The Stranger

Chapter 10.

Monday. A strange weekend that flew by, and left our small town in New York dazed and confused. There was still no word from Dean, and the news didn't share any other updates. It's as if he vanished and no one cared to look further into his case.

Diiiiiinnnnggg! The school bell roared into my ear drums, as I held onto the straps of my backpack tightly. I noticed as I walked pass groups of students, there were low mumbles of whispers and stares. I bit on my bottom lip in nervousness, praying that the same won't happen to me as my Freshman year. A few giggles and snickers occured with each step I took. I glanced down at my shoes, hoping I didn't step in dog crap and that was the reason everyone was giggling at me. No dog crap. Sigh of relief.

As I walked pass the bathroom, a hand reached out and grabbed me, tugging me into the bathroom. The lights were completely out. "What's going on?" I spoke lightly while inching back towards the door for freedom. "Dazie, it's me." The mysterious person replied. "Who is me?" I replied quickly. They let out an aggravated sigh replying "Lane." "Oh.. why are the lights out?" I asked in confusion. "I didn't want anyone to see us talking." Great, now I'm an embarrassment.

"It's been a lot going on here. Everyone is talking about Dean and I! And they think I have something to do with his disappearance." She said. "Well. Do you?" I asked. "Dazie, c'mon. Do you honestly think I would do something like this? I was with Alex that night." The way she said his name with such passion and curiosity of being with him boiled my blood. "Oh," was all I could respond. I started to feel for the door handle, wanting to escape this conversation and the awkwardness of my ex-best friend screwing around with my other ex-best friend.

She waved her hands in the darkness, until she got a grip onto my arm. "Daze.." I heard the sadness in her voice. "I want you to know, no matter what anyone says, I didn't harm Dean. Everyone is assuming I did, because he was crazy in love with me." I nodded my head, as if she could see. "I know. He really was in love with you, Lane." I replied gently. I stroked her arm before opening the door and leaving.

The halls were empty and that let me know that I was late to Mr. Knight's class. I started to scuffle faster, allowing my shoes to squeak. As I opened the door, everyone looked up and stared at me from their scantrons. Crap, we have a quiz today. "Nice to see you, finally join us." Mr. Knight said while looking at his computer. "I'm sorry, sir. I-"Have a seat, Dazie. Oscar will inform you on what to do." He said while clicking on his keyboard. Oscar!? So, he really did get transferred over to our class. I scanned the room for him, and finally saw him. A seat in front of mine. "Grrrreat.." I mumbled.

I slowly walked over to my seat, and sat down waiting to be informed by this asshole on what to do. He turned around in his seat, and gazed at my hair. "You look nice today, Daze." He whispered. I tucked my upper lip into my mouth and nodded. "So, here's the quiz and bubble sheet." He said while handing me the papers. "Thanks." I said flatly. He turned around in his seat and continued his quiz as I began mine.

Halfway through the test, Oscar stretched his arms out into the air, dropping a folded note onto my desk. I looked around the classroom and at Mr. Knight to confirm if anyone saw what just happened. I swallowed anxiously, and opened the note.

Can we talk? His handwriting was surprisingly nice.
I wrote back in cursive. About? And passed the note back, by tapping on his rib cage.

Everything. He replied.
I sighed softly, not knowing what to write back. I wasn't in the best of best moods to discuss Dean's disappearance nor Laney's party. The bell rung and saved me from writing back to him. I stuffed my school supplies into my backpack, and stood up. I tried to walk pass Oscar, to turn my quiz in but he grabbed my hand gently. "Wait." He said sternly. I wiggled my hand from his grip and walked to the front of the class, giving my quiz in.