Dominic grabbed the paper, eyeing her suspiciously. Something about this girl had him intrigued ever since they collided earlier that day.
But he pushed her from his mind, and he turned his attention towards their teacher.
“Isn’t he so beautiful?” Kori whispered.
“Totes,” Dominic said blandly.
She grabbed her backpack and with a theatrical sigh, she took one last look at Mr. Edelweiss before exiting. The teacher remained behind his desk, elbows resting on the surface, and fingers intertwined.
For a few seconds, he surveyed the empty classroom then locked eyes with Dominic. He abruptly stood and the teacher flinched. His student strolled over to his desk planting himself on the surface.
“I haven’t seen you since the night you helped rip the heart out of someone very close to me.”
Dominic began to fidget with a few figurines the teacher had scattered about his desk.
Johann remained silent.
“I am going to kill you, you know,” Dominic said hopping off the table.
The teacher raised an eyebrow. “I have another class coming in at any moment...besides I doubt you can defeat a demon like me.”
“Reinhard thought the same...,” Dominic said nonchalantly. “Now he’s dead.” He placed the figurines back onto the desk. “Stay woke biotch.”
Speechless, Johann watched Dominic exit the classroom.
HAYDEN’S EYES POPPED open as the school bell went off. He sat up scanning the empty courtyard quizzically. Then the realization hit him.
“Oh no, I’m tardy,” he shouted. Hayden hopped off the bench and was running as soon as his feet touched the ground. Reaching the closest entrance, he pushed one of the double doors open and ran inside. Due to his limited knowledge of the school’s layout, he hoped he was bolting in the right direction. As he zoomed by the library double doors, one of them opened and Brianna popped out.
“Why are you running?” she shouted after him.
Hayden came to a halt mid-step once his mind recognized her voice.
“I’m late for first period,” he replied facing her.
Brianna jogged the short gap between them laughing along the way.
“Are you sure you’re late for first period...because it ended like two hours ago,” she continued her laughter. “Were you sleeping under a rock or something?”
Hayden sighed while scratching the back of his head ignoring the question. “Hey, why aren’t you in class?”
“I have study hall this period,” Brianna answered.
She stared at him blankly, “are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he said heading in the opposite direction of Brianna. “I’m just running late.”
Getting closer to his scheduled class, Hayden slowed his brisk walk and stopped at a door on his right.
He held his breath for a moment as he stepped inside. The once quiet room became the victim of instant whispering among his peers. With all eyes on him, Hayden released his breath after seeing a lot of familiar faces from his middle school days.
“It looks like Hayden Ashwood has finally decided to bless us with his gracious presence,” A croaky voice said from behind him.
Hayden turned and immediately recoiled.
“Oh, my G-god!” he shouted.
His classmates burst into laughter at his reaction.
The elderly teacher was a tall heavyset woman with leathery skin and multiple chins hiding her neck. Her frog-like face was caked in makeup and her strong flowery perfume polluted the air.
“What are y-” he paused considering his next choice of words. “...S-Sorry I’m late.”
“I don’t tolerate tardiness,” the teacher said. “But seeing how this is your first day I will let you off with a warning this time around.”
Hayden shuddered at the sound of her voice.
“I am Miss Welch, and this is my English class. Sit wherever there is an empty desk.”
Hayden nodded and walked through the rows of desks to the back of the class. There he found an empty desk. He dropped his backpack and took a seat. Releasing a breath of annoyance Hayden buried his head in between his arms on top of his desk.
“She’s creepy, isn’t she?” came a female voice from his right.
“She’s a demon,” Hayden replied without looking up.
The girl laughed. “She does smell like sulfur.”
Hayden sat up and looked over at his neighboring desk with narrowed eyes.
“I’m sorry who are you?”
The girl smiled. “I’m Kori Dawson. And you’re Hayden, right?”
He nodded. “Can you really smell the sulfur?”
Kori laughed. “No, I was only playing off your demon comment.”
With a scoff, Hayden placed his head in between his arms once again.
“I met your other two siblings earlier.”
Hayden ignored her.
What is this girl’s deal?
“I’m guessing you’re the silent emo type,” Kori said with a shrug.
“Melinda did say you’re a wannabe rock star, so I bet you’re also in a band...an emo band.”
Hayden groaned, feeling his classmates glaring in their direction. Kori continued to talk drawing more attention their way. Thankfully, Miss Welch was engrossed in her speech about classroom etiquette.
“So, emo-boy wanna make out?” Kori said with a flirtatious smile.
The random question came out of nowhere which left Hayden dumbfounded and red in the face. He recovered from the comment and glared at Kori, but the sheer annoyance towards her remained.
“No, I don’t want to make out with you!” he shouted.
Hayden clasped his hands over his mouth while the classroom became a festival of laughter. Even Miss Welch was bewildered by the sudden outburst.
Kori frowned at Hayden. “Geez my dude, I was only kidding.”
Hayden face planted against the surface of his desk.
I hate it here.
“By the way,” he heard Kori say. “You’re cute when embarrassed.”
But I think I hate her even more.
Chapter-Ten
The corridors of Winter Springs high flooded with students and staffing. The roar of conversations hit the air, along with faculty members screaming after students who weren’t following the hallway rules.
Passing through the chaotic foyer, Kori finally arrived in an empty hall. However, she soon found out why the foyer was deserted. The aroma of the cafeteria sodomized her nostrils causing her to gag.
She turned to go back the other way but when the boisterous sounds of the previous hall resonated around her, she decided to brave the putrid odor.
Kori inhaled deeply and held it. At the end of the hall were double doors. Nearing the entrance, the smell intensified. Kori pushed the doors open. The foul odor and a mixture of deafening noise escaped, overwhelming her. No longer able to hold her breath Kori released it. No-one paid any attention to her brisk walk as they seemed to be immune to the thick odor. The deeper she treaded into the wide-open space; eyes of feasting students scrutinized her.
Most of them gave off the notion they were considered the social outcast of the schools or ranked even lower. But at this moment they were staring at her as if she was trespassing on their sacred grounds.
Uneasy, Kori made a hasty departure through the back exit.
Now standing in the courtyard, she blinked a few times to adjust her eyes to the sunlight. She was again surrounded by a multitude of people. However, this time around everyone was more spread out. Her eyes bounced from one cliché group to another.
Jocks
Goths
Preps
Nerds...Even loners have their own groups.
“Where do I fit in?” Kori said wryly.
Spotting Ethan sitting alone on a bench finishing off a sandwich, Kori headed towards him. “Hey.”
Ethan capped his water bottle, “how’s your first day going.”
Kori laughed. “It’
s been eventful.”
“Elaborate,” he said amused.
“Well in the first period I told a jock I was filled with alien eggs.”
“You told someone the alien story?” Ethan scolded. “People are going to think you’re weird.”
“You make being weird sound like a bad thing,” Kori said offended.
“All I’m saying is, this could be our chance to be different,” Ethan said gathering up his lunch trash. “New school, New us,” he added.
“I’m fine the way I am,” Kori scoffed.
There was a pause between them.
“...Anyway, my first-period teacher is amazingly beautiful and that guy who smashed into me this morning might come by after school. We have a dumb project that’s due tomorrow.”
“Wait you gave a delinquent our address?” Ethan said. “Do you think our parents would approve?”
Kori shrugged, “It’s not like either of them would know. Mom is working a double at the hospital, and your dad won’t be home until really late tonight.”
Ethan started to protest but then stopped himself.
“Yeah, you’re right,” he said in defeat. “But I still think it’s a bad idea.”
For a moment they both sat in silence as the multiple conversations happening around them jabbered in dissonance.
“I also embarrassed a guy in my second-period class.” Kori said. “He was kinda rude too.”
“It’s nice to see your friend making skills are still intact,” Ethan said sarcastically.
Kori opened her mouth to speak when -
“Oh great,” Kori mumbled staring off into the distance.
Ethan followed her gaze.
“They look like trouble,” Ethan said as a group of boys surrounded them.
“Hey, new girl, I believe we got off on the wrong foot earlier,” one of them said.
He extended his hand out to Kori. Two of his friends snickered while the third played around with a football.
“Hi, I’m Declan,” he gave Kori an alluring smile.
Bashfully, Kori stood and replied with a curtsy. “How do you do?”
Declan laughed awkwardly. “You certainly are a strange one...but seriously you should drop Dominic as a partner he’s not too keen on working well with others.”
Kori scoffed. “Thanks, but no thanks.”
“You don’t seem to understand how things work around here...I can ruin your entire high-school experience.”
Kori smiled sweetly at him. “Prove it.”
Declan glared at her, as his face flushed.
“I’m the quarterback on the JV football team, plus good-looking and popular,” he nearly shouted. “Any girl would love to date me.”
Ethan had heard enough. Mustering up as much bass as he could in his voice, he stood up with his chest puffed out. “Leave her alone.”
Kori palmed her face. Oh no, don’t be brave now Ethan.
His body tensed as he clutched his water bottle in either hand.
“Who the hell are you...please tell me this guy isn’t your boyfriend.”
“N-no he’s my brother,” Kori said lowering her hand.
“Step-brother.” Ethan corrected.
“This conversation doesn’t concern you. Go collect magical trading cards or something.”
Ethan swallowed hard. “Why don’t you go suck on your mother’s fake tits and leave us alone.” His word came out in quivers.
Knowing Ethan for most of her life, Kori knew he would always defend her even if it resulted in him getting the crap beaten out of him. At first glance she thought Ethan was furious, but after closer observation; she saw the fear in his eyes.
Declan clenched his fist and through gritted teeth yelled, “who told you about ma’s boob job.” He glared back at his friends.
They cowered and protested it wasn’t them.
“I don’t know how you found out about ma’s operation, but I’m about to pummel your face.”
Declan said as he and his friends circled Ethan.
Noticing the tension rising and a crowd of students accumulating, Kori feared for Ethan’s wellbeing.
Chapter-Eleven
“Some nerdy guy is about to fight Declan Spencer!”
Those words were enough to spark Brianna’s interest. She along with a few other students were nestled underneath a massive tree. Beside her, Hayden laid flat on his back with his hands relaxing behind his head.
“Forget about it,” he said through closed eyes.
She watched a few of her peers get up to go spectate.
“It’s not our problem,” Hayden said.
Brianna ignored him.
It didn’t take long for her to spot Declan and his friends taking turns shoving Ethan around. Kori yelled for the group to stop, while the majority of the crowd egged on the bullying.
Brianna got to her feet.
“Hey get up. We have to do-”
Hayden interrupted her forcefully. “No, we’re not getting involved.”
“But the new girl and her brother I think-” again she stopped in mid-sentence due to Hayden interrupting her as he sat up.
“The new girl is involved?” he got to his feet and dusted himself off while Brianna pointed into the direction of Kori and the others.
Brianna nodded.
Hayden’s eyes ventured towards the skirmish, “new girl owes me an apology.”
“Uh what are you talking about?” Brianna asked.
He didn’t elaborate and walked off.
“HEY, FELLAS LET’S BEAT the crap out of him!” Declan shouted with his fist raised and ready to deliver a punch to his victim’s face.
His assemblage roared their agreement.
Ethan flinched expecting the bully’s fist to slam into his face at any moment.
“Hey, Bare-hand-Declan are you already picking on the new guy?” Hayden’s voice echoed throughout the courtyard. The onlookers broke apart as he strolled over to Kori’s left.
Declan dispatched a sigh. “Don’t call me that. Besides shouldn’t you be in a dark corner writing a depressing song.”
With an exaggerated laugh, Hayden spoke. “I’m going to play it for your mom tonight while she serves me my drinks topless.”
Declan’s friends snickered at the remark. However, the jock glanced once in their direction and in unison, they stopped.
“My mom doesn’t work at your uncle’s shady club anymore,” Declan shouted defensively.
“Shame she usually makes the most tips,” Hayden said nonchalantly. “Anyways the four of you fighting one guy isn’t a fair fight.” Hayden pointed towards Ethan but kept his eyes on Declan.
“Plus, the school has zero-tolerance for violence,” Hayden continued.
“You’ll be expelled for the remainder of the school year and you’ll lose all of the popularity you worked so hard to build up and everyone will go back to calling you bare-hand Declan.”
The jock released Ethan and motioned for his friends to follow him.
“Have a good day bare-hand Declan,” Hayden shouted after the group.
Realizing there wasn’t going to be a fight, the onlookers dispersed.
Hayden turned and introduced himself to Ethan.
Kori eyed the two of them for a moment before spotting Declan and his friends huddled together. One of his friends passed him a football and he took aim at Hayden.
Kori moved in to warn Hayden. However, before any words could escape her lips the ball spiraled through the air like a mini torpedo.
Hayden in one fluid motion spun and caught the ball. Stunned, Kori’s mouth dropped while Ethan surveyed Hayden with fanboy like eyes.
“Hey, bare-hand I think this ball belongs to you,” Hayden shouted to him.
He nodded with a nervous chuckle. “It slipped... can you toss it back.”
“Sure thing,” Hayden replied. He threw the ball. Declan readied himself for the catch. However, the ball came at him faster than he expected and with force, he stumbled into his fr
iend, toppling them over like bowling pins.
“Pretty cool,” Ethan said clearly impressed.
Kori sighed. “If you say so,” she watched as Declan and his crew scrambled to their feet. “I actually think it was kinda mean.”
Taking one last look at Hayden, Declan and his friends scurried off.
“You could thank me.” Hayden snorted.
“I could have handled the situation on my own.”
“If I hadn’t shown up your brother’s face would have been a bloody mess.” Hayden shouted. “You should at least apologize for embarrassing me.”
“Dream on, rock star,” Kori said mockingly.
Hayden turned bright red.
“Aw, how cute? He’s upset,” Kori said making a kissy face at Hayden.
“Kori, just say sorry.” Ethan urged.
“Why?... when I’ve done nothing wrong,” she retorted.
Ethan frowned not finding Kori’s bantering amusing.
She smiled mischievously. “It’s not my fault he gets butt hurt so easily,” she turned on her heels and walked off.
Hayden glared at Ethan.
He shrugged. “This is her way of making friends.”
“Well her way sucks!” he shouted following Kori.
Chapter-Twelve
“I’m still waiting,” Hayden’s voice echoed from behind her.
Kori continued to navigate through the empty hall without acknowledging him. She rounded a corner and turned her walk into a jog searching for an exit. It didn’t take long for her to spot a door leading to a place no males were allowed. She ducked inside.
HAYDEN ROUNDED THE same corner seconds later and was greeted with emptiness. He crept about the deserted foyer and stopped in front of the girl’s restroom.
Clever
He walked inside. Two girls standing in front of mirrors, regarded the newcomer and their skin went pale and their eyes widened.
For a moment the three of them stared at one another in silence. Then both girls screamed and ran past Hayden, almost knocking him over as they exited.
He let out a long sigh.
Rolls of waist-high sinks spread from end to end of the restroom with mirrors above them. In between the open spaces of the sinks were counters. One counter caught Hayden attention, its surface housed a vase of shriveled roses.
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 4