Inqueda

chapter 13

So sorry for another chapter that took forever to upload, hopefully it gets better soon.

There is something about him, I can't put my finger on what.
He looked an average height with a scattered brown hair that I can't decide if it's as a result of the altercation or is always like that. He seemed a little on the lean side, but not too much, there really doesn't seen to be anything eye catching about him. Like I'd pass him on the hallway and not look twice. He looked regular, too regular infact, if that's a thing. I don't know why, but something about him just made me feel like he was trying too hard to fit in, to not draw attention, and something whispered at the back of my mind " just like you."

I couldn't help taking a hesitant step forward, and he looked like he was about to bolt, like a skittish animal, I  raided my hands slowly trying not to spook him into fleeing and spoke gently  " it's ok, I'm not going to hurt you, I just want to see that you're fine."

He didn't really seem to believe me, he was still shuffling a bit, but atleast he wasn't running yet, so I kept walking slowly towards him. His clothes looked a bit roughened up, but otherwise he looked fine as far as I can see, so I asked  " are you ok? Are you hurt? Do you need to go see a doctor or something?"

He gave me a look I didn't really understand, then sighed  " no, I'm fine."

His voice had me looking at him intently again. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, but I had that thought of trying too hard again. I couldn't resist my eyes running over his features one more time, and before I could really think it through, the question  was out  
" what are you?"
The question was softly worded, and I guess because I was looking at him so intently, I saw the panick skitter through his eyes before he controlled it,  and in a nonchalant voice said  " I don't know what you're talking about."

He bent down and picked a bag I didn't really notice was there and said " thanks for your help and all that but I'd better get to class or I'd be late enough to be sent to detention."

He looked totally guarded now and I regretted my outburst. If he was something and hiding it, it wouldn't necessarily be bad right? I mean, I wasn't exactly volunteering information about myself, and I'd be suspicious too if a random stranger walked up to me and started asking personal questions.

I tried for a harmless smile, " I'm sorry, sometimes I speak before I think, my mother always warned it would put me in trouble one day, I'm a new student, my name is Orla, I was just trying to find my way to my first class when i heard something."

He was looking at me with his head cocked to the left and one brow up  " you thought you heard something in a lonely hallway and went to investigate instead of running? I don't know if that makes you really brave or really stupid."

That stung a bit, maybe because of all the time my family admonished me for being too impulsive, so I cried out  " hey, I did save you didn't I, couldn't have been too stupid."

He sighed, " yeah and they could have as easily started with you".

I couldn't help crossing my arms and turning my chin up " they should have tried, and they would have found out I'm not such a weak target afterall."

He gave another sigh and ran his hand through his hair " where are you supposed to be now? Name's Sean by the way"

I nodded and consulted the paper I was given at the office  " nice to meet you Sean, and I believe I'm supposed to be in world history now ".

He adjusted the bag on his shoulder and turned  " come on, you're in luck that's where I'm going too."

I meekly followed him because honestly, trying to navigate these passages alone is making my head ache.

The teacher pardoned us when Sean explained I was new and he had to help me navigate, not the total truth but not a lie either.

The teacher continued with whatever he was talking about and I found myself not hard pressed to listen. I really doubt he was teaching anything I couldn't find in a book, but the people though, the people fascinated me. I spent a majority of the class people watching. So many people, similar to people at home, yet different. It seemed that for whatever reason I might hold some kind of fascination for them too, I hope it doesn't mean I'm not blending in as much as I thought. People staring at me doesn't really bother me, afterall it was something we grew up with, however feeling so many eyes darting your way when you're really trying to stay inconspicuous really is uncomfortable.

There was a shrill sound, and I had to remind myself it's the bell, everyone started packing their stuff and I did mine too. Sean looked like he was about to go, then looked at me, I don't know what he saw, but he sighed  " let me see your schedule for a moment"

I gladly passed it on to him. He looked at it shortly with a slight frown and said
" it's almost weird but you seem to be in all of my classes, are you following me or something?"

I shrugged " I didn't create my schedule and I dont even know who did."

He just shook his head and turned " I guess you should better stick close to me then, unless you're scared of your reputation or something ".

I was confused " reputation?"
He looked skeptical " are you trying to tell me you haven't noticed that I'm not really popular around here, so if you want to go that way, then it would be better if you dissociated yourself from me "

He sounded almost nonchalant, but somehow I could tell that it hurt him, and i realised that he expected me to ditch him. So I just shook my head and sighed  " come on let's move before we're late for class, popularity is overrated, and I dont know about you  but I would loath to stand in front of another class and answer why were you late."

He gave me a reluctant smile.

I went to the rest of the classes with him. He even unwound enough to pass a few witty comments, he's hilarious. I sat with him during lunch. One girl passed a comment about sitting with the rejects, but i was honestly more comfortable than I had been in a while.  They had a quiet energy  about them, and pretty much minded their business. There was Tim, Pat and another girl named joyce who for some reason kept giving me distrusting looks. I tried smiling at her but she just narrowed her eyes and looked away.

The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, but I still took a breath of relief when it was over. Trying to be normal and still  being watchful enough to be constantly looking over my shoulder is just too exhausting. I don't know where Cornal is or how to find him, so I had no choice but to go  and wait outside for whenever he's done doing whatever so we can leave.

He eventually came out, but ignored me, i mutely followed him to where the car was parked. He didn't say a word even after we got home, just disappeared to somewhere in the house. Sigh. This really should get old pretty fast.

So that's another chapter, didn't take as long between chapters this time, and I hope to keep shortening the upload time. Please bear with me for for now. Please consider voting if you liked it  and please leave a comment too if you did, or even if you didn't to tell me what you think is wrong and what should be changed. I'll really appreciate it.