Chapter 3: CHAPTER 3
I walked, unnoticed in the hall, kids of all ages surrounding me. I stared at them as they past me and was surprised the way they were talking, laughing, giggling with each other. Some girls huddled in the corner, probably sharing the latest juicy gossip. A guy fist bumping the other. Everything so calm. Everyone so...happy. Why? It made me feel edgy.
Suddenly I fell on the ground because of a sudden push. I groaned But only in my head as I stood up with annoyance. Whoever had pushed me was gone. Or maybe the person was still here. I couldn't say. It was just so crowded.
I jumped as a bell, as piercing as a painful scream, slapped my ears. I clamped my hands over them and noticed how the others were unmoved. Obviously. They were used to it and I wasn't. I brushed dust off my clothes, watching the kids all head towards a direction.
Shrugging I followed. I was one of them after all.
I tried to stay a little further from the rest, not wanting any one of them to realize that I was not familiar to anyone.
"Hey Blondie," my ears perked up as I froze on my steps.
I turned to face the voice and saw a boy, about my age, staring at me with a grin. Or was it a smirk?
"You new here right?" he inquired, his eyes filled with mischief.
I frowned, not sure how to answer this question. I've been here for three years or so. But not with them. So was I a newbie? Not really sure.
"Maybe." I rose an eyebrow with skepticism, "It wouldn't hurt you either way, now would it?"
He laughed, "Nah. Chill man just asking."
I started to walk again; annoyed that he was right beside me.
"I know who you are though." He said, a-matter-of-factly.
I shoved my hands in my pocket, trying to dig through them in exasperation as I stared at the floor, "A newbie?" I guessed, sarcastically.
He chuckled, randomly swinging one of his legs in the air, "No. you're the guy who never comes out of his room."
I stopped, immediately, staring at him with horror, "How-?"
He laughed, really wanting me to punch his teeth out as he grinned, " Like i said, Chill, dude. Just saw you a couple of times, like, in the library. You looked like a creep. Plus I'd recognize that hair anywhere."
I ran my hand through my hair, defensively, muttering more to myself then him, "Who else knows?"
"Only observant people," the boy replied, coolly, "which means only me. I doubt there's any other person who did."
I nodded, but not sure what to.
"Man, am I hungry!" he just wouldn't stop talking, "what about you Blondie?"
I shook my head. "Don't feel like eating. Why'd you ask?"
He rolled his eyes, pointing at the kids in front of us, "Because we're all heading to the cafeteria."
"Oh."
I stared at my hands, awkwardly walking next to a stranger I only met a second ago. I didn't try to make any conversation.
He snickered, "Why so quiet , Blondie?"
I scowled, my expression tight, "stop calling me that."
He grinned, "I will if you tell me your name."
"Harry." I said, entering the cafeteria. My eyes widening. It was huge. A whole room filled with chattering kids and food.
"The name's Jaden, by the way" The boy grabbed two trays from a stack of them and handed one to me.
"You sure you ain't hungry?" I barely heard the glee in his voice, "I mean, they're plenty of options."
I walked up to the first row of food on the table and was shocked to see piles and piles of pancakes on them.
"Dude you seriously want that?" Jaden muttered, almost disgustedly. "Man, I don't even know why they still put them here. We all are so fed up with pancakes that I don't even like to look at them."
I gulped. Ignoring Jaden. So those scoundrels have been giving me luxury only once a year? Making me think that we were having shortages? And, for me, this room was heaven.
I clenched my fist, controlling the hatred for Alex oozing from my body. My legs felt weak with the burden of contempt so, limply I walked to the nearest empty table.
I sat in a chair, resting my head on my hands with frustration.
It was confusing. And I wasn't caring about the pancakes. It was odd that the fact that I was not told about anything about this. All I knew were lies. Fake stories. But it didn't prove anything. Why was I hidden with this happy life, again?
"Not hungry?" Jaden asked sitting on a chair, facing me.
I wanted to tell him to leave but suddenly I had no energy to do so.
His food-tray was filled with Hash Browns. Something I hadn't seen for years. Yet I wasn't surprised that they had them here.
He took a huge bite out of one of them, washing it down with a brown beverage. Coffee, was my guess.
"Bet you wondering why I'm hogging up on you." He spoke up so casually.
"You think?" I rhythmically tapped my fingers on the table, not meeting his eyes.
He smirked, "It's nothing big. Just something you have of ours."
I grimaced, straightening on my chair. "What the hell are you talking about?"
The last time I checked I didn't even know this guy. How in the freaking world could I have something of his?
I should have known. A guy randomly walks up to me and starts talking like we're childhood buddies. Obviously no one's that friendly. Or trustworthy.
He gave me a grin, making me feel more tensed. I felt my skin warm, the room suddenly felt silent for me. Taking another bite, Jaden spoke between slow chews,
"You probably don't know me but I do. Nothing to worry about if you do what we say. You just-"
I interjected, "We?"
He nodded, knowingly, that smile still plastered on his face, "She'd told me you were a tough one to handle. I didn't think she was serious."
He ran his hand through his brown hair, sighing, dramatically. I stared at him with confusion. Or was it fear? I shifted in my chair, hesitantly asking,
"They're two of you bullies?" my question sounded more like a hiss.
He glared at me, "I ain't no bully."
"Well, according to me a bully is supposed to be a guy with brown hair who'd randomly start acting to be friendly only to become a complete jerk in the end." The anger had spilled out of me like gushing blood from a deep cut.
He frowned, "Think you're a smart-aleck huh?"
"No," I shot back, "But you'd probably think that compared to that hollow head of yours. Or maybe there is a brain in it and you haven't even bothered using it. If you want I can help you to-"
"Enough!" his yell made me squirm as Jaden erupted from his seat.
He banged his fist hard on the table, our trays clattering violently.
I stared and flushed, wanting to sink in my seat. Everyone was starting at me. Not him. They were eyeing me as if I was the one who started everything.
"Use your common sense," I muttered softly, "How can I have something of yours if I haven't even met you in my entire life?"
"Shut up." He snapped, calmly.
I bit the anger in me, glaring at my hands.
"I'll let this one go." He snarled but it sounded like a threat, "but if you don't meet me at twelve in the auditorium then I swear you'll regret it."
I held my breath, nodding before even thinking.
Jaden grinned, all bitter-sweet, and walked away, with his tower of food.
I relaxed, leaning back at the rickety chair. Alright so a dude just threatened me on my first day of interaction. Perfect. Just what I needed. But what the hell did he wanted? I don't have anything of his. Or hers. Whoever she is.
Then it hit me. Twelve. Shit. I couldn't come then. I was already called by Alex. Shit, shit. Why did I even step out of my room?
Weekly Power Status
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