The days grow warmer. We recover from the coldness that we had in the car. It turns out Mia was on her period, and Jack on his man-period. Or something. But I understand what they were saying. They both wanted to know what happened to their parents. Some people they cared about. I guess I would care about mine if they cared in turn about me. But not really.After the incident at the church last month, nothing really happened. No team of highly trained professional killers on my doorstep. Or anybody else in my crew. I guess he didn't really have anything that he could do against me, that Mr. Avezedo. He must have lost his office. Or maybe he already had.I don't care. If he comes for me, I'm prepared anyhow.And anyway, summer break starts soon. The April air has turned into days that rise in temperature through the day, and the nights are becoming cool and breezy, the humid air being stirred by the fingers of the summer wind.Walking into the class for Chemistry, I remember that today
June, and early summer rains down on Lonewood in golden rays of light. The green of the pines is firmer, and the smell of pine wanders in the air, like a fly that has been hit but somehow manages to stay aloft.The other trees grow their leaves, shielding the people underneath the harsh rays. Summer break started, and I began to spend much more time with my crew.Most of the time we spend at the community pool. Occasionally at the mall. Nights we sometimes are at each other's houses, playing cards and watching what the normal people of the world watched when they were kids or were 'classics' to them. And yes, there was some booze. I didn't drink most of the time because it hurts my head, and I swoon easily.It's a very big pool and the whole town could go and there'd still be enough chairs and water space to relax comfortably. A good deal of children swim in the pool, and high school kids from Lonewood played in the area with volleyball nets strung across a portion of the pool.Today,
Pulling on my shorts that are a little tight, I walk out of my apartment. The morning summer air is damp, and my shirt does little to keep the chilly feeling off me. The t-shirt that I'm wearing matches the navy blue of my shorts. My little sports bag I sling on my shoulder. I'm not going to work out, but carrying a backpack seems a bit too much. And because I can't wear a jacket, there's not a lot of pockets on me. Hence, the sports bag. It's hot pink, but because I'm just too lazy to go get a new one, and because I don't care about the color, I just use it. It was in the closet anyway. Walking to the curb, I notice the dew on the grass that sparkles like broken glass in the morning sunlight. A warm breeze sweeps through the tree's foliage. Rustling and making that peaceful sound.I see that Pike has his car already parked, and I walk up to it and open the door. "Morning," says Ves. "Morning," I reply. I crawl up into the car and close the door. Buckling up, I nod to Pike
Looking through my closet, I try to see if anything else might be appropriate in wearing to the party. I heard from Ves that pretty much all of the kids in our grade are invited. Not a lot being in our grade might be the reason behind it. I'm wearing a light blue button-up shirt that hugs my torso lightly and my white khakis. I don't know what to exactly wear to this type of gathering. It's a birthday party, so that could mean somewhat formal. But from what I've observed some of the teens doing and wearing these days, it might be something else. They might be wearing jeans and ripped t-shirts. I don't know. I close my closet and walk over to my bed. On it are my trusty Ruger and a birthday present. Well, two presents. I know from our junior year that Dane likes the color red. A lot. But besides that, I don't know anything that he likes. He seems to adore working out, and art. So I bought him a can of red oil paint and a matching red hoodie. His size I roughly guessed, but I t
The air is moving, and the humidity has dropped into a sweet summer night's dampness that clings a bit to my skin. But because of the lack of heat, it makes it much more bearable. Dane leads me across the patio where a few kids are sitting around and picks a spot with two seats that face the huge back yard. Trees line the far end of it, and I can see some of the mountains that surround Lonewood. The darkness of the sky is nothing to that of the mountains, and I can see the jagged outline of the peaks. Sitting down, I take a sip of the cool water from the mug. It soothes my somewhat thirsty throat and gives some satisfaction. "I didn't think that you would actually come to my party," remarks Dane. I turn to look at him. He stares back. "Why?" "Well," says Dane as he shifts in his seat. He grabbed a coke from the fridge and opens the can, taking a sip. "You don't strike me as somebody who goes to parties." "I've been to parties." "And not to mention how cold you ar
After arriving home, I made sure to check all the locks on my apartment, as well as my inventory of weapons. I managed to bring several boxes of the .380 bullets that are the size for my gun, and there's also a stash of guns that was in the apartment. A shotgun, one machine gun, and also a generous amount of munitions. It's more than enough to protect myself.Pulling out my Ruger, I also pull out the spare gun from under my bed, where it's stashed with my file with the compromising information. The only link to my former career. The spare is hardly used, whereas the one I pulled out from my pocket is weathered and old.Scratches crisscross the stock, and the two sights are somewhat scratched. But the top is still intact, so I can still aim. I pull out the magazine and see that there still the six bullets in it. Good.Snapping it back in, I set the gun back down and check my spare gun. It's loaded. I also check the multiple guns in the metal suitcase that is painted black. They're load
"Perfect. Now, as I was saying, everybody must turn to face the front of the classroom at all times, and there is to be no talking whatsoever. And please note that if you break any of these rules once, you will have to serve detention. And Mr. Kelson, because you've done so, I expect you to attend detention tomorrow at lunch break. Don't be late!" he says with a wink. I hear a collective gasp from the class. I just sit for a moment thinking about what I should do. Shoot this bastard in the head? I will do it. If he pushes any more, I will. He probably doesn't even have a teaching license. Used his influential capabilities to land his turd-ass in that position. Sicko. Used money to get himself a fake position. It's repulsive, how he thinks he can use his cash to get whatever he wants. Maybe he doesn't know that it just makes him even more fake. An animal without any brains. But I just sit and grip my desk, glaring at his ugly face. He smiles and moves on. The rest of the cla
Art. The only subject that I struggle in. Everything else? No problem! I can ace a math quiz, read a book and write an essay that will get me a passing grade, and define the concepts of economics without breaking a sweat.But when it comes to looking at something and drawing it, something doesn't happen right. I tried to practice more during summer break, but unfortunately, I didn't get much progress.Walking into art for the first time this year two days ago, I promised myself that maybe there's hope for me to get a passing grade, like last year. But as the teacher came in and began to explain what we'll be doing and the level required to do it, I felt a rock sink in my stomach.Abe seemed to think that too. We both looked down at our sketchbooks that are filled with literal crap. Maybe I can make an excuse saying it's a new type of art. But something tells me even the placid teacher will see right through it.And Dane is sitting at our table, so he's going to be breathing down my ne