Amatis

Chapter Three

The next day at school, in homeroom, Cassy ran up to me and hugged me then pushed me away and scolded me, “Where were you? Being absent is a big no no! And you didn’t even text me that you weren’t going to show up. What up with that? And what up with your outfit? Plain white T and jean shorts? Bless your soul.” I laughed and then replied.

“I was sick, thank you very much. And my outfit is simple and cute” Cassy looked down and then noticed my bandaged wrist and reached for it.

“You know, sick and injured and two different things. What happened?” I tried to think of something to tell Cassy.

“I was at home whe-”

“Oh hi Miss Cervova.” Mark cut me off and smiled. He walked over to where Cassy and I were sitting. “I missed you yesterday,” he winked at me.

“Okay. Um, why do you wink like every five seconds? It looks like your eye has this twitching problem,” I started twitching my right eye, mocking him then continued, “It looks a little like this.” Cassy cupped her hand over her mouth and broke out into laughter. Mark raised his eyebrows and smiled at me.

“Do you not like it when I wink?” He asked then winked at me... again.

“No. Not really.” I hissed at him. He grinned from ear to ear.

“Oh, I’ll keep winking then.”

I was about to tell him to leave but then Evan walked into the room, and walked towards us. He sat down next to Mark and joined our conversation.

“Good Morning, Cassy,” Evan smiled and didn’t even look at me or greet me. I put my elbow on the desk and rested my chin on my hand, until I felt a sharp pain shoot through my arm.

“Ahh!” I winced and placed my arm in my lap. That was a bad idea. Mark had this look in his face, almost shocked but neutral at the same time.

“What happened there?” Mark asked looking at my injured wrist.

“Oh I fell down and it kind of snapped. No biggie.” I answered avoiding eye contact. Lying wasn’t one of my fortes. I looked up and Evan had this apologetic look on his face then turned back to Cassy. He’s so sincere but when he looks at Cassy, it’s like I don’t exist to him. Mark looked back and forth between Evan and I.

“Evan, I forgot something in my locker, can you get it for me?” Mark asked.

“Uh sure,” Evan replied confused.

“I left my keys in my locker. I don’t want to risk getting them stolen. Cassy you should go with him.” Mark looked at Cas.

“Why-”

“Just go.” Mark commanded her. Cassy stumbled up from her desk and followed Evan out of the room. I gave Mark this bitter look that practically said ‘don’t talk to me’.

“So Hanon. You like Evan, huh?” Mark asked me.

I felt flustered so I replied with, “ Um. How did you know?”

“It was obvious. So listen. How about you go to that party with me Friday, or I tell Evan that you like him.” I can’t believe he was negotiating this! Maybe if I act like I don’t care he won’t tell Evan.

“Fine. Do it.” I stared Mark in the eye.

“Okay,” he got up from the desk that he was sitting at and started walking to the door of the classroom.

“Wait!” I called to him. He walked into the hallway and didn’t even stop. “Hold up!” I got up and followed him. When I walked out of the classroom I came to an abrupt stop. He was leaning against some lockers lined up on a wall, arms crossed and smirking at me.

“Party?” he asked me. I shook my head.

“Fine. How about, if you ditch class and hang out with me for the day, I won’t tell Evan.” The fact that I was so scared and nervous about Mark telling Evan that I liked him just made me feel weak. “You do know he likes someone else, right? It’ll be awkward if he finds out.” Mark persuaded me.

“Fine,” I hissed at him, “I’ll spend the day with you.”

Evan and Cassy walked right up to Mark and I. Evan was holding Mark’s keys and handed them to him.

“Thanks. I’ll see you two later.” Mark walked down the hall and gestured me to follow him. Cassy nudged my shoulder and asked, “What’s going on?”

“I’ll tell you later,” I replied, “Here take this.” I handed Cassy my backpack. She took it and walked into the classroom.

Mark waited for me at the school doors. When I walked up to him he put his arm around my shoulders. I punched him in the throat and continued walking.

I walked to the parking lot and waited for Mark to catch up. I looked around wondering which car was his. Knowing what a preppy white, rich boy he is I’d assume he owned a Hummer. Mark walked up beside me, rubbing his throat and was slightly coughing.

“Damn girl. You punch hard!” Mark chuckled. I smirked.

“So which car is yours?” I asked leisurely. Mark pointed in a direction to the front of the school’s parking lot. It was not a car. It was a motorcycle. It just had to be a motorcycle!

“Who’s smirking now?” Mark winked at me. I hate it when he winks.

“Look. If I’m going to spend the whole day with you, you have got to stop winking. I just might slap you if you do it again.”

“Got it.” Mark smiled and walked towards his motorcycle. He opened the seat and pulled out two helmets. He handed me the smaller helmet of the two. I put it on my head and tried adjusting the strap. Unfortunately, I had difficulties. I’ve never had to put a helmet on before. I didn’t know which loop to put the string through. I had to tie a knot with the straps in the end. Mark looked over to me and laughed.

“You know, the strap goes through the metal rings. Need help?” I nodded and sighed. Mark reached over and untied my knot. His hands touched the bottom of my chin. They were soft and warm, like a bundle of towels fresh out of the dryer.

“All done.” His hands moved away from my face. He sat down on the motorcycle and roared it to life. I just stood there staring blankly at the school contemplating  my decisions.

“You gonna hop on?” Mark asked.

“Oh yeah.” I got on the back of the motorcycle and rested my hands to the side of me.

“By the way,” Mark turned his head over his shoulder, “You might fall off if you don’t hold onto me.”

“I think I’ll manage.” The motorcycle backed up slowly and out of the parking space. When we moved forward the motorcycle jerked due to acceleration. I felt like I was going to fall so I quickly wrapped my arms around Mark’s waist. Bastard planned this, didn’t he? The motorcycle sped up even more which made me hold on even tighter. I have no doubt that he got pleasure from this.