Demon Soul (1)

II

It was still absolutely freezing by the time lunch rolled around. I took a deep breath and let it out in one big sigh, pushing open the metal doors and walking onto the frost covered sidewalks. Everyone seemed to already be waiting for me, waving me over as I made my way out.

Tara was back, her sandy hair pulled up in a ponytail. She was smiling and laughing as always. Her boyfriend sat beside her, a shady guy by the name of James. He was nice and all, but there always seemed to be mysterious bruises on Tara's arms. Blake was there of course, along with my best friend, a native by the name of Missuk. We called her Missy for short, a name that matched her personality. A little spitfire she was, you wouldn't think that we'd make a good match. But she brought out the determination in me when I needed it most.

"Glad to see you." Blake smiled at me, wrapping his arm around my waist. "How was English?"

"Oh god, just kill me now." I groaned. "Don't let me go to P.E."

"Aw, but I get to see those gorgeous legs of yours." Missy teased. "You really are a sight for sore eyes."

"You're cute Missy." I laughed, feeling my cheeks turn red.

"It's true, you've got like, that tall yet still somehow curvy physique." She squinted her eyes as she ate a chip. "God damn, why can't I look like you?"

"Because you're just as pretty, geez have you even looked in a mirror?" I snickered, feeling a chip particle bounce off of my nose.

Conversation at the table continued for the duration of lunch. I was starting to realize that this wouldn't happen anymore after this summer, we wouldn't be coming back to see each other. We'd all be going separate ways and I wasn't sure where in the hell I was really going. The thought finally dawned on me that I might end up stuck in this dead end town. It wasn't pleasant to acknowledge, but I had to eventually.

The bell rang after a little while and I walked the opposite direction of everyone but Tara. She accompanied me to a small building just outside of the larger school, where we entered the art room. We weren't actually in art, but the teacher for the class also taught photography. I grabbed my camera from the shelf and so did Tara, and with a grimace I saw Ronin grab his.

"Alright, grab your coats, let's head outside!" The teacher said, a man with graying hair and a very nonchalant demeanor. I stuck by Tara as we walked out the door.

The sun reflecting off of the snow was enough to brighten up the day, even if only by a little bit. I saw that we were walking down to the elementary school, as a part of our current project was to capture our definition of "beautiful". I almost expected to see kids playing on the playground, but to everyone's surprise it was empty. The teacher kept his promise though and let us roam around. I saw kids taking pictures of the snow and the trees, even the fresh sunlight that poured through the clouds. But I was distracted when I felt a sudden pressure on my rear end, and my nerves jumped.

"Ronin," I snarled. "I swear to god if you touch me again, I'll rip out your innards and use them to strangle you."

"Come on," His voice was like the hiss of a snake. "You don't know how to have any fun."

"I know how to have plenty of fun." I snapped. "Just not when I'm getting molested!"

"Suit yourself." Ronin said gruffly, finally leaving me be. I huffed, looking to and fro to try and find something to distract myself. Finally my gaze shifted upward, and I was startled.

Sitting in a pretty line on the telephone wire were gray-headed chickadees, about seven or eight of them. They were quiet, and they were still. The most unnerving part though was that they were all staring directly at me, their little black pea sized eyes boring into mine. It took me a moment to lift my camera to my eyes, but they still didn't shift. I caught a picture of all of them, right before a sudden noise to my side scared the birds away. Tara trotted up to my side and smiled, and I knew she had something up her sleeve.

"What do you need me to do?" I asked.

"Well, since you're the prettiest person here besides moi, may I take a picture?" She purred. "I promise I'll get your good side."

"I have a good side?" I snorted playfully. "Knock yourself out."

"Thanks!"

Tara began to move around me, clicking and snapping photos here and there as she did. For the majority of it I stayed still, but the look of intense focus on her face sent a smile sprawling across mine. That was what seemed to satisfy the girl and she finally put the camera down, content in her gaze.

"What have you got so far?" She asked, and I handed her my camera.

"Not a whole lot. I'll probably have to be taking this thing home for the next couple of nights just so I can get something useful." I sighed. "My definition of beautiful isn't quite the same as everyone else's."

"What's your definition then?"

"Strange, unique, something that is so different that it just can't be described as anything but."

"I like that definition." Tara nodded. "I guess my definition is kind of shallow, but mines just the usual everyday beauty. Like, the sun on the snow or blue skies. Or beautiful people." She giggled. "You have a bit of an unconventional beauty though. Like, you don't need makeup to look good."

"It's way too much of a hassle. You know me, my OCD makes it so that I can never leave the house unless my eyeliner wings are perfect." I snickered.

The teacher caught our attention, and I saw that we were heading back. Tara walked by my side again, and it seemed to be enough of a repellant to keep Ronin off in the back of the pack. Everything was oddly quiet today, usually you would have at least been able to hear the sounds of the cars down the road or the pitter patter of incoming rain. But there was no noise until we got back into the building, and everyone started to get louder and louder as they collected their things and the bell rang.

"I'll see you later Delia!" Tara smiled, waving me off when I took a detour to the gym.

I didn't have to change at all really, just strip down a few layers. I traded out my boots for sneakers and put my sweater in my backpack, knowing I probably wouldn't need it again until I was home and cozying up to the fire. Missy walked in a few moments after I'd finished tying up my sneakers and pretty much flopped onto the bench, obviously exhausted already.

"Come on Missy, it's only Tuesday. You can't quit on me now." I prodded her, listening to her small mumbles of protest.

"What do I have to do to graduate now and leave this god forsaken place." She groaned, looking up at me. "Oh, why hello sexy."

"Missy." I snickered, pulling the girl to her feet. "Come on, I bet we aren't even doing much today. Get your butt moving."

"Fine, fine."

I sat on the bench while she changed, pulling my hair up into a ponytail and making sure my shoes were tied tightly. Missy just haphazardly threw her things back into her locker and knotted her shoelaces, giving me a thumbs up before walking ahead of me. I followed after quickly, glad to see she was finally pulling herself together a little bit more now that we'd reached the end of the year, it was actually-

"Alright, let's do twenty laps around the gym!"

Missy stopped in her tracks and turned around, but I was there to block the entrance to the locker room. She just glared at me, letting out a harsh sigh while she began jogging.

"I hate you so much right now."