Unseen (Book 1)

10: Nature

Last class of the day. The the room number listed on the schedule is "courtyard".
I walk out to the courtyard and see a crowd of kids including the Jacob, Arlon, and now Harry. The trio all together in one class. This won't be good.
Everyone is spread out seated on benches and other parts.
I find a spot far away from trouble and sit.
I have every intention of avoiding them, that is until I see her.
The mystery girl.
The same one from the hall before orientation and the party Saturday.
Maybe she knows what happened Sunday.
Either way I have to talk to her.
I realize I don't even know her name.
She's standing not far from the three bullies on the other side of the courtyard.
I get up and walk over to her.
Her back is turn.
I carefully touch her shoulder.
In the most crass tone possible she yells out, "F%#k off."
She turns around and with fury in her eyes, swinging at whoever is touching her.
I catch her hand just before it hits my face.
I watch as the anger leaves her eyes and is replaced by a warm familiarity.
"Hey." I say calmly
Her wrist is still in my hand.
There's a pause as we stare at each other, but it's not awkward. Not at all.
The moment is interrupted by Harry and his sidekicks walking over.
"If your type was losers all you had to do was say."
She snatches her wrist away and storms off.
I start to go after her when Arlon slides in front of my path.
I turn to walk around and Harry steps forward.
The three of them surround me.
I start to get angry.
"Go ahead. Samsung's not here to save you this time." Harry says.
I clench my fists.
I'm a few seconds away from throwing a punch when Mr.McKinsley walks into the courtyard.
"Is this everyone?" he asks looking around.
Harry and the others back down but not before Jacob pounding his fist into his palm and pointing at me.
Mr.McKinsley starts to take roll from a wooden clipboard.
I find a seat and wait for him to finish.
I listen carefully, not so much for my own name since I'm almost always the first on any attendance sheet.
I'm listening for her name.
The mystery girl.
Finally he reaches her name.
Blair Massey.
Once he's done taking attendance Mr.McKinsley announces that we're going on a hike.
The entire class gathers as he leads us out of the courtyard and through a side entrance that is normally closed off.
"Top of the hill and back" McKinsley shouts pointing up at the hill in the distance.
He starts to walk and we all follow. I'm not sure how we could even get a grade on hiking or survival. Seems like the only way you could fail is by dying and at that point what good are grades anyway.
We start out down the path.
I rush to catch up with the mystery girl.
"Blair?" I call to her.
She doesn't turn.
I run to catch up to walk alongside her.
"Blair?" I call again.
She doesn't acknowledge me even when I walk right next to her.
"I need to talk to you about Saturday."
She looks at me confused.
"Just forget it. It shouldn't have happened."she says
She starts to look down and walk faster.
Did something happen? She must know something that I don't. I still can't remember anything after the purple flowers.
"Wait." I say jogging to catch up.
"Please."I say.
I reach out for her.
My hand touches the dip in her back.
It feels familiar. I can tell she has the same feeling.
She turns to me looking into my eyes.
"Talk to me." I plead.
"There's gaps in my memory. I don't know if I did something wrong, but if I did I'm sorry. Just tell me."
She looks at me without saying a word.
Her expression starts to soften.
All of a sudden there's a shriek from the back of the group.
I turn and see a bunch of them have stopped and started to circle.
I rush to see what happened.
One of the girls ran across some kind of animal. Harry, Jacob, and Arlon along with a few of the other boys are gathered in a circle trying to stomp it.
This feels familiar.
I can't see what it is because of all the dust.
Harry hurries and grabs one of the fallen tree limbs and brings it over to the crowd.
He draws back to swing at the small creature.
Just before he can bring the branch down I snatch it from his hands.
He turns quickly towards me.
I push him sending him tumbling over.
The creature sees the opening and scurries over Harry and down the trail.
Arlon and Jacob turn and flare up at me.
I grip the branch tightly ready to swing until a voice thunders in the background.
"All this commotion for a little weasel?"Mr.McKinsley says before letting out a laugh.
Harry is on the ground, his hand painted with blood.
"The little prick bit me."Harry whines.
Mr.McKinsley walks over to Harry and has him to show his hand.
He looks and pats Harry on the shoulder.
"Rub some dirt on it and keep moving."Mr.McKinsley say before heading back down the trail.
His friends help Harry up while all give me death stare.
It's obvious this isn't over.
I turn and toss the brach far of into the distance.
Blair walks up with a smirk.
"You can't help playing hero, can you?"she says.
"Who says I'm playing?" I respond in a mysterious tone.
She laughs and I join in.
We continue walking down the trail following Mr.McKinsley's lead.
We start to talk.
Blair tells me that she doesn't remember what happened. The last thing she remembers is following me into the tunnel. She thought that maybe her and I did something more than just dance. The drinks from the party must've been strong. She says she only had one. She was worried about rumors. I tell her not to worry. I can't remember anything past the tunnels and the purple flowers.
I ask her about Bam. She has no clue who I'm talking about even after I describe him in detail.
It's strange how a person could just disappear without anybody noticing.
Strange. Her tell about going to talk to Dahlia after class.
"You can come along, be my sidekick." I say joking.
Blair smiles a big smile.
"Wow. Tempting offer." she says
"I'll have to pass. Homework."
"Your loss." I say playfully.
"I'll make sure to let you know what I find out."