Stepping Out Of The Shadow

Chapter six

Elecktra's point of view

What is up with Dylan? I know she's not alright because I can see this sadness, this emptiness in her eyes. I've been her friend forever, and I can even tell what she's thinking. Why is she acting so distant? Is it because of Hayden? She was fine before she saw Hayden, this morning in form. Or is it because of something else entirely? When we were younger, she never used to be this quiet. Now it's like she's gone mute. I know what people say about our friendship behind our backs. But Dylan's strong, petty things like that don't bother her. Since the start of year 7 she's suddenly gone really quiet. She always used to sing with me when we were younger, but now she just looks down and never looks up. I like Hayden, he's sweet, kind, funny and smart. Why does she dislike him? He obviously likes her, because when earlier on, at break, she rushed off to the toilets, we both knew something was wrong with her. Hayden kept talking about her all through break. He likes her. He really really likes her. Like, like likes her. It's so obvious, and yet she's totally clueless. She thinks he likes me, he doesn't. Even though he hasn't mentioned it, but the way he looks at her just shows it all.

When Dylan came in to Chemistry, Hayden signalled her to come and sit with us, she totally ignored him and sat at the front, alone. I could see the hurt in his eyes. And yet, Dylan thought that he liked me. I guess it's possible but I don't think so. Or maybe he likes neither of us, he's new, so he hasn't got many friends. I get my lunch and sit next to Dylan in the dining room. This day's going slow. "Hey, you okay?" I ask Dylan. She looks up at me with those sea-green eyes and nods. Even though she's totally oblivious to the fact, Dylan's really pretty. I start on my pasta, it tastes like rubber. Ugh. I notice Dylan has finished eating and plugs in her earphones. "Hi, guys" a voice says. I turn my head to see Hayden smiling down at us, I smile back and Dylan just nods and looks down.

Dylan's Point of view

Ugh. He's here again. I plug in my earphones and turn up the volume while Elecktra and Hayden talk. I quietly drum the beat of ''Hall Of Fame'' By The Script in my head. I take out my planner and start to draw, blocking everything out. I sense Hayden and Elecktra looking at me but I just ignore them. Keep away from Hayden. I chant in my head. And then suddenly I forgot about my Art Classroom. I was meant to go in today to work on my Art at lunch, and I totally forgot. Damn. I quickly get up to leave, when Hayden says "Whoa, whoa. Dylan, where are you rushing off to?". "Oh... um, I forgot that I had to um... go to my Art classroom to do my Art..." I mumble, looking down. "Oh we'll come with you!" Hayden exclaims. "Oh... no that's not necessary, I-". "Oh, I can't go, I just remembered I have to attend extra Science revision sessions" Elecktra states, cutting me off. And with that, she's off. I'm left alone with Hayden looking at me with pleading eyes. "Fine..." I mumble. Hayden jumps up like a little kid and obediently follows me. Ugh, what is he gunna do? Stare at me while I do my art? God. I enter my Art classroom with Hayden in tow. There are few other students there, working on their art. All heads turn towards our direction and I instantly look down. I go to my table and take my Art stuff out, while Hayden sits beside me. I sigh. "Hey, I'll help you with your Art, if need be. I'm quite an Artist" Hayden boasts. I snort, "Yeah I'll tell you to cut a piece of string out for me" I tease. "Pfft, you're just jealous" he huffs. "Jealous of what? Your extreme stupidity?" I reply. "Pfft, whatever" he says, looking hurt. "Sorry, I was just kidding..." I mumble. "Ha! Got you!" he exclaims. I roll my eyes and carry on with my work.

"Hey, could you hold that in place while I put glue on it?" I ask Hayden. "Yeah sure" he replies. "Thanks" I say. I make him hold the damn thing in place while I put glue on it. He hands it to me, while I carefully put in place. "You got a steady hand there" he marvels. "Thanks..." I mumble, concentrating on sticking the flimsy thing in place. Done. I sigh. "Thanks for your help" I mumble, looking down. "No problem!" he replies, looking down and smiling. Again with the perverted smiles and stares.

 ***

I make my way to the bus stop and wait for the bus to arrive. There are many other kids from our school and I make sure to keep a distance from them. I don't like crowded places. I plug in my earphones and turn the volume up. I feel a tap on my shoulder and jump, gosh, still jumpy. I turn around to see Hayden grinning down at me. SERIOUSLY?! "Ha! I scared you!" he exclaims. "Pffftt, no you didn't..." I lie. He raises an eyebrow and says, "I did, don't lie". Damn, curse my bad lying skills. I just roll my eyes at him and get on the bus. I'm just about to sit on a single seat at the front of the bus when someone grabs my arm, pushes me forward, and shoves me into a seat next to the window and sit beside me. I turn my head to see Hayden sitting next to me. "What the heck?!" I exclaim, "You can't just push me forward in to this seat and sit beside me!" I continue, "That's like abuse! God!" I finish. "You were gunna sit at the front, and I was gunna be a loner!" he protests. I glare at him. "Don't you dare do that, again!" I threaten. He just chuckles. I elbow him hard and plug in my earphones. He pulls one of my earphones from my ears and sticks it in to his ear. "I love this song!" he exclaims. "Give that back!" I exclaim, pulling it off him. "You're mean" he states. "And you're annoying" I snap. "Pfft" he replies, I just roll my eyes. Immature child. The bus stops, and I get ready to get off. "Is that your stop, now?" Hayden asks, a hint of... disappointment in his voice? "Mhm..." I reply. "Awh, bye!" he says. "Bye" I reply, and get off.