Beneath the Mask

Chapter 2

I hate school. Though I guess every high schooler does. However, I feel that I hate it even more. My school is really a depressing place. It is a large school, stereotypically red, and very wide. Windows are placed systematically, there is a track that I hate yet, have to run for Gym class in the back, and we even have a flagpole. It has a nice, happy feeling for the regular students, I suppose, but to me it is nothing but a place for depression and loneliness. The perfect school, I guess, for our perfect suburbs town.

Oh, shit I forgot to tell you guys about that, didn't I?

Fuck.

Well, Fionn is still driving us on the way to school, so I suppose I can tell you about our town. Alright?

It is a strange town really. Not really the hicks, yet not really a city. You see, there is a huge river called Tallow's Rush that rushes down from a nearby mountain. Tallow's Rush is this mighty river, deep, and a popular swimming destination for the teenagers here at Tallow. The Rush splits off into two smaller parts that surrounds Tallow. There are two bridges on either side of the rivers that connect us to the rest of the world, not that that matters to me. I'll never leave this place. Why should I? I have no where to belong. Anyway, don't think there are river side property, cause all around the edges of Tallow's side of the river are all fenced with trees, except for by the roads and by a very popular hangout spot that I heard exists but never went to. Nobody wants me there anyway.

Anyway, besides that, Tallow is just a normal town.

"Johnny Boy what are you thinking about?" Fionn's voice breaks my thoughts. I look at him. We are at a red light and he is looking at me with a small frown on his gorgeous, beautiful face. I avoid his gaze and see that school is just around the corner, and with it are all my nightmares.

"Nothing," I say. "Just thinking about town."

Fionn smiles, "I need to get you out of your room more," he says. "You'll have so much fun if you push yourself, you know."

"Yeah, sure," I nod. It hurts me thinking about how much Fionn cares for me. He shouldn't feel for me like this, I don't deserve it. His friends remind me daily, not that my Fionn knows. They're monsters like that.

The light turns green and Fionn looks back at the road. "I know," he says. "How about after school on Friday, I'll take you swimming. I know a place where it can just be the two of us."

"Yeah, sure," I nod. Why do you care for me Fionn? I'm just a nobody, I sigh in my mind.

"That's the spirit!" Fionn smiles. He pulls the car into the large school parking lot, parking in the student section. He turns the car off and shoots me a smile, "Come on John," he says. "First day, let's make it a good one, yeah?"

"Yeah," I nod. We grab our bags and got out of Fionn's car. We barely walk ten steps away from Fionn's car when I see them.

A herd of jocks, all wearing letter jackets, all in excellent shape with handsome faces and the devil's attitude. "Finn! There you are," a blonde jock say. He is the strongest and tallest of jocks. He is also Fionn's friend, however he never calls him by his correct name.

"Mike! How are you dude?" Fionn smiles. His actions are easy as they clasp their hands together and bump chests. "How was your summer?"

"Ehh it's alright," Mike shrugs. "Broke up with Cindy, she was a fucking bore."

"Damn that sucks," Fionn says, giving a fake laugh. That relieves me a little. The jocks all treat women like trash, but Fionn doesn't. He remembers that they're actual human beings and not just holes. "You two were cute with each other."