The proceeding day is beyond annoying. It doesn’t matter where I go on campus, students are raving about Cornelius and Professor Grant’s argument. It has only been one day and the rumors have spread like a wildfire. I’m tired of hearing people talk about it. My ears need a break from all of the exaggerations. What makes matters worse is some students have turned the rumor into something else entirely.
Some are starting to say that a fist fight took place in class. I have rolled my eyes at least a thousand times so far today. My final class, and most anticipated, is Biology. I’m one of the first to enter class and Jason is one of the last.
"What’s up?" he asks as he sits down next to me.
“Nothing special.”
Professor Nelson shuts the door and obtains center stage. As Professor Nelson gives his lecture on plant stems, I lower my head away from his eyes.
"Hey, I want to ask you something," I whisper to Jason.
"Something like what?" he replies and brings his ear closer to me.
"Did you hear about yesterday?"
His face drops and I notice his expression switch into anger.
"Who hasn’t?" he replies.
"I was there when it happened. They look like they wanted to kill each other," I attempt to shake the image of their bloodthirsty eyes from my head. "But I asked Professor Grant about him and Kendrick. And he said nothing was wrong.”
He exhales slowly.
"No one really likes the Blaire family, but we respect them. They invest money into the school, so the faculty kisses their ass. It gets on my nerves. They believe they can treat people like shit and get away with it.”
"And what’s up with Daniel? Cornelius looked at him the same way. Daniel even stood up like he was ready to fight.”
He hesitates to respond. Suddenly, the anger lifts from his face and is replaced with uncertainty.
"Listen Iva, we all have our differences towards people. They're….things in this town…things you shouldn't stick your nose in," he says straightforwardly.
"But, you can tell me anything. I won't say a word to anyone.”
"Iva..,” he stares into my eyes with seriousness. "Just drop it.”
"Okay," I reply.
The whole class we remain silent. Soon, everyone is pouring out of the room and blending into the college commute. As I step into the hallway, Jason gathers my attention by tapping me on my right shoulder.
“Hey, Iva, I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh,” he apologizes honestly.
“It’s fine. I just wanted to know why they hate each other so much. That’s all.”
“I wish I can tell you, it’s just…it’s a long story.”
“Then shorten it.”
“Like now?”
“Yes now. Where are you heading?” I ask him.
“Getting in my car and going home,” he replies with a snicker.
“Okay, then I will walk with you,” I reply.
“Do I have any say in this?” he asks.
“No.”
He rolls his eyes and breaks a charming smile. Together, we exit through a pair of double-doors and stroll down the campus walkway while we talk about the Blaires.
“The Blaires likes no one,” he explains. “Grant and Cornelius went to school together. It started there.”
“Okay, that's understandable. But how does Daniel fit in?”
He doesn’t respond. I think he’s trying to avoid my question. We approach a group of kids hanging around three vehicles. The first vehicle is a black Charger, the second is a burgundy SUV, and the third is a black SUV. Daniel is sitting in the Charger with the driver’s door wide open. The brunette boy and his female lookalike are standing next to the burgundy SUV. The Goth-girl, Daniel's sister, is sitting on the hood of the Charger.
They appear to be having a conversation before I arrive with Jason.
“Hey, guys,” Jason greets them.
“What’s up, you ready to jet?” the brunette boy asks.
“Yeah, I was just talking to my friend Iva,” Jason informs.
“I thought you were handicapped?” the brunette boy says rudely.
The brunette girl punches him in the shoulder and says shut-up.
Her mood changes instantly when she looks at me. Now, she’s completely subtle again.
“Sorry about my brother. I’m Jessica and this is Eric,” she informs me in a friendly voice.
“Hi, I’m Eric,” the brunette boy confirms.
“I’m Maria,” the Goth-girl says with a smile.
“So, are you a farmer or something” Eric asks me.
“I think you have me mixed up with someone else,” I reply with a dumbfounded tone.
“Didn’t you say she lived on a farm?” Eric asks Jason.
“No, I said she moved from the country,” Jason shoots back at Eric.
“So, why are you dressed up like a farmer?” Eric continues.
I look down at myself and realize that he must be referring to my denim-overalls.
“I have never lived on a farm, like ever.”
Eric clears his throat.
“I don’t like her Jason. It’s something about those overalls,” Eric states.
Jessica rolls her eyes and conceals her face with her palm.
“Can you please stop acting like you’re mentally challenged?” Jason asks Eric.
“Don’t pay him any attention. He’s annoying,” Maria states.
A car creeps up slowly and stops near us. It’s my Uncle Frank and an older fellow.
“Oh shit its five-o. Someone, hide the weed,” Eric announces.
“Excuse me Mr. Dodson, can you please repeat that?” Uncle Frank asks Eric.
“Damn. I’m just fucking with you Lancaster. Don’t get trigger happy,” Eric responds while giggling.
Uncle Frank shakes the frustration from his head and then shifts his attention onto me.
“Hey, Kiddo,” he greets me.
“Uncle Frank, what are you doing here?”
“Uncle?” Eric mumbles underneath his breath.
“What are you guy’s up to?” Uncle Frank asks.
“Nothing,” we reply.
“Actually, we were doing some under-age drinking...”
“Mr. Dodson, I'm not in the mood today,” Uncle Frank snaps back at Eric before he’s able to finish his joke.
“Okay, that was the last joke. I'm serious,” Eric confesses.
My uncle then looks over at Daniel.
“What’s going on Daniel? Are you okay?” Uncle Frank asks him.
“Yup,” Daniel replies with his never fading sternness.
“Hey kiddo, can I speak to you?”
As I approach his car, he welcomes me over with a mouth-full of teeth.
“Whose idea was this?” I ask him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he plays stupid.
I have a staring contest with him until he finally gives in.
“Your mom’s,” he surrenders.
“When she mentioned “Credible resource” I knew it had to be only one person.”
“I'm your uncle. It's my job to sniff around from time to time. How is everything?” he interrogates.
“It’s fine. Stop spying on me, gosh.”
“Just making sure my niece is secure.”
He looks over at the group behind me and smiles again.
“I see you made some friends. They’re good kids. Hey, guess what? I have a gift for you,” he says to me before giving me a small bottle.
“What is this?” I ask him.
“Anytime you’re being harassed, spray this in the person’s face.”
“Uncle Frank, you brought me mace?”
“Listen, the biggest creeps hang around schools. Some guys just don’t take no for an answer. Keep it on you at all times. It might just save your life.”
“Uncle Frank…”
“What did I sa
y?” he cuts me off before I’m able to finish my sentence.
“Okay, I’ll keep it on me. I’m pretty sure I’ll never use it.”
I then slide the can of mace into my right pocket.
“Anyways, I see you around. Call me if you need anything.”
“Okay, I’ll see you later.”
He then shifts to Eric again.
“And for you...,” Uncle Frank says while pointing at Eric.
Eric looks left and right with a confused look on his face. He then points at himself.
“Me?” Eric asks my uncle.
“Yes. Behave yourself.”
“Always,” Eric replies with a fake smile.
“Have a productive day everyone.”
“Bye,” we all reply.
He then cruises away, slowly. Eric waves at him as he slowly exits the school parking lot. As soon as his patrol car disappears, Eric stops waving and his smile drops instantly.
“I'm going to tear some shit up,” Eric announces. “Behave? That's not even in my vocab.”
“Lancaster is your uncle, for real?” Jason asks me.
“Yes,” I reply.
“Cool,” Jason says.
The others behind him pile into their vehicles. The twins, Eric and Jessica, get into the burgundy SUV, and Maria gets into the Charger with Daniel. They ignite their engines. The engine on the old Charger erupts to life, releasing some heavy gray smoke from its exhaust pipe.
“Coming or not?” Eric shouts at Jason from the burgundy SUV. “You can’t come, farm-girl. No geeks are allowed. Plus, your uncle is a cop. You're never going to be cool, ever.”
Jason rolls his eyes at Eric's rude comments.
“Alright, I’ll catch you later,” Jason says to me.
“See you later.”
Daniel is the first one to reverse back and leave. Jason brings the black SUV to life and pulls out of the parking space. Meanwhile, in the burgundy SUV, Eric lowers his window on the passenger’s side.
“See you later, farm-girl,” he says.
Maria and Jessica is right, he is annoying.
“I’ve never lived on a farm for crying out-loud.”
“Liar, liar, overalls on fire.”
He then starts laughing at me.
“Who wears overalls anymore? What is this the 1800's? Do yourself a favor and get rid of them. Until next time, farm-girl,” he finishes with a solute.
I watch as they all exit the school lot and emerge into traffic...
CHAPTER 16: STRANGE BEHAVIOR
Untamed Page 23