The Fate Of The Marked

Chapter Twenty-One

I knew that statement would be false as soon as I arrived in English the next morning. If it were possible, there were more students than on Friday. Everyone was talking loudly in the hallways about their weekends. I was nearly late because I couldn't get through the door. When everyone settled down, Mr. Gracy gave us our assignments. He made the girl, Emma, and Jax come to the back with me to do group work.

Jax was a tall boy with brown hair. One of his eyes was blue, the other was hazel. Something about the way he stared at me was unnerving. Emma's wild blond hair was pulled up into a messy bun. It looked like she had slept with it in. Her eyes, on the other hand, had dark circles under them. Jax introduced himself and watched me solemnly. Emma sighed like she would rather be anywhere else. We pulled The Outsiders out and got busy with our poster. Emma wouldn't let us write on it. I offered but she glared at me and informed me that she was perfectly capable of doing it herself.

Jax leaned back and put his hand behind his head.

"I don't get why you won't let me help." He said muttered. "You always end up complaining that I never do anything."

"I don't let you help because you always complain about having to do all the work." She said darkly, ducking her head a little more.

"Whatever, Emma."

She sighed. I flipped through the book again, uncomfortable, trying to see if there was anything I missed. Jax began to ask me some questions, and was almost as intent as Rolly had been. I gave vague answers, and answered most of his questions with questions. He had just began to ask something about Derek when Emma interrupted.

"Done!" She said, capping and tossing the marker on the desk.

She stood abruptly and went back to her desk. She pulled out a small notebook and began to write. I glanced up at Jax. He was glaring at Emma and the notebook. Something about the expression on his face made me have to look away. It was a strong mix between contempt and bleakness.

He mumbled something to himself, then smiled. It was a cruel twist of his lips that made him more intimidating. Something had changed drastically about him since the first time I had seen him, when he had smiled reassuringly at me from the front of the class. Jax was still staring at Emma. I knew she could tell by the way she bent over the notebook. She pulled her hair out of its bun as I watched and let it shield her face. I cleared my throat, gaining Jax's attention.

"What's up with her?" I asked, trying not to let my uncertainty of him show through.

"Emma's just really into doing things herself. Haven't you seen her in art class?" He asked, more loudly than necessary.

I nodded, knowing that he was at least being honest. She hadn't looked up the whole period, even when someone had almost spilt paint all over her. I hadn't dared to go close enough to see her painting.

"Is she a good drawer?" I asked lamley, to cover the silence.

"She's okay. But she's really good at dance. And Math. And pretty much everything else." Jax added. I thought I heard a hint of jealousy in his voice, but it was gone in a flash. "Do you like old Mrs. Hardgrove?"

I nodded. We sat in silence until Mr. Gracy came by and got our poster. I wished the whole time that Jax would move away, but he sat next to me. Everyone else was still working. The bell rang, making me jump. I gathered my things and made my way to art, only a few paces behind Emma. I slowed down and let her disappear from sight, not wanting her to think I was following her, if she didn't already know we had the same schedule. I grabbed my painting and my supplies and got straight to work.

Rolly was absent for the first part of class. The odd feeling of alertness hadn't left me and distracted me the whole time I painted. I barely noticed what I was doing. I had just glued some yarn around the edge of the crystal when he came through the door, making no effort to be sneaky. Mrs. Hardgrove looked up from her book. He smiled winningly at her.