Across the Maps

Chapter 14

It's pitch dark outside when the dance is over and students all crowd to get of the building.

It's cold outside when I open the glass door and step out. Students are standing and talking, some hugging and kissing.

I hang on to Jeremy's shoulder as he steers us out of the large crowd and to a large tree with barely any leaves left on it.

"So how was it?" he questions, leaning against the tree and scraping his nails against the bark.

"It was actually a lot of fun," I admit truthfully.

"I'm glad you came with me," he speaks as he picks at his fingernails.

"Yeah I'm glad I went. At first I was a little nervous, but it got better."

"A little?" he arches on of his eyebrows slightly and narrows his eyes at me.
He is about to say more, but his phone starts vibrating in his pocket. "One sec," he tells me and I nod.

He grabs his phone from his pocket and answers it. After exchanging a few words, he hangs up and then shoves his it back into his front pocket.

"It's my Dad," he exclaims. "He's here. I have to go. I'll see you on Monday." He smiles at me and then walks off. I watch him until he's gone. His movements are so graceful, like a dancer.

Taking a deep breath, I check my phone, wondering when Mom will be here. But I hear a crackling noise and snap my head up, meeting the dark blue eyes of a lanky girl in a tight sparkly blue dress and glittery gray heels. Behind her walks three other girls, two of them with dark brown hair and the one with fiery read hair.

She stomps over to where I am and stands directly in front of me, glaring at me with her large scary eyes.

"Can I help you?" I ask, hiding my nervousness.

"Who are you?" She snaps, her voice menacing.

"Why do you care?" I shrug, starting to get annoyed.

"Why do I care? Why do I care?" She spits. "I care because I was suppose to go to the dance with Jeremy, but you stole him from me and I never lose."

"Then I guess ya kind of lost tonight," I let out a ragged laugh.

"How dare you talk to me like that," she growls.

She takes a step toward me and I back away. Then she takes another and another and finally I can feel her hot breath on my face.

"What do you want?" I question.

"What I wanted was to go to the dance with Jeremy." she barks at me, her eyes blazing with anger and fury. "You're going to regret taking him away from me."

She throws her fist at me, but luckily I duck in time. I look up at her. She's furious and her hands are clenched into fists.

Letting out a frustrated scream, she lunges and me, pulling me onto the ground. I fall with a yelp and before I can get off the ground, she gets on top of me, straddling me.

She's scowling. "I'm going to teach you a lesson about not to mess with me."

She's about to throw her fist at me, but is stopped by a body hurling through the air and tackling her to the ground. I scramble to my feet and try to get a look at the person and I'm shocked when I see the familiar face.