Chapter 4

Jesus Christ

As I walked out of the bathroom my thoughts were a mess but one thing that seemed clear enough was that Lacey and I were now bound by a past life we both shared. I rubbed my temples and brushed my hair back with my fingers. I looked down the hallways trying to settle myself, to the left, down the hallway I caught a glimpse of Lacey, through the mass of kids getting to classes, as she turned the corner. She seemed to compose herself quickly, she looked like her normal self, popular, pretty, on top of the world. To my right past the flurry of teens my eyes caught the head movement and the swish of brilliant red hair, Regina. She was looking back and smiling and as quickly as I saw her, she disappeared into the mass of kids. Right afterwards in that same direction I saw Archie, Lacey's boyfriend and in that very moment I saw Rico moving through the crowd probably to his class. I walked to catch up to him, I started to jog and whoosh, someone had pushed me with such a force into the janitor's closet. What the hell?! The rage inside me started to grow, I looked up ready to punch whoever had shoved me but as quickly as my rage boiled… it settled and my face turned into a calmer frown, when I looked up who I saw was not who I expected.

"Sorry, this is the only way I could get you to speak to me." Danny was speaking down to me, he towered over me by height.

Wow he's tall. Then I remembered I was just fucking shoved. Hard. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Besides the obvious that is. I AM A GIRL and you just basically tackled me!" I was yelling at him as loud as I could without attracting an undesired audience.

"It's like lock Jo in a room day, geez" I brought my arms to my sides then turned with them at my head, trying to calm myself.

Danny keeps looking at me, he seems sorry but what do I know, he's not the kid I used to know.

"Uhh, I'm sorry Jo. I just need time to explain this whole situation. I hope we can still be friends. I'm just in over my head." He says it with a genuine tone. The type of tone you can't really read without having doubts on its meaning. He leans on the wall and waits for my reply.

I look back at him ready to spill the truth.

"Lacey and I aren't friends anymore and frankly we aren't either. You killed someone, that can't be easily forgiven or forgotten. Everyone's in this town is afraid of what you could attempt to do. I'm kind of wondering where the PTA is with their pitchforks, ready to crucify you." I take a deep breath trying to gain all the oxygen I stopped using while I ranted.

"This whole deal with you has changed a lot of people, like Lacey and me. We aren't friends anymore, after that…uh, we tried but it just didn't work anymore. We run in different circles now and you run in one of your own." I say.

I'm glad to have gotten all of that out of my chest. Now let's hope he doesn't kill me. Do I really believe he'll do that? No. I walk straight out of that closet all flustered and tired. That took more out of me than I thought. I leave Danny in there to contemplate what I've said and I head to my class.

The shrill ring of the bell is heard throughout the school signifying the end of the day.

"Don't forget to read chapter 7 on the different trigonometry functions for next class!" Ms. Blate announces to the class as everyone packs up to head home.

Rico is next to me shoving his books into his backpack. He slings it over his shoulder and we begin our walk to the parking lot.

"I gotta go meet my mom by the quad, I've got an appointment today." He looks at me with fake sad eyes.

I laugh.

"But seriously, I have to go meet my mom." He pats me on the back and turns left into the hallway that leads straight down to the quad. I keep going in the same direction I set off from, since the parking lot is on the other end of the school. I walk past the Great Clear and spot all the usual cliques. I see Archie with his arms around Lacey, while she reads a book. Looks like Mrs. Shepard has assigned Catcher in the Rye. Jesus Christ I hated that book. Regina is right next to Lacey and Archie, looking all pissed off with her hands across her chest and tapping her feet impatiently. Archie rolls his eyes. Lacey closes her book and they set off. I pass the principal's office and see Danny's mom, Karen, come out accompanied by Danny. I move quicker with my head down, so they don't see me.

I finally reach my car, I throw my bag in the back and slide in. I start the engine and right away someone glides right into the passenger seat. It's Danny, again. I turn off the ignition.

"Jesus Christ. Do you not get the hint?" I sigh and drop my hands from the steering wheel. I shift in my seat to face him.

"I know you don't trust me now, but you will. I promise you that. You'll understand soon enough." He pulls his hair back and adjusts his shirt, he's as calm as ever.

I look at him incredulously "Get, out." I unlock the passenger door from my side, surely he'll get it now. But no he doesn't, instead he straps on the seat belt. He's got to be kidding me.

"My bike got stolen" he points behind him. I turn around to see the bike rack he locked his bike onto this morning, empty. I rub my eyes in frustration and turn on the car. I pull on my seat belt and turn the wheel to get out of the lot.

"This is not happening again" I tell him as I drive. It can't. I can feel him smiling smugly. I look over and what do you know, he's smiling smugly looking out the window. I hit his arm with my free one. He laughs.

"I missed this." He looks over at me and smiles. He places his hand over mine which is on the gear shift.

As soon as his hand touches mine I jerk it back onto the steering wheel. 10 and 2.

"Sorry…" he says. I turn onto his street and pull up to his house. I unlock the door. He looks at me as if pleading but eventually gets out. He grabs his backpack from the back and makes his way around my car and onto the sidewalk.

"Uhh, Danny…" He turns around to looks at me, one strap of his backpack on his shoulders. He looks like a normal person, not like a killer at all. "I missed you too." I give him a tiny smile and I drive off. In the rear view mirror I see him trudging his way up to his house. I continue driving down the street and for a quick second I felt happy, because of Danny.