Incendiary

chapter 1

1

                “Miss Rose, come back here!” I hear echoing around in my locker, even though I know the noise is down the hall. I see a small but intimidating-looking girl racing down the hallway, a smile plastered on her face, lighting up her eyes with thrill.

                I see smoke streaming out of the science lab and roll my eyes. This girl hasn’t been here at Ferring’s Boarding School very long, but news about her has been circulating like wildfire. This is her third prank this week, but she somehow still hasn’t managed to get herself expelled or even really punished.

                The fire alarm goes off- first in the science lab, then the whole hallway, sending down a slight shower from the ceiling sprinklers. I raise my eyebrows and close my bag before any of my papers can get wet, I worked way too hard on them for that.

                I turn the corner, realizing that this turn will lead to the closest exit.

                Unfortunately, Rose realizes that this is the closest exit as well. Most people don’t even know about this back door because it’s so out of the way, so I wonder how she does.

                Then, I assume this is the one thing Rose probably does study- her escape routes.

                Her small frame crashes against mine like a bullet and I let out a loud “oof!” as I fall down to the floor, along with her.

                She scrambles up from the floor before I can help her, “out of my way boy,” she says, but her eyes are almost friendly and she has a mischievous smile on her face. Her brown wavy hair is slightly wet from the still-continuing shower, and before I can really get a good look at the school’s newest edition, she shoots off again and through the door.

                I follow out, continuing on my original path, but by the time I’ve gotten through the door, Rose is out of sight. I shuffle uncomfortably towards a large group of students, clutching one of my schoolbooks and a spiral notebook to my stomach.

+++

                “Hey!” I hear behind me, and turn to see a certain small girl.

                Why me? is about all I can think when I leave the classroom to get some water during last class and Rose is sitting in the hallway, obviously ditching whatever class she’s supposed to be in.

                “Hey!” she says again, when I simply acknowledge her with a shifty smile.

                “Hi,” I say uncomfortably, stopping on my way to the water fountain.

                “Do you want to do something?” she asks casually, looking up at me. If I hadn’t known better, I would have thought that the look in her eyes seemed innocent and sweet.

                “Umm-“ I start, but she doesn’t let me get far.

                “It’ll be fun, meet me in the foresty part over there,” she says, jerking her thumb, and I know exactly what part of the campus she means- it’s very close to the edge of the campus.

                “I’m not going to-“ I say, but again, she cuts me off.

                “I’ve seen you, and I know you’re too polite to refuse if I tell you I’m going to meet you there at nine tonight,” she says with a careless tone in her voice, but I see the slight smile at her lips. What type of person is this manipulative? This is the first time I’ve ever even talked to her!

                “But… why?” I ask incredulously, before she can interrupt me again.

                “I know the type of person you are,” she says. “You’re a good boy, right? Always do your homework on time, nerdy in general, always helping people, never wanting to let them down?” She fiddles with the end of one of her long strands of hair with her fingertips.

                “I-“

                “I’m doing you a favor,” she says. “Just meet me,” her eyes plead with me.

                “Why?” I ask again.

                “Let’s just say,” she thinks for a moment, “that it’s my apology for knocking you over today.” I stand up a little straighter, clutching my book a tighter, as if trying not to look like a little girl had actually knocked me to the floor today. It’s not like I’m small for a boy, I’m actually pretty tall and fairly muscular. She just caught me off guard, I argue with myself.

                “Nice talking to you,” she says, walking off and disappearing around the corner. She throws one more glance and a dazing smile at me right before she’s gone from my view. I walk back to my class, without water, and without a clue.