Heat

I.

It's like a fever. Your joints ache and your body resists your most basic movements. The worst was in the hips, laying down was agony, moving and walking, rotating your hips, it's better to stay as still as possible. There were only a couple weeks left of school and of course I was sick in bed with this raging fever. Sweat pooled on my forehead with my hair soaking the beads that fell back. My complexion remained pale and sickly with deep purple bags under my eyes. The shockwaves of searing heat traveled out from my stomach and radiated to my head and tips of all my limbs. My fingers and toes felt ready to release the pent up energy that flowing freely through me but remained stuck until the next wave pushed through and replaced it. My breathing was labored and it became harder to sit still. I needed to move around. I got up and went into the bathroom, a cold bath or shower is exactly what my body needs to make it to school.

The last couple of weeks of high school. Fun excitement for those that peak but for those that move on to better things, the last weeks drag on. I wasn't planning to go to the events as not many of the student body for my school would care if I was there or not nor would I enjoy myself. When everyone hit puberty or got into high school the usual thing happens. Cliches form and those who don't make it are SOL; shit out of luck. I was disadvantaged from the start. For some reason i was the "rogue" of the class which by definition was not something I would classify as. "Dishonest" and "unprincipled". Most of the students did that anyway but a good couple others kept to themselves, the hierarchy of the school made sure to keep me from participating in social standing but it would all be over soon.

Water hydrated my skin and cooled the scorching burn but only slightly. I was getting almost no relief. I needed to plunge myself into an ice cold lake. With that thought in mind my body went into overdrive and as if automated, my body ignored any and all pain and bounded out of the house. Parents weren't ever home so it's not like they would miss me for being gone for a couple hours. I have no idea where I was going but an urge had pushed me in the direction of the woods behind our house. My surroundings was blurring and the heat I felt dampened with the wind but still fiery. I paused gasping for air at the clearing. Steep hills caressed the body of water, reflecting the full moon that draped the night sky. Trees adorning the hills tucked the pocket of water away and kept the secrets that happened here just whispers to the outside. This is what I needed. Without hesitating I stripped my clothes off my body and  dove into the shivering lake. The piercing ice sent relief to my body, I could relax without this fire in me. I let the water embrace me and closed my eyes.

I don't recall what happened after closing my eyes. One minute I'm soaking in the lake and the next I'm outside my house in the backyard naked. I woke up on the dewy grass just before the porch of the house, dirt caked under my fingernails, hair frizzy and blown out. My body was moist from what smelled like sweat, dirt and grass. I don't understand what happened and how I lost track of time but it appeared to be just about dusk. The sun has just barely peaked, creating a light blue blanket barely grazing the tops of the trees parents should be home in the next couple of hours so I can get away with sneaking in to the bathroom on the first floor.

I turned the water on in the shower and adjusted it to my normal scolding hot temperature, I let the water adjust and stare into the mirror. Steam engulfed the edges and centered myself. Aside from my disgusting appearance my complexion has gone from sickly to a radiant warm glow, my hair was normally more red under certain lights but it somehow seemed more orange. My eyes are what caught me off guard next. Normally the brown reminded of those dried leaves on the ground from oak trees in fall but there was a different flare to it. I didn't want to believe it but there was just no other way to describe the color, it was hot gold that complimented the brown and highlighted a bit of green the hugged the edges of my eyes. Whatever happened to me, I don't think it would be wise to tell anyone, who would believe me? It's better to just lay low as much as possible and get out of this town before I have to deal with more questions.

After my shower it's as if all the sick in my body had left, there wasn't a lingering cough, no aches in my body, no runny nose and no more fever. School felt more odd today as well when I arrived. Staring was more obvious and more abundant from the student body. Glares were most common but the thing that changed for me was the disgusting odor that was all around me. I had worn thankfully a hoodie to school to bring to my nose and block the smell but no matter what I did it would creep in between the seems. Everyone smelled like mud and wet grass and the guys were just sweaty and repugnant. I don't ever remember smelling people this bad before but it was incredibly strong. Maybe it was because of my night time adventures that I have that odor lingering in my nose but this was going to cause a headache today.

My head was pounding by the time the final bell rang. I watched the clock closely and when it finally was time I was the first out. When I left the building I slowed myself because the bus I take is still not here yet but I situate myself on a bench and plug in my earphones. Anything to drown out everyone around me screeching to get home. The hair on the back of my neck began to stand up as if my body could sense something large approaching me, almost a warning. I take an earphone out and turn my head in the direction of the school entrance, there Ethan was. Something about him today, he looked more pissed off than normal. It would be exciting to see who he puts down today. Ethan Mahoney was the head student, he ran the school and made sure everyone was in line and our school succeeded. He took his job a bit too seriously but that what happens when high school is your peak. He couldn't have been coming my way there's just no reason for him to. I don't cause problems like some students but behold in all his glory, Ethan standing in front of me with a scowl etched into his face.

"Yes?" I asked rather confused.

"We need to talk" he says without moving any muscles other than his lips. He definitely was not in any good mood.

"Okay speak then" I pulled out my earphones completely and paused whatever song was playing. He looked ready to explode though.

"Not here, let's go" was all he said before turning and walking to his car.