Phantasia looked quizzical. “You see things?”

How tactless could this girl be? For some reason Dante found it almost comforting. In Phantasia he’d found someone even more socially inept than he was. “Yeah,” he replied. He refused to elaborate. No need to. Not yet.

“Oh well, these things happen,” she said. Was she smiling? Cheerful? “Everyone sees things differently anyway, so who’s to say what’s the ‘right’ way to see the world?”

That was some crazy logic – and that it was logic and made sense disturbed him. As he contemplated her words it almost felt as if they themselves had penetrated his defences like bullets loaded with poison. He shook his head to clear away the thoughts and whatever it was Phantasia had tried to smoother him with. A crazy girl with crazy logic and crazy charisma that challenged and changed his very beliefs was the last thing he needed! Or was it precisely what he needed?

“Let’s go find Joel!” she said, pulling him out of the introspective nightmare.

Joel and his friends were, as expected, loitering around Poe Street with the rest of their tribe. Dante wished he’d left his stand-out white coat at home because the dark-clothed Ravens all noticed him walking towards them, which was made worse when Joel came bounding up the street calling his name. All attention was turned his way. Worst-case scenario.

“Dude!” cried the red-headed musician, “Dude, you’re out!”

Joel grabbed him in a weak bear hug – the most someone so frail could muster – and gave him a hearty pat on the back. Utter humiliation.

“It’s so good to see you!” said Kaori, gliding up the street in a long dress decorated with fake flowers and leather belts, “Is this ‘Tasia’s doing?”

“I forced him to leave his room,” said Phantasia, “Couldn’t have him shut behind closed doors for the rest of his life, could we?”

Joel looked like he would fall to his knees in worship of the albino. “No way! We’ve been trying to get him out forever! Been shutting himself away ever since, well…” His brotherly honour stopped him saying more. “Dude. Just…dude!”

Then Byron sauntered over, ever-present spliff twitching between his fingers. “Never thought we’d see you out again after that stunt you pulled last time.” he said, showing none of Joel’s discretion, “Not gonna go psycho on us again, are you?”

There was a tense moment between the clique, but Byron was revelling in it. It just proved what Dante knew was true, and what Phantasia had yet to witness: Dante tore people apart.

“C’mon, Byron, don’t bring that shit up again,” said Joel, slinging an arm around Dante’s shoulder, “Dante’s a dude. Not his problem if crowded nightclubs ain’t his thing!”

Dante tried not to lose himself in the recollection, as hazy as those memories were. He still wasn’t sure how much of it was real and how much had been tainted by his dreams.

“You guys gonna stick around?” asked Kaori, attempting to settle the competitive atmosphere between the boys. Girls had a habit of doing that, which was why Dante preferred their company.

“We’re just stopping by,” said Phantasia, “We’re trying to meet as many people as we can. We’re off the gallery next!”

Chapter 35
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