Chapter 4

My last class of the day, I have with Cole. He doesn’t sit right next to me, but he sits closer to me than he normally does. I try like hell to not look at him, but I can feel his stare on me throughout the whole class. All of the sudden a note falls onto my desk, I internally groan. Why me? If I don’t open it, that might earn me a beating. Not directly from Cole, because the goons have never been apart of that part of my life, but he just has to talk to the right people. I internally groan again and go to open the note. All that’s written on it is, So... You and Dallas? I look over at Cole, who has a wide grin on his face, urging me to answer the note. What would I even say? Yes, your friend won’t leave me alone. There is no me and Dallas. Has Dallas not informed them about whatever he’s doing? Is he in this alone? Or is this just them trying to make me go crazy. I really don’t know if I can handle this. I decide I’ll just accept the consequences and wad up the paper and throw it in the trash can closest to me.

I’m so excited when I hear the final bell ring, I race to stand and run out the door, with Mia not far behind me. We laugh as we start walking to the bikes, she has a car, but she likes to bike. She says she likes the cool air to wake her up in the mornings. As we get closer, we see no other then Dallas, waiting by the bike rack. What the hell? Why can’t I get rid of him today? This just solidifies my thoughts that something is up.

Every fiber of my being is telling me just to forget about my bike a walk home, so that’s what I decide to do. I tell Mia goodbye and make a left starting my journey home. I can hear someone running up to me, which makes me want to run, but if it’s Dallas I won’t win, and I’ll just be out of breath by time he catches me. “Slow down! I just want to talk!” Dallas yells from behind me. I slow down slightly and turn around walking backwards. “What do you want to talk about Dals? Honestly, you’ve known me your whole life and barely spoke to me before everyone realized I was human. We can’t have much to say to each other.” I shout back at him, then I realize he has my bike, great, guess I’ll have to buy a new lock. I stop walking and stare at him confused. He looks down with a shy smile, “I didn’t want you to have to walk all the way home.” He says lowly, as he gets closer to me. He looks up at me with a smirk on his face. “So, Dals is staying?” He asks with a small laugh. I can’t help it, I start laughing. I grab my bike and start walking next to it. “So, is my bike going to fall apart when I get on it?” I ask only half joking. I see a hint of anger go through his eyes, but then it’s replaced with a gentle smile. “No. Your bike is fine. I know you will probably never trust me, but I’m honestly not here to hurt you.”

We walk in silence for a little while, until I can’t take it anymore. “Okay, say I believe this isn’t a plan to hurt me. What is it then? Why are you talking to me all of the sudden?” He looks down shyly, “Well, I just want to get to know you, Aims. I don’t understand why if I am being honest, but I really would like to get to know you better.”

So, they’re really packing it on deep. Man, whatever they have planned this time must be a big one. I’m clearly not going to be able to get rid of him though, so maybe I’ll just go along with the plan. I’ll know something is coming, so when it happens, I won’t be surprised, and then all of this will be over. “Okay, what do you want to know?” I ask, deciding to go with the flow. He smiles brightly at me, “Oh, um okay, well, what’s your favorite thing to do?” I smile thinking back to the times with Liam and I would play games in the creeks, where we had to kill the dragon, or save the princess. When we found the secret tunnel and followed it all the way across town, but those days are over. “Well, I don’t do much outside of school. I enjoy going to the movies with Mia. Sometimes we’re the only ones in the theater we’ll make up our own lines to the movie.” I answer, looking over at him. He laughs, seemingly picturing us doing that. “Do you like going to parties?” He asks, I just look at him like he’s stupid. “Right... Well, Liam’s having a party this weekend. You should come. Broaden your horizons, before you do what you want to do in life.” He says. So, is this the plan? Get me to go to a party and then embarrass me in front of everybody? Honestly, I’d rather whatever was going to happen, happen at school. I don’t want to waste my time outside of school, hating life. “Oh, sorry, I can’t this weekend. I have plans.” I say quickly. He just nods his head, “Maybe next time then.” He says, as we’re only a few houses down from mine.

He stops in front of my house and seems to be thinking about something. “Okay, well, bye.” I rush and start to make my way up the driveway. He grabs my arm and stops me. “Can I get your number?” He asks shyly. I must look alarmed, because he rushes to explain, “Nothing creepy. I promise. Just want to be able to text my new friend.” New friend? Is that what he wants me to think? I give him my number, because it wouldn’t matter if I didn’t, he’d find a way to get it. He smiles and waves goodbye as he runs over to Liam’s house.

I walk into my bedroom and flop myself onto the bed, and instantly get a text from Mia.

*We have a lot to discuss! * -Mia

*Indeed! *- Me

*I’ll be over in 10! *-Mia

I sigh and get up to head to the kitchen for some snacks