Something Red

Part One

"I bet you can find one blazing red head if you really wanted to and if you still want to get my number."

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Yesterday seemed like it was just Monday so why is it another Monday morning all over again? I don't know, it just feels like everything is happening so fast but yet so slowly these days.

It's been a few weeks since I moved here, to Dark Side, some sketchy town where my past will never find me. I don't know if I like it here yet but it's enough for now.

I begin lectures at the community college in a few hours so here I am, taking the bus. As usual I'm in a window seat, staring out, watching the world flash by me, the cold glass pressed up against my freckled and pale cheeks. I find it entertaining to name people on the streets while I'm on the bus. I just name them what I feel suits them best. Sometimes it depends on how they look but most times it depends on how I feel. I'd like to feel nothing but that would leave a lot of people nameless, don't you think?

"Hey, is this seat taken?"

I turn to stare blankly at the tall blonde boy who is staring at me expectantly but the only thing I notice about him are the odd markings like scars on his cheeks and his pretty blue eyes. I don't say a word, I don't feel the need to and so I look away.

"Right..."

He takes the seat knowing I will not verbally consent to his presence.

I tuck my hair behind my ears and burrow into my coat a little more as I focus my eyes on the faces of people I can barely make out as the bus speeds by.

"You're a student at D.S.C.?"

It takes me a moment to acknowledge that he's spoken to me and then when it registers I wonder how he knew to ask that so I turn.

"What's it to you and why'd you ask me that?"

I know I sound rude but he doesn't seem to mind by the way he's grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"I go there as a matter of fact, plus I put two and two together after catching a glimpse of your student ID card sticking out of your pocket."

"Well then, I suppose that's good for you." I turn back to the window ignoring the way he continues to stare so boldly at me. Until it gets irritating and I have to say something.

"Can you stop?" I try to say politely but it comes out like a low growl.

"I'm Dylan Cooper."

"I don't care?"

"What's your name?"

I turn to stare at him amazed by his apparent stupidity. Doesn't he get the clear message? By the way his eyes are lit up and his pearly whites are on display with his grin still in place, I guess not.

"You can see my ID card, figure it out? Ken doll."

"Ken doll?" He doesn't fail to sound confused and that makes the edge of my chapped lips tilt slightly before I run my tongue over them.

Dylan Cooper. Sounds like such a cliché name to be honest, if it wasn't for his weird whisker like marks and his tousled hair I would paint him the all American sweetheart and poster boy for good morals and perfect records.

"Scarlet."

"What?"

"What do you think? Dumbass" I scoff but not with as much venom as I would usually.

He seems genuinely lost for a moment before his eyes light up again as they dart to my head of long blood red locks. I nod, rolling my eyes as I return to staring out again.

"Well what are you majoring in?" He asks smiling at me even though I'm not looking his way.

"Lit." I mumble, turning back to him suddenly as the bus comes to a stop across from D.S.C.

"Move" I say getting up and preparing to get off the bus while Dylan just sits there confused as ever. I sigh, crossing over his long limbs with my equally long ones.

"Wa-wait up, Scar!"

Finally he gets the memo and wow only a few minutes and he's given me a nickname. I'm finding it hard to totally dislike this kid the more time I spend close to him.

We walk into the college together, my worn out leather rucksack slung over my shoulder as Dylan points out everything and one to me when he finds out it's my first day at D.S.C. I want to be annoyed that he's loud and he's hanging so close but I can't find it in myself to be since he's clearly trying to help and he knows more than half the student body. I get introduced to a bunch of people I can hardly remember the names of so I just rename them to suit me better.

He escorts me to the front office so I can get my paper schedule even if I already received one by mail a week ago. It's nice to have him around, I have to admit. It would be so dull walking around like a loner freshman.

"Hope you have a swell first day here at D.S.C." The lady at the front desk tells me with a sickly sweet smile that I swear is just waiting to fall into a nasty frown as she waves us off. Maybe it's because Dylan had called 'Miss Peaches' with a suggestive but friendly tone which she clearly didn't appreciate.

"She looked constipated tbh. What's with that? Kenny?"

"Who's Kenny? And yeah she doesn't really like it when you call her 'Miss Peaches' because of an incident that happened before you got here that involved the entire football team and Miss Preacher."

I rolled my eyes at his obliviousness, checking what period I had first even though I already knew days ago.

"Ken Doll, where's the theatre at?"

"I still don't know who 'Ken Doll' and 'Kenny' are but I can walk you there."

"No, that won't be necessary. Just point me in the right direction, I'm good."

"...sure, just take those stairs and take the first turning left. You should see this sign hanging over the doors of the theatre."

"Thanks."

I turn to leave but Dylan places his hand on my elbow gently and I stop, looking back at him expectantly. He's staring at me with this intense and unreadable expression I can't decipher. When he sees my raised brow, he lets go slowly using his hand to ruffle his already tousled hair.

"Can I have your number?" He mutters softly, pulling out an obnoxious orange phone, handing it over to me.

I stare at it, cringing a bit at the colour and about the idea of giving away my number to someone I just met. I glance at his face and I notice for the first time that Dylan can get nervous. I find my lips tilting slightly again, against my will and I shake my head biting my lip as I hand his phone back to him.

"You know this place like the back of your hand, Kenny. I bet you can find one blazing red head if you really wanted to and if you still want to get my number."

The mischief is clear in my eyes as I'm sure they're glinting in the light of the loosely packed hallway. Dylan looks stumped for a moment before his grin returns slowly. He chuckles and I turn to walk away.

"I'll find you for sure, Scar! Believe it!" He calls after me and I scoff to myself, waving him half-heartedly, back turned as I call back.

"Kay, Kay."

Even though I don't really believe in anything anymore. Some part of me hopes he does find me.

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