Always Been Forever Young

Looking Over Your Shoulder

Monday 26th June------

I shouldn't have gotten Karle involved; it's all my fault. He had nothing to do with any of this, he didn't deserve what happened. He was just trying to help....

--The Locker Room--
I was ready to go this morning, bursting with anticipation to meet Karle. Alright, I mean my makeup wasn't done, my hair wasn't brushed and my face vaguely resembled a blob-fish. But hay you can't expect me to look perfect everyday. I can look good tomorrow, I thought as I came stumbling down the staircase juggling my books and bag to meet Karle. Why do teachers give us so many books, you can barely carry them? And if you begin taking them out to lighten your bag, it turns out you needed it that day and you up with a detention.
"Ughhh" I groaned expressing my love for embarking on a new day of school, after-all I said I was excited to meet Karle not my lecturer.

"Morning." He sighed, rubbing his eye intensely in an effort to awake himself.
"Late night?" I remarked examining his eyes for bags or creases, he shrugged his shoulders, placing his hand onto his rucksack for extra support. His head was down and he seemed to emit a depressed vibe. As if he was hiding something from me....

My mind, like it usually does, began to race aimlessly like a startled horse, as we made out of the door on our way to the college.

Why is he hiding something from me?
What have I done?

I thought he accepted me now, was I wrong?
Is he going to ditch me?

What if he moves back to his old school?
What if I never see him again?

What if I-

"Stay like it forever?" I jumped slightly startled by Karle's husky tone, like usual I had distanced him to a mere drone in the background while my mind pondered its thoughts.
"You weren't listening were you?" The sarcastic twang arose from his voice as he peered down at me with that 'seriously you did it again' look.
"What!? I was totally listening! It's just you mumble a lot that's all, you just need to learn how to pronounce words probably and project your voice. I could give you lessons of you wanted." I giggled a little, trying to do that kinda cute girl thing but then I released it was Karle so instead I let out my snorty, off-putting chuckle.
He teased me with a sarcastic laugh and nudged at me slightly as we entered the college front.

We decided to bunk all of our lessons today, yes I'm that kind of person, and just idly walk around chatting. This was a perfect idea until my gaze drew me to her, we fixed eyes for a split second before I pulled Karle by the arm covering us both behind a 10 foot pillar.

Mrs.Huim!

My heart sank, swelling my insides with its constant thumping, with my back against the wall I tried to peer around. Repeating every few seconds "Hush Karle!"  To warn him of her. I didn't need to look however, I felt it. Her repulsion, hostility and hatred which festered inside of her for me, it smothered her like a cloud alerting me to her when she was near.

"Run!" I screeched to Karle. "Run as fast as you can!" I had already began forcefully shoving him to his side, trying to convince him of how serious I was. He snatched my arm, gripping it tightly reassuring me with his gaze that he was gonna look after me. The warmth soothed me- but it was short lived. I was legging it as quickly as possible, yet still I couldn't keep up with him. My lungs became heavy and my legs cried out for a break. He knew I was going to lag behind so he basically dragged me with my arm, it was tough love but it got me there in one piece.

We stopped by the lockers, my body yearning for a rest as my head fell gently back onto the wall behind me, gasping for air.
I scanned the room looking for any suspecting teachers but no one was about, it was first lesson and a silent breeze hung in the air.
"Why didn't you remind me! I told you to remind me. I clearly stated when I spoke to you last night at your house, Karle I have something extremely important to tell you, don't let me forget!" My tiny frame ranted at the 6 foot friendly giant, pointing at him aggressively to get the message through. But no matter how infuriated I was I just looked like a stroppy, stupid teenager picking a fight with some guy. Karle smiled.
"I did remind you. In the morning remember? I said and I quote," he coughed slightly emphasizing his point, "what was the thing you were gonna talk to me about, something like it's gonna stop me living like this forever?" I breathed in sharply, covering my mouth with my hand. How could I have been so stupid?  That was obviously what he had asked! I'm such an idiot. Irritated at my stupidness, I looked up to see Karle slowly smirking to himself in the corner, pleased to have proven me wrong.

I kicked him in the shin, it was supposed to be a light tease but it turned out I had basically full pelt booted him in the leg. After apologizing several times, pleading with my hands together that it was an accident, he forgave me and the subject turned to the year book. I slipped the book out of my messy, stained bag and unsealed it from the plastic covering it was wrapped in. I couldn't have just left it without anything to protect it in there, it would have been ruined with the amount of leaking pens, loose hairs from my hair brush, and god knows what else I have in my bag.

"You know those teachers you can talk to?" I questioned, leaning forward waiting for a yes. However, he simply nodded acknowledging me.
"Well it occurred to me the other day, what's the only difference between them and the other teachers?" I breathed in still trying to catch my breath back from the run, this creating an unwanted pause and seemed like I was interrogating Karle. Therefore he tried to answer.
"Umm... They have different colored hair?" His voice raised to an uncertain tone, I lowered my head in shock of his stupidity.

"Yeah sure they have different hair colors, so I'm sure if we dye 'em  everything will go back to normal." I replied sarcastically giving Karle a disappointed look.
"The teachers, I don't remember them from when I was at school. Meaning they weren't in here the day of my accident. Meaning they aren't in the photo book. Proving they're normal, like us!" I smiled frantically, waiting for his expression to change I even had the photos in my hand to show him but he said nothing. He did nothing. He was lifeless. And his muscular body slide helplessly down the back of the lockers, his eyes were dark, hazed and gloomy and he had a pale fragile look to him. I went to help but.

The small prick jabbed at my neck and as I went to pull at it I became giddy, stumbling around. My vision was hazy and blurred, my body aching but numb. The last image I could recall was staring at Karle's frail, fading eyes and wishing so badly that I could help him.

Then the lights went out.

Karle shouldn't have been involved! It's all my fault! He was just trying to help me. He was just trying to be a friend. And now look what I have done, everyone who loves me seems to get hurt. Maybe it would be better if I just stayed here....

Lying next to Karle, our bruised and bloody bodies entwined together with the love we a had for the truth. And each other....