His Girl

Invitation

Seeing Breaker was a rush that I craved uncontrollably. No matter what he said about him being bad news, he consumed me. I thought of him constantly. Every moment I wasn't near him felt empty and haunted. Just a glimpse in the hall or a small glance in class, left me higher than a kite.

I didn't necessarily understand him though. He sometimes said hello to me in class, sometimes not. If I didn't look at him, he'd get my attention, but then turn away. He was so unpredictable.

It seemed like everyone else knew him so well, but when he spoke to me, there was something that said I knew him differently. Special.

"Watch it with Breaker," Camila said. She and I had third period PE together.

She knew everyone in that class too. The whole school, really. I felt they wouldn't attack me again. She knew Breaker didn't want her to and no matter how tough she acted, she was as weak as I was for him. Still, I was always on eggshells within the school walls.

"What does that mean?"

"I'm just giving you advice." She raised her eyebrows. Her friends audibly agreed.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked. Her group laughed.

"Nothing is wrong with him but, how do I say this?" She looked at her girls. "Um, when he's done, there will be something wrong with you."

"Yeah and I don't think you can handle it," one of them added. They all put their hands on me as they walked past, pushing me into my locker.

I was trembling as I put myself back together. The girl's sent a clear message, they would hurt me again. But that wasn't what scared me most. When he was done, I wouldn't be okay. That stuck with me. Still, all I wanted was last period math to come so I could see him.

"I don't know why the state still allows mathematics as a final period but most of you wouldn't pay attention any time of day." The teacher was addressing the class. The kids responded with hissing and booing sounds. It sure was different than my last school.

"Polynomials, what are the?" It felt like Mr. Sebastian's eyes were drilling a hole in me until I raised my hand.

"A voluntary answer, how refreshing. Chanel."

"An expression with multiple algebraic terms."

"Correct. Can anyone elaborate to help your classmates understand."

"Yeah, if Method Man was algebra, then Wu Tang Clan would be a polynomial, because it has more than one like him."

"Very good, Mr. Breaker. I think."

The class laughed. Breaker looked in my direction, I felt blood rush to my face. He'd written something on a folded piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Do you like music?" it read.

I looked at him and smiled. I was floating out of my chair. He nodded to the note, there were two boxes - yes or no - for me to answer. I put an X in the yes box and passed it back.

After class, he walked with me to the hall. I could sense him, every inch of me was completely captivated. Prisoner.

"Come to a concert with me," he said. He was close, too close.

"When?"

"Now."

"Huh? Where?"

"Downtown. Don't think, just come." He was staring at me, his eyes intent. "Don't you want to?"

"Watch it now," Camila and her girl squad passed us. She leaned her shoulder into me, shoving me aside. They all made tsk sounds as their eyes looked me up and down.

"Calm down, Camila," he grunted and stepped in to shield me from them. I liked that, but hated the way her name sounded coming from him. It was too familiar. He looked toward the exit. "Yeah?"

"Okay, yeah," I said. I wasn't going to be bullied by those girls anymore. Plus mom had class that evening. She'd never know.

"I don't want to stop you from doing your homework," he tugged on my bag. "I'll carry this, Miss A student."

"Breaker," I pretended to protest.

"Breaker," he mimicked me.

"Stop."

We were walking playfully, I felt his arm around my shoulders. I leaned into him with my head down. I couldn't see in front of me, but when I was with him, it felt like I didn't need to.