Consumed

Chapter 2: Meri

Of course, the reprieve doesn't last long. And deep down, I don't think I wanted it to. It gives me too much time to think when others avoid me and don't talk. That's one thing I hate. Considering my life and what goes on in it is one thing I can't handle.

The reprieve ended as soon as we reached the school doors. One of the boys from my bus stretches his foot out in front of me, and being the klutz that I am, I trip over it and smack into the pavement. I would've hit face first too if someone hadn't caught my shoulders just in time.

Everyone streams around me to go into the building as I work up the courage to look up at a person I believe to be my next assailant. When I do look up, any ideas of that flee. The look on the guy's face is sympathetic with just a touch of anger. But I knew when anger was directed at me. He wasn't furious with me, but rather, he was angry at the guy who tripped me.

I remain there on my knees on the cold pavement as the guy steadies me. He lets his eyes roam over my body briefly, but he's obviously looking for injuries. Next words out of his mouth are, "Did the fall break anything?"

I'm not porcelain. I think. Then I feel bad. Maybe not, but no one else has ever showed any interest in your health, much less this much concern. Give the guy a break. "No, just some scrapes." I accept his hand up and look down at my jeans. The knees, which were previously intact, now have rips and blood stains from the scrapes I got when I fell.

"You look cold," the boy comments. At the same time, he pulls off his own jacket and settles it over my shoulders.

I start to protest, but he puts his finger to his mouth and smiles. "It's fine. You need it more than I do. Do those guys always treat you like that?"

Afraid of what he'd do if I told the truth, I shook my head. "No... They're mad at me for something right now."

"And the other kids are too?" A touch of sarcasm enters his voice as he shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans.

I eye him warily, but he doesn't make a move to hit me for lying. I'm sure he knows, but he's letting me lie to him without doing anything about it. No one does this for me. So I take the chance. "Thanks for the jacket... When I can I return it?"

"You can keep it... I have another one at home, and yours — no offense — looks like it's as thin as a sheet." He shrugs. "You'll catch a cold if you keep wearing it."

"Oh, I can't do that... uh..."

"Milan. Milan Servson." He flashes me a big smile. "You?"

I can't tell him the truth. He's too nice, and that's a danger to me. What if he decides to drop by? Any of the kids from my bus or around the school could tell him where I live. "Heidi." It's the first thing that comes to mind. I've been reading Heidi in the school library when I get the chance. I can't bring it home or I'd get in trouble with my mom for it. She doesn't want me reading at home because she says it keeps me from doing more productive things. I'm lucky she lets me do homework.

"Heidi?" He raises a brow. "You don't look like a Heidi."

I shrug, trying to play it off. "My mom has a weird taste in names, I guess." True enough. My name is strange. But tragically ironic considering it means joyful. My life's been anything but.

"Yeah... I'll see you after school?" Milan asks.

I shake my head quickly, eyes widening involuntarily. "No... Uh... I mean... I just have to do something else." I don't, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Really? Because you—" The bell rings loudly, cutting him off.

I grab my backpack from the ground where it had fallen from my shoulder. Flinging it onto my shoulder again, I smile at him and brush past. "I'm going to be late! Sorry..."