Dangerous Illusions

Chapter 5

I looked down at my watch running to my next class, late for the second time today. As I reached the door to the class I sighed in relief when I still had two minutes left while I went over to the back and sat down in one of the chairs in the second to last row near the window since it was either this one, or the one right at the back, and if I remember correctly, Daniel sat there. He always does so he can avoid being scowled at when he refuses to pay attention.

As the class started the teacher walked in. Mr. Fritos went to his desk and looked at a piece of paper with the student's names on it to take register. He started to call out the names, but when he reached mine his eyebrows raised as he looked up searching for me like the office had to have made a mistake.

When his eyes finally landed on me close to the back, he smiled and said,"...and lastly we have miss Winter. It is good to have you back, miss Winter. How have you been?"

I cursed him mentally for making me talk in front of the class but answered anyways, with a stuttered response. I received a small smile from him as he started his lesson, moving on from me, giving the class his full attention and explaining the concept of human evolution. We were about ten minutes into the class when the door abruptly opened with force, successfully cutting the teacher off.

The entire class turned their attention to the door and in walked the Daniel with his cocky smirk, his eyes never leaving mine. His eyes held so much emotion when he looked at me, it certainly took my breath away, but it was also confusing looking at him. It was like he was a different person, fighting a totally different demon than the last time I saw him. He had a storm of emotions playing around in his eyes, but it is always so quick that you cannot even place a fraction of one.

Mr. Fritos gestured to the seat behind me for Daniel to take with an annoyed look. Daniel is like a fox. He is sly and sneaky when it comes to avoiding detention and getting into trouble. Daniel knows exactly which buttons to push and when, he is an excellent judge of character from what Ive seen, but when it comes to me, it does not look like that applies.

The lesson continued as Daniel dumped his bag behind me next to the chair. I continued with my notes in my notebook, my mind wandering to this morning when I bumped into him.

I was just getting into my thoughts and writing when I felt a piece of paper hit the back of my head. I ignored it and payed attention to Mr. Fritos lesson, but one piece changed into two pieces, then three, then four...

"Nerd. Nerd. Hey nerd..." He would say with every piece he threw at my head. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists in irritation, not being able to concentrate at all. A few years ago, I would have been able to keep my anger in check, but Daniel sometimes just brings out the worst in me, he has no boundaries.

After the last bell of the day went, I headed back to my locker but as I was about to close it, I was turned around to look at a troubled girl, angry at the world.

"W-what do you want M-Melissa?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes at me and said, "Still going for the stuttering effect, huh?" She was one of the only people that I trusted enough to tell about some of my secrets. We used to be close until my brother's accident when she blamed me for what happened. My brother and Melissa used to date, everyone in my family thought they would be high school sweethearts and get married one day, I was happy for them. She used to be funny, smart, caring, but now looking at her, she is just an empty shell of what used to be my best friend.

I looked around me to see if someone was around before I spoke, "At least it's better than the slut act, M. If you would excuse me, I would like to get to my dorm. I had a rather long day." I sneered before escaping her grip, walking away from her.

I stopped halfway and turned around to look at the blond, "It was nice seeing you again, M, but I will not let you blame me for what happened to him anymore, and I will not let you treat me like you did last time. I ran once, I will not run again. I left my entire life behind, lost majority of the people I loved," I said looking at her with a pointed look,

"So, Melissa, if you plan on hurting me, I will hurt you back. Ever heard the expression if you play with fire you will get burned?" I turned on my heal and headed for the dorm block getting the feeling that someone was watching me again. I ignored it thinking it was just someone from class and continued my walk with my hands in my pockets and my head hanging low facing the ground as usual. The thought of Melissa just irritated me, so I started to think and making plans to go back to my club to claim my title once again.

After walking for a few minutes, I still had the nagging feeling of someone watching me. I slowed my pace and casually looked around me, seeing a few people making out by their cars, drinking, and playing football on the field in the distance, but no one out of the ordinary. The feeling disappeared but I was still looking around as I turned and headed for my room.

Maybe it is the same guy from the garage? I thought as I entered my room and closed the door behind me, heading for my bag on my bed. Taking out my laptop and placing it on my desk, unpacking a few things that I still had left from this morning, including some photos, but when I got to one photo specifically, I stopped unpacking. Looking at it, guilt started to build up in the pit of my stomach. I clenched my fists and looked away, putting the photo down. Just seeing him makes me feel guilty and torn all over again. Seeing him and knowing that he is gone, and it was all my fault.

I miss my brother so much, and I know there is nothing I can do to bring him back.