Ballad of a Broken Boy

The confrontation (pt. 1)

I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to handle school the next morning. I got there super early, hoping that there was no way any other student would be there at such an asinine hour. My plan for now was to wait for Kourtney and then ask her what the rest of EJ's classes were so I could avoid him at all costs. For some reason, she always seemed to know these kinds of things...

Anyway, I got there and went straight to the library. Luck was most definitely not on my side this morning since he was in there, talking animatedly with the librarian. I tried to slowly turn around and leave without anyone seeing me, but in my haste, I tripped over something and let out a little yelp before regaining my balance. Unfortunately, I wasn't as quiet as I hoped and Mrs. Thompson heard me.

Great.

"Nina! Nice to see you here so early! Ej and I were just discussing his idea for a new filing system- he says we should store all of our records on the computer! Isn't that just genius?" she exclaimed, excitedly. I turned around slowly and smiled at her, trying to ignore Ej's wide eyes. He obviously hadn't realized who I was yesterday, but he definitely figured it out now.

"Sounds great. If you don't mind, there's somewhere I have to be..." I said, making a move towards the door.

"Actually, could you do me a favor? Ej came in here originally to ask me where room 2240 is. Would you mind showing him the way for me?" I froze, feeling my heart stop beating for a moment. Me alone with Ej? This was like my worst nightmare coming true. I was tempted to pinch myself, but I knew it wasn't a dream. I was pretty sure I could never dream up a horror like this. Nevertheless, I gulped and nodded, leaving the library quickly, assuming he would follow me, which he did, and for most of the way he stayed quite far behind me. There were other people in the hallway- not many, but enough that we were never completely alone together. It was only when we turned the last corner that led to room 2240 that I felt him grab my wrist and turn me around to face him.

"Hey!" I squealed, trying to pull my hand back. He refused to let go, instead just looking me up and down, eyes hungry and desperate.

"Nini Salazar-Roberts. Who would have thought I would end up in the same school as you? It really is a small world..." he mused. I struggled against his tight hold, fighting back tears of fright and pain.

"Let go of me, Ej." I said. He smiled.

"Awe come on, Nini. Don't you want to catch up?" he asked me. I shook my head furiously.

"No. I just want to get away from you." I snarled.

"Look, I'm sorry if I hurt you. But come on, you have to admit... it was good while it lasted." He said, eyebrows raised suggestively. I made a gagging sound and finally managed to yank my wrist free.

"You..." I said menacingly, pointing my finger at him, "are scum of the Earth, so fuck off." I told him before turning around.

"Ouch." He said, looking genuinely offended. I just rolled my eyes and stalked off down the hallway. I turned back to look at him just as I turned the corner, and the look of pure fury in his eyes scared me so much that I broke into a run as soon as I was out of his sight.

LINE BREAK

Eventually, the bell for lunch rang. I haven't had any classes with Ej, so far, but the day wasn't over causing me to still be on edge. I threw everything back into my bag and slung it over my shoulder, following Kourt out of the classroom and into the cafeteria.

"Okay, Neeners, time to spill. Tell me everything about what happened last night with Ricky!" she squealed. My eyes widened, and I stared at her, horrified.