Lacuna

Chapter One

My pale grey eyes stared at her picture on my wall. It seemed as if I could hear every little noise at this moment; the clock ticking on my desk, the rain falling against my window sill, the soft snores of my sister in the other room. Everything, and I mean everything that was normally silent and trivial when she was around has become so loud. Even my own thoughts scream at me inside of my own head. But mostly the thoughts were about her, Marigold Flowers. She was my girlfriend, or still is? It's complicated and I'm still trying to take everything in but at this very moment all I could do was stare at her picture and think about everything. The thing that keeps popping in my head is the day we met and how different life would be if it wasn't for her. Would I still be here? Would I be in jail? Who knows, all I do know is I remember every little detail. It was my first day of Freshman year, I had just transferred schools because of some complications at my old one and she was the student I had to follow around.

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The footsteps of my feet echoed as they stepped down the hallways of my new school. Since this is a small town in Alabama the school was also pretty small. It was the only other school in town besides my old school. This one was the newer one though, it had fresh painted walls the color of a bright blue, shiny light brown tiles to walk on, and the hallways were immaculate. I was walking behind Marigold, holding onto my books awkwardly. She was silent and so was I. Who's idea was it to put two awkward people together for a whole day? I rolled my eyes at the thought. To break the ice, I decided to start a conversation. There's no harm in conversations I guess? If I didn't suck at them that is. "So uhm, what's your name?" I asked, raising my brow. She looked back at me with her big eyes squinted.
"Marigold Flowers, and no I do not like flowers. Actually, I think they're repulsive and I'm allergic. Ironic huh? And do not call me Marigold, call me Mari. However, I doubt we'll have that issue since we won't be speaking again." She snickered, continuing down the hallway.
"Oh uhm, good to know I guess?" I let out a soft and awkward chuckle. She doesn't seem like a people person at all but who can blame her? People aren't that great. "I'm Dean." I said casually, moving one arm from my books to put my hand into my pocket. I thought that I looked cool until all my books went falling to the ground. God dammit for my spaghetti arms.
"Good going." She commented as she leaned down to help me pick up the books. That's when I got a full view of her, since it was the first time she even turned my way. She had short black hair, cut right above her ears. Her eyes were a dark shade of blue but a ring of green surrounded her pupils, it reminded me of the ocean in a way as cheesy as that sounds. She had freckles all over her face, I swear this girl even had freckles on top of freckles. Her cheeks were a light natural pink, I could tell she had on no makeup. Honestly she didn't need it, she was absolutely beautiful. I kept staring at her and examining her more. I didn't realize I was staring until she said something. "Are you going to keep staring or take your books? I know I look weird but fuck, most people at least attempt to hide it when they stare." She rolled her eyes and shoved the books into my chest as she stood back up. "Asshole." She pointed to the class in front. "Biology is our first class."
I looked at her and blinked slowly. "Uhm, I wasn't staring because you're weird or anything I just really uh— I love your hair. It's cool." I said with a sheepish grin, attempting to save myself for the situation I just made for myself. She just scoffed, walking inside now with her bag dragging behind her. It wasn't long before I followed her inside. Even the classroom smelled nicer and cleaner than my old school. The walls were a bright yellow with a bunch of cheesy, inspirational quotes on them. Honestly they were stupid in my opinion, I think I liked the graffiti better at Arigot. As I walked inside the weird looking and lanky teacher noticed me. He had a welcoming grin on his face, too welcoming if you ask me.
"Oh hello! Who might you be?" He smiled even more brightly. He really was a funky looking old man. He had a full head of red hair, thick bifocals and he was wearing some type of pants with dots on them. He had on an orange button up, with a periodic table tie.
"Dean Witts." I reached out my hand, with a raised brow. "Came from Arigot High." He took the time to shake my hand back with a grin still on his face. When I mentioned Arigot his smile got even wider.This dude was wacky.
"Welcome to Nixon High Dean! My name is Mr.Samuels but you may call me Mr.Sam, if that's easier for you of course." He paused for a moment. "You can take a seat in the back next to Marigold, since it is the only one open." He paused. "Miss Marigold over there insists to sit alone-- but this is all we have open so she'll have to make do."
"Mari, it's Mari.. How many times do I have to say it around here?" She rolled her eyes. I just nodded to the teacher and sat next to her.
"What's wrong with Marigold? It's a beautiful name, and it's unique." I gave off a soft smile, trying to be friendly. Usually I wasn't this nice but I really wanted to make a good impression here, I wanted to be better than what I was at Arigot.
"It sounds retarded. Now, stop talking to me. I'd like to do my work." She rolled her eyes again. She sure does do that a lot I've noticed.
"Right.." I gave a nod and went to pay attention to the rest of class. It was mostly just basic cell stuff that I've already learned in my old school, I kinda figured the school was ahead despite the environment of it.
By the time class was over I looked over to Marigold. "Hey Marigo— Mari." I cleared my throat, quickly correcting myself. "Where's the next class?" I asked quietly.
"Follow me, it's lunch so you can find somewhere to go." She said, grabbing her bag and walking at a fast pace once again. She didn't seem to talk to anyone yet today, besides me. I assume she doesn't have any friends but she seems cool and to be quite honest she was hot. Even her body was attractive, and I mean that in a totally non-perverted way of course. But wouldn't guys be all over her? I just shook off my thoughts since it wasn't my business anyways and continued to walk behind her. Once we got to the cafeteria she turned to me.
"Lunch is five dollars, stay away from the corner table unless you want to get your ass beat on the first day of school, oh and stay away from me unless you want your ass beat on the first day of school too." She gave off a smug grin and patted my head. I was about to say something but she was already walking away from me. What was her issue? I have been nothing but nice to her. I sighed deeply as my eyes looked around the room. There were about ten lunch tables in the room, I had no idea where to sit so I looked for the most empty one. I didn't want to get lunch today since I wasn't exactly hungry. I found the most empty table and sat down at a random table of two guys. They all just kept staring at me until one of them finally spoke.
"New dude right?" He had long dark brown hair, with dark eyes. He was pretty average looking except was wearing a shirt that said 'So no head?' As soon as I read it I wanted to move from the table. He was definitely not one of the most popular kids in school but I could tell he had a decent amount of friends.
"Uh, yeah. I'm Dean." I gave a light shrug, pushing my annoying shaggy blonde hair behind my ears. I seriously need a haircut was my first thought as I did so.
"How'd you get Marigold to talk to you?" The other guy with the curly afro popped in, putting his headphones around his neck. His appearance was definitely the opposite of his friends. I could tell who this guy was all the way from china. He was wearing rainbow cargo pants and an orange vest. What's with the fashion in this school? "I tried to get her so many times— damn the things I'd do to her." He smirked at his own words. Reason number two why I wished I didn't sit here.
"Because maybe I'm not thinking of the things I'd do to her?" I raised a brow, leaning back in my seat. I hate guys like this, that talk about women like they're not human beings. It seriously gets me pissed. I mean thinking it is one thing I even have thoughts sometimes, but saying it? People should keep that shit to themselves.
"Chill bro, Rio is just an idiot with no filter. I'm Mick, that's the idiot Rio obviously. Nice to meet you dude." Mick spoke, as Rio just put his headphones back on. I have no idea how they fit with all his hair, seriously it was huge.
"Yeah, you too.." I said hesitantly. The rest of lunch was actually enjoyable, they were both cool guys despite the comments and the shirt. They were both into the same video games as me and listened to the same bands. They just were a bit rude about certain things but that could just be me overthinking it. Once lunch was over I met back up with Marigold.
"Can't you just find the classes yourself? Really it's not that hard and I can get my credit without having you around." She sighed deeply, walking slower than before.
"I could but then I'd be late for every single one of them, and then the teachers would know you didn't show me around if you get there before me." I chuckled lightly. "Hey, you can cut the mean act, I think we could be friends if you would just chill out." She turned to me, her eyes narrowed.
"Dean, you're new around here. So let me tell you something early on, this way you don't have to waste your time." She paused. "I am mean, I hate people, I don't want to be your friend or anyone else's, and no I don't want to have sex with you. Now please, can we just get this day over with so we never have to speak again?" She looked at me with a bored expression. Her voice was soft and calmer than before but also monotone? It was as if she was programmed to say these things. She said it so quickly without any thought it seemed.
And besides the sex part, I didn't believe a word she said.