Black Isn't Just For Rebels

Chapter 2

Jupiter barely made it on time for her shift at The Rex Apothecary. She had apologized but her boss, Mr. Tavner, told her not to worry. He was running late to check on the shipment for deodorant and left Jupiter the keys so she could lock up if he didn't get back before the shop closed.

She left her bag in a space underneath the counter of the cash register and set to assorting the disheveled jars that were on display in the window. It was apparent that Mr. Tavner was in an obvious rush while working before leaving. She threw herself into the task of refilling jars with herbs and powders to repel her thoughts of what had happened in the school hallway. 

The Riot wouldn't have actually hurt her, would he? Of course he would-he bit her and pinned her against the wall. His friends thought it was fun, but there was nothing fun about being picked on by someone who wasn't your own side. He had to have been at least 6 feet, or something bigger than 6 feet tall. And he had piercings and was smoking a cigarette. What was to stop him from burning her with the cigarette?

When the last few costumers left the store she set to working on homework, using one of the books she needed to get from her locker. Then she growled in annoyance and shut the book. The boy had a point. It wasn't her books or her locker. Now why was she letting the boy's words get to her?

She shook her head.

                                   ***
"You look pale," Jupiter's father said. She glanced up from her food and gave him a weak smile. Her mother watched her carefully and then shook her head before returning to her dinner. They were all sitting together quietly talking about how their day went.

"Just tired from work," Jupiter said. But she was lying. She was still thinking about the confrontation with the Riot until her father dropped the salt shaker. She picked it up and handed it back to him.

"I think you're just working too much," her mother said. Mom glanced up at her and smiled. "You've been working hard and that's amazing-but you need a break."

"Can't. Have to study and do homework and get a fat paycheck." She smiled back at her and then pushed her empty plate back. She felt very comfortable in the tub as she soaked in hot water, but her hand continued straying towards the place on her neck where the Riot bit her. It was supposed to be a small nick but it felt bigger, like a pimple. She wondered if she'd had to get a tetanus shot soon.

As she got out of the tub and dried off she noticed something in the mirror. Jupiter frowned and walked towards the mirror and placed her hands firmly on the counter and stared at the purple-red marking on her neck. She heard of them before, but she was pretty sure the Riot marked her with a hickey.

And she had been sitting in front of her parents with that thing on her neck. She almost gasped from surprise but then realized that if her parents suspected anything they would've said something sooner. So she prayed it was okay for now. The last thing she needed was her parents giving her the "no sex until you're 30" pep talk because she heard it every day from her teachers whenever a pregnant girl checked out.

She fell into an uncomfortable sleep that night because she could only think about how frightening and violent the Riot boy had acted. And let's not forget about the scary look in his cold blue eyes-she felt her soul withering under his intense gaze. But then she rolled over and snorted. It was only one odd confrontation. She wouldn't let Riot boy get a hold of her yet. So she pulled her pillow over her face, and Jupiter fell back to sleep.

                                     ***
Gabriel and Jupiter stared at the Riot boy from yesterday. He was sitting in the main office with his wrist cuffed to the chair with school police surrounding him like he was a snake that would slink by.

"So he's the one," Gabriel said. He looked down at the mark on Jupiter's neck. She never really wore makeup so she didn't have enough to conceal the marking. She had to wear a shirt with a collar until the marking would go away. But she'd just use some creams from work to heal it, or at least conceal the ugly thing until it healed.

"And all because he wouldn't move from your locker?" Gabriel asked.

"The locker," she corrected. "He has issues."

"I don't see why you didn't report him."

"I don't like to snitch."

"Even if it's a Riot?"

"This whole school is swarming with Riots. We can't exactly kick them out just because they're rebellious teenagers. We could suspend them and give them detention. Slow them down. But not because we don't like them. None of the teachers like us."

"A few teachers do," Gabriel argued.

"A few do," she agreed with a nod of her head. "But there isn't enough to kick every Riot out-not even this one." She jerked her chin in the direction of the Riot who was staring at the fish tank in the office.

"You could tell someone-"

"No. He's not exactly stable anyways." They should've gone to lunch but they were here instead, watching as the adults dealt with the boy. The principal spoke a few words and then the police were ushering the Riot out of the office. Gabriel looked the other way but Jupiter watched. She had to. The Riot saw her staring-and he scowled.

His gaze followed her until he turned his head and the police left the school with him in their custody. He looked like a criminal with handcuffs and Jupiter was glad. But was she really? It wasn't as if she got him in trouble. Why did she feel this sense of doubt?

She didn't care. The Riot was gone...for now.