A Dream's Bite

8

       Students waved at George as he entered the school building. The hot blast of air warmed him up after the short walk to school in the cold. He arrived to his locker and began to fumble with his lock. George frowned as the lock got stuck.

George quickly glanced around, though his friends were nowhere in sight. He sighed and tried twisting the lock, he groaned loudly in annoyance when it didn't budge.

A strong hand slammed down on his locker, making George jump in shock. The hand twisted the locker and the locker popped open. George sighed in relief and turned around to thank the person who got his locker unstuck.

"Thanks-," George started but his eyes widened.

Ryan didn't move, and George resisted the urge to swarm under the solid gaze. Ryan suddenly grabbed his shoulder and started dragging him away. George barked in protest but a glare from Ryan shut him up.

George fell silent and let his mind wander as Ryan led him around the school. George looked up at Ryan. Ryan's face showed no expression. His face didn't look half bad. Now that George thought about it, Ryan looked very familiar.

Ryan shoved George into an empty classroom and George became aware of how tough Ryan looked. George swallowed nervously.

"Hi," George said quietly.

"Damn it, George." Ryan said aggressively, taking George aback a little. Ryan clenched his fists and slammed them lightly on a table and let out a frustrated sigh. "You're getting involved with the wrong people. Are you trying to put yourself in danger."

"What?" George managed to say, he was beyond confused.

"They aren't normal," Ryan continued, as if George hadn't spoken to him.

"Who? Who isn't normal?" George demanded, he was beginning to get frustrated at Ryan's vague words. "What are you trying to tell me and why am I in danger?"

"You need to stay away from that blonde and the girl." Ryan told his harshly. "Otherwise, you're going to get yourself involved with things that you wished you didn't."

"Wait, what?" George scoffed, "I'm not unfriending Clay and Crow just because you said something. Weren't you the one who nearly punched me on the first day?"

"Just mark my words." Ryan said, now softly. Ryan turned quickly and just like that he was gone, leaving George very shocked and confused.

George stared at the spot where Ryan had just stood. His eyes clouded with confusion. He sighed frustratedly before going after Ryan. Though to his surprise, Ryan was nowhere in sight.

George kicked the floor, and scoffed again to himself. What was Ryan even talking about.

George scanned the long hallways wearing a frown. A hand landed on his back, making him once more speak out in shock. He spun around quickly and met a familiar gaze.

"You scared me," George said, playfully slapping Clay's hand away and Clay started laughing. "It's not even that funny," George whined and rolled his eyes.

"You should've seen your face." Clay grinned and George once again rolled his eyes. Clay reached out towards George and George flinched, suddenly remembering Ryan's words. Clay took his hand back, his face a little worried.

"Did I do something?" Clay asked, feeling a bit hurt.

"Of course not," George said with a fake grin. "Although I do have a class soon, I should be going now."

"Alright," Clay said hesitantly, "I'll walk with you."

"Don't be silly," George said, "Our classes are different ways, I don't want you to be late."

"I don't mind-" Clay started but George cut him off.

"Alright, Alright." George said, suddenly turning serious. "But only if I get to ask some questions."

"Okay." Clay nodded, a little confused at the sudden change of tone in George's voice.

The two of them began to walk in an awkward silence. George had began fiddling with his fingers and Clay get shooting quick glances at George. Clay wanted to get to the bottom of this. What could've made George so serious and upset.

"So," Clay said, breaking the silence and stopped walking.

George's brown eyes held little emotion, it was getting more difficult to tell where this conversation would end up. George bit his lip before shaking his head.

"Are you hiding something for me." George blurted out and Clay's breath hitched unnoticeably. "And because of that, am I in danger or something."

Clay swallowed a bit nervously and avoided answering that, instead Clay asked. "Why do you think that."

"Well, Ryan told me somethings," George started and Clay's face drained of color. George didn't notice since his eyes were now staring intensely at the floor.

"Ryan as in," Clay hesitated. "As in Crow's brother?"

"Wait, wait, wait." George said, snapping his gaze back to Clay. "They're siblings?"

"Shocking right?" Clay agreed.

"I guess they do look alike," George said, more to himself than towards Clay. He returned his attention to Clay. "So, does that mean he was just messing with me?"

"Most likely." Clay said quickly. "You're not in danger."

"I can't believe I fell for that." George said as a wave of embarrassment creeped on him. Though deep down, he remembered how upset Ryan looked. George couldn't help but to feel like Ryan was being truthful. George tried his best to shove that feeling away.

"What did he say." Clay asked.

"He said something about you and Crow not being normal, and that I was getting myself in danger." George said. Clay shook his head, and grinned. He grabbed George's hand and placed it on his own chest. George blushed at the action. George could feel Clay's heart beating in a rhythm.

"I'm normal enough." Clay smiled. Clay's green gaze soften and George swallowed. Though he didn't dare move his hand and ruin the moment. George finally met that green gaze.

"You're different." George objected in a murmur. "And I like that a lot."

Clay's face erupted into flames and George smiled softly at the flustered blonde. After a few peaceful moments George took his hand back, now flustered too.

"Anyways," George coughed. "We got class to go to, and I don't want to be late."

"Right," Clay nodded, still flustered. "I'll be heading the other way then."

"Bye."

"See ya."

George walked swiftly into the classroom and took a seat next to Nick as the bell rung. His face was still a deep maroon and he glanced away from Nick. But it was too late, Nick had already seen his face.

"Let me guess," Nick laughed from next to George, "You were visited by a tall dirty blonde with green eyes?"

"Shut up idiot." George stammered as he smiled against his will.

"Oh to be in love." Nick teased.

"I'm going to unfriend you if you don't stop." George laughed playful and Nick rolled his eyes. George laughed some more, feeling some moments of happiness.

He turned his attention to class, the memory of Clay still fresh in his mind. He wasn't in love, Nick was just being silly. He was glad he had friends like them.

So when Ryan and him made eye contact from across the room, he looked away, he wasn't going to lose his friends over something Ryan had said. Though the pit in his stomach just grew heavier.