Ink Cursed

Chapter 2

Ink Cursed

Chapter 2

Running quickly from my front door to my car, I almost beat my record. The rain pelts down on me as I frantically search for my keys in my pocket. Cursing, I finally manage to get a hold of them and enter my car with a gasp of relief.

My car wheezes to life.

I rest my hand on the passenger's seat where my books and backpack are now scattered. Wiping the water off of my books, I decide they're safe and toss them into the back.

Taking a breath, I push my thick, auburn hair behind my ears as the heater in my car turns on with a low hiss.

My car lurches forward as I drive towards Jared's.

Pressing the horn of my car two times, I sit back as I wait in front of Jared's house.

Thinking about it now, maybe the Halloween dance won't be half bad with Jared. He's somewhat a gentleman and definitely attractive, even though I don't and probably will never see him in that way. It's just Halloween, anyway.

Shuddering, I meet eyes with Jared who's desperately knocking on the glass of my car. Not even realizing I even locked it in the first place, I unlock it as he falls into the seat next to mine.  I just stare at him as he nears his face into the heater.

"Morning, Jared," I say, reluctantly stripping my jacket off and draping it over his bare arms. "Why are you wearing such summer-ish clothes? It's supposed to be raining most of this week, remember?"

"I knew that," he says sarcastically, rubbing the drops of water off his golden hair. His eyes close softly as I step on the gas slowly, and we start moving down the street.

The drops of rain tap against the glass, sounding like someone knocking continually. The heat finally gets to me and my skin crawls. I tighten my colorful scarf around my neck, and turn up the radio, listening to some good old songs. Jared's low breathing and the music lightly coming from my car's speakers create a relaxing atmosphere and I wish this moment can last forever.

Jared and I usually go to Subway first thing in the morning to have a half-sandwich breakfast and to get a foot-long for lunch. We usually fall asleep at a booth there out of sheer tiredness and the unwillingness to go to school. We started doing this unconsciously actually, like asking if we should have breakfast somewhere and now it's a tradition for us. Like a daily ritual or even routine.

Checking my watch, I make a mental note that we have exactly twenty minutes until we have to be in our first class.

Reaching Subway, I shake Jared awake and step out of my car, my arms protecting my head from falling water. Jared chases in after me.

As we enter, we're quickly surrounded by the heat and silence of the fast-food restaurant.

There's no one here except for us and the cashier.

"The usual?" Jared asks me as I stretch my arm out for him to take my money. He looks at the money for the shortest time then pushes my hand back. "Let me pay for you today. As a Halloween treat."

Raising my eyebrows, I accept his offer and slide into a burgundy leather booth, my head instantly hitting the table as I close my eyes.

I'm just about to fall asleep as I feel a shake on the shoulder and Jared's voice in my right ear. Jumping quickly back into consciousness, I groggily look at him and realize how envious I am of how awake he looks.

He hands me my usual wheat bread sandwich with cheese, turkey, lettuce, mayonnaise, and all other kinds of heavenly-flavored vegetables. I take a bite of my sandwich, as my eyes lazily look over to Jared. He smiles and stuffs his sandwich into his open mouth, making a loud noise I can distinguish as a moan of satisfaction.