Play for Keeps.

Chapter I.

~ N i a l l ~

I stuff the textbook into my messenger bag and close my locker. Eleanor waits at the corner of the hall for me so we can walk to English together. We meet up, and she begins telling me about her weekend while we make our way to the classroom.
"I had so much fun at the party!"
She always told me she wouldn't drink, but I never believe her anyways.
"You know alcohol can poison you." I say.
"Oh calm down! It was only a few drinks. And if you really care that much then why don't you just come with me next time?"

Of course, I barely speak, what business do I have being at a party? Nonetheless with alcohol.

"Yeah, right. Me? A party? I barely talk as it is."
"So? Maybe you'll fall in love."
"Or maybe I'll get banged and knocked up." I say sarcastically as we sit down in the front of the class.

On the board is the word "red" and nothing else. Just red. Mr. Anderson walks in front of all the desks and tells us to settle down as he begins explaining why the board says as it does.
"This week, we will be working on descriptive writing. Each Monday and Thursday you will come in with a new color on the board. That will be your only prompt for the day. Everyone understand?"

One of the punk rock boys that sits in the back of the room raises his hand. He asks if we're just writing about the color with a side of complaint.
"Yes, Mr. Malik. That's exactly what you're doing. But you must avoid using the color itself. All right? Your time begins now."

He starts his watch and returns to his desk as we all begin working. Red? How do I talk about red? Blood? Flowers? I don't even know.

"Niall." Eleanor whispers.
I tell her to be quiet, but she tries again.
"Niall."
I roll my eyes and turn to her.
"Yes, Eleanor?"
"Do you wanna go do something Friday?"
"Eleanor. It is Monday afternoon. I have barely planned my dinner for tonight. I'm not too concerned about five days from now."
"So is that a yes?"
"Does it sound like a yes?"
"Please?"
"Maybe. I don't know... finish the assignment."

I continue working on my pathetic description of red. All I have so far is different items that are red. Luckily Mr. Anderson walks to the front of the class and asks who's having trouble. Most of us are. He tells us to consider the emotions and other factors that make you sense a color. This makes it a little easier.

The bell rings and signals the end of the day. I tell Eleanor goodbye as I head down the hall to my locker. I put everything back in it except for the spiral I used in English. I need a better description.

I walk towards the exit and outside. By the steps is Zayn and his friends Louis, Harry, and some guy named Kevin. Kevin is a new member of their gang. You can tell he isn't as "hard" as the other guys... yet, anyways. As I walk down the steps past them, I suck in my stomach (which is already toned as it is) and hold on to my bag strap a little harder than before. They don't threaten me, I just feel insecure. All the time.

I make my way home slowly. When I do get there, I go straight to the backyard. I set my bag down on the back porch and head the tree I love so much. Climbing up it, my hands find the small wooden platform that's high enough to see the streets. I settle in and watch as the cars go by along with people walking the sidewalks. I'm fine by myself.

It's always so peaceful up here- alone. No one can hurt you.