My Roman

Chapter 3

My next encounter with Roman was in English class. I was sat at the back of the class, opposite side to him. We were studying To Kill a Mockingbird but I wasn't paying attention. Roman looked bored too. Then a pretty brunette girl raised her hand to be excused. Roman followed suit.

I found out later that they'd hooked up in the bathroom. The whole school was talking about it. It was honestly disgusting. It made me feel icky on the inside. I don't know why. Maybe it was jealousy? But why? I haven't even spoken to him and everyone had told me to stay away.

At lunch I had sat by myself. Eating my apple with my headphones in. That's when I saw the gypsy boy approaching me. I looked around to see if he was approaching someone else but there was no one else. I pause my music.

"Hey there." He says.

"Um hi." I say.

" I saw you staring the other day. You must be new."

Oh my god, did everyone see me staring?

" Oh, well yeah. I'm Allison. I'm from California."

" I'm Peter. What are you doing in Hemlock Grove?" He replies.

" Uh well my Mum died and I got into some trouble back home, so my Dad moved us back here. This was his childhood home."

"Aw shit that sucks, I shouldn't have asked." He looks sheepishly at his feet.

"That's ok. Hey are you going to the dance later?"

"No, I don't think so. They are kinda cheesy and definitely not my thing."

"Yeah me too. Thought I better go though. Just to meet people, I guess."

"Good luck with that. People in Hemlock Grove only care about themselves and the recent gossip."

There was an awkward silence.

"Anyway, Nice to meet you Ally. I'll always be your friend if you can't find anyone else."

"Bye Peter!" I reply as he walks away.

All of a sudden I get this erie feeling. Like I'm dreaming but completely awake. A mask. A storm. A snake eating it's tail. And Roman.

WTF! I look around. No one. So weird. I must be sleep deprived.

I walk to my next class. Maths. I'm the worst at maths. I introduce myself to the teacher and he tells me to sit next to this pretty blonde girl.

"Hey, I'm Allison." I say.

"I'm Letha." She says unenthusiastically.

"Are you ok? You look a little down."

"Yeah I'm fine." She responds.

I take out my book and pen and put them on the shared desk.

" Sorry, I'm being rude. I'm Letha Godfrey. And I love your hair." She says with a smile.

" Like the Godfrey's?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm Roman's cousin."

I blush even at the mention of his name.

She notices. " Oh no don't tell me. You like him?"

"Nooooo, I haven't even met him. I just know what a big deal your family is."

"Sure, sure. But seriously, don't get involved with him. I love him but he's bad news."

"Yeah everyone's been saying that."

"Then it must be true. Anyway please tell me how you get your hair in that pretty braid. And how you get that colour it's amazing!" She says.

"Haha thanks. It's my natural colour and just a normal braid I think."

"We'll it's gorgeous. You'll have to teach me one day."

The bell rings and I see Dad waiting for me.

"Hey sweetheart. How was your day?"

" It was good. I'm so tired though."

"Ok, Ally. We'll talk about it later."

Today was so weird. Freaky Christina, gypsy Peter, pretty Letha. And of course Roman. What trouble is the dance gonna bring?