Fear Me P.JM

Chapter Thirteen Four: Black Hair

Park Jimin dyed his hair black.

Because of me.

I don't say a word and only turn back to face the front.

"Woah, Jimin!" I hear Jb behind me. He drops his bag by his desk. "What's with the change?"

Jimin lifts his hand and points directly at me.

"She said black would look better."

"Kito?" Jb says, surprised.

Keep staring ahead, Nikito. Maybe if you stay quiet, no one will know you're here...

I sneeze from the rising butterflies.

No!

I sneeze again. Jeez stop flying around!

My mind won't stop repeating the line: Because of you. Because of you. Because of you Jimin dyed his hair.

I sneeze once more. Go away!

"Here." A hand holding a tissue appears in front of me.

"Thanks," I murmur, but I suddenly recognize the smooth, perfect outlines of the hand.

"I can't take this tissue!" I cry out standing up.

Jimin and Jb are both looking at me confused.

"Um, why?" Jimin asks.

I use both hands to point at the tissue.

"This tissue is yours!" I say to Jimin while keeping my eyes only on his hand. "I cannot take what is yours! I-I don't know if I can handle that!"

I hold onto my head. "Am I good enough for this tissue!? Of course not! I mean, everyone wants a tissue at some point, but some people are meant for Kleenex, others want Puffs, and some prefer more generic brands!"

My hands shake.

"S-so I can't take this tissue! I can't do it!"

I stare at it one second longer.

"GAH!" I yell and walk out of the room leaving both Jb and Jimin speechless.

Out in the hallway, I take a breather.

You've got to pull yourself together Nikito. Shake it off. Shake it off.

Now...

What do you want!

I hold my arm up with one finger pointing to the ceiling.

No more Python!

And how are you going to get it!

I pull my arm down and close my hand into a fist in front of my face.

By testing Jimin three times in hopes he'll pass them and I'll be able to live my days freely forever without worry or care...other than applications to college next year...and the SATs...and the homework and tests...and, of course, if Jimin passes, then it'll only prove that he really likes me and I'll have to figure that all out!

Really need to simplify that...

"KITO."

I spin around.

Seriously. I just spun around in a full circle.

The janitorial staff has been really waxing these tiles, haven't they?

I finally stop. Python is in front of me.

"So it seems you passed the first test," she says.

I try to appear humble and only lightly nod.

Python frowns.

"A winner doesn't take credit halfway," she growls. "A winner acknowledges her victory fully!"

"Ah!" I nod vigorously. Just don't kill me.

"No!" Python says raising her hand like she's about to knock some sense into me. "If you win, celebrate it!"

"Y-YES!" I yell out.

"I WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY 'I DID IT!'" Python yells.

"I-I DID IT!" I scream.

Python puts her hand down. "Good."

I don't turn away from her. She could pounce on me any second.

"I wanted you to really enjoy passing the first test," Python explains.

"Thanks," I say feeling more confident.

"Because you won't be getting the second."

Aaaand the confidence plummets.

She grins a saber-tooth grin before walking away. "Good luck."

I take a moment to think.

The Snare.

I wonder what trap I have to set...I suddenly imagine Jimin in those old-school Super Mario World games jumping around.

Hehe.

He just ate a mushroom.

Now, he's jumping on those floating platforms.

Wow. Such skill. Much speed.

Oh, he just got killed.

I really hope this isn't foreshadowing something.

Back in the classroom, I sneakily take a look at the paper when Mrs. Elk turns her back. She may be huge, but the woman's got a set of cat eyes on her. Spots a fly a mile away.

And then I discover 'The Snare' is not what I think it is...