Chasing Chaos

Chapter 4

4.

     I didn't go to school the next day. My eye was swelled and black and my dad wasn't speaking to me. I wish he could just try to understand what happened. 

      At 10 he left for work and left me alone. My day consisted of wandering around the apartments and studying for upcoming tests. 

     Later that day I walked over to the large mirror in my bedroom and looked closely at my black eye. It was a mixture of purple, blue and pink. At least it didn't hurt that much. 

     I went back to my bed and started to read. The book I was reading couldn't really capture my attention though and I rolled off my bed. I checked the clock: 2:45, school was getting out now. I sighed. I walked over to my closet and took a small brown wooden box out. My mother's name was carved into the side, Ellie, and next to hers was my dad's, Jared. I took the box to my bed and opened it. Inside were some of my mother's old things. A book, a picture she drew, a picture of her and my father, a brush, a locket and the last two things that I still haven't figured out: a small round disk and a carefully folded paper with lots of colors and equal signs. Beside some of the colors and equal signs were words. 

Next to red it said =mad (something to protect) 

Next to blue= sad (things to make you laugh) and lastly, 

Next to yellow= happiness (butterflies, bubbles, etc.) 

     I still haven't figured out what all of it means. It's got to be something important. I found it in my mom's dresser after she died. When I was little I can remember her filling in some of the blanks on the sheet. I don't know what she was doing though. I never asked because I never thought it mattered. But now I know it has to matter since she hid it so carefully and worked so hard on it. I slowly put everything away and back into the closet. Outside I heard the bus pull into he corner where my stop was. I watched everyone jump out and start towards their houses. I wish everything was the way it was before my mom died. I used to have lots of friends and talk to lots of people. Now all they want to do is make fun of me. They're like a pack of wolves, all sticking together and picking on the weak ones. I wish instead they would pick up and help the weak ones. My mom always told me that people who pick on others have a rough life at home. I wonder if Jake has a rough life at home. 

     I don't really care enough to think too long about it. He broke my mom's bracelet. The thing that kept me sane and calm for so long, he broke. He deserved to get punched in the nose. I hope I messed up his nose so it never looks right again. I laugh as I think about Jake having a crooked nose. 

      I turn away from my window and hear a loud, quick knock on the front door. "Who could that be?" I say aloud to no one. I walk over and look out the peep hole, it's Austin. Confusion washes over me as I open the door. 

      "Austin?" I question. "How did you know where I lived? How did you know what number my apartment was?!" 

     "I asked." Is all he responded with. 

     "Um ok..-" 

     He reached out and grabbed my arm, "Follow me." He said and turned around. I just stood there. He turned back around, grabbed my arm and dragged me with him down the stairs and around the building where no one was around. 

     "Um Austin what are you-" 

     "shush" he interrupted me. He looked me straight in the eyes. 

"Desi, listen to me and take everything seriously. You need to be careful. I know Jake provoked you but you should've held back-"

     "you don't know what he did!" I shouted. 

     He quickly covered my mouth with his hand. "Yes I do! Now listen." He said sternly removing his hand. "As I was saying, you just need to be careful, there's things, um, watching. There's things watching all around and you need to not draw attention to yourself."  

     "What... what??" I repeated. 

     "It's confusing I know, and I can't tell you anything now, but if anything weird ever happens tell me ok?" 

     "What do you mean weird? Why would something weird happen to me?" 

     "I can't say anything more, I promised my dad I wouldn't."

     "What? Your dad? How and why does your dad know anything about me?"

     "He knew your mother." Austin watched me closely. 

     I stopped for a second and thought. Maybe my mom used to work with him. I'm not sure what Austin was trying to say. "Is this all some stupid joke?!?!" I spat angrily at him. 

     "No, I swear it's not! I don't like Jake either, I'm glad you punched him in the nose, you just need to be careful." 

     "Nothing can make me feel sorry or want to take back what I did to Jake. I hope his nose is messed up forever." I didn't feel bad at all for saying that. 

     Austin smiled, "haha wow ferocious! I didn't know you had it in you but you gave him a pretty good punch." He smiled. "Just be careful. I have to go now but if you ever need anything or feel weird about anything just come to me. Ok?" 

     "Ok, thanks." I replied. 

     "Oh, and before I go I'll give you what is rightfully yours." Austin smiled, reached into his pocket and pulled the bracelet out. "Don't let Jake know I gave it to you ok?" He laughed and dropped it into my hands, "stupid boy" he muttered as he turned around. "Bye Desi." He turned to look at me before walking around the corner and disappearing. I looked in awe at my hands. 

     How did he get the bracelet back?? What did he mean by 'be careful'? Why did he suddenly act like we were good friends? And why was he so secretive? 

Those questions haunted me for the rest of the day and all night.