Łひㄅ㈦

PART TWO

My own feet make their way toward the seat next to Chase and I totally regret it. He doesn't notice me, thank God. His eyes are fixed on the panorama outside, well... his bright green eye is. His other eye is overlapped by his prolonged fringe.

His features are quite foreign. Yes, like an alien. Black hair, green eyes and high cheekbones are the things that draw my attention. A mix of emotions swirl around in my stomach. Don't overthink about it. He's not dangerous... right? He did do bad things last year and it's triggering my nightmare once again.

Rumours say Chase Lane raped his neighbour, Alice.

I was friends with Alice, which made my mother think I had something to do with it so she told me to stay away.

That's what I want to do.

I look around for another seat. I don't mind sitting next to Jane or Fraya, but I'm pretty sure they'd rather have their boyfriends with them. Why God, why? I mumble something under my breath and sit next to Chase Lane, not making any eye contact whatsoever.

My code of belief still lives inside of me and I know God will protect me. If not, God would change this boy into a better person instead of a sinful one. When I get home, I'm going to sleep with he bible next to me, I don't care. The teacher really can't put me here. I have my God-fearing matters and must give credence to them, because I was clearly told to stay away.

Why am I complaining? He can probably smell my sweat and might be revolted by it. Bonus point, he's a guy. This semester is going to be a disaster. I get my phone out and put the camera on, studying my face for any spots or eruptions. It's hard to see because I also have freckles.

"Cheer up, Serena!" Teddy come out of nowhere with a burger suit on. "you too, Chase." He performs his little prance and pats our heads. "you two would love the new schedule transposes we've made!"

I smile and express it all out. "Thank you, Teddy."

"No problem, beautiful." I turn to look at Chase... and horrifyingly, he is looking back with his extraterrestrial green eye. That makes me look away, a bit too awkwardly. Chase already became conscious of it and I hear him shift in his seat. I want to swim away from him, so I can drown in crashing waves.

He's drugging me.

As I said, Chase has triggered my nightmare once again. I'm hopeless to move away to Isla, wherever she may be. I've never been in a class with him before, this must be God's nemesis for me. A tall girl with spectacles walks past my desk, her hand just clenching the sides of it to jump over the gap. Her legs slowly push my chair sideways, more toward Chase, and next thing I know... I have fallen over.

Maybe Chase shot me with his gun.

Everything is in slow motion. All the people in front of me stare with horror. My legs hit the ground first, my body held by someone with long forelimbs. My eyes slowly open, which also lets me know that my head is on someone's lap. I try looking up, but I feel ringlets of my hair in the way.

"Are you ok?" The voice is so flat.

I also realise that it's not my hair in my face, it's Chase's long fringe. It's soft and silky, making me giggle a little because of the vexed touch. Those green alien eyes are the only things I see. We're so close... I can hear waves crashing inside my head.

Chase triggered my nightmare once again.

Everyone is looking at us- I mean, me. My mother's voice rings in my head. "Stay away from him, Serena. I mean it," She said it with grit teeth. I get up, in a swift pace for everyone to see. "I'm fine," I let him know, wiping dust off my dress. He's capable of anything, isn't he? Chase Lane peers at me with a gratified look, like the cat just got it's cream.

What did he manage to take out of me now? I smile a little. There's nothing wrong with being a little friendly. I'm sure my mother won't mind that. Just normal classmates that sit next to each other... maybe that won't work. I'm scared he'll feast on me by tomorrow, even worse... today. I sit down on my writing desk, closing my eyes disgruntle.

»»------(¯' '¯)------»»

Free period. I've been waiting for years now... finally, it's here for me. Chase is in every one of my classes and I figured by now. He has been giving me weird looks all day... like he stole something off of me. Being confident is a good thing, but this guy can bring you down within' seconds. "Serena!" It's Dara with her with her blinding pamper bag.

She's nice to me, I guess. I think we're friends. "Hey, Dara." I smile at her.

Dara's smile is enough to make my day so far. "I was sent down here to give you an invitation to the penmanship club! The convention is in one week and we think you'll be great for our club. Plus, we even have Rederick High's best students in English! Like, Nora Cradway, Brody Callaghan, C.Evans and even Chase Lane."

Chase... that's giving me second thought. A penmanship club? April got kicked out of it last year and she warned me not to join it, but then again, Dara is a lovely person. I can't reject her offer. Even if I do, it'll hurt her more than being pricked by a needle. I don't want to be a downcast so I nod, accepting her proffer. "Of course, Dara. I'd love to join! Where do I trial up?" My enthusiasm makes her laugh.

"You don't do the appraisal just yet, honey. We need to find the highest students in their semester exams, transfer them to college with a scholar ship and then they'll start the penmanship club. It's to achieve so much, but if you really want to be in it, it's all up to you. They also end up paying for your commission fees too!" Dara has taken it too far.

I can't go such a long way only for a club. "It's ok, then. I don't think anyone would want to-"

"Come on, Serena... please?" Her voice is so sulky and I don't like it. "at least take the flyer and see what you can do,"

My hands grip the flyer and I stare down at it. The corner of my left eye can sense someone staring at us, just behind the tree near the edifices. I don't even bother to look up and see who it is, instead I act as if I'm reading the flyer. I nod and smile a little. "I'll see what I can do... I'll tell you in about a weeks time, ok?"

I actually gave in. Dara jumps up and down with delight, hugging me with a thrilling sensation. "Thank you! Oh my gosh, you don't know how I feel. I'm so happy- God, free period is over. Bye, got to run!"

She runs away, just across the edifices I was staring at. Now, to examine the tree...