The Enigma of Romance: Sarina Matthews

chapter one: part two

Part II: A New Friend

It was the end of first period, a chill bit my covered skin as I walked through with my books on my way outside for breakfast. This was the worst thing about the school's block schedule. Having three classes a day in a regular six-hour instructional day meant all of the classes were almost the length of two. Exhausting to say the least. And it wasn't even noon. I stuck to the perimeters of the locker barricaded halls, unfortunately getting caught against the current on my way to my own locker. Now that I had first period next to the library I had to backtrack to my locker to put my stuff away before going back to the cafeteria. I hated this school. Everyone was so-

"Hey, Sarina!" I cringe at her voice. Anytime you hear it, trouble was a second behind her.

"Leave me alone Mini." I managed to let out, thanking God my words could actually be heard.

"Shut up, you should feel glad anyone is paying any attention to you." She wrapped her perfect golden arm around my shoulder pulling me into her. "Now, I got an essay on Radiocarbon I need you to type up. Can you do that for me?"

"No." I don't know what compelled me to do something like that but I did.

"Have it ready by-- wait, excuse me?"

"I said no?" What was wrong with me? I couldn't stop the words from leaving my lips. Oh, I wish I could have. Mini looked just about ready to tear me limb from limb.

"Ok listen up. First off, don't ever think of defying me like that again. Second, what makes you think you have a choice?"

"I won't let you push me around."

"Oh, you won't? What are you gonna do about it? Run home and cry to your mommy and daddy? Because-- oh wait, that's right, you don't have anybody to go home to." I couldn't find my voice to retort again. How dare she? How dare she say that to me?

"What, ran out of clever little comebacks in that clever little brain of yours?" I felt like I was shrinking. Shrinking down to the size of an insect and she was a lion. I wasn't her prey, I wasn't even worth her time and attention. She laughed sarcastically clapping her hands together. "Oh! I know! She probably came to school today thinking 'how could I piss Mini off more than I already do by breathing?'." I still hadn't uttered a word. "Listen, sweetie, you don't have a choice here. You know why? Because we had an agreement." I gasped. A smirk formed on her perfect lips as the words formed with her perfect voice. Why does she still remember that? She was supposed to forget, not give a crap about me. Why does she still remember?

"Leave her alone Mini." An irritated voice interrupted. She rolled her eyes turning to the brunette boy.

"Leave me alone Dylan." She spat out. His brows furrowed together in anger reminding me of Nathan.

"Why do you always have to pick on her? You think you're better than her or something?"

"I don't think I'm better, I know I'm better."

"Just-" He sighed. "Come on Mini it's getting old." She glared at him while he challenged her to go against him.

"Fine." She said calmly. I wasn't fooled by her sweet facade. "Don't think I'm done with you." She said with a tight smile. She looked down at my books for a second before knocking them out of my arms. Loose-leaf paper fluttered across the floor and ripped from the three rings of my binder. She chuckled softly. "Whoops, sorry." All with that sick smile.

"Mini..."

"What Dylan? I said sorry." She sighed exasperatedly before walking away, Dylan following without sparing another glance my way. I exhaled shakily before bending down to pick up my things, folding them back carefully from their spine breaking position. I was glad none of them tore. Before I could pick up my last book, a boot landed straight onto it. Oh thanks, I needed more footprints on this book anyways. He bent down on the floor like me and thumbed through the book before looking at me with those incredible brown eyes. Light-filled.