The Demon

Ian tried to go to sleep that night but he lay awake with the voice of the demon in the back of his head. He tried a spell, took a melatonin pill, read, and got nothing. His body begged him to go to sleep but his mind wouldn't let him. His eyes remained open until sunrise. He decided to get up and start doing stuff around the house.

He did chores until his parents woke up. This is strange considering how early his mom wakes up. He figured she would be up soon.

"Ian?"

He heard her say.

"Good morning mom."

"What are you doing up so early? You usually sleep until noon."

"I just thought I'd get up early and clean the house a little."

She put a hand on his head and had to go on her tiptoes to do so as she is much shorter than him.

"Are you okay? Do you have a fever?"

He chuckled.

"No mom I'm okay."

"Hmm okay. I'll make you some rice, you deserve it."

She made him rice all the time but he never got tired of it. He loved it. His mother is from the Philippines so she made the best rice. She got out the rice cooker and started making it.

"You're father and I are going out of town for the weekend. I trust you'll be able to take care of yourself."

"Okay, hope you guys have fun."

He finished cleaning the kitchen just in time for the rice to be done. She put the rice in a bowl and gave it to him. He felt his stomach rumble as she set it down and he ate it quickly.

After he was done he walked over to the gas station that was close to his house and bought a pack of monster energy drinks and cigarettes because the cashier that usually works there lets him.

He walked out of the gas station and lit a cigarette and had it on his way home.

When he got back his parents were packing for their trip. He stayed in his room for a little bit waiting for Lainey to pick him up for school. It was Friday so they were probably going to ditch after lunch.

He heard a loud honk signaling she was here. He grabbed his bag and put it over his shoulder. He made sure his spellbook was in the hidden pocket of the bag. He could just leave it at home with the risk of his parents finding it but that wasn't the only reason he kept it on him. He felt attached to it, connected. He didn't know why, he just did.

His friends confuse his spellbook with witchcraft which isn't the case. This is real magic witchcraft only dabbles in it. Another long annoyed honk comes. He was taking too long according to Lainey's standards which is one minute. He walked outside and got in her car.

"What took you so long?"

She said as his butt started to touch the car seat.

"Good morning to you too."

She rolled her eyes.

"Cute. What were you really doing."

She said as she started to back out.

"I was making sure my book was hidden."

"Why don't you just leave it at home."

"In case my parents find it. I don't want my mom to be cleaning my room then all of a sudden be freaking out because her son worships the devil."

"Do you worship the devil?"

He lets out a laugh.

"No. The devil doesn't exist but I have a feeling that's the impression she'd get if she found it."

His logic was airtight but he could tell she wasn't satisfied with his answer. There was a moment of silence.

"So what's up with you and Ruby?"

He asked.

"What do you mean."

"Oh don't play dumb. We all know something's going on."

Lainey paused.

"We're just friends for now."

"What do you mean for now?"

"It's weird. It's like we have this unspoken agreement that we both like each other but neither of us has said anything about it."

"Then tell her how you feel."

She snickers.

"I will when you tell Keanu how you feel."

"Hey, unfair. At least you have a feeling that she likes you. I don't know why but Keanu hates me."

"Maybe he just pretends he does because he's secretly in love with you."

Ian sighs

"Wishful thinking."

"What do you want to do after lunch?"

Lainey asks in an attempt to change the subject.

"We could go to my house. My parents are going on a trip. They were packed when I left so they'll be gone by then."

"Sounds like a plan."

The day came and went by like normal. Ian was lost in thought throughout most of it. He found himself craving nicotine more than usual. He couldn't wait to get home. He tried to listen to music to drown out the voice of the demon playing on repeat but the music only softened the sound.

Lunch finally came and he met Lainey and Alex outside. They liked eating outside because the cafeteria was too loud and crowded and they were the only people he wanted to eat with. Alex was a hispanic nonbinary person, Laniey a black lesbian woman, and Ian was bisexual and half asian they all had targets on their backs. He and Alex both bring ethnic food which all the white kids cringe at and plug their noses at.

"Hey, do you want to come hang out with me and Ian after lunch?"

"I wish I could but I have a test and I have to go something with my mom early in the morning tomorrow but I can't remember what it is."

"A test on Friday?"

Ian asks

"Mmhm, my teacher sucks ass."

They finished and walked over to Lainey's car and went to his house