Dawn of Heroes: The Greats

Chapter Two: Shattered

  Winnie drummed her fingers on the arm of her desk in the detention room. I put my head down and drew invisible shapes while Rylie and Erik signed to each other somewhat angrily. “This is your fault.” She hissed/whispered to me. I looked at her with fire in my eyes. “It’s your own fault you narcissistic bit-” Principal Derekson returned from her coffee break and Rylie and Erik stopped signing. I drew my shapes and Winnie kept drumming. She looked out the window and sighed longingly. Her squad was practicing without her. Detention was over and we all left happily. School was going to suck tomorrow.
                                                                                                                            *****
        I was glad to be in my own clothes again. I wore black pre-ripped skinny jeans with a purple t-shirt and combat boots. I put my hair in hair rollers last night so I could have loose waves. I took out the rollers and looked in the mirror. I squinted hard and knew my outfit was missing something. The necklace. I took it off yesterday. I always wore a silver chain with my mother’s engagement ring strung on it. The ring was a rose gold band with a simple, single onyx stone. I put the necklace on but the ring was missing. “Eli!” My little sister popped her head into my room. “Yeah?” “Elijiah Marie Rodgers II, if you don’t give mom’s ring I will take your fish tank and tell dad what a crooked little girl you are, so help me.” 

        “You always wear it!” she whined and took it off her finger handing it to me. “Because I’m the oldest and mom gave it to me. Where’s your bracelet? Did you lose it? That’s Grandma Higgins’s bracelet.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s ugly. No I didn’t lose it. I don’t wear it.” “Get out of my room.” She slammed the door. “Sisters.” I muttered. I was the oldest of 3. There was Eli then there was Preston who was an angel. She was only 6 so it was a matter of time before she turned to the dark side.

        I did my usual morning stuff and picked up Rylie. She wore a green graphic-tee with a picture of the Earth that said “Draw a Circle” in pink letters. She wore a pair of white jeans and sandals. “Let’s get this over with.” She said crossing her arms. She wasn’t in such a good mood. Her hair was in a medium ponytail. That was always bad for Rylie. We walked into school and a couple of people high-fived us and gave us props. Others ignored us like the plague. I didn’t like or need the extra attention.

        I sat in the very back of World History. But then a surprise came. Mason sat by me. By choice this time. “Hey.” “Did you know?” “Know what?” “About Winnie and Terrance?” “No. I don’t listen to idle gossip. I mean Rylie told me but I didn’t think it was true.” “Rylie?” “The strawberry blonde who announced it to the whole junior class.” “Oh. I always thought her name was Kylie.” “It’s the way it’s spelled. It’s R-Y-L-I-E not R-I-L-E-Y.” “How long have you known her?” “Since early childhood. I first moved here when I was 2 and she stole my apple juice in pre-school. We’ve been friends since.”

        We spent the whole class period learning about each other. His middle name was Daniel, his favorite book was Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, he has a little sister named Ashley who is life to him and he wants to be a pianist. “A pianist?” “Or violinist. I like classical music” I looked into his turquoise eyes and I nearly fell into the endless pool of brilliant blue-green. Class ended and we gathered our things. “Yesterday I was going to ask you of you listen to Lana Del Rey. I haveUltraviolence in my car for whatever reason and I have no idea what to do with it.” “I don’t listen to her but Rylie does. I’m more of a Falling in Reverse girl.” “Okay that wasn’t the real question.”

        “Lay it on me.” “I’m having my birthday party this weekend and I wanted to know if you’d like to come.” “Me?” “Yeah. My mom told me to invite as many people as possible. She made too many cake pops. And I think you’re cool.” “Me?” I repeated. “Yes.” “Okay sure. Can I bring a plus one?” “Always.” He wrote his address on a piece of paper and handed it to me. “Call the number if you get lost. Or text if you want to talk.” “Okay.” My voice went up an octave.