chapter 5

This might have been a mistake. Well, I thought so at least. Brianna was stoic and didn't look in my direction once. Figures.

  "Uhmm, I know I might not be the best person to talk to, but really, I just.. Want to.. Y'know, talk," I said, fidgeting and sweating.

Last time I was this close to a girl as pretty as this was probably in my dreams. Yeah, that's how pathetic I am.

  "Do you ever stop talking?" she said, not looking at my direction. Her voice was surprising, deep in direct contrast with her petite figure and her exotic looks. Then, she turned, looked at me, and my heart stopped.

  She was scary, with eyes of underlying fire within. She was as regal as an eagle, as fierce as a wild boar, and as calm as a dove. I noticed all of these just from one look. I'm sure it lasted only for a nanosecond. But I could see her whole history flash before my eyes.

  "A.. A war? You fought a war?" I said a little louder than I should have. The whole class turned in my direction. I wanted to disappear. Brianna just looked intrigued and lost in thought.

  "What did you just say about a war?" She asked the moment the class's attention was drawn somewhere else. She was talking to me!! Me, the nobody. Well, this is my chance.

"When you looked at me, I kinda saw flashes of memories, memories moving at light speed. I could only pick out a war. Both sides ready for battle. And, a flag? With a falcon? I don't know, and the details are already getting sketchy." I said, trying to make sense of all I saw. I looked to her for an explanation, and what I saw stopped me dead.

  She was paperwhite. Like she'd seen a ghost. Granted, I wasn't a pretty boy, was even on the downside of plain, but nothing I'd done warranted that look. It was... In a word, Fear.

  "What's wrong? What happened?" I asked, actually worried. I used the corner of my eyes to view my teacher if he was on to us, but he remained blissfully oblivious. Thank goodness.

Now, back to Brianna.

  "I can't talk right now, I have to go," she said, standing abruptly and walking away. I'm not that repulsive… Am I?

  "Miss Evans, where are you going?" Mr. Rutherford asked as Brianna stepped up to the front. She was looking pale.

   "I'm not feeling well, feeling queasy and light-headed. I just need a little fresh air," she replied, looking worse than she was a few minutes ago. Wait for a sec...did I do that to her? The teacher gave her permission, and she left. It was as though they planned it because the whole class turned to look at me. Simultaneously.

  I could see the accusation in their glare. I messed up. Again. Kill me now, please.

   "Why do you think she walked out on you like that? The whole school is talking about it" Tyler said immediately he intercepted me during lunch break. I couldn't explain what I didn't understand, and it was all so confusing.

  "She just walked away, man. Maybe I disgusted her or something. One minute she was listening to me, the next, she acted like she was scared of me. It's all so very complicated. I don't even understand," I said dejectedly. I was sad. My one chance, I blew it into smithereens—way to go Dean. Good job.

  I wasn't looking when the main bully, Cain McCarthy, bumped into me. On purpose.

  "Watch where you're going loser. I can’t even hold a conversation with a girl without her finding you repelling. Hmmm. Must be the smell. When last did you have a proper bath? It stinks in here."  McCarthy and his lackeys guffawed, already drawing a crowd. I tried to walk away, but my way was blocked. I wasn't in the mood for this.

" Where's your bodyguard, the pretty boy? Probably holed up somewhere doing what queers do." He said, laughing at his private joke. By this time, half of the school were present and spoiling for a fight. I didn't like the odds.

  "So, you don't deny your friend is queer. How sweet. Which means you are too. Know what that means? You're unfit to live" He barreled straight and me delivering a stunning blow to my head, I couldn't see straight. I expected a barrage of punches but... It never came. I laid cowering on the floor, my eyes closed, in fear of the blows that refused to come. I opened my eyes and what I saw shocked me to my bone marrows. It was Brianna, and she looked ready to kill.

  For the first time in a long time, I thanked God. I was about to be demolished before she came.

  "Look at you, all big and stupid. Picking on a boy, that you're two times his size. Why don't you pick on someone your size?" She said, clearly taunting him. It was a deadly game for Cain, and he was stepping on thin ice. Hitting a girl was prohibited, but his pride has just been demolished. He had to salvage it somehow.

Before I could warn her about the impending punch he was throwing, I saw him on the floor, her shoe on his neck. It was so badass, and I was tempted to give a girly scream.

"Don't you ever, ever, pick on anybody. Ever. If you do, I'll find you. I'll make sure you regret it," she said with a voice so chilly, I could feel the deadliness in it. This girl wasn't someone to cross.

  "Are you going to lie down there all day, or do you need help getting up?" she motioned to me, laughing silently. If there's one thing, I was sure of... I made a friend. A real friend this time.

  "Come, we have a lot to talk about" She helped me up as we walked out amidst stares from the students all around us.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" She said laughing as we walked together

  "Yeah, it does feel good," I replied, smiling genuinely for the first time that day.