Ocean Eyes

Jealousy

"Her soul was too deep
to explore by those
who always swam in the
shallow end."
-AJ Lawless

"I swear if Mr Harrison marks me late one more time, I may have to set his troll shrine on fire."

"You wouldn't!"

Winter had fallen on La Push, Washington. Frost decorated each blade of grass, small icy crystals clung to every surface. Leaves had long since fallen and the trees bare branches danced in the string gusts of wind that plagued the town. It was December now, and one couldn't dare to leave their house without a coat.

It had taken Ryder five minutes to clean Mongos windshield of the ice and another ten to get the old beast running.

The girl hadn't been in a particularly good mood after that, her morning being full of glares and grumbles. The heat at her house had died in the early hours of the morning, leaving its inhabitants shivering and swaddled in blankets. Jackson had woken her up at three in the morning by crawling into her bed, followed by Violet and then Caroline. While Ryder enjoyed the family cuddle session, having a five year old snore in your ear wasn't exactly the best sound to fall asleep to. Especially the night after a horrid dream followed by a double shift from hell.

All things considered, Ryder hadnt especially been in the brightest of moods when she finally got to school. Everyone who looked her way got a frown, everyone who said hello got a growl. It wasn't until Kim bustled along, showcasing a new shoulder length hair cut and a huge smile, that Ryder's mood had begun to lift.

Upon first hearing of Kim, Ryder had been quite cautious. She had spent her entirety of high school years salivating over Jared yet never saying more than four words to him at a time. She wrote Kim Cameron surrounded by hearts on just about every notebook she owned, yet never even asked for his number. One who heard these facts without knowing her may have labeled Kim as shy or even creepy. Ryder now knew enough to refute at least the first misconception.

Kim was probably the least shy person Ryder had ever met. She asserted herself in every conversation, her loud and boisterous voice always detectable. She was confident and crazy, a mix of rude and nice that Ryder was thoroughly amused by. Kim's sarcasm and wit either earned her friends or foes and she she had a lot of the latter.

According to her, that's why she never spoke to Jared. She had been so enamored with the boy that she couldn't bear the thought of him not liking her. She had figured it better to admire from afar than to get her heart broken.

Ryder definitely understood that.

"You bet your ass I would!" Kim shook her head, her hair swinging around like a glossy black curtain. "I'd even burn the telletubbies poster. That man deserves it."

"Good morning to you as well, Kim." The hard voice behind them made Ryder's shoulders stiffen but Kim didn't bat an eye.

"Hey, Robbie!!"

Mr Harrison was a short man, with a stooped back and a generous waist. He taught math to those unfortunate enough to have him and made no attempt to hide his disdain for all other human beings. Ryder had had him for less than a week before she switched out of him class, but Kim had been a student of his for four years in a row.

To say they had a hateful relationship would be a grotesque understatement.

"It's Mr. Harrison to you, murderous adolescent!" Ryder and Kim didn't slow their walk and he began to shuffle quickly after them. His short legs proved no match and he started to jog. "If I ever hear you talk about my children like that again-"