Hades Ain't Got Nothing on Us

Ch. 3 - A Valiant Effort

For the junior class, it was one of the worst Mondays ever. Over two weeks, Deion had thrown five parties across West Hollywood, each one crazier than the last. The alcohol and drugs, coupled with lack of sleep, had taken its toll. Personal rain clouds showered every student in an invisible downpour of throbbing pain. At the height of exhaustion, they stumbled around campus like zombies. Rob understood their pain, but for different reasons.

Since the day he took notice of Sephy, he did not sleep either. Music surged nonstop from his fingertips, as if the floodgates of a dam he never knew existed opened. He ran through several possible pretenses to start a conversation with her, but what fascinated him most about her also made that a challenge. She shied away from conversations with anyone but her three friends and eschewed the gossip that entertained her schoolmates. Most believed her to be a loner like Rob. They didn't mind that about her; no one had much interest in Sephy beyond her influence on Leo or Anna.

The main problem for Rob was that Anna sat between them in the only class they had together, and she was not likely to relinquish her seat. After their heated debate, the only time she acknowledged his presence was to give him the stink eye.

Like an angel sent from heaven, Leo was walking from the gym without his usual female posse. He did not seem to be in any particular hurry, but he looked as worn as everyone else.

Rob tested the water.

"Leo."

"Hey, Rob."

Leo was robotically friendly, but vacant in his response.

"I have a favor to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Could you switch seats with me today?"

Leo was reluctant. Being separated from Deion meant he couldn't inconspicuously tune out the battering ram beating on the inside of his skull. Next to Deion, who was always unabashed with expressing any discomfort, he went unnoticed when he was not feeling up to snuff.

Rob handed Leo the clear earpieces he used when playing guitar.

"These will block out any sound. Keep your head down, and Dr. K. won't notice a thing."

"Thanks."

"Full disclosure though, the girl who sits next to me wears a lot of perfume."

"Consider me warned," he laughed.

"We'll switch back tomorrow, don't worry."

"Why today then?"

"You won't tell the others?"

"It'll be between us," Leo answered with growing interest.

"It's kind of embarrassing to admit. It's something I've been battling since the day you all arrived. I

haven't been able to stop thinking about Sephy, and she's exceedingly difficult to speak with outside of class."

"She is very pretty."

"Yes," Rob agreed as an afterthought, "but it seems like she's holding back something, or trying to be less affable than she is. She has these flashes of a brilliant smile, but that's all they are, only flashes. A cheerful person like that is never as quiet as she is. I want to break through that wall and meet the girl hiding on the other side. I think we could be friends."

Leo was touched by Rob's admission.

"That is a difficult and complicated aspiration. Your observations of her are all true, and she's not likely to change. I know because I've tried for years to get her to open up. She's adamant about not setting down roots, as much as it pains her to meet people she'd like to know better. Then again, I can tell by the way she looks at you that you are one of those people."