Yin & Yang

Chapter 5: Friends (Gabe)

I slouched into my first period algebra class and collapsed into a seat in the back row. I was utterly exhausted. The night before, nightmares had kept me up. But that was nothing new. I'd had the same nightmare every night for the past five years. I had doubts that I would ever shake the image of Cam's glassy eyes, staring into the void. But the worst part wasn't that he was dead. It was the knowledge that I was responsible... and worse, that I'd enjoyed it. The monster that lived inside me was a terrifying creature.
I jolted out of my trance as someone's backpack hit the floor near me with a thud. I glanced at the girl who now occupied the seat to my right, but I didn't say anything. Examining my gloves, I tugged on the cuff, making sure no skin showed above my wrist.
"Why are you wearing gloves?" I looked up at the girl to my right. She was pretty, in a girl next door kind of way. Her auburn hair was cut just above her shoulders, and her deep brown eyes seemed to be looking through me, rather than at me, as she scanned my face.
"Maybe I'm a criminal, and I don't want to leave any fingerprints," I quipped.
"No, I'm serious." She didn't seem amused.
"Fine, full disclosure. I use them to pick up girls. They ask me why I'm wearing gloves and it starts conversation. I guess it's effective, huh?"
This elicited a laugh. "Okay then, I'll bite. What's your name, Mr. Mysterious?"
"I'm Gabe. You?"
"Alex. I feel like I've seen you around here before, but we've never had a class together." She extended a hand to shake.
Cautiously, I extended my own gloved hand. "I don't bite," she smirked.
"Hey, hey, chill. I don't want to mess up my gloves. They're an important part of my look."
Alex opened her mouth to say something, but as she did, the bell rattled loudly. She rolled her eyes as the teacher started yelling at the class to shut up and sit down, and we both turned our attention to the front. I liked Alex, but like always when I met new people, I was wary. Ever since Cam, I didn't want to get too close to anybody. It was too much of a risk.