Dweller of the Cave

Ten

Ms. Colly picked Griffin up ten minutes later. I hoped he wasn't too alarmed by the Zodiac sign thing. But before he left, he said he wanted to meet me after school. He didn't say why, but I could guess. And best of all, he gave me his hoodie.

I wondered what his excuse was for getting out of school, though.

And no, I didn't go back to the pep rally. I stayed in the library, right where I found Griffin.

The day should be over soon, right?

No.

"His name is Blaine?" a girl exclaimed from across the library. "Who's that?"

Someone-maybe the librarian-said something to her.

"I don't care if he hears me!"

People snickered. I pulled off my jacket, shoved it in my bookbag, and put on Griffin's. With that gone, I had to be unrecognizable. I threw my hood up and put my head down. But I knew deep down that it doesn't matter if I was asleep or awake.

My chest rose and fell.

Footsteps. The scent of perfume. Solana.

She tapped my shoulder.

"Hey, are you awake?" she whispered.

I kept as still as possible.

She didn't speak, but I could feel her standing there.

Thwakk!

Someone slammed a book on my head.

My ears rang as I sat up. My head stung with pain, not to mention the erupting laughter of everyone.

I clenched my fists and stood from my chair. Heat rose in my face as I glared at Solana. But she wasn't holding anything. I looked behind me.

The same guy from the hallway who told me that Griffin was in the library. He bursted out in laughter, and dropped the hardcover book on the floor.

"What do you want?" I faltered.

He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. "Sorry, Blaine! It's only fair. I could've thrown you on the gym floor, instead, how's that?"

"Why do you care?"

His face grew bitter. He shoved me, hitting my back into the table edge.

"Come on, Rocky," Solana sighed, and grabbed his hand. "I have another routine to do. I feel better now."

He yanked his hand away and crept closer to me, pressing his finger into my chest.

"If you or Griffin walk into this school again, I'll kill you," he whispered.

Solana jerked on Rocky's arm and dragged him away into one of the aisles. She didn't say a word, nor did her face. Stoic. Rocky kept trying to pull away, but she kept her grip until they finally left.

The library fell silent.

I got up and found the librarian's desk. Students kept their eyes on me, but I tried to ignore them.

The librarian peered up at me through her big glasses,

"Can I stay here for the rest of the day?" I asked.

"I'll have to call your 4th period teacher," she said in a croaky, tired voice. "But knock yourself out."