Dancing in the Rain

3: Marcy's Hedge Labyrith

Finally, the half day of torture was OVER! We had gotten a feel for our classes and schedules and been sent home. We all burst out of the building, now free as birds. Well, birds that had to return tomorrow at 8:45.

I was one of the last ones out of the place, glad to feel the wind on my face. Ah, fresh air. Then, I heard them laughing. All four of them. I had hoped to avoid them in most classes, but there were only 2 classes they were not in. History, and language 2, if you're interested. Who was I talking about? The CPs. The 4 most Cool and Popular girls (and guy) in school. And they hated me.

I looked around quickly, trying to find my exit route. Last time we all saw each other, I had to get new books and a backpack. I quickly look down the street to the Marcy's Hedge Labyrinth. Nobody really knows where it came from, it's just kind of always been here. The noise came from the parking lot up the street, so I break out into a sprint.

I dash towards the leafy green intricate safety. "Oooh, there's SamAAAANTHA!" One of the girls called. I ran faster. "Awe, DONT RUN AWAAAY!" Another laughed. I entered the maze, took two lefts, 7 rights, and 4 more lefts until I reached the center of Marcy's Hedge Labyrinth. I heard the harmonious laughter of the CPs entering the maze.

I breathed hard as I recovered from the sprint. I leaned against the hedge, and heard a small thud beside me. I looked down by my feet and saw a dead bird. Of course, I screamed. Thanks a lot, Tweety. Then Jamal, the only boy CP, turned around the corner at that second. Seeing as he was blocking the only exit, is 4 inches taller than me, and plays football, I turned back and ran into the center space.

"Hey girls! I found her! She's trapped! Get here now!" he called. One by one, Ashley, then Georgia, then Phoebe showed up and choked off my escape route. I backed up until my back hit the leafy green wall. A slight fog began to roll in and made it harder to see. I heard some more hyena laughter as the CPs became clearer as the got closer.

"You know Sammy, you look like a nerd with all those books," Georgia smiled a fake smile as she reached for my backpack. I swatted her hand away as Ashley grabbed a fistful of my hair. I punched her in the shoulder and shoved her away. Jamal wasn't getting in on it at all. He was just standing in the corner with Phoebe lighting cigarettes.

I dove just in time to dodge a slap from Ashley, and thankfully tripped her in the process. I grabbed a small rock by me and threw it into Georgia's thigh. I stood up just to get shoved back down by a surprise attack by Phoebe while Georgia and Ashley stood. They grinned down at me and ripped my backpack off my back. "Hey!" I yelled as I dove for it, just to get shoved back down again.

This time I sprang back up and snatched the bag onto my shoulder again. I backed up again to the hedge and prepared to fight back once more. Suddenly, something grabbed me from behind and pulled me through the hedge. As I turned to face the thing, I heard a familiar voice. "Hey! Hey! Sam! Are you okay?" August asked. I spun around to see him. The look in his big green eyes gave me butterflies.

"Yeah, yeah," I lied. He gave me a look that I knew he didn't believe me. It began to drizzle as we heard. "WHAT THE-" thunder suddenly roared, "-JUST HAPPENED?!" Ashley screamed. "I don't care! My hair is getting wet!" Jamal cried. August grabbed my hand as we began to run. "Do you know how to get outta here?" August asked. I gave the directions to escape Marcy's Hedge Labyrinth as turns came.

Rain began to pour as we made it out of the Hedge Maze. August and I ran to the school parking lot, where we discovered all my tires were deflated. August took off his jacket and held above both of us. It helped a little, but not much.

As we began our trek to our houses, the fog began to clear. "So... What do you like to do?" August asked. "Well... Um... I-I like to write poetry," I said kind of ashamed, "How about you?" He chuckled, "I can draw, kinda." "Kinda?!" I said, "I saw you doodling all day in class today! They were amazing!" He chuckles and blushed. We walked in silence for a block or two. "HEY!" August yelled, "Samantha, say something poetic RIGHT NOW!!" I jumped and stammered a bit.

"I got nothing!" I said, defeated. Finally, we made it to our homes on Cedarwood Lane. "Thank you August, for everything," I smiled. "Ah no problem, Ms Samantha Porter," August said as he winked. "Wait? How'd you learn my last name?" I laughed. He smiled and laughed. "I can read miiiinds!" "Well, at least let me know yours," I reasoned.

"My last name? Bell. August Bell," he dramatically sighed. "Well, August Bell, thanks for the rescue, the cover, and the company. See you at school tomorrow?" "I wouldn't have it any other way, Porter," he smiled his amazing smile. "Now get inside, my arms are killing me!" I laughed and ran inside 41 Cedarwood Lane and watched a boy named August Bell, who'd saved me in Marcy's Hedge Labyrinth, run into house 43.