The Feel of Water

Thirty-Five - The Strategy of Horrible Men

I leave the classroom and make my way to my locker before eventually heading to the cafeteria. My fingers automatically spin the nob until each number is entered, and I pop the door open. My textbook is slid onto the shelf up top with my others. My pouch of pencils and pens and whatnot is tossed in. And lastly, my notebook is shoved next to my graphing calculator, against the metal wall.

"They're in the cafeteria right now—" A girl says to her friends as she walks by. Her voice drowns out as she makes it down the hall.

I turn while closing my locker. Everyone seems to be heading the same way. It isn't strange for my classmates to flock to the cafeteria during the lunch period, but it's their haste that makes me wonder. I break away from the wall and join the flow of students.

Another voice says, "Again? Come on! Hurry up!"

Suddenly a hand grabs my arm. I flinch and see it's Alisha.

"Dani, you have to hurry," she says and pulls me down the hallway.

"What? What's going on?

"It's Sean. I came to find you. I was at the table and suddenly he and Jamie just started talking—" She pauses as we push through the cafeteria doors. "Oh no," she says, looking forward.

My heart drops when I see Sean and Jamie standing about five feet apart with stern faces and clenched fists. Andre is trying to bring Sean back, but his eyes are fixated on Jamie like a lion to its prey. I hurry over and call, "What's going on?"

All three look to me.

"Stay out of this," Jamie says, turning back to Sean.

"Talk to her again and I'll break your fucking arm," Sean spits back, stepping closer. Andre grabs his shoulder.

Completely taken-back, I come between them. "What are you doing?" I ask Sean, my voice unwavering. "What's going on?"

Sean struggles to look at me. His eyes continuously return to Jamie.

Jamie says, "Your boyfriend's got some serious issues. Dump this psycho before he freaks out on you too."

Sean tries to get at him but Andre manages to stop him. The entire cafeteria is watching, waiting for someone to throw the first punch. I spin around to face Jamie. "What did you do? What did you say to him? Why are you trying to start problems?"

"I didn't do shit," Jamie protests.

"You're lying! What will it take for you to just leave us alone?" I seethe and shove him. When Jamie seemingly moves to touch me, Sean grabs me, forcing me back.

"What are you doing coming at her like that?" Sean nearly shouts. He slips away from Andre and strides forward, grabbing Jamie by his collar. That's when Jen appears out of nowhere and begs Sean to let go of him. My lips part. My eyes blink. All thoughts are beating around my head, scattered and knotted.

"Sean," I gasp, "let go. You're going to get in trouble."

He steals quick glances at me. I place both my hands on each side of his face, telling him, "Please, just let go. Please."

His eyes find mine and they don't leave. Thankfully, he roughly let's go of Jamie and steps back.

"You, you, you, and you," a new voice calls.

I look over and see a faculty member watching us.

"Front office," she demands, "now."

My hands strangle one another in my lap as I sit just outside the Principal's office. There are a few cushioned chairs lined against the wall—the kind of chairs they had at Emily's facility—and I think about the moment Sean will exit through the office door. He's in there now with Jamie and our Principal, likely being questioned as to why they can't seem to get along.