Soulmate {Book Two} The Vioval Ritual

🔮 Chapter Nine {Part One} ~ Kennedy's POV 🔮

We have Gym first period today. Not a great way to start off a Tuesday---especially after walking to school---but I don't mind it. Most gym classes are okay. As long as it's not rugby we're playing, I'm fine.
I'm in luck, because as I stand in line, waiting to get changed and listening to Mr. Shepherd inform the class of what we'll be playing, I learn that we are starting a wheelchair basketball unit. I hear a few people murmur to their friends in response, excitement rippling down the line.
I, too, whisper to Kasey and Kyle in eagerness until I hear the iconic line; "Rock out, slackers in the corner!"
Students rush to the changing rooms in a herd. The Girls' Changing Room is closest, and I shove myself into the heavy door to swing it open. Luckily, I'm usually one of the first in, and I always get the stall at the very end. It's bigger and has a little bench inside.
All the girls in the main area of the changing room carry out loud conversations, which was irritating at first, but over the years I've gotten used to the obnoxious echoing effect.
I've never understood the point of changing in the main area when there were several empty stalls. Why would you want every girl in the class to see you in your underwear? I've never once considered it, being self-conscious and all. Plus, it's just plain embarrassing. And the things they talk about are even worse. I don't care if you shaved your legs. You can tell whoever you want, just don't yell it like a public service announcement.
After I've finished pulling on my black leggings and adjusting my double-knotted shoelaces, I stuff the necklace I'd been wearing into the pocket of my sweater, where it hangs on one of two hooks, and exit my stall. Shielding my eyes from the other possibly taken stalls as I walk past, I walk around the corner and lean against the wall.
Only two people remain, still in the early stages of dressing---Jessica and Taelynne. I can safely say Jessica's my friend, and I don't mind Taelynne sometimes, but she can be kinda annoying. Which makes her and Joseph perfect together.
We all leave the Girls' Changing Room together, entering the gym to see almost the whole class---with another class mingled in---jogging around the perimeter of the gym. Small wheelchairs are lined up against a wall to my right, ready for us when the warmup is over.
Running at a steady pace still exhausts me significantly, mainly because I spent most of the time talking and running simultaneously. And I never leave my couch at home, so really, any type of exercise isn't for me.
Finally, after a gathering and a brief explanation of what we're to do once we're seated in the wheelchairs, we are allowed to actually sit in them. Mr. Shepherd chooses eight people to practice with the wheelchairs, and in a few minutes, they'll have to switch out with eight new people. Jordan, Kamden, Wesley, Sarah, Joseph, Taelynne, Janae, and Ross are the first to test out the chairs. The rest of us get to hang out on the nearby benches and chat while we wait for the next selection.
"I can't wait to roll around in one of those things. I've always wanted to use one." I comment, watching Kamden chase Wesley around in wobbly circles.
Kasey laughs. "Kennedy, that's not good." she chuckles.
"It looks fun, though." I say, gesturing to my peers rolling around.
"It does." Kyle agrees, leaning forward and balancing on the edge of the bench.
I smile and watch Ross give his wheels one big spin, thrusting himself forward to cruise across the gym. My eyes follow him until he breaks abruptly at the other end. I chuckle at my old friend's goofiness, but I trail off when I catch something out of the corner of my eye.
Down the bench, Wilson sits alone.
And he's glaring at me.
It's almost as if he isn't even blinking.
Come to think of it, I did notice him staring at me during the warmup. And during SSR this morning. In fact, he hasn't taken his eyes off of me since I walked through the door.
"Give me a minute." I mutter to Kasey and Kyle as I stand to approach Wilson. His gaze follows me as I sit down beside him. "Hey." I greet casually.
He doesn't respond.
"Um, you're sorta creeping me out there, bro." I say, inching back a bit. He just continues to stare at me.
I take note of his appearance, that of which I hadn't noticed before. His hair is slightly unkempt, and his chestnut eyes are faintly bloodshot, with dark bags underneath. Did he sleep at all last night?
"Well, I guess you're not really into talking right now...I'm just gonna go over there..." I say awkwardly as I stand and head back over to Kasey and Kyle. I sit between them until Mr. Shepherd orders the eight to get out of the wheelchairs.