Burning Sky

Chapter 6

The next day, Sora was exhausted. Seconds dragged by like hours in her classes. Sora could hardly keep her eyes open, let alone pay attention to everything around her. She was even oblivious to Drake's tense stares. She didn't even have the energy to begin to contemplate his intentions.

At last, it was lunchtime. Sora smiled, relieved that she could finally rest her tired mind, fill her belly and perhaps catch a quick nap.

She rose slowly from her seat and made her way to the door, only to find Drake blocking her way. Her smile faltered as adrenaline surged through her. For the first time all day, she felt alert.

She stopped to face him. There were no other students to save her this time. "What?" she asked, surprising herself by the sharp tone of her voice. She really wasn't in the mood for a confrontation. The usual feelings of terror and the urge to flee vanished. Anger surged through her as she planted her feet firmly and stared him down.

Drake was a little bit taken aback by her attitude, but he composed himself quickly, and flashed her a confident grin. "I need to talk to you," he said with a dead serious tone.

Sora shrugged, flipped her hair, and continued to meet his piercing gaze without showing the slightest sign of fear. She was looking straight into his black eyes without hesitation. "Well, too bad, because I'm in no mood to talk." She shoved past him. "Especially to you," she said and briskly walked away.

Drake's mouth popped open in surprise at her unexpected boldness, and he didn't even try to stop her from leaving.

Sora rounded the corner and drew in a sharp breath. She was relieved that Drake hadn't pursued her, because even though she put up a bold front, inside she was still a little scared, but she was proud that she had held her ground. Maybe a restless Sora is better than a restful one, she thought with a smile on her face. That will teach him!

With her new found confidence, she strode into the cafeteria and cut to the front of the line to stand next to Katie, ignoring the snide comments of her classmates in the process.

"Hello," she smiled to her friend once she was in front of her.

Katie smiled back. "You know, one of these days someone is going to kick your ass for moving past them in the line."

Sora raised her eyebrows surprised by the use of the word 'ass'. Katie was never one to use any inappropriate language, no matter what. "I think I am a bad influence," Sora murmured more to herself, but Katie heard her anyway and responded with a grin and a playful shove.

Once they finished eating, the girls decided to spend the last few minutes of their break sitting on the bleachers. Sora immediately slumped down once they reached the first seat. Her fatigue had returned. Katie seated herself in front of Sora and eyed her warily.

"You seem exhausted. Didn't you get a good night's sleep?"

"More like didn't get any sleep at all," she said as her eyes fluttered shut and her head dropped back.

A soft breeze whisked over Sora's skin, and she felt the warmth of the sun kissing her hands and face. It was pure bliss. Suddenly, a cloud blotted out the sun, and the warm wind vanished. Sora's eyes flew open to assess the change. She noted that Katie had turned away and was steadily watching the three students approaching them.

As the trio drew near, recognition hit Sora, and she immediately regretted her decision to come to the bleachers. Mia was heading straight toward them, and she wasn't alone, as usual Ben and Jordan were at her side. Even though they were a ways out, and their facial features were not apparent, Sora could easily recognize Mia's long, bleached blonde hair. Jordan's massive bulk and facial hair were easy to discern too. The nickname Sora had given him a long time ago was Donkey Kong, and it was certainly fitting.