That morning took all of my willpower just to get out of bed. I tried my best to remain hidden amongst my nest of blankets, hoping that maybe if Rita couldn't see me, she'd let me off the hook.
It was a far fetched hope.
"Chloe! I know you're awake. It's time to get ready!" Rita's voice came muffled through the door. With a groan, I threw my blankets off myself and trudged for the bathroom. Already falling behind on time, I figured it didn't really matter if I was a couple of minutes late and started up the shower. The water burned while it washed over my skin, and I welcomed the steam that filled my pores. Rita's meaty fists pounded on the doors, and I was forced to quickly scrub my hair and hobble out, almost slipping on the tiles.
I threw open the door to see Rita standing with her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Hurry up Chloe. Your father was very clear when he told me you couldn't be late anymore, especially on your second day!"
"All right, all right. Give me a few minutes." I dug through my clothes and picked out my Van Gogh t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Grabbing my purse, I threw on a pair of converse and I was off. Taking the stairs three at a time, I just narrowly avoided barreling into the person standing at the bottom of the stairwell.
"D-Derek!" I cried out. "Are you stalking me now?"
He snorted, "Don't flatter yourself."
My eyes narrowed, "First my phone number, and now my apartment. All without me giving that information to you, gee that doesn't sound like stalking at all!"
His hands went up in frustration and he huffed his annoyance, "I've been trying to explain the situation to you! You either keep running away, or yelling at the top of your lungs."
I heaved my bag higher up on my shoulder and steered myself towards the lobby doors. When he didn't follow, I turned back, "The least you can do is walk me to school."
He paused, his mouth unhinged slightly. Then he clamped his jaw shut and gave a curt nod. "Right."
We walked side by side for awhile, neither of us wanting to be the first to speak. However, when the silence became too much, I spoke. "I don't understand you, you know."
He didn't respond and kept his gaze forward.
"First, you make me feel totally unwelcome. You tell me to go away and to leave your friends alone. Then you save me when Royce could have easily taken care of whatever your problem is with me. Now you're going out of your way to track me down, just to explain things to me. If you really didn't like me, it'd be better to make me squirm, desperate for information."
He gaped at me for a moment, and several emotions flitted across his face, too fast for me to read. "This isn't about me," he rumbled eventually.
I frowned, "What is it about then?"
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and kicked at a pop can that littered the sidewalk. "I know that you've noticed things going on."
"What kind of things?" I asked, attempting to sound innocent.
He swallowed hard, looking extremely uncomfortable with the conversation. "Come on, you know."
"I know what?"
He growled low, "I read your file."
I straightened immediately, "You did what?!"
"It's kind of obvious. How else would I know both your phone number and address. I also know the reason you were expelled from your old school. Physical Altercation with a teacher," he said, mimicking the text word for word.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied stiffly.
He smirked, "The police report said you claimed to be seeing a ghost."
"Oh nice, you got a hold of that to. Good to know student privacy is so important." I rounded on him, "You do realize this just screams stalker, right?"
He brushed past me, "Like I said, don't flatter yourself."
"Don't walk away from me!" I yelled after him.
He paused, allowing me to catch up.
"All right," I said slowly. "What do you want from me then?"
"Huh?"
"You got a hold of information that would completely ruin my chances at any friends at this school. You have the ammunition you wanted, and now you get to use it as blackmail. I'll ask again, what do you want from me?" The only reason someone would go to so much trouble for my file, would be if they wanted dirt. The only people who wanted dirt on others, were the people who wanted something else, something bigger.
"I think you've got the wrong idea here," he replied gruffly. "I'm only trying to help you out."
"Right," I laughed. "Look, thanks for stopping Royce yesterday, but I have to get to class. Which incidentally, you do to. We've walked all the way to the school and you haven't explained anything except revealed that I need to avoid you at all costs." I stormed off in the direction of the track, leaving Derek staring after me.
After I'd changed, I walked on to the field to see Liz already stretching out on the grass. Simon stood beside her and when he looked up and saw me coming towards them, he beamed.
Simon clapped me gently on the shoulder, "I guess Derek didn't scare you off then?"
Liz barked a laugh, "I'm surprised he didn't. Always goes out of his way to keep our group small." I detected a hint of annoyance in her tone.
"H-he's still working at it I think."
Simon paled, "What'd he do?"
"N-never mind. It's not a big deal, h-honestly."
Liz's smile was sympathetic. "You're tougher than I thought. Most people don't even last past first period, and here you are on day two. Looks like he has his work cut out for him."
"Either that, or she's just braindead." Tori had found her way over to our group and was eyeing me disdainfully.
"I-I-"
"Ignore her, everyone else does," Simon said, clearly baiting Tori for a reaction.
Her lips curled up into a cruel sneer. "Come on Liz," she said, her tone challenging Simon to interject. "I have to work on my stretches and I need a partner."
Liz was apparently unaffected by Tori's vicious demeanour and trailed after her like a lost puppy. "See you on the track Chloe!" she called back cheerfully.
"All right then," I scoffed.
Simon's expression was grim, "Yeah, Tori's quite the piece of work." He shrugged, "Ah well, you and I can be partners today. I wouldn't mind being normal for once."
I felt a twinge of guilt at his words. I wasn't exactly the epitome of normalcy now was I? "W-won't Derek b-be angry with us being partners?"
Simon's eyes sparkled mischievously, "Don't worry about the big bad wolf. I think you've officially confused him." His head nodded in the other direction, and I followed where he was looking. Derek was standing by the start line, seemingly unimpressed by my speaking with Simon. But this time, he wasn't marching over to break it up, he looked agitated.
"What do you mean by confused him?"
"He isn't used to people not backing down, especially a girl," he mused. "Don't worry, it gets you plenty of brownie points in my books."
Simon playfully jostled me and I offered him a small smile. Maybe if I stuck close to Simon, Derek would leave me alone.
"He's a great brother and all, but he's got to learn to be nicer to other people yenno?" Simon's voice barged in on my thoughts.
"Wh-what?" I stammered ruefully. "Your brother!?"
Simon's face grew sheepish. "Yeah, I guess I should have mentioned that bit."
"You think?" I seethed. "It's totally inappropriate for me to get in-between siblings!"
When I made to leave, Simon stepped in front, effectively cutting me off. "Chloe," he began, keeping his voice low. "Calm down all right? Derek and I are fine, I know he can be an ass sometimes. He knows it to. You're not coming in-between anything by hanging out with me."
I chewed on my bottom lip and cast a nervous glance at Derek. He was looking anywhere but at us.
"Besides," Simon laughed darkly. "Consider this my making up for his poor behaviour."
Derek and Simon looked nothing alike to me. Simon was very clearly Korean, aside from the striking blonde hair atop his head. While Derek, he was a bulking figure that towered taller than even Simon. His hair was dark and lanky while also conveniently covered his eyes. I knew he was muscled just by looking at the way his shirt clung to his body and I blushed just thinking about it.
He's seen plenty more of you, remember? My cheeks burned and I knew the tips of my ears had turned a bright red. That was something I had avoided thinking about. I felt I had endured enough embarrassment for that day.
"Chloe?"
"H-huh? Sorry, I wasn't listening," I admitted shyly.
He appeared disappointed at first, "Oh. No worries. Mrs. Abbot is calling us over now."
Our class gathered around Mrs. Abbot and she made sure that we had all joined her before she began speaking. "Today class," she started loudly. "I have a special assignment for you."
A chorus of groans followed her announcement and I overheard Tori mutter a few profanities under her breath.
"Calm down students. I think this assignment will be good to get to know each-other and for people to become more involved in the class." She produced her clipboard and flashed a wicked grin.
"Here we go," Simon grumbled for only me to hear.
"The object of the assignment is to create your own physical activity or game for the class to participate in. You will be in charge of directing said class. I have taken the liberty to go ahead and choose your partners."
"You've got to be kidding me?" Tori had spoken up now and her fury was tangible even from where I stood. How Mrs. Abbot was able to stand her ground was completely beyond me.
Mrs. Abbot barely flinched. "Yes Tori. In fact, I thought it'd be best for you to partner with somebody who knows a bit about responsibility. Simon, Tori will be your partner."
"Oh come on!" Simon shouted. "Why do I have to be punished for her temper tantrums?"
Mrs. Abbot all but ignored his protests. "Watch it Mr. Bae, you don't want me to dock you marks, do you?"
"Whatever." I watched as Simon walked over to take his place beside Tori, who in turn decided to be the immature one and stuck her tongue out at me. What a princess!
"Liz, you'll be with Royce when he returns to school again." I could sense that Liz wanted to argue with Mrs. Abbot, but she kept her lips set in a grim line. I had to feel for the girl, I knew first hand how awful Royce could be.
Mrs. Abbot spent approximately twenty minutes rattling off the names of everyone's partners. Most of them groaned and appeared as if they'd rather be anywhere except here. Others rejoiced and ran towards their best friends, relieved they didn't end up with someone horrid.
It wasn't until she was calling out the last few people, that I realized Derek hadn't been called on yet either. Oh god, please no. Anyone but him!
"Chloe?"
"Y-yes Mrs. Abbot?"
"You'll be partnered with Derek Souza."
My throat constricted painfully and I had to force myself to walk over to where Derek stood. "Hey," I mumbled quietly.
He merely grunted, as if that sound alone conveyed his message clearer than any words could. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe we could actually find some common ground on this project and possibly go for a passing grade.
He leaned down, keeping his arms crossed and his expression blank. "We're doing football," he whispered.
My face contorted into a look of sheer annoyance and I aimed a kick at his foot. Of course he dodged it with ease and his mouth quirked into what could almost pass for a smile. "We are not playing that barbaric, filthy-"
Derek was already strolling away, pretending I had never spoken.
"Listen here Souza!" I yelled after him, trying my best to remain calm.
Maybe not.