Elaine
I will not chicken out!
Curling my sweaty hands into a fist I tugged at my tie with the other. As if loosening it will help me Breath in and calm my nerves better.
But I focused my sole determination on the reflection of polished glass door in front of me. I saw the uncertain stance of a deliberating girl change, as she stood straight up, adjusting the strap of her back pack on sides. I shook my head, scrambling away any cowardly second thoughts I had. The hair framing my forehead tickled due to the momentum while my high pony tail swayed.
I repeated again.
I will not chicken out! Especially on the day when they serve free chicken.
I am not afraid of him or his influence. And there was platonic reason I slept with a baseball bat tucked under the pillow last night and not because he was merely five steps away from my room.
So I walk in, my presence causes the black panels to accelerate, as it yawns open.
The tenacious thoughts deflates as soon as the numerous eyes lands upon me. Soon with each step the whisper grows. Touch on my skin through their vision burns my skin, but I duck my head low, peering at my rhythm as heels of my shoe slaps the surface.
It spreads faster than the flow of oxygenated blood from the ventricles to the whole of the body. The conversation between me and Lee was foreshadowed by the extreme unfortunate encounter that went with Alex.
I've heard so many theories being constructed behind my back, and they already has decided on names for me, other than my original one of course. Not that my original one is actually real.
But the bright side was at least this school has impressive vocabularies, Summerville aced it's creative quotient and went dumb after prolifically tagging me a word that rhymed with witch.
Weaving my path unconsciously ahead, my train of thoughts came to an abrupt end when my nose softly bumped against someone's back.
"Sorry" I mumbled rubbing my nose.
The back belonging to the boy became front when he turned. I stared at his uniform clad chest for a few seconds before I looked up.
"It's perfectly fine chingu" mentally I stomped my feet on the ground childishly whining, but in reality I blinked at him not even the sun himself can lift my mood up today.
"Oh" absentmindedly I walk past him, forgetting the fact that we were suppose to stand in an aligned line to receive food. But when I noticed a dispersed line already that's when I realize they had shifted to give the member of The clique a short en route for him to get what he wants.
I shake my head grunting, what the hell is wrong with them? This is a freaking school and the social hierarchy is just too much to stamp up at such an young age, meddling with the raw psychology of teenagers.
The intensified headache was making it harder for me to think straight, and add on the fact that I am about to get my period in a day or two. And when the time of the month comes around I am well aware of the person I become. And Nathan has first hand experience with this.
Frowning I point my index towards the food I desired from the menu. The boy behind the counter throws a really apologetic glance behind me, probably at Lee.
"Why are you looking at me? Give her what she wants" my browns shot up in surprise as I shifted to look at Lee, wondering did that authoritative voice actually came from him?
Now that he had my attention he gave me a sheepish grin, I rolled my eyes not being able to help the traitorous smile out of my face.
"How are you always so cheerful? Don't you like ever have had a bad day?" I ask him, sniffing slightly at the aroma of roasted meat.
"I do! But I prefer to ignore them" he answers with a quirky smile as the boy comes back with my tray of food. Chicken and fires.
As I am about to hand him over the card, Lee beats me to it by shoving his on the lads outstretched palms.
"I can pay for my food" I try to topple my card which is technically Nathan's above his when he pulls me by my wrist chuckling.
"I never said you couldn't, I wanted to"
With pursed lip I scan him, looking for any cracks and hidden motives, but I found none.
"Why?" I huffed grabbing my tray.
"Consider it as a payback for helping me" for the first time since I met him his lips twisted to a genuine smile. No grin, no extra happiness than required, just plain natural. To maintain the friendly aura he had tried so hard to built upon, I kept up the conversation till he received his food.
"What are you getting?"
"Apples" he drummed his fingers over the counter, slightly impatient, probably not being acquainted with the task of waiting.
"Edmund there-" he proceeded to point in his direction when I stopped him, my eyes widening.
'I know who Edmund is" hurriedly I clasp his hands from completely directing at the table. My heart clenching and stomach doing all the possible flips.
He was there with him. Seated at the table, ignoring everything around him and typing furiously at his mobile.
"He asked me to bring some apples, and I am doing it, since he kind of help me last night" scratching the back of his neck he cringed, soft pink shade spreading over his skin.
When he grabs the bowl of freshly diced apples with organic seasoning sprinkled above, we walk side by side. Riley had informed me in prior through text that she was busy for the day, but her text accompanied by a questioning faced emoji made it clear that I have a long interrogation ahead of me once she was done.
When the intersection parted us I decided to go out and eat, away from all this, especially him.
"Hey chingu" Lee called out.
"Hmm?" I nodded, gnawing at the dry chapped skin on my lower lip. I started doing that more often when I am nervous, especially after I stopped wearing the necklace which I used to fondle with at times as such.
"Come have lunch with me?"
If I had a drink in my mouth I would have spilled it at his face or died choking.
He doesn't even realize he's asking me to come sit where one of my life's biggest prick is situated at.
"You are kidding right?" I giggled weirdly.
His nose scrunched up in confusion. "Why would I? You should meet my friends. They will surely like you. The one you met yesterday is kind of a grenade, I am sorry on his behalf. But the rest, I find them quite normal and behaved". He watched me expectantly grabbing a fry from my box and eating it.
Before I know what was going on I was whriled around as he anything but dragged me across.
On anyother circumstance I would have been suffering from a massive anxiety attack, but as soon as my eyes fell upon the visage of clarissa, I went dumb.
My inquisitive gaze remained glued to the curly haired girl as she mindlessly darted the tip of her tongue out to play with the silver ring on her lower lips.
The discreet frown of annoyance became more prominant as she conversed with someone on the phone.
"What do you mean by you are quitting?" There was flat but faint brush of mexican accent in her tone that was distinctly contrasting to her furious personality for now.
Ian Blakewall was a Mexican descent and his daughter lived with her grandparents on the southern city until she was twelve. That should explain-
Oh god Elzina, get a grip on yourself. Doing a background check was acceptable. But analysing her every move is down right creepy.
"Who is she?" I almost dropped my tray of food as my existence was pierced by the warmly unwelcoming brown eyes of the girl that I've been so shamelessly observing a while back.
Hailey, the blond mannequin didn't even budge or gave a heed to the new addition as she typed away something on her laptop. Alex was worse than that, he had his head ducked and glued to his mobile. He can use the most productive adhesive and stick himself to a wall for the rest of his life. I won't mind. In fact I'll feel blessed.
Clarissa had now discarded her mobile as it lay on the table. From side I could feel Edmund turn, angling himself so that he could see the objective of his friends question.
"Elaine?" on the confused but surprised utterance of Edmund I watched as the movements of the boy beside him halt sharply, soon followed by his head snapping in my direction.
My eyes went wide as it met with his turquoise orbs. I looked away as soon as Lee arms slings over my shoulder grinning as he forces me to fall on the step with him.
"Chingu, meet my friends and friends meet chingu" his arms shifted as he brought both of his clutch on my shoulder, forcing a innocuous press he made me plop myself on the seat next to Edmund as he helped himself beside me.
Hailey regarded me with a look of nothingness as she went back to her chore. And I ignored Alex in overall, but well aware of his gaze stiff on my face. Clarrisa on the other hand gave surreptitious nod of what the hell look to Lee which was ineffective since he had focused his attention between Edmund and I, leaning his side against the glass table.
"You know her?" He slides the box of fruit he had brought for him as he looks at him expectantly.
"I do" Edmund nods, as he further passes the box to his right. I steal a peek at Alex who with his laser beams glared at the innocent bowl of fruit.
"What is this?" He asks eyes still fixated on the edible in front of him.
"Since you wanted an apple so bad yesterday" Edmund was no doubt the father of the group. The way he diverted a tight lipped smile at Alex inspite of the latters face accompanying a look of possible homicide, or more like a fruiticide in this case.
"How did you met her?" Lee being the ever hyper and active kid grabbed his attention, thankfully.
"Um, it was an unfortunate event" he cleared his throat uncomfortably. Slight pint of pink coating his cheeks probably recalling our first encounter as he awkwardly fumbled with the cuff of his sleeves. I bet my cheeks mirrored the same colour.
"Why the hell are you both blushing like idiots?" Alex's stark clear annoyance laced sharp voice had not just me but everyone caught off guard as all eyes directed towards him.
Even Hailey mid paused her clatter with keys and turned to look at him.
But his eyes were nailed on my face, a nerve in his jaw ticked as he gnawed the inside of his cheek. His gaze gradually shifted from me to Edmund. Then he went back to his mobile, as if such blant sentence never sprung out from his mouth.
After some awkward shuffling, glances passing and dope grin from Lee brightening the atmosohere we were back to eating in silence.
"I am sorry on Alex's behalf once again. He is an ass." Lee whispered leaning as I nodded agreeing, wiping the sauce from the corner of my lips with a napkin.
"I am going to kill her, chicken pox or not" clarissa exclaimed out of nowhere. Hailey sighed beside her rubbing her temple with her thin, but long elegant finger.
"You do realise the if she even makes it to the quiz they won't allow her to take part in it? Chicken pox is contagious" Edmund commented on her remark as he nonchalantly poped a mushroom pierced through a fork.
Before I could feel out of the loop or crush my cells to reason a theory, Lee did the honors.
"Clar's quiz partner backed out at the last moment. She has been preparing for this her whole life" with a down curved lip he eyed clarisse, his eyes blinking sympathy.
"You don't call a month of preparation your whole life Lee" she growled, contorting the portion of her raw vegetables into a brutal mess.
I watched her brown orbs suddenly spark with light. Lips stretched thin and eyes narrowed to form a Cheshire cat smile, her curls bobbed as she turned to Hailey. But before she could open her mouth-
"I've a charity ball to attend, so no" not even sparing a glace at Clarissa, Hailey grumbled. It was the first time I heard her voice, it was smooth and soft. No depth or edge to it as I had imagined for the person of her caliber to possess.
Clarissa closed her eyes, I bet she was internally whining inside as she leaned her head on the table, pressing her head on ther arms.
"Hey" Lee patted the top of her head, flattening her curls with his palms. "You'll find someone better" he cooed.
She propped her chin on the back of her wrist and glared at Lee. If I was him right now I would've melted into a puddle under the heat.
"Hands. Off. My. Hair" with each syllable her sound raised an octave high. The impact of such high morphemes caused Lee to act upon it as he with drew his hands and rolled his eyes.
"Geez woman I was trying to calm you down"
"Don't calm me down, talk to me if you've got a solution" with that she resumed back her positioning.
For the time being I ignored all the ruckus, or eyes from the whole school body drilling occasional holes on my head and even the presence of certain boy with ridiculous bleached white hair.
Yes, you heard that right. He hair's are bleached.
No matter how much I neglected the urge, I soon found myself being sucked, reveling a segment of our past.
"Why do you dye your hair? I know they aren't natural because you are not an Albino" playing with his soft strands I ask as he leaned snuggling with the large stuffed penguin with neon green bikini that he drunk purchased. It had became our unofficial movie night partner.
"Finally" he breathed smiling at me. Taking my breath away with it "I thought you would never ask"
"Why?" I pestered. As he gingerly tucked the morsel of my hair that had come loose out of my bun.
"Ever heard of poliorsis?" He takes my small hands into his, intertwining it within his cold long fingers. His thumb circling calming pattern against them.
"The loss of melanin at certai_
" okay smarty pants, i get it. you know more than necessary." He hits his knuckles at the top of my head as I giggled. "A strand of my hair has always been white in front, though it looked hot and intensified my personality_ " he grinned at me sheepishly as I rolled my eyes.
"_It irritated me a lot. So instead of dyeing the one strand into the natural brunette that I am, I bleached them whole to white."
My eyes windened at the sudden revelation as I sat up straight.
"You are brunette? Like me?" I anything but screamed and squeaked at the same time.
"Yes Elaine, I am brunette like the colour brown" he smirked, pinching my cheeks in what bystanders would called adoration.
"So what do you say?"
"Huh?" Lee's ever enthusiastic voice drifted me back in to the sour reality as I blinked at him.
"You are up for it?" He asks wiggling his brows.
"Up for what?" I frown, probably missing a large part of conversation that had obviously involved me. But I was too deep in past featuring a converstion about melanin deficiencies of certain his iciness that it had surpassed my hearing sensors.
"Do you think you can manage to partner up with me for quiz championship?" An impatient clarissa barked at me as I flinched. But when what she said dawned on me lethargically I lost it
"Wh what h_ how?"
"It's okay Elaine, I told her how super intellingent you are." Lee assured me, but in reality it felt like he signed me up for a job of meddling with burning meteorites.
"What is entomology?"
I chewed on my lower lip, blinking as Clarissa Blakewall's question loosely hung in the air. Her eyes hooded with inspection as she desired to test my aptitude.
I weighed my options. Was it worth it? A competion could lead me close to her. To know more to find more. And since the word option was just for readable purpose only, I was well aware of my situation. This was my only chance.
Beggars can't be choosers.
"Lee, I expect my partner to be atleast aware of the basics. She looks tongue tied at such an easy que-
"A branch of study that deals with insects"
Five pair of eyes landed upon me. It was uncomfortable to say the least, and add on the fact that even Alex had his phone abandoned as he leaned back on his seat, arms crossed across his chest as he enjoyed the show.
On the other hand, Clarissa's features silhouetted to a mask of approval. And don't even get me started on Lee.
And then it began.
"Chlorophyll, a naturally occurring chelate compound. What's its central Metal?"
"Magnesium"
This time I didn't squirmed or squeaked, instead I sat up straight meeting her equally confident gaze with mine as her lips twitched impressed.
"Sun's chemical composition" her chin jutted slightly as the questions became more challenging. I took a moment to collect the apt numericals as I felt the weight of so many eyes on me.
"Seventy-one percent hydrogen, tewnty-six point five helium and two point six of other elements. I can list them if you want, but they are just way too long if you minus the better prominants such as carbon and oxygen " when I finished I took in a sharp intake of breath that I didn't know I was holding. I give her a what I expect was a friendly appearing smile.
Just when I assumed it was over Lee snapped his fingers as if a new idea popped in his mind. Frowning I look at him.
"I noticed something about you when you tutored me. I want to try It here if it's okay with you" with anticipation written all over his face, he completely ignored the perplexed attribute that my face was trying to throw towards his way as he proceeded.
"What is three hundred and sixty five divided by nine and subracted by five hundred and twenty two gives you" he looked down at his phone, punching in the numbers that he randomly blurted, probably in calculator.
Sighing I tightened my pony, closing my eyes I let the numbers and my brain do it's job. In approximatly five seconds my lips parted automatically spilling the answer like it was its second nature.
"Four hundred and eighty one" peeking open a single eye I saw a blank, plain and straight to eye stare by Lee as I waited for confirmation.
Suddenly I was engulfed in a side hug as a throaty laughter vibrated from Lee's chest. I turned to look at clarissa who genuinely smiked to herself, it was the most friendly and appreciative emotion that she executed since I met her.
"That was awesome" Edmund chuckled deeply as I grinned at him. His eyes raked me with pure gratitued as I mouthed him a thanks.
Edmund may had been a jerk to me, but inside that stone shell I saw the prominant cracks that was him.Inspite of the life he was bestowed upon that was filled with glamour and fake act of liability, he was still a human with soft spot for his friends. And I respect him for that.
Mr shaun kim Lee, you are expected to report yourself at the principles office_
A pause.
Immediately.
The announcement from the intercom spiked the attention of almost everyone across the present vicinity as whispers emerged. A low groan erupted from the throat of the boy in subject.
He grinned as he noticed we all waited for him to disclose the reason.
"A rat died in lab yesterday, I thought Mrs jeans handbag could substitute for a make shift coffin" there was a moment of silence for the demise of a lab rat before Edmund chuckled, I glanced at him with a raised brow.
"What? Just because I am president it doesn't mean I should devote my divided respect to all the teachers. Besides Mrs. Jean has a thing for young boy's -" he trailed off uncomfortably as if recalling some afflictive encounter.
"So this Is my call ladies, the bad boy has some responsibility to take care of" Lee got up slinging is back pack across one of his shoulders proudly.
"Wait" clarissa followed his pattern as she grabbed some of her books from the table and brought it against her chest. "I am coming with you, I need to Enter my new partners name in application" she nodded in my direction as my heart flipped.
So this is actually happening.
"And yeah, Lee's chingu." She said addressing me "I Expect you to be at Elites lounge sharp by five tomorrow. I don't appreciate tardiness" to her authoritative command had it's attempted response from me as I nodded gulping.
"See you around chingu" Lee patted me on head which he does a lot as he and clarissa left. Sometimes I actually find myself wondering if he too compares me with puppies similar to way I think of him. If so, the feeling is mutual then.
Since it was just four of us now and Lee was gone leaving the hollowness beside me I decided to concentrate on my free chicken wings.
I could feel Edumnds gaze on me as I ate in silence. It was hard to carry out the task already with it when someone decided to open their mouth and make it ten times worse.
"It's not that comfortable when someone looks at you when you eat" as if i was dumped back into past, the same sentence echoed in my head that was quoted by the same boy in a starry cold night. The bleachers, burgers and unsaid words. It felt like yesterday and yet so far.
But now it wasn't teasing or playful like before, in fact it was sharp, blunt and directed towards Edmund, as frowning he looked at his friend.
"You've been staring at her for a minute now" he nonchalantly adds as Edmund slightly glares at him.
I could sense that Alex's indifferent demeanor has been irking Edmund a lot, though he hides them subtly well. I've read way too many books and articles on psychology for the minor signs to escape my vision.
Like the way Edmunds pinky twitched and eyes narrowed at an disinterested looking Alex as if he wanted to scream what his problem was?
"I am done" I declared weakly, trying to gain his attention back to me. And it did its job as predicted.
"You are?" Edmund asks, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"Yes, I should leave for the next class. See you around?" uncertainly I ask.
"Sure" he gave me a tight lipped smile that quite failed to reach his eyes, not pondering deeply about It I got up and retired from the place that was in simple way was hell in disguise.
When I stepped out of the door feeling the warm gust of air on my skin from the large windows I smiled cheekily.
I survived.
I lazily stride around, dragging my feet to the elevator in corner, Perks of living in rich school includes a cafeteria that was on sixth floor. And since I am the least atheletic person one could ever have the leisure of meeting, I usually find myself using the technological faculty every now and then.
I even take elevators when I am in first floor. Call me pathetic, that's how i am.
Thankfully there was no line or dotted figures near it, I got inside the iron cubicle hoping to find some alone time here. But right when both the doors were about to smoothly jam into one another a hand clawed in, the vice like clutched on the door caused the sensor to activate as it yawned open to let the host in.
Alexander White was the bane of my existence, and it would be safe to say that as he took his first step in, I cowardly contemplated to show myself out.
But before I could act on it another figure made it's presence among us.
Mike eyed both of us warily as he entered, unlike others he didn't seem to care about Alex that much, infact he gave him a simple nod of acknowledgement to which surprisingly Alex nodded back.
He stood a little odd in front of us as me and Alex stood a little behind him on either side. He pressed the button to the 3rd floor. A silent pray of grateful ness to God as it was the same floor I wish to be in.
But unlike anyother day Mikes concentration was not peaked up by his spinner, instead he used that glum mouth of his to strike a conversation.
"I heard you fainted yesterday" I groaned lowly as I hit the side my head gently against the cold metal. I could feel Alex penetrating gaze beside me.
"Well, it was time. Not surprising at all" his humor laced tone caused my jaw to open up in disbelief. Before I could let some valuable piece of advise his way the mechanical speaker announced the number. Indicating the arrival of designated floor.
He walks out calmy as I try to follow his lead. Try being the key word as I felt an arm coil around my waist pulling me back as if I weighed as much as a bag of chips.
The door closed shut as Alex pressed the red button framed by a bolted glass. A large red STOP inscripted above it.
A pique of Deja vu washed over me.
His hold on me left as I shuffled over the other side, distancing from him as much as possible as he takes a sip of his coke from the can that I had failed to notice before.
"What's your problem?" Irritated I ask crossing my hands across my chest, watching him adjust the knot of his tie around his neck ignoring me, as if he didn't just halted the elevator, temporarily kidnapping me.
It seems like he has a fetish for that.
"Is that a question?" He asked inclining his head to look at me, his unkept strand of hair tottering over his right brow.
I answer him with a glare.
"You are my problem" he added, shaking his head as he chuckled humorlessly.
Over the years I had perfected the art of masking my lies, and I was glad as it helped me cover up the hurt that came with his word.
I was a problem for him. A bothersome embarrassment from his past.
A low burn of fury rose in my chest. Gritting my teeth i took a step towards him, craning my neck to look him in the eyes.
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing"
"What?"
"Your actions are enough to state that you won't tell me the reason behind why you are here. But it doesn't mean I'll make your stay here any easier. Especially when I see you befriending people who might actually care about you" he spat the word care with so much venom that I was taken aback by such explicit hostility.
"I am not going anywhere" my voice cracked at the end, pathetically gracing him with the idea of how much he effected me.
It was silent for a few seconds before my irritation got the best of me as I broke it.
"Why did you lock us in if you didn't prefered to interrogate me?" He gave me a blank look before a ghost of annihilated smirk shadowed his face.
"Hold this" he leaned to grab my right hand, hustling the can of coke in it.
Confused I stood In the same position as my eyes darted from the can on my clutch to him as he resumed the elevator back.
With a shift of gravity it went down.
As it came to a halt in 2nd floor he pulled me by my wrist and guided my hand the top of his head, a with a flick of his thumb, he twisted it.
And with it the contents of the can poured upon his white mane savagely. Bewildered i gawked at him as the brown liquid dribbled down his side, trailing over his jaws and soaking home in his white school shirt.
I was too shocked to realize that his grip on my wrist was gone as it's thumb now slides over his brow, wiping away loitering coke beads.
Retreating my hands back I pulled it close to my chest. But the perplexing part was When Alex's face mirrored the equally exploited shock as mine.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he growled aloud as I managed to blink, obviously stupefied.
"Be glad that you are a girl or else_" he let the sentence hang in delusional air as he glared at me, but the side of his lips twitched in amusement that was only for me to see.
Slowly my senses got back on it's wake as I felt chatter and whispers, the door to the elevator was ajar, the long list of students who had watched the scene unfold parted as Alex walks past me and strides out.
When he was gone, the crowd gathers again. There disgusted and furious glace somehow felt like stab on my guts and a wiff of nausea clouds my throat.
What the hell just happened? I thought as my intellectual subconscious tampered from it's panicked state.
I think he just turned the whole school against you.
And I replied her with two sedating terms.
Oh shit!
***