D3ADLY S!N

What Just Happened??!

Jade never showed up to school.

As I reached the front door, the feelings of anger subsided and worry immediately replaced it. What if she was badly injured? It would all be my fault. I don't have any clue as to why I pushed her in the first place. I wanted to stop considering the dreams as a justifiable reason for my actions.....it just couldn't be real.

I felt vulnerable without jade right next to me in the hallway. Now everyone stared, when she was with me she'd stare right back until they felt uncomfortable and looked away. I didn't have the courage to do that. So I kept my head down, gathered my books, and tried not to be noticed.

Sitting down at my seat, I awkwardly stared into a book, unable to read anything. I was too nervous. I had a clean record since I'd started preschool; not one detention. Ever. If Jade told someone.....I would automatically get suspended, maybe even expelled.

"Persephone?"

".....Yes?" I glanced up to see Ms. Dan looking down at me worriedly.

"Have you seen Jade?"

I paled, taking an uneasy breath before answering.

"No, Why?"

"She isn't here....and you two are always together. I thought maybe you'd know where she was."

"I haven't seen her at all today." I said calmly.

I realized that I could lie with ease now, and that disturbed me. Usually, I wouldn't be able to lie without breaking down and blurting out the truth. But I kept a straight face, I even managed eye contact with Ms. Dan. Was I even the same person anymore??

Classes went by in a blur of paper and cheap erasers. When the lunch bell rang, I didn't even bother to go. I ruined my appetite, thinking about how I'd changed; I didn't like it at all. Well....did I?

people treated me with respect, I was noticed. I was somebody people would talk about, but with nothing bad to say. I was a spectacle in the student body's eyes, that part I didn't mind.

I looked up and widened my eyes a bit. I had been walking around school aimlessly, trying to make the lunch period go by. Of course, I ended up right in front of Mr. Hall's door. He did teach the class I had after lunch.... but I felt a tinge of curiosity grow in my stomach. I wondered what he did for lunch. Then I tried to shake the thought from my head. He was a teacher, he'd probably be eating like every other staff member here; in the teacher's lounge. Still, I was curious to find out, even if he wasn't in the room. I tentatively reached for the door handle, turning it sharply and opening the door. I stepped inside and put my bag on my desk. It's different being here alone-

"Persephone?!"

I screamed at the top of my lungs, whipping around and a hand instantly covered my mouth. Mr. Hall looked at me with a worried expression before gently releasing me.

"What are you doing here? Class doesn't start for another twenty minutes." he asked.

"I....I'm not hungry." I responded quietly. Of Course, my own body betrayed me when my stomach growled in protest. Mr. Hall arched an eyebrow and led me to his desk, sitting me in his chair.

"Here... I hope you don't mind spaghetti." he handed me a still warm container and a fork.

"I couldn't possibly-"

"Just eat." he smiled, leaning against a desk behind him.

I sighed and stabbed the fork into the spaghetti, twisting it around before bringing it to my mouth. It tasted......like nothing I've ever had before. It was heavenly, almost.

"Where'd you get this?" I asked surprisedly.

Mr. Hall laughed, lightly tilting his head back.

"I made the spaghetti."

"How in the world?!!" I gaped at him in awe.

"Let's just say I've had a lot of practice." he chuckled to himself, as if it were some inside joke I didn't understand.

I simply nodded and cracked a smile, before returning to the spaghetti. Soon the container was empty, the only evidence that food was there was the smell of tomato sauce and oregano in the air.

I smiled sheepishly.

"Ahhh.....I guess I was hungry..."

"I'm just glad you enjoyed my cooking." he smirked, immediately bringing a blush to my cheeks.

"If you ever want more spaghetti, I'd be glad to bring some in for you." he said.

"Oh, that's not necessary...." I mumbled, making him smile.

Embarrassed; I handed him the container and our hands brushed against each other, making that feeling race through my palm again.

"Sorry about that" I quickly said.

"Don't be..." he murmured, taking my hand on his. I froze up, blushing even more.

"Mr. Hall-" he pulled me closer, gazing into my eyes.

"I told you, call me Ian." he whispered.

"I-Ian..." I stuttered, and he shivered. I noticed his eyes became a shade darker.....at least I thought they did. But I was sure of one thing......I wanted to kiss him. Almost desperately.

Mr. Hall leaned in and paused, his eyes flickering to the door. Suddenly, I was at my desk and I gasped in surprise. How did I get there so quickly? Mr. Hall was at his desk, grading papers as he normally would. Then the door opened and students flowed into the room, still loud from speaking in the cafeteria. He knew the students were about to enter..... but how??

"Class, turn to page 386 in your textbooks." He said, from his desk. His voice sounded a bit rugged, not as composed.

......What Just Happened??