Immortals (ON HOLD)

Chapter 15

Ariel

            I whacked my alarm off the nightstand as usual, hearing a small piece of metal inside of it rattle around when I picked it back up. I shook my head, stretching as I stood to get dressed. I changed into an oatmeal laced camisole, light denim skinny jeans, a grey and navy blue striped hooded sweater, and black and white Converse sneakers. I fixed my amulet and put on my gold bracelet, going to the bathroom to do my make-up and straighten my hair. I ate breakfast, brushed my teeth, put on my favorite navy blue and dark green plaid hoodie, got my stuff together, and headed to school. It had gotten colder since yesterday, and I zippered up my hoodie to keep warm. I had a strange feeling as I listened to my ipod, though I didn’t sense anything, so I tried to shake the feeling off. The sky was cloudy and gray, and the crows cawed as they flew overhead. The feeling subsided once I entered school and went to my locker, hanging up my plaid hoodie on one of the hooks, and I grabbed the binders and books I needed for the day. Emma met me in homeroom a few minutes later, and I gave her back the notes I had finally got around to copying.

“I think we’re actually doing a lab today in chem.!!” “Seriously?? I think that’s a first…” “I know!” Before she started asking about Dimitri, I silenced her by raising my hand. “I don’t want to talk about it. Just…don’t even mention his name.” “Are you starting to like him??” I sighed, glaring at her. ”NO, EMMA!!!” I growled, and she giggled before whisking herself away. I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. She needed a boyfriend to distract her from my love life…or lack thereof. I met up with Dexter in art, and quickly finished my portrait and handed it in. We were doing some stippling, Aborigine-influenced project now, and I quickly sketched out a design before getting to work. Dexter’s was meticulous and ornate, with people and animals. Mine was abstract with lots of curves and organic shapes, and we each liked the other’s better. Art ended much quicker than I would’ve liked, and we sadly made our way to the locker rooms. I changed into a white t-shirt and black sweats, tying my hair back in a ponytail like I usually did when we had gym. Emma just kinda’ threw hers to the side, sometimes using a clip.

I grabbed my hoodie as Ms. Lawley told us to head onto the field, and I dreaded the thought of a sport where I actually had to participate. We met up with Remi and Dexter, and we were instructed to play football. I groaned, but we were only passing around the ball and stuff, which wasn’t as bad as a full-blown game. I made sure I stood so my back was facing the trees, giving me a view of the whole field. I caught and threw the ball with perfect aim and spirals, my adrenaline pumping like crazy. I couldn’t focus on the conversation going on; there were too many possibilities for someone to get hurt, for me to get into crazy-reflex-instinct mode, and I barely felt the cool chill of the autumn air on my neck. The creepy, iffy feeling came back to haunt me, but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the ball. I must’ve looked like I lived for the game, or some deranged dog who loved playing fetch. I sure felt like one… I swore I heard twigs snap somewhere behind me, but I quickly pushed Dexter out of the way before a stray football nailed him in the face, which would’ve broken his glasses. I was appalled as I soon realized he was fascinated with my reflexes too, and restrained myself from a face palm. “Thanks Ariel!” He breathed, and I helped him up. I had pushed him a little too hard, and had caused him to fall. Better a little scrape on the hand then a pair of broken glasses…”No problem. Don’t mention it. Seriously.” He laughed and nodded, and I did a little victory dance once class was over.

My adrenaline finally disappearing, I turned to the woods, searching for some explanation to the creepy vibe I was getting. But I saw nothing, just some birds nesting in the trees. I changed quickly once back in the locker room, and waited outside for Emma. We fixed our make-up in the bathroom, and I let down my hair before we went to lunch. I bought a wrap with her today, and we were back just as Dexter sat down. Remi was even back a little early today, cheeseburger in hand. Emma unwillingly kept her mouth shut about my “date” with Dimitri, though I highly doubt learning how to harness chi and whatnot can really be considered a “date”. And I didn’t want it to be. I ate slowly, unable to keep my gaze from lingering toward the window. Emma called me back to reality a few minutes later, asking if I had asked my parents about the shore. “Oh…sorry, I forgot. I didn’t see them yesterday. I’ll ask tonight,” I declared, wondering how the whole shore trip would work after seeing the Guardians again today. Too quickly lunch ended, and it was off to chemistry, although, doing a lab perked me up a little bit. The directions were on the board, and our teacher sat back and watched the class, there only for assistance. Emma was of course my lab partner, and we got the awful goggles, gloves and black aprons. We tied our hair back, pouring this chemical into that, and so forth. “This is way better than notes!” I laughed and nodded, having to agree. There was only so much writing my hand could take before it began to cramp. We did a quick lab report before we cleaned everything up and handed our assignment in, doing a victory dance in the back of the class. Emma gave me a hug and told me to have fun on my date, and I nearly punched her. I went to English with a scowl on my face, not realizing it until Remi asked me if I was okay. Some independent work, class reading and discussion was all I had to do before I was free. I practically ran to my locker, gave everyone a goodbye hug, and was on my way home. I wondered what time I would go to the Guardians, and how I would get there, when I felt Dimitri’s presence. I turned, surprised to see him jogging over to me. I looked around, part embarrassed, part angry, and for some reason, part relieved. Maybe I wouldn’t get that weird, iffy feeling with him around… “Hey!” He stopped in front of me and smiled, his eyes bright compared to the gray sky. “What are you doing here?!” I hissed, staying composed even though I was staring into his eyes. “Picking you up…duh. What, are you too cool to be seen with me?” He asked, either visibly noticing my panic, or emotionally picking up on it. “No…it’s just…let’s get out of here before Emma sees us,” I muttered, stalking with him to his car. He smiled in amusement, saying nothing. I paid attention as to how to get there, and I knew he noticed, but he didn’t say anything. It was almost as if he wanted me to know, taking his time passing major landmarks or busy areas.