Vaalbara; Visions & Shadows (3 page)

             
He could ‘dammit’ all he liked. I didn’t care, not when I was sure this was some sort of joke being played on the ‘odd’ girl once again.

             
My eyes began to tear up as I neared my corner where I always spent my breaks, but I wouldn’t allow myself to cry. I never have and I never will. None of these people deserved my tears; they deserved nothing from me.

             
When I reached my corner I dropped to my knees and refused to think about Ryan Eames again. Taking out my sketchbook I worked on my drawing, until my one hour of freedom came to an abrupt end. Shoving everything into my bag, I rushed into the crowded hallway and ran directly into Kate. The ‘I am head cheerleader and don’t you ever forget it’, Kate. She was once again surrounded by her clan of Barbie-doll admirers which was never a good thing of the ‘odd’ girl.

             
“Well, well, well,” Kate sneered. “Look what escaped from the circus again, girls.”

             
I decided to say nothing and just squeeze past the future silicone squad to get to my class.

             
“The freak can’t speak.” Kate’s sarcasm filled my ears, along with her tribe’s laughter. “Seen anything in your own future on when you’ll get a life?”

             
I flinched, but forced my legs to move. I was supposed to be used to this by now. After all, it was the daily routine. I slipped into Art Theory with great relief but it was to be short-lived. As I walked toward my table in the corner, it was obviously not empty. Ryan was there looking straight at me, like he’d been waiting on the edge of his seat for my arrival. What was with this guy? And why did he have the exact same schedule as me? 

             
My blood started boiling immediately and I didn’t blush. I was way too angry for that. I took my seat next to him and slammed my sketchpad and textbook down to show him how impressed I felt. I did not find his little game amusing anymore.

             
“Look, Aislinn—”

             
I dragged my chair forward, scraping it across the floor.

             
“Please, could you just—”

             
I threw my textbook down in front of him, figuring I would have to share.

             
“I just want—”

             
“Do me a favor, will you? If you’re gonna’ insist on sitting next to me in every damn class will you please just shut up?” He stared at me with a frown; his left hand gripped the textbook.

             
I looked away immediately, not wanting to have any more contact with him then what was completely necessary. I hadn’t had a bad day like this in a while and couldn’t wait for it to end.

             
As we moved from one class to the next, he kept sitting beside me. Maybe the initiation was an all-day thing. By the time school ended for the day I was a nervous wreck, trying to figure out what Robert and his ‘guys’ were up to. They’d never been this adamant with their pranks before. The only blessing was that Ryan had kept his mouth shut the rest of the day.

             
Yay! Silence!

~*~

I was heading for my waterfall as usual and had just entered the forest when I heard a car coming down the road. No one ever came down this road, so I cut into the thick bushes to make myself as invisible as possible.
             
A brown jeep passed by me, and for the zillionth time today my heart stood still when I recognized Ryan behind the wheel.

             
Seriously, Sid! What is this guy up to?
This was my territory. I ran to my falls hoping he wasn’t there. There should be at least one place in this corrupt town that was sacred.

             
Wave after wave of relief washed over me when I reached my Rainbow Falls and found it undisturbed. I hurried to my ledge and crawled in behind the curtain of water onto my soft, moss bed provided by Mother Nature.

             
This was where I stayed until the late hours of the night, replaying the whole messed up day over and over inside my head, trying to make sense of what’d happened. I was so deep in thought I didn’t hear the footsteps crunching on the dead leaves.

             
Nor did I spot the headlights that followed me home.

~*~

When I woke up I almost had a heart attack. Sid, on the other hand, was grabbing at his chest, his tongue hanging from his mouth.

             
“What the hell?” My voice was thick with sleep as I glared at Molly leaning over me. The shocker was she was already dressed and ready for school.

             
I grabbed my watch and brought it right up to my eyes. “What time is it?”

             
“It’s only ten past six.” She sat at the foot of my bed. “I got up early so we could talk while you get ready.”

             
I stared at her strangely as I walked to the closet. “Are you feeling okay?”

             
She rolled her eyes. “Yes. Come on, get dressed.”

             
Sitting cross-legged on my unmade bed, she smiled. I, on the other hand, was worried. I grabbed a baby-green sweater and another top with a lime-green hoodie.

             
“What’s with you and all the layers?” she asked.

             
“I like to cover my head,” I shot back.

             
“But, why?”

             
Ugh! It was way too early for this. “For privacy.”

             
“That’s not an answer.”

             
“Molly, why are you here? It’s not like we’re the best of friends.”

             
“I’m gonna’ pretend I didn’t hear that.” She laughed; her voice sounded almost like a purr. “Why is Ryan sitting next to you in every class?”

             
“I’m sure it’s a prank. So, just sit back, watch, and then you can laugh right along with the others.” I hoped she missed the quiver in my voice.

             
Her face grew serious. “I would never laugh at you and you know that. Who do you think’s in on it?”

             
I raised my eyebrows. “Wouldn’t you know?”

             
“I don’t think it’s a prank…and Robert wouldn’t do something like that.” She got up quickly, making her way to the door. “I’m gonna’ get some breakfast. See you in a few.”
             
She was out in a flash, as if guilt were pushing her from the room. She knew Robert would do
exactly
something like that. Who was she trying to fool? Robert was trouble, but she still stuck with him. Sometimes I wondered if he didn’t force her to stay in the relationship.

             
Then again, it wasn’t my problem.

~*~

Molly had one of the best parking spots in school, right by the gate. Only the cool crowd parked in this block, so it was no surprise when Ryan’s jeep pulled up right beside us. I got out as fast as I could, almost running across the grass patch to get a head start to the Home Economics building. At least this would be one class he wouldn’t have with me.

             
Ryan was faster and his legs were longer.
Damn Sid, our day isn’t starting out very well.

             
“Morning, Aislinn.” His voice was cautious as he fell into step beside me.

             
“Morning, Ryan.”

             
“How are you?”

             
“Fine.”

             
“I am well, too. Just in case you were wondering.”

             
I sighed heavily. Okay…maybe he was just a nice guy and I was being a neurotic moron for no reason. I decided to have it out with him then and there. “Why are you talking to me, Ryan? Did the guys put you up to this? Because you can go and tell them I’m not falling for the prank.”

             
“I am sorry?” He sounded truly puzzled. “There is no…prank. I am talking to you because I want to.”

             
I glanced up at him and almost tripped over my own feet when I looked into those eyes. He seemed to be serious, and a bit upset, which took the wind right out of my sails.
             
“Why me?” The question was out before I could stop it. I felt my face changing color again, so I did the next best thing and stared at my feet.

             
“For the mere reason that I felt we could become friends. Which students were you referring to earlier, regarding the prank?”

             
He had a slight frown on his face, which started to affect my knees. I began moving backwards, slowly, hoping I wouldn’t trip over something.

             
“Just Robert and his clowns. Nothing to worry about. Um…I have to go now. See you later.”  Sid, on the other hand, seemed to be clinging to Ryan’s leg with no intention of letting go. I forced myself to move.

             
“I will see you in Biology, Aislinn.” 

             
Ryan kept looking at me as I backed away. I tried to act casually, taking one last look at him before turning away. My eye caught quite a few people standing in their separate groups, staring at us. I had to admit, it felt good.

             
I smiled at them all.
Yup, Ryan Eames was talking to me. Eat your hearts out, you maggots
.

~*~

I was still unloading my backpack when Molly sat down next to me.

             
I rolled my eyes. “First you sit in front of me and now you’re sitting next to me; big step for you, Molly. Aren’t you scared of what the other girls might say?”

             
“Don’t be sarcastic with me. I’m not the others. Tell!” She was almost sitting in my lap.

             
“He greeted me. Molly, you do realize I’m not going to tell you every little thing I learn about him, don’t you?
You
are the most popular girl in school. Why don’t you go talk to him yourself?”

             
She stared at me as if I’d gone around the bend. “Firstly, a girl does not approach a guy. Secondly, don’t you know he has only spoken to you in this entire school? He hasn’t even talked to any of the guys. What do you make of that?”

             
I smiled at her, my biggest smile. “He has brains and taste?”

             
“Damn you, Aislinn.” Getting up, she returned to her loyal followers who were eagerly waiting the ‘new guy’ report.

             
When I walked into Biology he was sitting at
our
table, drumming his fingers impatiently. As I neared, he rose up and pulled out my chair. I stood there, flabbergasted at first, and then moved slowly forward.

             
“Thanks.” 

             
He stood very close; his hand still on my chair. “It is a pleasure.”

             
I looked at Molly who, along with half the girls in class, was staring at us in complete and utter confusion.

             
Mr. Bornstein passed out pamphlets on dissecting frogs, which we would do the next day.

             
Note to self? Tomorrow, ditch bio.

~*~

While gathering things into my bag, Ryan’s voice suddenly broke through my thoughts.

             
“Would you mind spending lunch with me today?”

             
I swallowed hard before looking up. “Huh?” I sounded like an idiot again. Even Sid was shaking his head in disappointment.

             
“I was hoping you would take pity on me and let me spend lunch with you.” He looked down at me with that lazy smile curving his lips.

             
“Sure.” It couldn’t be me answering, yet my lips were moving.

             
“After you.” He bowed lower, moving back so I could pass.

             
Sid, out of which fairytale did this guy escape from?
I moved fast through the halls; down the stairs, past the offices, and out the double doors into my perfect sanctuary; my corner of peace and quiet in the mad, mad world. No one ever came here. I bribed the ladies in the office with a chocolate cake once a month so I could come here. It was either the sugar high they received, or they’d just said I could to get me to shut up.  Either way this spot was mine and only mine. Well…

             
“This is a nice little corner you have here.” His voice was enchanting.

             
You would swear I was the new student here and he was the Student Body President trying to win my vote. I glanced at him and was just in time to see him duck his head, as if he was trying to hide his face from view. He hadn’t been quick enough, though. I caught a glimpse of that wide smile, and wondered what he knew that I was in the dark about.