W.A.R.M.T.H: The Prologue

And Now, We Meet Mayhem

AJ

    I'm not afraid. I just don't know what I want yet. No, the way Ren looked at me.... I was so afraid of how I felt when I met his eyes. The guilt is crushing me, but I can't stop feeling what I feel.When I look at Ren, see the tears that have gathered there, though he continues on hacking, he thinks I don't see. He thinks I don't see the tears fall onto his phone as he stares at it, face barren of any emotion, the only tell of the pain I've put him through is the water that gathers on his screen. What was I thinking? I wasn't. I wasn't thinking, I never do. I just need some air. I race through the halls, one purpose in mind, out. As I walk out the door, I run face first into the chest of someone who is definitely not a high-schooler. He has black hair and a dark skin tone, not Hispanic, maybe Native American? I don't know, but he's tall. And the look in his dark brown eyes make it seem like he knows me, though I know I have never seen this guy before. He's of obvious military stature, judging by the way he holds himself. And the military jacket. Duh. Sewn on the right pec of his coat is: Darren Delmonico.What the hell kind of a name is Darren Delmonico? He sounds like a poser. I already want to hit him.

    He's on the phone but the smile he gives me lets me know that I need to stay exactly where I am. It's a little on the flirtatious side but more like he knows something I don't. As he finishes up his phone call, I get a better look at him, I don't get much, I mean, it's not like I have the power of deduction. But from what I do see. His hands are calloused, so he's probably used to handling weapons. He seems stiff, maybe slightly agitated or maybe it's his permanent state. I wonder if he has PTSD.... He's around 20. I think. Well shaved, he's here for a reason, maybe he has a kid but he's not wearing a wedding ring so if he does have a kid, the mother's probably not around. He hangs up the phone and looks at me, with that strange smile.

"Arthur James Collins'" he says, taking me by surprise.

"How the hell do you know my name?" I ask him, alarmed. Ready to punch him if I need to. Darren smirks, "I know a lot of things. I know quite a few things about 4 people at this school. You, Your best friend, the cat hybrid and the girl you've been trying to seduce for two days." I go to hit him, this guy is bad news. He sidesteps and shoves me against the lockers. When I turn to face him he stands in front of me, smug enough to be straightening out his nice military coat.

"Oh don't flatter yourself Collins, it's my job. But you'll learn that soon enough."

"Who are you?" I spit.

He gestures to his sewn name "Darren Delmonico, can't you read?" He asks sarcastically, eyebrow raised. He dismisses my look of alarm with a wave of his hand and a click of his tongue. "Relax, I'm not here for you four right now. I will be honest though, I was hoping I'd run into Raven. She's very easy on the eyes."

"She's like 16!"

he raises his eyebrows at me, "How old do you think I am?"

I scoff and give him a once over, "Not 16."

He rolls his eyes "I'm 19."

"Yeah? Well, good for you. I seriously couldn't care less. In fact, you're just giving me the creeps. You sure you're not a pedophile?"

    He sighs "I knew I wouldn't like you. And it's not like I was planning on sleeping with Raven. She's not even my type." he claps his hands and snaps at me, "I wish I could say nice meeting you AJ, but really, it was quite unpleasant. And unfortunately, I'll be seeing you more often, very soon." His smile falls flat as if he realized just how often he'll be seeing me and is internally cringing. He walks down the hallway into a classroom. He's so cocky, am I that annoying? I watch as Darren Delmonico walks into my history classroom. The one I just left... The one I left Ren crying in. I'm a horrible friend, even worse boyfriend material. So again, I'm asking myself, why would anyone want to go out with me? Especially Ren, who's had to put up with me since we were like 5 and knows exactly how many hearts I've torn to shreds and laughed at their tears. Jesus, what could he ever see in me?