Apathetic Psycometric (book 1) #wattys2016

Chapter 5

Two weeks went by and Jordan and I were happy and Kenzie didn't torment me as much as usual... or maybe for the first time I had someone who made it not matter as much.

I went to school Monday in something I had yet to ever try. I wore my white tights and black heeled ankle boots but I also wore a high low hem skirt in black with frayed edges I had created. I wore a long sleeve shirt that was a bit long so I had cut holes to put my thumbs through. Over that I wore a white corset I had picked up but never wore. I wore my customary earrings of black grey and white roses and the studs in my still healing piercings and I wore and silver angel wing clip on cuff. My necklace was a white gold cross with a rose center and wings just behind the 2 side points of the cross. I did my make up noticing my eyes settled on being both green and gold and pulled my waist length hair into a high pony leaving my bags and some strands to hang down by my face. I felt... pretty. I looked at myself one last time in the mirror blushed and looked away. I didn't realize what effort could do for my appearance but then again, I had no reason to actually try before now.

I got to school and went to calc and then AP English. I was sitting there talking with Jordan when I felt this pressure in my head and a compulsion to look towards the door just as another new kid walked in. he made the hair on my neck and arms stand up. Whoever he was, I planned on avoiding him more than Kenzie. He gave me some seriously bad vibes.

I turned back to Jordan and smiled at him. He truly was gorgeous and smart and I just... Didn't deserve him. I couldn't even save my only friend. I felt myself getting choked up and closed my eyes taking deep breaths. I thought about poor Maxx Basco. Maxx. He gave up everything to be my friend. He stuck by me when no one else would. I'd never touched him so I didn't know. But I should have. God I should have known he was being beat at home. Full on abuse beating. I didn't know until too late. I called him to talk to him one day when he wasn't in school only to find out that he finally told his parents he was gay. They turned him out and when I had talked to him it had been a few hours after it happened.... And a few minutes before he killed himself.

I pressed my palms to my eyes and laid my head on my desk. I will NOT cry in class. Reel it in laurel. You know better than to show emotion at school. I took a deep breath and looked up. Jordan stared at me head cocked to the side as if asking me "you OK?" I smiled at him and waved it off mouthing that I'd tell him later. The bell rang and Mrs. Harris called class to order and introduced new guy.

"Alright class, we have yet another new student. Would you care to introduce yourself?" She asked the green eyed blonde boy standing up front.

"Names Rhys Maddox," he said looking around with a smirk on his face. My arms broke out in goose bumps. I don't know why but I really didn't like him. He had this oppressive aura about him. When his eyes met mine his smile faltered for a second. It was back in place so quickly I thought I had imagined it.

"Hmm looks like the only seat left is by laurel. Have a seat Rhys and welcome to AP English." I laid my head on my desk feeling increasingly nauseated the closer he got. I knew he would end up there. People avoided being near me so the seats on either side of me have often been empty. My stomach churned a bit but I managed to hold it in until class ended. I left my bags and bolted to the closest bathroom and emptied the contents of my stomach. I heard the door open and Jordan called out to me. I just groaned and placed my head on my arm on the toilet seat. "I'm fine Jordan!" I called out. "I think something I ate didn't quite agree with me." I laughed humorlessly and groan before dry heaving a few times. Jordan walked in and crouched down by me. He sat my bags down and started rubbing my back.

A few minutes later he broke the silence. "Feeling better Hun?" He looked at me worriedly. I nodded and leaned back into his arms. I reached for my bag and took out the bottle of cherry coke zero I had. I drank a little and got to my feet.

"I'm not sure what that was. I just felt really sick all through class. It's passed now. I feel all good." I smiled at him and took his hand. "Let's get to class." I said and we went on our way.

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When I got to lunch I went to the table me and Jordan share. I sat down with my packed lunch of chicken Alfredo Florentine. I added a little pepper and sat there eating slowly and waiting on Jordan to show up. My phone vibrated.

I'm so sorry laurel. Can't make lunch. Make up test I forgot! Xoxo -J

I smiled a little and replied.

Good luck sweetie. You can do it! Xoxo -L

I giggled because we had watched water boy recently. It was our favorite line. There was a shadow over me and I looked up and into the face of Rhys. My stomach clenched. "Y-yes?" I asked quietly.

"Mind if I sit here? I don't really know anyone." Just then Kenzie walked by and burst out laughing.

"Well hello there." She said demurely draping herself over him. "Now why would you ever want to sit with this freak of nature when you could sit with me sexy?" She asked grinning seductively at him. I dropped my eyes to my book in my lap and continued nibbling at my food.

He walked off with Kenzie murmuring in her ear while she giggled. Maybe they were laughing at me. Oh well. I looked up just as he turned to look back at me and when our eyes met I felt a pressure in my head and winced. I looked away and the pressure was gone.