High School Recall

Chapter Four

"Did you see the news?" Jen nudged Chloe's shoulder, showing her phone. "I thought they went extinct," she stated in disbelief.

The headline set alarms off in Chloe's head. Was the Division informed about this? "Yeah, I thought so, too," Chloe replied flatly. The phone in her pocket vibrated. The same news appeared on the screen, along with a message attached onto it.

-Issue is being prosecuted-

Chloe blew a breath and shook her head. Vampire sightings were always problematic, especially when the epidemic has passed centuries ago. The Division - a group of people in power that took care of these problems, keeping them free to live undiscriminated.

"Do they want us to live in fear or something," Ruby sneered, repositioning her braid.

Chloe rolled her eyes, turning to the redhead. "Why should we, they're at the edge of extinction anyways." She paused, the statement stung. "They're the ones who should be afraid," she improved.

"You're right." Ruby nodded thoughtfully. "By the way, have you seen V? So unlike her to be late."

Jen and Kirsten scanned the classroom.

"What's that?" Kirsten jumped from her seat, running to the window.

It can be heard then, a commotion.

Drawing his arm back, Ivan drove his fist into Eli's face. Malice filled his eyes as they narrowed at the boy.

Eli's head flew back, his body stumped backwards.

Ivan stood straight, eyes bulding with rage as he stared at his opponent - Valerie's new interest, a punk with no manner and a smart mouth. "You... Little..." Ivan took a lurching step forward each word. "Shit!" He swung again.

The blow was too sluggish, Eli ducked under it easily.

Before Ivan could register the dodge, however, a much smaller body shot onto his shoulders, a lousy attempt to push him back. He glared down at the owner of the body.

"Stop it! You're going to kill him!" A high-voice, very familiar to him, screeched.

Blinded with left-over rage, he raised his hand again, ready to struck. How dare did she -

The building rage was stopped as if the time was paused. A hand, significantly smaller than his, caught his fist. Ivan's eyes widened at the power of the grip.

"I don't think you'll fancy the idea of hitting a girl, not to add, someone you like," the feminime voice drawled, dragging at her own pace.

Ivan turned his head to look up and his eyes met emerald green ones, its sharpness reminding himt that of a cat's. His eyebrows shot up. New girl.

Chloe threw his fist back, a sneer on her face. She pulled on Valerie's shaky hand and dragged her out of the scene. "Do you have a death wish?" She didn't bother to lower her voice when she hissed. Her gaze softened seeing Valerie shaking. She took a deep breath and turned to the other girls sharply. "Take her somewhere quite to calm down," she half-heartedly commanded.

They nodded without a word and scurried off.

Chloe took deep breaths, steadying her frantic heartbeat. She was still panting from running down three sets of stairs. She turned to see the crowd dispersing, Coach Britton approaching the boys with his face reddened and clenched fists.

"Lindqvist! Hendricks! Follow me!"

Eli cringed, placing a hand to cover his throbbing lips. He could taste blood from the punch. Stumbling, he stood himself and look to the side almost instinctively. Chloe's stare made him hang his head down immediately, warmth flushing his head, making the throbs even more awful.

"Idiots," Chloe cursed under her breath before walking away.

Ivan has decided, he was going to have his revenge to the new girl. For making him look like a fool, and stealing Valerie's favor, yet again. Valerie hasn't stopped tailing her around, showering the girl with thanks and admiration. The New Girl? Brave? Eesh, more like stupid.

His dilligent eyes followed Chloe as she made her way with a tray of food in hand, and narrowed with mischief. She was not about to get away with getting his uniforms wet and detention. He stood, eye-balling his chances before strolling his way to the girl, pretending to look at his phone.

Oomph. Chloe's left shoulder hurt as if she just walked straight into a wall. Her eyes widened, watching her grilled chicken flew out of its plate and the content of her glass spilling.

An ooh could be heard throughout the cafeteria, all eyes on the girl who sat on her bottom painfully. The water splashed all over the floor, damping Chloe's uniform in the process. Scrapes of chairs were followed with angry footsteps, heading to where Ivan was standing, satisfied.

Slap.

Ivan stared dumbfounded, a hand coming up to his cheek. He couldn't believe the turmoil he felt. Valerie Montgomery herself, panting in anger, her face red with embarassment and disgust. The side of his face stung, a blazing red mark appearing already.

"Walk away now, or give your other cheek," Valerie seethed, challenging.

Ivan gaped, unable to form a straight thought.

"Go away!" Valerie pushed him to the direction of his table. "What!" She snapped at the watching audiences, who quickly looked back to their meal. She swiveled to look at the aftermath, only to find her friends standing awkwardly over the scattered lunch. "Where's Chloe?"

Ivan Lindquist has just dug his own grave. She swore she would shove him into it and bury him herself. Chloe's thoughts were haywire as she stormed down the hall, eyes set on the girl's bathroom. All the students parted to let her pass, startled by the murderous look on her face.

The tap water was running, its sound muffling Chloe's struggle to control her breathing. Her fists clenched and unclenched, willing to gain control. The urge to smash the basin was overwhelming, anything to release the weight on her chest. She splashed her face with water numerous times, cooling the warmth that reached her ears. She sighed in resignation, using the tissue to clean the smears of her makeup before turning the tap down.

"You're okay, you're okay," she mumbled to the mirror, nodding with certainty.

He couldn't help looking back to the bathroom door. Again. He has no idea what to say if she came out, but still decided to lean on the wall that faced the bathroom. He looked down at the box in his hands, the mouth-watering smell of Pizza coming out of it. Nope, he brought it for Chloe.

The door swung open widely, and the footsteps stopped. Chloe stared blankly at Eli. "Are you waiting on me, Hendricks?" her tone was accusing.

His feet weakened. He handed her the box, cursing his hands for shaking. "Thought you'd like something to eat."

She stared at the box, a whiff of beef and cheese slapping her face. Her stomach grumbled. "Thanks," she mumbled, taking it. She inhaled when she opened the lid, the bliss pizza sticks brought her was overwhelming.

He followed Chloe's footsteps, a smile fighting its way to his lips. "You like pizza?"

She turned around. "I love pizza," she stated. "Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Yeah," he answered short.

"No you haven't." She sighed, shaking her head. "Treat yourself." Her tone was commanding as she held out the box.

"Nah, it's for you."

"It can feed three stomachs, yours can pass as two." Of course it hid an insult.

He succumbed to the smell, not noticing the offence attached to her words. He cringed when it touched his busted lips.

"It must sting," Chloe stated casually. She shrugged. "Your fault."

"Eh, I brought you food," he managed.

"So?"

"Nothing," he shook it off. "Newbies should have each other's backs, right?"