Dollface

Sketchbook V.C.

I stared up at the clock, backpack already loaded and ready to go as I patiently awaited for the sound of the bell. It had been a long boring day and I was ready to get the hell out of this school. Students around me chattered happily, unfazed by the wait for freedom. Mr. Yonk, my history teacher, sat at his desk reading a sports magazine. We all knew he had only taken the history teacher position so he could also couch football, not that his students where complaining.

Sweet relief washed over me as I finally heard the sound of the bell ringing loudly overhead. I quickly stood from my desk, being the first one to make it out of the classroom door and starting off down the hall. I dodged around people as I hurried my way to the schools front doors, shoving them open as I made my way outside.

I was quickly hit with the feeling of ice cold wind against my bare skin. I pulled at the straps of my backpack as I made my way down the front steps and off towards my house along one of Derrys many streets. I kicked a couples of rocks with the tip of my sneaker, becoming a bit board of the silence that plagued me along my journey. I watched as a cloud formed from my breathing, that afternoon was particularly cold and of course like an idiot I had forgotten my winter jacket.

I huffed as I wrapped my arms around my torso, doing my best to shield myself from the unforgiving chill. I never really minded walking home, but that day I had wished my mother had come to get me. She had however picked up an extra shift at work and was unable to do so.

As I continued along I heard the sound of rocks crunching behind me, causing me to come to an abrupt stop and turn around to see what was causing the noise. My eyes fell upon the familiar face of Victor Criss. He had his hands shoved down into his jean pockets and was only about 10 feet from me. I assumed he had emerged from the woods where Bowers and his gang often hung out. I cocked an eyebrow at him, I wasn't looking for trouble, and trouble was Cross's middle name.

"Can I help you with something?" I questioned, tightening my arms around my body as I shivered from the cold. The boy let out a short laugh, as if my attitude amused him. "Just walking, is there a problem with that?" He replied, tilting his head to the side mockingly as he spoke. I paused before slowly shaking my head. "No." I shrugged. A smirk creeped its way across the blondes face. "Good."

With that I proceeded to turn around, intent on making my way home so that I could enjoy the warmth once again. "Wait!" Criss called, his footsteps increasing in pace until he was right beside me. Nervously I glanced over at him, confused as to why he was suddenly interested in engaging in a conversation with me. The repetitive noise of gravel shifting beneath our feet filled the silence as we continued down the road.

"Is there a reason your following me?" I questioned, the words falling from my lips before I even thought about what I was saying. The boy turned to me once again and blinked a couple of time. "Why? Do I make you nervous?" He smirked, cocking his head to the side as he spoke. I quickly shook my head. The boy intimidated me yes, but I didn't want him to know that. "Just curious." I shrugged.

"Maybe I just like your company." the boy chuckled, returning his gaze to the path in front of us. I paused, a bit confused by his comment. He had never show much interest in me before. He had never bothered me, or let any of his friends bother me, which I always found a bit strange but dismissed it nonetheless. Now I was starting to think there was a reason.

"Well I guess I don't mind." This earned another laugh from Victor, as if he found it amusing that I thought I had a choice. As another cold wind blew against my bare skin my teeth began to chatter, despite my effort to look unbothered. The sound quickly caught Criss's attention.

"Why aren't you wearing a jacket? You think your tougher then the weather or something?" He cackled running his hand through his blonde hair to keep it from blowing in his eyes. I shot him a scowl as I rubbed my hands against my arms in an effort to warm myself. "Very funny" I replied, rolling my eyes at his comment. "You just happened to catch me on the one day I forgot it."

Before I even got the chance to protest Victor had pulled his jacket off and dropped it over my shoulders. I stopped dead in my tracks and pulled it off of me. "No, I can't take this! You'll be cold." I argued, shoving my arm out towards him trying to get him to taking the garment back. "Trust me, you need it more then I do." He answered, gesturing towards my shivering form. Not in the mood to argue further I huffed and put it on.

The fabric was soft and warm from victors body heat, making me sigh as I pulled it into place around my body. "Well... thank you" I blushed, enjoying the comfort. "Don't mention it" He gave me a nod and continued walking, I scurried a bit to catch up with him.

We continued on down the road talking here and there as we went. I had to admit, I didn't much mind victors company. I had pictures him as more of a violent psycho then anything else, but he was actually quite nice.

"So I heard you like art?" He questioned, his bare arms now crossed over his chest as he spoke. I pushed some stray hairs behind my ear as I blushed once again. How on earth did he know that. -'d why did he care? "Yes, I love art. Seeing someone's vision come to life on canvas is amazing. I lost my sketch book a while ago though. I haven't found it yet" I answered, handing my head a bit at the mention of my disappeared pieces.

"Well-" Criss paused next to me and pulled off his backpack, unzipping it and pulling out none other then my black sketchbook. "I found this in the art room a couple of days ago. It didn't have a name in it so I kept it. I'm assuming it's yours?" He smirked, reaching his arm out for me to take it. I quickly snatched it from his hand, feeling self conscious knowing he had looking through it.

"Don't worry, I didn't do anything to it." he continued, rolling his eyes at my slightly hostile reaction. "You looked in it, didn't you?" I grumbled, flipping through to pages to insure nothing was missing or destroyed. "Only because I appreciate cool art" another blush, I moist have been red as a tomato by this point.

We were starting to approach my house as I shoved the boom down into my backpack along with the rest of my belongings. I stopped at my front gate, an awkward silence falling over the both of us as we came to a stop. "Well, this is me" I said shyly, nodding towards my front door. "I know" He nodded. I pulled my bag off and began to take off the boys jacket before he quickly grabbed my shoulder to stop me. He winked as a sheepish smile creeped across my face. "Keep it. It looks better on you anyways."