Pilot


Rounding the corner with ease I sped toward the parking lot. First day of school and I'm ready to get in and out as quickly as I possibly can. Though I enjoy seeing girls gawk, freshmen tremble, and teachers take caution when I enter the room, I have grown bored of everyone's antics. I'm bored with life. I spent all summer trying to find something, someone, and somewhere relatively interesting; I came up short. Well…I can't say my efforts were completely in vain, I did discover a new band to add to my collection and that in itself is an accomplishment worth noting.

I drove straight; avoiding all masses in my way until out of nowhere a car door flew open into my path. I slammed on the brake and turned to the side. I lifted my face shield to intimidate the individual who dared to challenge me. My eyes landed on a girl whom I didn't recognize. She had long, wavy brunette hair and was wearing a maroon army jacket. She confronted me with force that took me aback.

"Hey! You're the one speeding in a school zone." She spat.

My eyes narrowed. Where the hell did she get the spite to charge me with the offense of almost ramming into her door when SHE was careless in the first place? I scowled at her to the best of my ability, making sure to flip her off with my eyes since I couldn't take my hands off the bike.

"Do you mind?" She asked impatiently.

I blinked, unwillingly accepting defeat. Who is this girl? Why did she not cower in fear or lust after me like others did? Just because she has an attitude, doesn't make her immune to innate reactions to seeing me. I've learned that people have come to respond to me in only those two ways. There's no challenge against me, so I don't worry about conflict unless there's a brave soul from our rival football team who tries his luck. Other than the one rarity, school is absolutely predictable. That new girl will succumb to my presence in time. They all do.

As she drove away, I stared after her; looking at her expression in her mirror. I pressed the gas pedal and continued with my course to the parking lot. I pulled in and noticed what looked to be the new girl and Chastity Church getting to know each other. Obviously I was terribly wrong when I actually arrived at the scene and Chastity's front bumper lay on the ground and the new girl's car parked in Church's usual spot. I've got to hand it to her…She's got some backbone to treat Chastity and I the way she did; well…Not that she knows any different. She'll learn quickly not to screw with certain people.

The bell rang and I drove around to my usual parking place, turned my bike off. This morning was more entertaining than usual. There's something about the new girl that has interested me. I've never met anyone that could go into a new school with such courage. Along with the over confidence she seems to have, I can't lie, she's beautiful. Very beautiful. AH, what the hell? I'm Patrick Verona! I don't think girls are beautiful. Padua has its share of hot and sexy girls, but as for any girls with actual beauty…I've yet to see one before this morning.

I walked into my first hour about ten minutes after the bell rang and before I got the chance to sit down, the teacher called me over to his desk, handed me a late note and told me to go down and see Holland for detention sign up. What. The. Hell. I haven't done anything wrong yet. My teacher last year could care less weather I came or went. I sighed, grabbed the note and silenced the class with one glare.

I strolled out of the room and into the hallway nonchalantly. Just another blemish on the transcript, I guess. Last year I spent most of my time in detention so why did I expect this year to be any different? Right, because none of the teachers see me getting into a college anyway, so why give me a chance to change? Oh well.

As I reached the office I passed Chastity in the doorway and I overheard Holland speaking with someone else so I waited outside of the main doorway. I wondered who Holland's latest victim was. When I saw the back of whom she had sitting across from her, my ears burned to know more. The new girl is already in the office? She probably got in it with Chastity over wreaking her car.

I decided to stop laughing internally to actually listen to the conversation.

"What you did was dangerous. Very, very, very dangerous." Holland scolded.

"I was going two miles an hour," the new girl defended, "not exactly the fast and the furious."

"Listen Carol, Karen, Katherine. I can tell from your transcripts you're going to be a very effective…activist someday. I'm sure you'll really 'stick it to the man', but here at Padua High the 'man' is Chastity; the daughter of the school board's superintendent." Principle Holland educated Katherine.

Katherine…? That hardly fits this girl's persona. I was expecting her to have an edgy name of some sort. That thought was pushed from my mind when Katherine spoke again.

"This is a public school where every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect."

I laughed inside along with Principle Holland. Is this girl nuts? Does she seriously think that? I tried to stifle a chuckle that bubbled in my chest. That's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time.

"No," Holland stated while continuing to laugh. "That's private school. Here we keep Chastity happy so we keep our funding. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to kiss some ass."

I decided to make my presence known, seeing as how the conversation was clearly over. I saw something shine in a pencil holder and picked it up to examine it. It was a letter opener with a sharp point that I decided to test with the tip of my finger.

"Mr. Verona, what a surprise." Holland stated with sarcasm dripping from her words. I didn't look up, still interested in the point on the stick. I heard Kat get up from her chair as Holland spoke again. "Come in. Without the sharp object."

Katherine walked right into me, her scent burning my nose. I breathed her in and was reminded of a spring afternoon when I was young. I used to play outside while my mom would hang clothing to dry out on the line. The light, sweet smell of cotton took me back for a moment. She was standing very close and bore holes into me with her eyes. I have the sudden urge to pull her closer but then she backed away. Katherine looked appalled that I wouldn't move for her.

"Personal space. Ever heard of it?" She asked in a snarky tone. I decided to make things more complicated for her since she gave me an attitude. This year will be fun if she keeps this demeanor up. Finally I have someone new to antagonize. She decided to try again but when I saw the look in her eyes, I decided to let her by with a little bit of space. I didn't recognize the emotion that gleamed behind her annoyance, but it was enough to make me stand down for a bit.

She faced me and started to slide past me. I looked down at her, the urge to pull her in returned when she was square in front of me, only inches away. She quickly passed me and with every power she had, she tried not to touch me on her way. Her aroma flooded me and I watched her leave. I looked down a bit to study her body and I must say…I'm impressed with what I see.

After dealing with Holland, I returned to my first hour with five minutes to spare before the bell rang for second and third. I received the yearly first hour supply list from the teacher-whose name I didn't know yet because he didn't give me a chance to know before sending me to the office. The bell rang and I started for the door but the teacher caught me.
"Verona."

"Hm?" I asked, ready to be rid of him and his class.

"Don't be late tomorrow." He warned with a threatening voice. Ha! Did he seriously think that I'm going to take him seriously? Has he never talked to my former teachers? I raised my eyebrows in response to his not-so-menacing threat. That may work on freshmen, but not on me.

I went through second and third hour in a flash but at the time it seemed like forever. The teachers droned on and on about their expectations for the year. My second hour teacher even read and explained the handbook to us like we've never heard it before. This reason alone is why I hate this wretched place. The staff here treats us like we're delinquents, though most would argue that I am one. I've been in trouble with the law once or twice, but not enough to stain my record but just enough to stain my reputation.

Speaking of my reputation, I find it absolutely hilarious when people make up rumors to make me sound horrifying. I smiled at this moment, remembering all of the claims I have heard. Apparently I like the taste of human flesh, my mother is a Mexican drug lord, my father is in jail for eating a man alive and countless others. I'm not exactly proud of my rep. but it keeps people at arm's length- just the way I like it.

My thoughts were interrupted by the bell for lunch. I was the first one out the door, glad to get out of class. I walked away from the courtyard and over to a corner where people rarely noticed. A little ways from me I observed a Gothic girl spray painting a pillar. I pulled out my pocket knife and a piece of bamboo I acquired over the summer. I don't know what I wanted to make out of it, but I just wanted to keep busy. I started chipping portions away and tried not to think about Katherine.

As if reading my thoughts, I saw her walk around the corner. I glanced up, watching her march over to the Goth. The girl in black clad hid her can, and Katherine said something back to her that eased her suspicions. They both relaxed and seemed to be introducing themselves. I slowly looked back down at my creation, losing interest now that SHE was around. I looked again at her and seemed to catch her attention. She spoke to ask the Goth girl something and the girl piped in probably informing her of a rumor. I looked back down on my project, trying to make it appear that I'm bored.

She jumped off of the ledge and sauntered over towards me. She stopped a little ways from me and placed her hands on her hips. I pasted a scowl on my face as I matched her gaze. What does she think this childish staring contest will accomplish? I stared into her challenging, intense brown eyes and straightened my posture. She cocked her head to the side. What is she waiting for? I snorted. This is stupid. I'm so above all of this fifth grade crap. She raised an eyebrow suddenly and I have had enough.

I stood up and started to walk away. That shit was getting old. I wonder what that proved. I'm sure she felt satisfied when I walked away, but really, she was being completely juvenile. I shook my head and went to my locker. Maybe she was trying to verify to the Goth chick that she had a bad attitude and supposedly could take care of anyone in her way. I don't know…and I have no clue why I care, it's just bugging the crap out of me. I've never met anyone with that much audacity, especially against ME.

I spent the rest of the day in limbo. I didn't retain one fragment of information in my classes. I did, however, remember that there was a back-to-school house party later that night; and also I learned Katherine goes by "Kat." It fits her better, in my opinion. The girls beside me were commenting on how intimidating she is. I snorted in response. The final school bell rang and I bolted like a bat out of hell. I've never been this relived to be going home…which is entirely unlike me.

I hopped on my bike and she roared to life, instantly soothing me. I slammed the pedal and raced out of the lot. I didn't wear my helmet; wanting to feel the sharp wind slapping against my face. I did, on the other hand put on a pair of Roy Orbison sunglasses that my dad passed down to me when I was a boy along with my bike. God, it feels so good to just ride. All my thoughts were put on hold while I inhaled the scent of the breeze. It vaguely reminds me of Kat's…Wait, no. I'm not thinking about her.

When I returned home I started to read a book and got so caught up in my reading, I didn't think to gaze at the clock. When I did decide to, I was surprised to find that it was nearly nine. I stood up and went into the bathroom to wash my face. I don't have any expectations from this party. All I'm going for is some free beer and possibly any hot girls that come my way…So maybe a few expectations.

I pulled into the driveway and caught a glimpse of Kat's car. Oh crap. Good. No, not good. I found a spot behind her dinosaur of a vehicle and pulled off my helmet, looking into her mirror and catching her glare. Haha, this ought to be an interesting night after all. All thoughts of free booze and girls were pushed from my mind as her car door opened, her pajama clad self walked toward me.

"Alright Hannibal Lecter, let's cut to the chase. You want some of this?" She asked holding her fist in the air. I raised my eyebrows slowly. Really? She's threatening me? With those little bitty fists? Wow, this is funnier than I thought it would be. "No? Then how about some of this?" She asked holding up a taser and turning it on. A bolt of electricity shot into sight. I was taken aback. Is this girl insane? She's really threatening me with a taser? What did I do to piss her off so much? I didn't comment, trying to get my thoughts in order.

"What do you want?" She continued.

"What do you mean?" I asked, seriously wondering what the hell I did to make her threaten me.

She laughed, "I mean…Do you want to deal me drugs? Or steal my car?" I looked away. She's absolutely unbelievable. One, I don't do drugs, their disgusting and beneath me, and two; no one would steal that piece of shit. She continued, interrupting my thoughts.

"Why are people scared of you?" Kat asked looking me straight in the eye to show her lack of fear.

"Why are people scared of you?" I echoed, wondering why the girls in my last hour talked about her like she was a murderer- kind of like how they talk about me.

Kat swallowed at my question and scoffed. "People are not scared of me."

"Sure they aren't." I agreed with a sarcastic smirk just to irritate her. "That's why I find you interesting." I said with a more serious tone. She stared at me seemingly in disbelief. I have a hard time reading her expression. I matched her gaze for a moment and put my helmet back on. I've done my business and now I will leave her to ponder what I said. I hope she goes crazy trying to figure out what I meant. I started my bike up and drove past her into the night. That went surprisingly well.

The next day dragged on slowly. I ditched first hour just to piss off my teacher for threatening me yesterday. Second and third hour were a complete blur. When lunch rolled around, a blonde girl thrust herself on me. To be honest, I don't know her name. She went on and on about how cute she thought I was and how her horoscope said we'd be good together. I didn't pay much attention to her and only nodded when she said her goodbyes when the bell rang.

I don't even remember the rest of my day, it was THAT boring. After school I started towards my bike and mounted it. I was just about to turn the engine on when I felt a light tap on my shoulder. I turned to find the girl from lunch standing there with a stupid smile on her face.

"Can you give me a ride? I rode the bus this morning but missed it a few minutes ago." She asked, batting her fake eyelashes.

I internally rolled my eyes but nodded. She gave me the directions to her house and I scooted forward to let her sit. I turned the bike on and she immediately suction-cupped herself to my waist. She smelt of cheap perfume and I wanted to gag. Instead I started towards the exit when I spotted Kat leaning against her car reading a book.

A little light bulb flickered on in my head. I drove intentionally past her and stopped when she looked up. She looked at me and then to the girl on the back. I saw jealousy flash in her eyes and it made me smirk.

"You guys should really be wearing helmets!" She called to me over the engine, pasting on a fake smile. I raised my eyebrows and revved, taking off out of the lot. I smiled on my way to the girl's house. Whether Kat's reaction was jealousy or annoyance, I couldn't tell. I want to get to know her and I don't want to be anywhere near her in the same breath. The one thing I'm sure of is that I bet I could make a list of ten things I hated about Kat Stratford, with number one being: self-inflicted indecision.