Darkness Next To Me

On The Field

The next day, my mom drove me to school. She was furious that I didn't even mention I knew Genivieve or that I was a murder suspect, but I knew she'd get over it in a few days. When we drove up to the front of the school, news reporters were standing in the way of students trying to get some coverage on Genivieve and me. "Are you sure you want to go to school today, kiddo?" My mom asked from the driver's seat. 

"Yes, mom." I sighed, "I'm going to have to deal with this anyway, I'll be fine, I promise." I grabbed my backpack from the backseat and opened the car door. "I'll just go around back." 

"Be careful." My mom called out as I walked toward the side of the main building. I heard my mom drive away and following that, i heard someone say, "That's her! That's Lacey! The murderer!" Before the reporters could even get to me, I ran to the football field. 

I sat down on one of the top bleachers and decided I wouldn't show up to home room. They'll understand I suppose. I mean, I am a suspected murderer. I saw the football players walk out to the field for their sports period. I pulled out a book from my backpack and opened a page. 

"Lacey, right?" I looked up, and saw a boy walking up the bleachers to get to me. I couldn't see his facial features clearly, but i noticed his chestnut colored hair shagging in front of his eyes. He looked handsome. "The new cheerleader?" He followed up his question. 

"Wow, first time someone addresses me by that and not murderer." I said. "For the record though, I'm just the new cheerleader." 

He had gotten up to the bleacher in front of me. I saw his eyes when he pushed his hair back. They were a dark hazel color, reminded me of a painting of a forest I had seen on a school field trip. Basic, yet still mesmerizing. 

"That's great to know then." He chuckled, "You don't look like a murderer." 

"I'll take that as a compliment." I giggled. "Well, this is making me feel like a horrible person considering you know who I am and I have no idea who you are." 

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows. "I'm surprised." 

"Nice to meet you, surprised." I waved at him. 

"Oh, no, dad jokes?" He smiled. "Guess you can't be on the team since that's not acceptable for Giselle." 

"Great, then I won't have to see you again." I giggled at our sarcasm. "Okay, but, really, what's your name?"

"Devon." He pointed to his jersey, "Runningback, number 12."

"I'll look for your number during the games." I said. "Shouldn't you be down there?" 

"Yeah, but i wanted to introduce myself to you first." He said. "You know, you seem nice, do you really belong next to Hera and Giselle?"

"I don't know." I closed my book. "Maybe i'm evil and this is just an act." 

"Then you'd belong right next to those two." He told me before walking back down the high bleachers. I wondered if he thought i was serious, because I was just joking. I also wondered what he meant. I knew Hera was very cynical and cold, but certainly not evil. Giselle was caring even though she expected things back. They weren't evil, right? 

 I saw a black-haired girl with fair white skin walk up to Devon on the field. He pointed to me and i quickly tore my gaze away. I realized who that girl was; it was Hera. 

Hera walked up the bleachers, her heels making a loud noise with every step on the cold metal. "Lacey!" She called to me. She pushed her short curls back, exposing the diamond choker that her white turtleneck covered. I wasn't going to lie; Hera was an icon, from her hair to her outfit to her body. I found myself envying her looks and her style. Although, I doubted I could pull off the short electric blue skirt she wore that showed off her long, shiny legs and her gold laced-up heels. I had short legs, I wore beat-up converse, and blue was not my color.