“We’re step-siblings. My Dad married her mom and we moved here from Florida,” Ethan said.
“Oh, wow awesome!” Melinda shouted. Her voice echoed throughout the hall causing Kori and Ethan to wince. They both exchanged concerned glances.
“Well, we love the poodle skirt. It’s very retro,” Kori said dryly. “And your make up-ouch!”
Kori felt Ethan’s elbow nudging her in the ribs.
“Don’t be rude,” he said through gritted teeth.
“But her makeup looks as if it was done by a professional clown...not even Ronald could have done a better job,” she hissed back.
Melinda gave the pair a confused glimpse before deciding to ignore their whispering. “Follow me please.”
With Melinda in the middle, she spoke knowledgeably as they traversed the foyer, “Winter Springs is a picturesque town in central North Carolina. Though we are a large town, everyone still knows everyone and everyone’s business. The town is also divided into four districts and each district has its own elementary, middle and high school. We live in the west, which is the largest and wealthiest district thanks to Deus Imperium Industry. The North and East are filled with the middle-class, while the south is the smallest and poorest.” Melinda traded concerned glances between Ethan and Kori whispering, “And not only poor, but dangerous too.”
Then her expression lifted into a sweet smile of happiness as she picked up her pace and continued her tour. The sudden shift in movement allowed Ethan and Kori to fall back from earshot.
“Do you think you’ll be part of the in-crowd here?” Ethan asked playfully.
“It’s not like people at our old school knew I existed,” Kori retorted.
Ethan scoffed. “To be fair it was huge compared to this one.”
He then frowned. “Too bad we don’t have any classes together.”
“If you didn’t have the brains of Einstein and Tesla rolled into one, maybe we could have.”
Ethan blushed.
Kori nudged him bouncily. “It wasn’t a compliment.”
Melinda came to an abrupt stop and swirled around.
Her lustrous eyes moved from Ethan to Kori as she clasped her hands together.
“I forgot to mention the annual breaking ties Festival is coming up.”
“What’s that?” Ethan and Kori said in unison.
“It’s when all four schools’ districts come together to celebrate as friends one last time before they have to compete against one another in a variety of sporting and other activities throughout the school year. There will be games, rides, great food, music, and at the end of the night we burn an effigy of each school’s mascot.”
“Sounds like a lot of fun,” Ethan said.
“It’s the highlight event of the year. Everyone in town attends the festival.” Melinda’s face squinted into a frown.
“When did the both of you get so far behind me?”
Kori glanced up at Ethan as they both struggled to deliver an answer. However, their endeavor ended when they heard rapidly approaching footfalls accompanied by yelling.
“Ashwood, you stop right now!”
“If you lay off the fatty cakes maybe then you could catch me.”
Melinda gasped as Dominic rounded the corner narrowly missed a full-on collision with her, however, he brushed against Ethan causing him to take a few steps back before catching his balance. On the other hand, Kori shrieked as he collided into her with full force. Dominic caught himself, spun around and caught Kori by her waist. Her silver undercut hair swept over his chest and her flowery perfume twirled about him.
He breathed in her fragrance like a thief and let his fingers linger on her soft fair skin.
Mesmerized by his deep hazel eyes Kori stared into them as if they were calling out to her soul and whispering soothing love quotes to her heart.
“S-sorry,” Dominic apologized.
He and Kori stood upright.
She opened her mouth to speak but-
“Excuse you, Dominic,” Melinda scolded.
Dominic winked at her, “you remember the time beneath the bleachers?”
“Puh-lease, get lost loser,” Melinda shouted with utter disgust.
Dominic’s laughter echoed throughout the hall as he ran off.
“Um, who was that guy?” Kori asked with a puzzled tone.
Folding her arms, Melinda snorted. “Dominic Ashwood. Winter Spring’s local bad-boy...and not the hot kind.”
“Is he related to Alexander Ashwood by any chance?” Ethan asked.
“Yes. Mr. Alexander is his legal guardian.”
“My dad works for his company,” Ethan said.
“Deus Imperium owns over half of the town,” Melinda said with excitement.
Right as they were about to proceed, a heavy breathing man rounded the corner. He was sharply dressed, overweight and smelled as if he bathed in bacon.
With two of the school’s custodians accompanying him, the large framed man leant on both of them for support. Ethan felt genuine concern for the man’s wheezing episode while Kori had trouble hiding her amusement.
Melinda, on the other hand, stared at him with revulsion, “Vice Principal Truman?”
“M-Melinda which way did he go?”
Melinda pointed in the direction Dominic ran without hesitation.
Truman nodded his thanks then gestured for the two janitors to follow him after Dominic. Kori turned to watch the heavyset man limping off, wheezing along the way. She laughed to herself.
Maybe living here won’t be so boring after all.
Chapter-Seven
The Courtyard was jam-packed with students with a few teachers acting as security. Everyone stood in ample social groups either talking or goofing around.
Though Brianna’s focus was on finding Hayden, she knew her goal was going to be nearly impossible.
She let out a low- long sigh.
Spotting a vacant bench nesting underneath the shade of an enormous tree, Brianna decided that would be her haven. She maneuvered through the crowded space fighting the impulse to shove her way through. Instead, she took the polite road.
Coming upon a large gathering of jocks, Brianna said civilly, “excuse me.”
They didn’t acknowledge her, instead continued to take turns punching one another in the arm and laughing.
“Excuse me,” she said again, but this time with more force. Still, she was disregarded.
Closing her eyes, she tried to calm her growing anger...It was a losing battle.
“Would you Neanderthals move out my way or can your primitive brains not comprehend what I am saying to you?”
A sudden strong blast of wind blew throughout the area with enough force to knock the circle of boys off their feet and onto their backsides.
A sudden hush fell upon the courtyard as Brianna last words left her mouth.
Everyone fixed her with a blinking stare. Realizing what she had done, Brianna lowered her head.
She timidly stepped over the pile of jocks.
By the time she reached her destination, the gossip was becoming yesterday’s news. However, her haven was now occupied by a female, a tall lanky boy, and Melinda Carmichael.
“Great,” Brianna mumbled.
“Oh, my Gawd! What do you want Brianna?” Melinda said with disgust.
Ignoring Melinda, Brianna walked over to Ethan and Kori as they stood from their spot.
“Are you new?”
Kori nodded.
Brianna extended her hand. “I’m Brianna Cortes.” However, before the two of them could shake hands, Melinda jumped in between them.
“She’s the queen of the nerds and sister to Dominic.” Melinda scolded.
“I’m standing right here,” Brianna said dryly.
Melinda glared at her as if she was noticing Brianna for the first time.
“Your idiot brother was on the vocational wing running from Mr. Truman.”
Brianna raised her eyebrows but didn’t press the ma
tter. “Have you seen Hayden?”
Melinda scoffed. “Do I look like a babysitter for your weirdo family?”
Kori smiled apologetically. “I like weird. And I love your magenta-colored eyes. Are those contacts?”
Brianna shook her head. “I was born with them.”
“Don’t listen to her pagan shenanigans.” Melinda groaned.
“Pagan...Tell me more,” Kori said in awe.
“I’m Kori Dawson, and this tall handsome fellow is Ethan.”
Ethan gave Brianna an awkward smile.
She returned the grin. “It’s nice to meet y-”
Brianna trailed off as she and Kori shook hands.
A wave of overwhelming happiness shot throughout her body. Uneasy about the sudden rush of ecstasy, Brianna jerked her hand away. She clutched her forehead staring at Kori quizzically.
“Y-you okay?” she asked with concern.
“Y-yeah I’m fine,” Brianna said massaging her temples.
Melinda huffed while pointing an accusing finger at Brianna.
“Why do you have to be such a creep... come, I will show you where the gymnasium is located.”
Kori and Ethan gave Brianna a distressed look as Melinda ushered them to follow her.
“I wasn’t being a creep,” Brianna said as the three students vanished into the crowd of people.
A hand touched her shoulder and the words ‘Boo’ were shouted into her ears.
She jumped and rewarded the newcomer with a squeal.
Hearing his devilish laughter, she spun around to deliver a slap.
Hayden swatted her hand aside while still laughing.
“Chill,” he said as he flopped onto the bench. “Why are you so out of it anyway?”
Brianna frowned, “got a weird feeling from the new girl.”
Hayden arched his brows as he rested his hands behind his head and lay back on the bench lengthwise, “our kind of weird?”
“I don’t know yet,” she answered with a sigh. “Anyway, did you find the cafeteria?”
“No, this place is a maze,” Hayden answered. “I shouldn’t have skipped out on the orientation tour”
He opened his eyes and saw Brianna prompting him to sit up. He did so and she plopped down next to him.
They stared off into the crowd of students in silence.
“...Do you think we can pull off being average high-schoolers?” Hayden finally said.
“With us, anything is possible remember,” Brianna said shoving him playfully.
“We got this...the two of us.”
They shared a smile, but the moment was soon replaced with dread after the bell for school rung.
The multitude of groups of students dispersed and scattered towards the nearest school entrance.
“Don’t be late for your class.” Brianna waved goodbye and ran off.
Seeing no-one was around, Hayden stretched out once again on the bench.
I have ten minutes before the late bell rings.
A gentle breeze whistled as he closed his eyes.
Chapter-Eight
“Good morning Winter Springs High,” a monotone female voice sounded over the school’s intercom. The halls of the massive building were now barren, apart from a few janitors and other faculty members. However, in Johann Edelweiss’ class, most of his students were engaging in multiple conversations paying little attention to the morning announcements.
“Today’s lunch choices are fish sticks, fish sandwiches and fish tacos. That is all thank you.”
There was a loud buzzing sound from the intercom, indicating the morning announcements were over.
Then as if it was his cue, “okay everyone please settle down.” Mr. Edelweiss closed the classroom’s exit.
“And welcome to my world history class. Here we will study history from an international view and look for a common structure across all civilization. By the end of this semester, all of you will be calling yourselves world historians.”
The young teacher chuckled at his own words. Walking to the front of his desk he faced his students and watched them settle into their seats.
Mr. Edelweiss proceeded with a smile.
“Does anyone know where the first recorded city is located?”
Kori sat in the front row of the class listening to her teacher’s every word. Usually, she would try to find something about her teachers to poke fun at.
However, something about this instructor’s soft voice made her wish she could listen to it all day. His emerald eyes locked with hers and she smiled awkwardly.
“Your name is Kori correct?”
She felt herself melt at the sound of her name from his voice.
She nodded.
“You and your family moved here from Miami?”
Again, Kori nodded.
Johann chuckled. “I like to read up on my students before I meet them,” he clasped his hands together. “Speaking of which, I will partner everyone up and tonight you and your teammate will interview each other, then write a report about one another and present it to the class tomorrow.”
Johann began to tally heads but right after he counted the last student, he snapped his fingers in disappointment.
“Odd number, looks like-” he was cut short when there was a knock at the door.
“One second.” Mr. Edelweiss said.
He opened the entrance and in stepped Dominic Ashwood. Within his hands was a brown folder.
“I’m Dominic-”
“I know exactly who you are Mr. Ashwood,” Johann said sourly. “You’re the one who broke into my classroom before being caught by the vice principal.”
Dominic laughed off the accusation and handed the teacher the folder.
“Where do you want me to sit?” Dominic said walking past his new teacher. The male students stared at him ready to assert their claim as the alpha while the females giggled. Kori, on the other hand, found herself wanting to be his friend.
Mr. Edelweiss turned to survey his classroom for an empty Spot. Spotting one, he pointed to a desk next to Kori.
“You can sit there.”
Dominic nodded and headed toward the table.
“Welcome to my class. I hope we can have a good semester despite our awful first encounter,” Mr. Edelweiss said climbing on top of his desk and sitting with his legs crossed.
Dominic shrugged as he sat at the desk. “Eh.”
Johann smile as he combed through the pile of paper in the folder Dominic had handed him.
“Tell a little more about yourself Mr. Ashwood.” He gestured for Dominic to stand.
“I’m your average teen with daddy issues.”
A few students laughed.
“Don’t be shy,” Mr. Edelweiss said. “I believe there is more to you than you’re letting on.”
Dominic leaned back. “Shy?” he laughed locking eyes with his teacher.
“Tell me Johann does the name Anastasia Ramsey ring any bells.”
His façade swapped from teasing to seriousness.
The teacher’s face flushed, and his eyes widened as a small gasp escaped his lips. He tore his gaze away clearing his throat.
“Alright, everyone,” Mr. Edelweiss said hoarsely. “I want you all to partner up and begin your interviews,” he cleared his throat once again.
“And Kori could you do me a favor.”
“Yes!” she said in a desperate plea and seconds later regretting the enthusiasm.
“Can you partner up with Dominic on this?”
He pushed himself from his desk and walked towards the exit.
“I am going to gather some supplies. I shouldn’t be gone for too long.”
He took one last glance at his students, watching them pull out pencils and paper reluctantly.
“Keep the loudness to a minimal,” Johann said as he made a hasty exit.
For a few short seconds, a sudden hush filled the classroom. Then the whispering began, followed by more, until the entire schoolroom had exploded into multip
le conversations.
A Tall muscular jock casually walked over to Kori’s desk. He leaned against it and flashed a smile.
“Hey, new girl,” he said soothingly. “I know Mr. Edelweiss assigned you and Dominic as partners, but how about we both ditch our partners and we team-up.”
Dominic snickered.
The jock shot him a glare.
“Is something funny to you Ashwood?”
“Oh no Declan, I’m enjoying the show. So please continue making an ass out of yourself.”
The teen ignored Dominic’s comment and turned his attention towards Kori once again.
“No, I’ll take my chances with Dominic,” she countered.
“Really? Dominic is a freak-”
He was interrupted by a roar of laughter from Dominic.
“What is your deal bro?”
Dominic raised his hands in defense not saying a word.
“Freak...sounds like my kinda person,” Kori replied.
“I’m your ticket into the in-crowd, and I don’t hand them out to anyone,” Declan said loudly.
“Back off dude before you end up getting hurt emotionally and mentally.”
Declan gave Kori a confused glare.
“I’m serious...I will tear away every fabric of your manhood and replace it with melodrama,” she sighed overdramatically. “I’m no good for you.”
Staring into Kori’s eyes, the jock scolded. “Plus, I’m filled with alien eggs if I touch you, you may end up impregnated.”
The jock recoiled away from the desk.
“What a freak,” he said storming back to his respective table.
“You made me so moist,” Dominic said soothingly.
Kori didn’t try to fight the smile creeping across her face.
Instead, she and Dominic shared a laugh.
Chapter-Nine
Though the bell ending first period had sounded, Dominic remained seated. His peers packed their supplies and wasted little time to leave. Kori was among the last to exit.
She looked away from her beautiful teacher long enough to write something onto a sheet of paper and handed it to Dominic.
“Don’t get the wrong idea but it’s my address. My parents are old fashioned and won’t let me have a cell, so come by after school so we can work on our project.”
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 3