In the Shadows

Chapter 5: The Immature Devil

   There is a crisp overly sanitized smell in the air, yells and cries of people, the terror in my chest and my sobs. "BEEP BEEP," I shot right out of bed to my loud alarm.

   Damn that nightmare again, actually more like a terrorizing memory. I get tangled up in the sheets and literally roll out of bed to face plant the floor. I get up and go to the bathroom. After washing my face and brushing my teeth I got dressed in a slightly cuter outfit than usual- boyfriend jeans and a baggy long-sleeve school sponsored tee. I put my hair in two boxer braids, ate, brushed my teeth and left for school.

    Later that day I snuck into English without drawing anyone's eye. I made my way to the back corner desk and got out my book in a matter of seconds.

   "Boo," I heard in my ear. I shrieked and fell out of my seat in natural response. I turned and saw James laughing his head off.

   "Can you not," I whisper yell unamused, "You're drawing too much attention for my taste, and while the head jock may be used to it I prefer not."

   "Oooh feisty. I just thought I'd say hello to my new friend," He says trying to make it sound like a fact.

   "And who said we were friends." I retort obviously pissed off. I mean he is so immature. Why would I want to be friends with him of all people?

   "I said so. Besides I thought we had fun yesterday." He says the last part seductively in my ear trying to play it off cool.

   "Well I guess that was just you. I mean I did show you up." I reply innocently looking up through my eyelashes. I really did show him up though, just not the way I implied. Honestly, I did kinda enjoy yesterday, but I would NEVER admit it to the already arrogant enough bastard.

   "Whatever you say kitty kat." He says condescendingly. I hiss in reply to his stupid comment.

   " I mean see its perfect," he continues, "you hiss, you ignore people, you're cute so you are my kitty kat."

   "Shut up. Just get to your seat because the bell is about to..." I say just as the bell interrupts me. I swear James getting on my last nerve. Seriously, can he just leave me alone. This is just another reason I've been ignoring people for the last year. I feel like it would be so easy to wring his neck, or make-out with him. Making-out with him would be nice I mean he is... NO! BAD THOUGHTS!

   "Hello students!" Ms. West begins cheerfully. How is she so peppy at the end of the day? All of us are beyond ready to go home at this point.

   "First thing, pass in your worksheets from yesterday." Ms. West continues with pep. The class shuffles and we send our sheets forward.

   " Today we are going to watch the terrible movie of the book we just read to point out all the things done horribly by the screenwriters," everyone laughs, " but we will end class early to work on your partner projects." Ugh no! That means I have to talk to the devil with a five year old mentality sitting next to me. Speaking of, James turns to face me and raises his eyebrows; I glare back.

   Thirty minutes into The Crucible Ms. West stops the movie. The lights are turned back on and the whole class groans.

   "Okay class so jot down the last of the movie inconsistencies and we will continue tomorrow. For the rest of the period I am giving you some time to work on your partner project. Now I didn't think it needed to be said but based on the sheets I received, I guess I need to make it clear. While I will give you some opportunities to work on the project, most of the work should be done outside the classroom. Now that being said I will leave you to it."

   "Well how about we play 20 questions?" James asks me once Ms. West returns to her desk.

   "Why?" I ask uninterested.

   "I don't know? Maybe because we are supposed to get to know each other for this project." He states the obvious.

   I groan in reply, "Fine. So why football?"

  "Well could you start a bit easier?" He asks. I give a deadpan look. "Ok I guess not. Um because my dad wanted me to, I am pretty good at it, and scholarship opportunities so... Ok so why did you move?"

   "Move?" I ask confused.

   "Well you didn't start going to South Pines till Junior year so I just figured..."

   "You figured wrong," I interrupt, "I transferred."

  "From where?" Him becoming curious.

  "Nope, my turn. Do you have any hobbies? I mean other than football, sleeping around, and partying." James mumbles something incoherent under his breath.

  "What? I can't hear you." I tell him more curiously.

  "Well... I like to read and play music; Guitar and Piano really." He says quietly. Huh looks like he actually does something meaningful in his spare time.

  "Ok so why did you transfer?" He interrogates. Oh Sherlock I'm screwed. What lie to make up? Luckily the bell rings at that instant. I scramble out of my seat as fast as I possibly can and make a bee-line for the door.

   "Kat wait!" I hear James call after me as I flee. I don't bother turning around and hop in my Jeep, driving straight home. That is a question that will not be answered, at least not any time soon.