illumination

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Over the next few hours, the school day grew steadily repetitive. When the last bell rang I sighed with relief, than practically flew to my locker. In order to get out of the building even relatively early, I had to struggle with the combination lock on my locker while screaming various creative profanities. My locker and I had more of a hate-hate relationship than anything else. After almost ripping the door of its hinges I decided to just go home, homework be damned. That's why homeroom was created, right?

Running down the deserted hallways without paying attention to my surroundings, I ran into a solid, hard wall. A very warm wall. "Shoot, I am incredibly sorr-"

I freeze when I look up to see dark, almost black eyes staring at me. Crap, I thought to myself. My heart beat so loudly that I was sure he could hear it. His face looked as if it was carved from marble, it was so coldly gorgeous and devoid of feeling.

The strange boy backs up a step, and I blush from being this close to him. Compared to his height, my 5'5 inches felt tiny. He towered over me. His perfect, broad shoulders were covered with a black leather jacket, and his dark jean-clad legs ended with combat boots. My close contact to him caused my skin to tingle, my body humming with awareness of him, every nerve tingling with a strange sensation. His dark hair swung in front of his eyes, and I thought about my fingers reaching up and- No! Self control, I reminded myself sternly. No random, embarrassing mistakes in front of hot strangers.

Realizing I was staring, my face grew hotter and I stumbled back a step as well. He nods curtly, with no expression whatsoever on his sculpted face other than a vague annoyance. He then strides around my still frozen form, his tall frame swiftly walking down the empty hallway, leaving me in shock. When I gather my wits enough to turn around, he had vanished for the second time.

~

What was that? I ask myself as I unlock the front door to our large, slightly imposing Victorian. The paralyzed state I was in when I left the school parking lot had broken, leaving me confused, mortified, and irritated. But most of all, I was irritated. How dare he reduce me to such a pathetic, blushing mess? How dare I allow it?

I thought about the cold, dark aura that  hung around him like a cloud. It was as if he sent out Don't Mess With Me, You Will Regret It signals. From what I could see from his rude, antisocial behavior, it worked. Someone like that didn't get a lot of practice in human interaction. Peoples behavior had always fascinated me, challenged me to try and pedict what they would do next. If I figured someone out, they would no longer suprise me with their actions. I could plan ahead, or think of ways to deal with them.

This stranger intriqued me. Though his devastatingly handsome face was a draw, his blank countenance caught my interest. My anger at him was also a helping factor. I had the impulse to try and figure him out, to be prepared for anything that might come my way.

~

Walking into my spacious house, you would never know that I was practically living in solitude. The walls were painted a warm yellow, and the dark wood paneling created a cozy affect. Pictures of neutral, meaningless flowers and wildlife decorated the walls. Plush carpets softened the hardwood floors, throw pillows brightened the tan loveseat, and the coffee table had stacks of books. None of this dampened my rotten mood.

After roughly depositing my bag at the worn kitchen table, I stalked up to my bedroom, muttering curses under my breath. My room was one place that I never had to worry about keeping up appearances. When I was thirteen I graduated from pink painted walls to soft misty blue. My antique cherry four-poster bed that was across from the door had deep blue velvet hangings that were embroidered with tiny silver stars. I had found this luxury of mine at a local craft show. The bedspread was antique deep blue satin that my grandmother bought for me last year before she died.

I had reproductions of my favorite paintings covering almost every inch of the wall facing the bed, and the third wall had a huge bay window that looked out on an ancient oak tree with plush light blue cushions on the vast window seat. Curtains that matched my bed hangings hung around the window, so that if you were to draw them the window seat was completely enclosed. I spent many hours reading here, curled up with a favorite novel. The fourth wall held my cherry wood dresser and the door to my bathroom.

My room was admittedly enormous. My father forced me to take the master suite when we moved to this house after the death of my mother. Pictures of her littered my dresser, laughing and beaming with joy and radiance. My mom made everyone happy just by being in the same room with her. Some days, I missed her so much it felt like a physical illness. Dad used to be a happy man. Mom was so much a part of him; she took a piece of him with her when she died. What was it like, to so love and be so loved? It must have been a powerful thing, to so destroy a man like my father. Would I ever know such a love?

With that thought, I broke out of my reverie. Thinking of my mother had calmed down the indignant feeling coursing through me after my strange encounter with the gorgeous stranger. After lovingly touching a picture of Mom and me making funny faces when I was seven, I plopped less then gracefully unto my window seat and diligently studied SAT vocabulary for two hours.

~

Stretching my cramped muscles, I decided I crammed enough knowledge into my brain for one night. I grabbed my well loved copy of Pride and Prejudice and made my way to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Noting that I direly needed to restock my fridge, I examined the contents. Oh well, I can just make macaroni and cheese, I thought to myself guiltily. One of my weaknesses was Kraft Mac and Cheese.

As I boiled the water it started to rain heavily outside. Thunder boomed, and the sharp flash of lightening filled the room. I have always loved thunderstorms, but an uneasy feeling filled me, leaving me shivering. Somehow, I felt as if something or someone was watching me. Torrents of water pounded against the roof, limiting my hearing. I thought I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, but when I whirled around there is nothing there.

Shaking in fright, I turned off the stove walked and swiftly up the stairs into my room, locking the door. I breathed heavily as I ran to my dresser. Pulling out my pepper spray, I sat on the edge of my bed, back ramrod straight. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight up as my terror grew. As I waited for something to happen, I heard a sound coming from my window. A chilling feeling forced the air out of my lungs, and for a faltering moment, my heart stopped. Slowly, my movements precise as ice water filled my core, I turned around. I raced to the window brandishing my pepper spray wildly. 

Nothing was there.

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Sorry guys, this was a kinda uneventful chapter. I promise to spice things up soon! At least it was longer this time. Thanks for reading, Love You All !