Lavender

Chapter 1; •Boysenberry•

"Dominic, you are late".

I'd heard that sentence one too many times to even care about who's mouth it came out of. I rolled my eyes and sat down in my chair. I could feel Anderson's blazing gaze on my drooping head. He was a pain in the arse and I rather not deal with his morning fits. Someone should consider buying the man a wig really, my mums vegetable garden was more organised than the patches of hair on his balding head. I looked up to find his glare directed towards me. Did he not have anything better to do than have a stare down with a seventeen year old? Was this man absolutely bonkers?

"Mr. Pounds, I assure you that the last thing I appreciate in my class is your tardiness. I would be grateful if you managed to show up more often". He said through gritted teeth. I swear I could see the nerve at his temple bulge out to the point I thought it would explode.

"Well you see sir-" I began trying to come up with an excuse that would get him off my back.

"See what? Did you hit a dog this time? Or were you helping an old woman cross the street? Oh no, let me take a good guess. You were trying to save a drowning child like the angel that you are. Is that it Dominic?" I flinched as he said my whole name. He looked at me with a sickly sweet smile and waited for my answer.

I leaned forward and smiled back. "No sir, I wasn't too eager to see your face, you ballistic twat". I said my smile dropping to a frown.

Mr. Anderson's face turned beet red as he took in what I said. He slammed his palm on his desk and screamed "PRINCIPALS OFFICE. THIS INSTANT".

I muttered a "good" and slung my school bag onto my shoulder. With a smirk I walked out leaving my teacher so mad, I thought he'd run after me and put me in a chokehold. I took out my phone and plugged in my headphones trying to block out the annoying sounds of girls squealing as I passed by. The 1975 filled my ears and a calming sensation went through my body. I made my way to the storage room where I knew no one would annoy me. Anderson wouldn't even know I had skipped the trip to the principals. Her office had become a second home to me and I knew she expected me to stroll in like I owned the place.

I took the small blue packet out of the pocket of my jacket. Flipping it open, I stuck a cigarette in my mouth. I'd scored a lighter from my dad's drawer. It was square and had engravings done on it, making the steel colour look much better with the black swirls. I lit my cig and took a puff. The administration didn't think it necessary to put a smoke detector in the storage room. Of course I realised I'd get into trouble since I'd exit with smoke around me. They would think id done more than just smoke a cigarette. I looked around to see stacks of work books, text books and extra copies for those who coincidently forgot or 'lost' their record. I switched my music to one of my favourite bands. I remember my sister blasting 'Wonderwall' throughout the house when she first started dating. I used to laugh at how chavvy that was. Soon it turned into one of my most loved bands and the headphones just always found their way into my ears.

My train of thought was cut when the door opened and a pair of blue-green eyes stared into mine. Her face was a mix of amusement and curiosity. She cocked her head to the side and raise d eyebrow. It wasn't the Oasis shirt she wore that caught my eye, it was her hair. She looked at me, trying to understand why I was gawking at her. I cleared my throat and lowered my gaze.

"Smoking isn't allowed on school premises, you know". She said, her voice barely audible. She didn't seem like the kind who was rude for no absolute reason. Her tone was blank and soft.

" I know, I just needed to get away" I scoffed.

"From whom?" She said, slowly closing the door behind her and seating herself in front of me. She folded her knees and placed her chin on them.

"Everyone. What are you doing here?" I asked. I don't see how or why she would want to be in a small space with someone like me.

"I'm supposed to be fetching Chemistry work sheets for Mr. Phil. I don't want to go to class. I didn't mean to intrude, I'll leave". She smiled and started to get up. I hadn't even noticed my cigarette had almost burned out, when I caught her wrist and turned her to face me.

"Stay. I'd like some company". Her eyes were fixated towards my hand that was gripping her thin wrist. She smiled and sat back down, making me drop my hand. I tried to shrug off the warmth her hand had given off as my fingers had brushed her palm. She didn't seem like my type though. A little too meek for my taste. I watched her intently as she rummaged through the various stacks of papers to find the Chemistry worksheets. She faced me suddenly and narrowed her eyes.

"What?" She asked, giving me a half smile.

"Nothing, you're just so small". It came out of nowhere.

She let out a half hearted laugh and rested her head between her knees. Her hair fell on either side of her calves and I had this sudden urgency to run my hands through it.

You're losing your goddam mind Dom. Dom. Dom?

"Dom?" She looked at me expectedly. I closed my eyes and shook my head. What's wrong with me? I'm doing everything in my power to look like a total moron.

"You were saying?" I said, turning my attention towards her.

"I said, I was leaving. Do you have any classes to attend?"

"No, I skipped this one. I do have Physics later but that's an hour away".

"Alright then, see you soon Dommy". She smiled and walked out the enclosed space, letting me finally exhale. I hadn't known I'd been holding it in. As the sudden realisation of Lavender being oddly attractive came into being, I smiled to myself and leaned against the shelf.

She called me Dommy.