Delivering Damon

deux

d e u x - t w o

     Lunch came around much sooner than I had hoped. I wasn't used to having a lot of attention focused on me, so I cowered slightly behind Row—who met up with me in the hall—when we walked into the cafeteria. Great, now I'll have to find a new table to sit at and make friends with all new people. I found myself desperately wishing Jess were here to make it easier for me. I could just imagine her red, curly locks flying behind her as she walks up to whichever table she deems "hers," and flashes her bright smile at the poor, unsuspecting students already sitting there. Within minutes, she'd have the whole table laughing and sharing stories as if they'd known her their whole lives. God, I really miss my best friend.

     Snapping back to reality, I realize that Row had stopped walking as soon as we'd entered. Then, it hits me. At our old school, Row was the captain of the football team—and we're in rival territory now. Things are bound to be a lot more difficult for Row now that he isn't at the top of the food chain anymore. We stand there for a bit, in front of the cafeteria doors, and an awkward bout of silence ensues as everyone stops what they're doing to pay attention to us. With a short sigh, Row leads me over to the lunch line, pulls down two trays and hands one to me. Realizing that we're not going to spontaneously explode or whatever, the rest of the students go back to minding their own business.

     After getting our food, a greasy slice of pizza with an apple and a bottle of water, we look around for a place to sit. The only empty table was in the back corner near the exit and I immediately rush over, set my tray on the table, and collapse into a chair. Row, who isn't used to sitting away from the crowd, looks out of place. "It's fine, Row," I say, "no one pays attention to the people who sit in the back." I'd know, I've been sitting in the back since freshman year. I don't dare say that out loud, knowing that he'd just feel guilty for leaving me even though I was the one who strayed away.

     We're quiet for a couple minutes as we pick at our food. Then, Row lifts his head and looks at me. Confused, I cock my head and scrunch my eyebrows at him. "I'm just wondering if you're doing okay. I know I wasn't the best brother when we were in our old town, and I kind of abandoned you when we got to high school. I just want to do it right this time," he confesses.

     "Row, stop. Just because we didn't hang out at our old school doesn't make you a bad brother. Besides, I'm doing fine here. Other than the staring, people pretty much leave me alone—and that's exactly how I like it. Now come on, the bell's going to ring soon and I don't want to be late to class." Right as I say this, the bell rings and I rush to dump my tray. I'm dreading my next class because it's third period: the class I have both Row and Zack for. Putting an arm around my shoulder, Row leads me down the hall and I mentally prepare myself for what's to come. Hopefully, there won't be too much trouble.

     As we approach the door, my nerves start to build up again because I have to introduce myself to yet another class. Thankfully, this time I have Row with me. He meets my eyes for a brief second before opening the door. As we both step in, the students already in the classroom start staring and whispering. The teacher shushes them and gives us an embarrassed look. "Don't mind them, they're excited because we get to have both new students in our class," the teacher says.

     Yet, as I look toward the back of the room, it becomes clear that that isn't the only reason they're excited. Sitting at the furthest table in the back-right corner of the room are Zack Pierson and his best friend (the football captain), Damon Carter. Since I've only ever seen him from the stands on game nights, I've never been able to get a good look at him beyond the shoulder pads and football pants. Seeing him now, it's obvious why all the girls from both our new school and our old one fawn over him.

     My eyes roam over his body as I assess just how handsome he is. His head is topped with wild, chestnut-colored hair that looks soft to the touch. Deep set, hazel eyes sit under a pair of thick, dark eyebrows as if his face is in a permanent smoulder. His Greek nose is slightly crooked, like he's broken it before. A small smattering of lightly-colored freckles lays across his nose and prominent cheekbones, and his lips—pink and plump. There's an even stubble growing across his cheeks, upper lip, and chin like he hasn't shaved in several days. His neck is thick, and his Adam's apple moves up, then down as he swallows. His shoulders are broad and lead down to toned, muscular arms, and though I can't see his legs from where I'm standing, I can only imagine that they're just as perfect as the rest of him. Dear Jesus, I think I'm in love.

     Distantly, I hear someone clear their throat. Then, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I blink several times before I remember where I am—standing at the front of a room with thirty sets of eyes staring back at me. A deep blush creeps up my neck as I peer up at Damon to find him already looking at me, smiling. Good going, Dylan; now the whole class will think you have the attention span of a squirrel. "As I was saying, we've only got two seats left so you're both in luck. Ms. Jameson, since Mr. Jameson was so quick to snatch the seat right at the front, you may proceed to the open seat next to Mr. Pierson in the back," the teacher tells me. I desperately hope that there's another Pierson in the class, and that she didn't mean Zack. But when she waves a hand in his direction and Zack starts waving violently, my shoulders sag in defeat and I head for the vacant chair next to the fanatic blond.

     I set my pen and notebook on the table as I take my seat. Just as I'm about to start taking notes, Zack turns to his right so that he's facing me and his back is to Damon. "Hey, Dylan! Damon, this is Dylan, the girl I was telling you I met in first period. Thank God, you're here now. It gets boring back here with just this loser," Zack points a thumb behind him where Damon is rolling his eyes. "He always tells me to be quiet and leave him alone because he's trying to learn. As if the Warden teaches us anything. We've had her for two years and I haven't learned anything." I laugh, and Damon rolls his eyes again.

     "How many times do I have to tell you that her name is Ms. Ward, and not the Warden? She really isn't that bad. She just gives you detention all the time because you're forever talking when she's trying to lecture. Maybe that has something to do with why you never learn anything." He sounds as though he's scolding his friend, but Damon's got a smile on his face that says he finds the nickname rather amusing. I notice then that on top of all the other features he has going for him, a set of dimples resides in his cheeks-making him even more attractive. "I don't think this jerkoff's formally introduced us—my name's Damon, it's nice to meet you." He extends his right hand for me to shake, and I accept it with a shy smile on my face.

     "It's nice to meet you too, I'm Dylan." I don't want to make it awkward, so I leave out the part about me being Rowan's sister—though I know he already knows that. I glance at the clock above the chalkboard and do a double-take as I realize there are only twenty minutes left of class. I give Damon another smile and tune back into Ms. Ward's lecture, ignoring Zack altogether. For the next twenty minutes, I take notes on the Attack on Pearl Harbor and try not to give in to Zack's pleas for conversation.

     At the end of the day, as I climb into the passenger's seat of the Jeep Rowan and I share, I let out a long sigh. The day was filled with so much excitement that I'm exhausted now. "Hey, Row, can we go straight home? I'm ready to get into some PJ's and eat some ice cream in front of the TV for a couple hours," I ask my brother as he pulls himself up into the driver's seat.

     "Yeah, I think I wanna join you. This day was crazy." Looking over at him, I see that he looks just as tired as I am.

     "Was it okay? You usually have some energy left after school, but you look pretty drained right now," I ask, concerned.

     "It was fine, I just ran into a couple guys from the football team who I was trying to avoid. Guess it's better sooner than later, though," he leans his head against the headrest and rubs his eyes. With a scratch of his head, he turns the car on and reverses out of the parking stall.

     "Alright, let's go home."

_______

This story hasn't been updated in like a year lol but I've got an idea as to what I'm going to do with it now. So sorry for the wait (seriously) and enjoy!!

P.S. It's also 11:17pm so I haven't looked it over, feel free to point out any mistakes or inconsistencies. 

Bula love, C.