Before The Bad - Volume I

~ seven ~

Stella

The sky is so tragically beautiful. A graveyard of stars.

Soon, I whisper. Soon.

The sun is barely beginning to rise as I burst through my front door, hiding the house key underneath mom's current flower pot on the small porch. I pop in my earbuds and press play, starting on my venture to school.

I'm 50 minutes early. Why? I'm not really sure.

I felt less rushed when I arrived early in middle school and besides, mom says it's a good trait to build. Early bird gets the worm, she'd tell me. It was true.

The daily route is as follows: loop around the subdivision, straight across Willowdale Park, and down Spring Ave. I know there are quicker ways, but I've found this the most peaceful. Downtown itself is a scary and loud and stress-inducing place, so I try my best to avoid it as much as possible.

As I cross the street, headed into the line of trees covering the interior of the well-known park, I look around. The sky is brighter than it was five minutes ago and the heat is beginning to beat on my back.

I groan and shake my head, switching the current song to Hundred by The Fray. Sooner than later I arrive to school, dragging my air force's up the cement staircase.

This place is a complete ghost town, and there are less than 30 minutes until first bell. With all of my willpower, I pull open the glass doors and head inside. I place my earbuds in my bag.

The sound of my feet hitting the slab almost feels sinister and wrong as the sound echoes throughout the hall. I'm almost sure I'll pass by a janitor or somebody, but really, I can't get in trouble.

Besides, I have a handbook of excuses I've been mustering up during the trip here. The 'meeting with the teacher to discuss an assignment' trick always seems to play out well any other time. Hopefully, I wouldn't get to that faze.

A cloud of pressure is lifted off of me when I notice a few other students lingering about. Thank god I'm not the only insane one.

I eventually reach my locker, the metal chilling my hands. Once I hang my backpack up inside, I take a deep breath. I still had loads of time and no idea what I would do with it.

To be honest, resting in the freshman lounge seemed to play out best. Sleep was nearly impossible last night. My lunch scene with Jaxon wouldn't escape my mind, and the anger just grew larger until it erupted. I was and still am so, confused.

What was that?

The thing that hurt the most was the fact that he knew I could see straight through his act, but yet he continued. It's almost like he's embarrassed by me.
Then and there, I knew he wasn't going to continue to ruin my life. I am done with Jaxon Spade.

His stupid smile.

His stupid attitude.

His stupid hair.

His stupid beautiful face.

Done.

I slam my locker shut, but feel a grip on my wrist as I do so. I whip my head around, only gaining a flash of black, before being pulled into a dark empty classroom. The door quietly closes but with such a lack of light, I'm dumbfounded to who my abductor is.

I press myself against the chalkboard, "What are you doing?"

"We need to talk," the hoarse voice replies. I know that voice. I could pick it out from anywhere. Once my brain receives the message, I quickly start for the door. His body steps in front of me, blocking my one escape.