Tourmaline

Chapter Three

 

The rest of the weekend was a blur. A surreal, dejected blur of homework, eat, sleep, repeat. Homework, eat, repeat. Homework, repeat.

And then Monday had come.

I pulled on jeans, my hands trembling. While doing so I accidentally kicked over a soda I had on the floor. You big buffoon. 

I watched the beverage seep into the cracks of the hardwood, almost in a trance. After a few moments of mindlessly gazing at the liquid ruining my already filthy floor, I returned to earth and hurried off in a breathless rush to get paper towels. I came back soon after, mumbling a string of cuss words under my breath.

After abandoning the fresh stain and pulling on a thin flannel top I trudged downstairs, backpack in hand. My father sat at the dining table, prim and formal in his starched collar button-up and a tie covered in cats playing various band instruments. 

"Liking the tie."

He gave me a wink, setting down his 'BEST DAD' mug Cornelius got him in fifth grade. "Thanks honey bee."

I trod over to pour myself some coffee. My mom was most likely at work. She had a job in a local nursery, though it was near impossible to grow anything successfully during an Ohio winter.

"Where's Cornelius?" I asked, sipping the bitter coffee gingerly. 

"I thought you would know." He raised an eyebrow at me. He placed the empty mug on the floor of the sink and grabbed his briefcase.

"Why is that?" I took in all his features; his balding head of brunette hair, his Ned Flanders mustache, his deft, fidgety fingers.

"Well, he's your brother. Sibling solidarity and all that. I've got to split, but I'll see you and him later tonight, maybe." he gave me an enthusastic thumbs up and left, slamming the front door behind him.

I slumped down, acknowledging the headache that now pulsed through my temples. You don't have to go. Feign sickness. Say your car won't start. You have heart palpitations. A rabid badger attacked your privates.

But in the end I made the brave decision to attend the first day of school since my now very publicized break up. I paced to my car, hands shaking uncontrollably. I jumped in the front seat and let out a huff of frozen breath.

I felt feebly for the ignition until I heard a roar of life. 

The drive was short and anticipatory. I turned on the radio to calm my nerves only to be greeted by a sappy pop station, that of which I presumed my best friend Laurie had left on.

I shut the blaring base off in a fit of frustration. The  school entrance grew closer and my heart began to beat faster. I scanned the familiar thin letters. North Apex High School.

I pulled into the student parking lot and settled in between a monstrous pickup truck and a puke-green Kia Soul. The bell rang out, sending the students shuffling toward the doors with each passing toll.

I closed my eyes, drew in a ragged breath, and grabbed my bag. I slowly stepped out of the car, hesitant. 

It took me a few moments to realize that I was one of the only remaining students outside. I took my glorious time, though. I gradually made my way to world history, slipping in just in time to go undetected.

I was greeted by a pitiful look from my friend Sara. She reached over and patted my shoulder, eyebrows furrowed. "You're too good for him" she mouthed, followed by a falty smile of confidence.

I offered a brief nod in return and sharply turned forward towards the front. I pretended to scribble in my notebook in hopes that no one else would bother me. Thankfully, it worked.

We discussed Genghis Khan and various Mongol societies, as well as something else I didn't bother to listen to. I gazed helplessly up at the clock, silently willing it to move faster. 

Before I had tim to think, the word were spilling from my lips. "Mr. Francavilla, could I go down to the nurse's office? I have a headache." 

At least it wasn't a lie.

Mr. Francavilla gave a quick nod and waved me away. I gathered up my books and walked down the rows of desks to the exit, trying not to look quite as eager as I felt. As soon as I had escaped the classroom I paused for a moment to take breath in the hallway.

Suddenly something large and heavy collided with me full-force. I staggered, struggling to regain my footing. My bag flew out of my hands, its contents now sprawled across the dirty checkered tile.

The culprit let out an uncomfortable laugh and gathered my bag for me. They handed it back gently, thrusting their gorilla-sized hands toward me. I retrieved my bag and swung it over my shoulder once more.

"I'm sorry."

I knew that voice. I looked up and found myself inches away from that beautiful round face.

I left without another word.

I heard footsteps behind me and sped up, nearing the exit. They just got louder. And louder. And louder. I felt a hand on my shoulder and got jerked violently back.

"Don't touch me," I spat, taking a few steps away from him. The naked anger in my voice surprised me.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing, I didn't want to make things too awkward. Are you, y'know, okay? I know that we didn't end the way we should have, and if you want to talk about we can sometime. You don't have to pretend like I don't exist."

I straightened and stood to face him. He was a good six feet away, but even that didn't feel far enough. "How am I doing, Wyatt? Bad. I'm doing very, very bad. So please do me the favor of a lifetime and stay away."

I pushed open the door and felt the winter air slap my face only to feel that same hand touch my shoulder once again. I shoved Wyatt's hand off and muttered, more to myself than to him, "I hope you get what you deserve," before dashing across the parking lot.

"And what would that be?" he called out after me.

"Complete and utter annihilation, maybe?" I yelled back, not bothering to turn around. 

I hopped into my car and sat there attempting to catch my breath. I punched the dashboard. I punched it again. And again. And again. I started the ignition. I turned on that shitty pop station. And I sped off, knuckles swollen and blasting Katy Perry.