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Chapter Three - Lex

School seems to just drag on today, I think to myself. I'm barely in my second class and I'm already over it. Mr. Gibson isn't here today. It's barely the second week of school, and he's already playing hooky. So now we're stuck doing busy work, like reading the chapter, in order to please the substitute. I don't even bother to go through the pretenses of complying.

There's no point.

I've already done the reading.

Instead, I stare out of the window and watch as the school's gardener tends to the flowers in the courtyard. She seems to be engrossed in the small task of pruning and watering, and happily so. I can faintly make out a small smile on her face. I envy her for it.

A smile hasn't made an appearance on my face for a long time. At least one I haven't faked.

I sigh internally at the thought of it, and fidget with my pencil trying to distract myself from the fact that there's eyes on me. I should be used to it considering that's all that I get these days. Constant scrutiny. But for some reason, this time, it puts me on edge. I don't dare turn around to confirm, but I know that those hazel eyes on me belong to one Mr. Blake Fitzgerald.

I think back to this morning. It's become routine that the second my motorcycle appears in the lot, people part ways as if I'm plagued with leprosy. I don't mind it as much these days, as it makes it easier to get to my destination. Less bullshit to deal with, so I don't think twice about it as I park my bike and grab my bag. That is until I see Blake standing nearby with some friends, all looking at me. I pretend not to notice and continue my walk, but considering it's still eerily quiet, I hear his friends talking.

It takes all I have not to roll my eyes at their comments. Sure, I'm wearing my dark washed jeans and tight leather jacket, but does that make it okay for them to comment on my appearance? Hell no. So, I turn their direction and summon a look my mom would be proud of. Quickly their eyes turn downwards, like I expected, but Blake doesn't.

He continues to hold his gaze, and I'm taken aback by his boldness. His eyes scan my face as if trying to decipher a code, and, for some odd reason, I sense myself getting lost in them. Actually, more like getting lost in him. I've always harbored a small crush on Blake and at one point we were almost friends. Yet now we are strangers, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating his afro curls and wanting to touch it.

It's all very off putting and has made me feel on edge. I'm not sure what's going on, but I was even more aware of him as I walked into class. Usually having my headphones in and music playing helps keep me away from my surroundings, but that did not help. The second I sat down in my usual seat I swear I felt him staring. More irritated than usual, I looked over my shoulder straight at him, letting my annoyance show.

Yet that obviously did not deter him, because he's looking my way again. I'm almost certain his eyes have bored a hole in my jacket, and if he doesn't stop, soon the hole will consume me. I don't like it one bit. My hands start to shake and I can feel my heart beat dangerously fast. I close my eyes and try to calm down. I don't need everyone to witness me having an anxiety attack. My hands grip the edge of the desk with great force; I half expect it to snap in two.

Who does he think he is? There's no way I'm going to let him get to me. I don't let anyone or anything get to me. Not anymore. I loosen my hands and look up at the clock. There's less than a minute left before the bell rings.

With this, I straighten myself up and put my book in my bag. I'm already moving out my seat to the door as the bell rings. Fully aware of the stares, I take out my headphones and hit play as I make my way to my next class. Grateful that it's one that I don't share with Blake. I finally breath easily again.