The Demon Boy

New School

The school is a large building, wide open windows line the tan brick walls. The grounds are dotted with trees and the building is lined with bushes. Natalie steps out of the car next to me and swings her bag over her shoulder.

"If you need anything," she looks at me with sincere eyes. That look quickly changes, "don't come to me."

"Wow, for a minute there I thought you were actually going to be nice!" I call after her, she throws a smirk over her shoulder. Her crimped brown hair bounces with each step she takes.

Obviously, Natalie and I didn't get off to a great start, last night I must've taken too long in the shower or something and she didn't like that. She snapped at me, then I snapped at her and it turned into a big argument that Rob had to break up.

I walk into my first class and step up to the teachers' desk. "Uh, hi." He looks up at me expectantly, "I'm new."

"What's your name, son?" he pulls up a page on his computer.

"Uh, Dante Sanders."

He types furiously on the keyboard, "Ah, yes. You can sit right back there." He points to the back of the classroom to an empty desk in the middle. I set my things on the floor and sit down. 

A thin boy with thick blonde hair leans over, "You new?" I nod, "I'm Jack. Who're you?"

"Dante." The teacher stands and starts talking. Jack glances at me and rolls his eyes at the monotone way he speaks.

*   *   *

This is the first time I didn't know where to sit at lunch. It seemed like every table was filled to its maximum capacity, some even beyond. I sigh and head outside; finding an abandoned corner I sit down on the grass and try to swallow the stale chunks of fries and chicken. I look up when I glance someone walking toward me; it's that Jack guy again.

"What's up?" he says when he approaches my spot on the ground.

"Nothin'. What are you doing?" I watch with hidden curiosity as he rummages around in his bag.

"I am not eating that crap," he says, nodding at my "food" and pulling a sack lunch from his book bag.

I toss what's left of my roll onto the paper plate and lean back against the wall as he sits down on the ground next to me. "So, you get in a lot of fights at your old school?" he asks, biting off a huge chunk of sandwich.

"A few... why do you ask?" I fold my hands behind my head.

"No reason. Just curious, you look like the type." I cock an eyebrow at him, and cross my legs. A strange feeling starts to creep up the back of my neck. "I've been in a few fights. There are some real bullies here, don't even do anything to 'em and they beat on you." Another bite, "You ever hurt anyone?" He looks at me expectantly, almost as if he already knows.

"Not that I know of... why are you so curious about that?"

He laughs, "I just am. I'm that weird kind of guy that's into things like that." He winks at me, the strange feeling turns into a burning sensation, making me want to stand up and run away. I decide it's time to leave.

I stand and pick up my uneaten lunch. "Where ya goin'?"

"I want to talk to my teachers," I lie, "get to know what I'm getting myself into." I walk back to the school with a quick wave behind my shoulder.

*   *   *

"Hey, new kid!" I turn at the deep maniacal voice. There's a large beefy kid jogging toward me with a couple friends behind him. He grins when I look at him, clapping me on the shoulder when he reaches me. "Make any new friends yet?" I stare at him, wondering why he's talking to me. He's probably a star on the football team with how big he is, popular. He's still smiling, then he jumps and offers me his huge hand, "Oh! Sorry, I'm Matt; these are my buddies, Joe and Carlos." They stand rock stiff, not even waving.

I look back at Matt, "And you want...? What exactly?"

He looks confused for a second, "What? Is it not okay for me to talk to the new kid?"

"Well, usually when a jock talks to me, he wants me to either do something for him, or mess with me." I raise an eyebrow at him, waiting for an answer.

He sighs, "Look, I don't know what you think I am, but I just came to warn you."

"About what?" I fold my arms across my chest.

"I would stay away from that Jack kid, he's bad news." He takes his hand off my shoulder, finally, "Bad things happen to anyone who messes with him." Then he waves at me and walks away.

I turn around and see Natalie staring at me from the school doors, mouth hanging open. She runs up to me, breathless. "Do you know who that was?" she sounds almost frantic. I cock an eyebrow at her, shrugging. "That was Matt De'shanti, the best quarterback in the state, and he's the most popular kid here!"

She stares at me expectantly, "And? What about it?"

"He was just talking to you! Him!" Her eyes are wide as she stares up at me.

She's quiet for a while, partially waiting for me to answer and partially not wanting to say anything else. "Wait a minute... Do you like that kid?"

She looks surprised, sputtering her reply, "Wh-what? Where did you get that idea?" She crosses her arms and turns away from me.

I grin, laughing, "Who knew you were such a girl?"

she turns on me, angry now, "Who knew you were such a jerk! Do you even know how to be nice? Or thankful? My mom and brother worked hard to make you feel welcome and you don't even say 'thank you'!"

"Whoa, how did this turn to last night?" I stuff my hands into my pockets and tilt my chin up a little.

She laughs, "Oh, so you're one of those guys." Her fists areon her hips now.

"I'm not sure I know what you mean." I smirk.

"You're one of the guys that thinks they can do anything and get away with it, that thinks they're something special and don't have to follow rules.  You don't care about anyone but yourself, right? You're one of those delinquents, aren't you?" Those stereotypes sting a little, making me burn inside. She keeps going, insulting me more and more, calling me selfish, prideful, arrogant, saying I should be in juvy. I feel my palms heat up, and clench my fingers into fists, closing my eyes to contain my anger. She has no idea what she's taking about, she doesn't even know me. Why doesn't she just-

"Shut up!" I open my eyes, glaring at her. My eyes burn, I turn and run towards the woods surrounding the school. I leave her standing there, watching after me as I retreat.