Alex

The next week of school went by relatively quickly, I was still getting used to the idea of liking Jack and doing cutsey little things with him. He'd come over after school and we'd go stright to my room, play guitar together, sit on my bed talking about everything and nothing. We'd watch a movie led on my bed, and I would build up the courage to scoot closer to him, resting my head on his arm, and that was all I needed for now, and I didn't want to embarress myself by asking to kiss him like I had done after our date. The only thing that dragged the week was a few funny looks I'd been getting from the guy who had pinned Patrick up not that long ago, what was his name, Johnathan?

It was Monday morning right now, and I was sat in Math, Patrick on my left scribbling out equations as he finished the pop quiz we had been given.

''Okay guys, that's time,'' Mr Miller called to the class, ''Pens down please.''

I wrote my name on the top of my sheet and waited for it to be collected by the teacher, but in the meantime, I was bored after spending the weekend without Jack, my parents wanting to spend family time with me.

''Pssst,'' I whispered, nudging the blonde boy, ''You alright there?''

Patrick faced me, sliding his glasses up his nose and nodding frantically, ''Yeah, I, er..I'm fine.''

I shot him a quizzical look, not believing him, ''You sure?''

He pulled his black cap further down on his head and put his jacket on, getting ready to leave, ''Mhmm, I just, er, heard Johnathan talking about you to the, er, football team...''

I gulped nervously, ''what about?''

''Something about after school, not really sure, sorry.'' He shrugged, leaving the room as soon as the bell rang.

I slowly gathered up my books and went to leave the room, only to be stopped in my tracks.

''Alexander, can I talk to you for a moment, please?'' Mr Miller asked, shuffling the papers and fastening them with a paper clip.

''Sure.'' I nodded in response.

We both waited for everyone else to file out, I was perched on the edge of one of the front desks, rolling up the sleeves that had fallen down slightly on my red flannel mom had brought me last week. As the last student left, the teacher shut the door behind her and faced me, a smile on his face.

''Now, Alexander, as head of the Math department, I wanted to ask you if you would consider joining the Mathletes team. We could really use your knowledge, and we've just had a member drop out, so we're in need of another person, so what do you say? You in?''

I stood there, just gawping at him. Sure, this was really flattering, that he asked me personally, but Mathletes? I'd watched Mean Girls, and apparently it's social suicide, so maybe it's not such a good idea. I already stick out like a sore thumb. But I couldn't say that to his face.

''I'll think about it, Sir.'' I fake smiled, standing up from the desk and hitching up my bag.

''Awesome!" He smiled back, putting both of his thumbs up, almost as if he didn't understand people didn't do that, at least, not since the 90's.

I left the room and began making my way down the now empty halls, looking around at the walls that were lined with various paintings that the students had done. Some were amazing, there was a portrait that looked almost photographic, then others, well, weren't so great. I turned the corner, heading to my locker to grab my PhysEd kit for the Gym class I had next, but walked right into a tall figure. Stepping back, I tried to apologize and walk around them, but they seemed to have other ideas.

''Where you hurrying off to, Gaskarth?'' He smiled down at me.

I recognised him straight away. Johnathan.

''I, er, have to get to class...'' I mumbled, trying again to walk around him, only to be blocked by his muscular arm around my shoulders as he shook his head.

''Change of plan, you're gonna skip and come hang out with me.''

I looked at him again, not sure on what to think. ''N-no, I'm fine thanks, I'd rather g-go to class-''

''Alex, this isn't negotiable...c'mon.'' He said, trying to pull me towards the door with him.

''I-I said no.''

''Fine.'' He spat, letting go of me and turning to walk away. ''I'll just go and pay Patrick another visit.''

My eyes widened. I knew exactly what he meant by that. He'd hurt him again, and this time, Jack wouldn't be there to stop it, and it wasn't like I had the muscles or the reputation to do anything about it.

''Wait,'' I called, ''I'll skip with you.''

Johnathan stopped in his tracks, still facing away from me, ''I knew you'd change your mind. C'mon, let's go-''

''I'll be back for lunch though, right?''

He spun on his heel, walking back towards me and smirked, ''You'll be back for lunch, don't worry.''

---

Okay, I know for a fact lunch was nearly over, and I'm still with Johnathon. We're in some field somewhere, he's getting high, blowing the smoke in my face and trying to tell me that this is fun. Nothing about this is 'fun'.

''Dude, you need to chill.'' He smiled drowsily.

I didn't want to be here anymore, and it was nearly time for music class, and I didn't want to miss out on seeing Jack for the first time today. ''Can we go-''

Suddenly, I felt a burning sensation on my forarm just below my elbow and I flinched at the pain. I looked down and saw the small circular burn mark on my skin, from Johnathan's cigarette.

''What the fuck?!" I cursed, hissing at the pain, trying to pick out the ash.

Johnathan just started laughing. Not that that was in any way funny. I stood up to leave, rolling my sleeves back down on my shirt, not wanting anyone at school to see it.

''Where do you think you're going?'' He sneered.

''Back to fucking school.''

And with that, I ran. I ran faster than I think I ever have before. Thank God I have a good memory, otherwise I wouldn't know which roads to turn down and how to get back. I suddenly heard heavy footsteps behind me, followed by calls of my name, mixed in with cussing and other various insults. I could tell he was getting closer, I had obviously forgotten that he was an athlete, but I carried on running, as quick as my legs could carry me.

I made my way onto school property and into the building. The halls were once again empty, indicating that Music class had already started. I hurried into the bathroom and locked myself in one of the stalls, trying to eliminate the chance of him finding me. I sat down on the lid of the toilet and rolled my sleeve back up, inspecting the burn mark. It felt like it was on fire, and I wasn't going to risk leaving the stall just yet, so what I did next, I wasn't very proud of.
I took out some of the toilet paper from the dispenser on the wall, stood up, and dipped the tip of it into the cool water from the toilet bowl before pressing it to mt arm, it immediately cooling it down. Sure, it was gross, but necessary.

After waiting ten or so minutes, I slowly unlocked the stall and stepped out of the bathroom, peering around me self consciously for my friend. I couldn't see him, so I made my way to my locker. I opened it carefully, hoping it wouldn't creek and give my whereabouts away. Shoving my Gym kit at the bottom, I reached for my music folder, but just at that moment, a loud laugh sounded from behind me and I was pushed inside, then the door slamming in my face.

''You can run, but you'll never escape Gaskarth,'' Johnathan chuckled. ''Why don't you pray for a miracle?''

Notes

This chapter is all over the place. OOOOOOPS.

-BMB