Retribution

Chapter Two

"Nes?"

"Yeah?" I looked up from the sketch I was currently working on.

"Want a s'more?"

"No thanks."

"She doesn't like marshmallows," Josh whispered.

"But Nes! Eating marshmallows is like eating clouds!" Crystal whined.

"What kind of freak doesn't like marshmallows?" Mike teased.

Instead of answering, I returned my attention to my sketch. The trio went back to chattering, myself half-heartedly listening. I was never much of a talker, not even when I was a child. Honestly, I was never outgoing. I was pretty much the exact opposite of my eldest brother, which is probably why I was never close to him. Josh on the other hand, was somebody I never had to force conversation with.

As the sun started to set, the bonfire the only thing illuminating my paper, I actually considered staying out a bit longer and possibly socializing. Quicker than the thought was created, it was pushed aside. Mostly because they'd all start drinking soon, and drunk people could be loud and annoying. I also knew that if they started drinking, that they'd want me to join in.

Beer, in my opinion, was absolutely disgusting. Not only smell, but taste included. Drinking the stuff always made me wanna throw up. Which is obviously why I tried to avoid consuming it at all costs.

Oh yeah, and I was a total lightweight.

Jenny greeted me when I entered the ramshackle house. The stale smell of cigarettes also greeted me. I didn't smell any fresh smoke, so that probably meant Boss was out and about. Most likely at a bar.

"Coming in so soon?" the aging woman chided.

"I got cold."

"Vanessa," she sighed and pushed aside her magazine, "a girl your age needs to socialize more. It isn't healthy to be cooped up all the time."

I wanted to say something about how I knew she didn't care about me in the least, but instead I bit my tongue.

She practially pushed me outside, forced me into my seat, and even had the audacity to take away my sketchbook and utensils. For the rest of the night I sat there, staring at the flames do their mesmerizing dance.

---

It was officially the end of summer. Here I stood in what I assumed to be the art hallway (due to the multitudes of handdrawn posters plastered on the wall), doing my best to memorize my schedule and school ID in hand. The picture that the man had taken for my school ID made me look like a deranged hobo that probably called her cats her "babies".

Ready to head to my first class, I was about to start walking when somebody snatched my schedule out of my hands.

"Hey there, sweet cheeks. What's your name?" a cocky male asked me. He wore a varsity jacket, had shaggy auburn hair, and some uber stank breath. With him were two other guys, also wearing varsity jackets.

"Vanessa," I squeaked.

"Chauncey Adams," he smirked down at me, extending his hand, "it's a pleasure to meet you, Vanessa."

The sound of his voice grated against my brain.

"May I have my schedule back?" My question came out nervously instead of demanding. That's probably why Chauncey snickered.

"Well, let's see what we got here." He looked over my schedule. "You're a junior? Man, you'd be lucky as hell to date a fine ass senior like me."

All I could do was stare at him as a blush crept along my face. He was making me flustered, and I did not enjoy it.

"Leave that poor girl alone!" I heard a female voice call out in an annoyed manner. Chauncey growled and turned to see who was telling him, Mr. Hotshot, to stop preying on me.

This girl with a somewhat familiar face came stomping over, a gaggle of others behind her. Chauncey's eyes instantly widened, "Reyna, I was just. . .greeting one of Lowell's new students."

"Save it." My arm was grabbed by Reyna (at least I think that's who she was), and she took me away from Chauncey and his buddies.

Once out of sight from those guys, Reyna let go of my arm and introduced herself, "I'm Reyna Noble, by the way." She smiled kindly, infectiously even, and asked, "What's your name?"

"Vanessa Grant."

"Coolio. Hey, do you need to know where your first class is? I can totally help you find it." I shook my head, because I also had a map of the campus. Reyna nodded and continued, "Well, if I see your during lunch or something, I'll totally stop by and say hello!"

"Okay," I said with a weak smile.

Noble. . .wasn't that name. . .familiar?