idea. She always agrees with you. It won't matter what I say."

"Then we could ask Evelyn. She'll set her opinion straight." 

"She's the one I'm worried about."

"You're joking, right?"

"Don't you think she acts weird when she is around me?" Don't you see it? It's so clear. I see it all the time. It's like she holds herself back from doing anything strange and tries hard to keep her cool."

"I'm sorry but I don't see it." Said Landon. He nudged Henry a little on the shoulder. "Why are you asking me when she's your girlfriend, anyway?"

It was true, in a strange way she was his girlfriend. Yes, they had been going out on a few dates during those three long months, but there was more to it than that. Evelyn said she liked him, but then turned around and harmed him more than anyone else.

"Can you keep a secret?" Said, Henry. This was the first mistake of many, the first of many.