Chapter 10

"The Scenario"

APOV

December 1

I gave Carrie a hug, grabbed my bag and kissed my pup goodbye before heading off to school. I was almost out the front door before I heard Nicolai rushing through the kitchen saying something to Carrie. I slug my bag over my head and continued to think about how to talk to Chaz. I realized it was silly and stupid to be so nervous about talking to someone- but I had no idea how to just talk to him without looking weird. Granted, I didn't care about looking weird most of the time. In fact, I kind of liked looking weird. Odd was my thing. But now… I don't know… For some reason… I didn't want to look weird.

Sigh

"Aid! What are you deaf?" Nicolai smacked my arm as he caught up to me. "Did you not hear me yelling at you?" He questioned, as he proceeded to shove a breakfast bar into his mouth.

"Sorry, bud, I was kind of spaced." Thinking about an awesome guy and a potential spark that my mental state is so not ready to face. Smile. …I'm so glad I'm not mental-vomiting anymore.

"Wellp," he said, with his mouth half full of sticky cereal mush- yuck- "What were you so spaced about?" he asked, elbowing me and grinning like my mother does when she sees a cute guy. Wait. Did he know about Chaz? My face fell emotionless.

"Nothing," I said, turning away and picking up pace. He looked my face over and shrugged.

"OK. Lit exam today, you ready?" He said, elbowing me yet again. I groaned.

"Nooooooooo!" I gasped, clinging to his arm; mock fear oozing out of my emotions. "Don't let it be so!" He chuckled at my outrage and nearly fell off the sidewalk, with me leaning on him. Though, it was me who tripped- on a stick- and sent us both to the ground, laughing hysterically.

I was talking to Nicolai and Laine by my locker, still laughing about the 'Sir Evil Sticks-a-Lot: out to paralyze Aiden' when I heard Seth laughing down the hall. My face fell and I felt cold all of a sudden. I knew it was Seth, not… Chaz, but it sent me back into my thoughts of this morning. Laine slapped me on the arm, breaking my thought process.

"I'll go get my camera if you want to see them!" She said, obviously excited. What? Camera? Why?

"Yeah!" I said with face cheerfulness. What were they talking about? They didn't fill me in, of course. Nicolai just jumped in front of her, blocking her path.

"No fair! I wanna see them first!" He exclaimed, starting to rush to Laine's locker. She muttered a name after him and ran to catch up. So much for that explanation.

I looked up, in the direction of Seth's voice and saw him- walking with Paul and… Chaz. I turned around and shuffled through my bag, trying to get my book, but my hands weren't cooperating. I wanted to just grab my book and go to class- I would deal with talking to him later. Finally, I just threw my bag in my locker and decided to take the ridiculing of Mr M. I whirled around and started to take a step forward, but it was too late. I was screwed.

There was a group of people who had migrated to my left, so that direction was out, and to my right was the people traffic. If it were a normal school where… well, where Chaz ceased to exist, I would have jumped into the traffic with no problem. Unfortunately, Chaz did go to this school, and he was just about to walk by me. I glanced around, trying to appear normal when I heard Paul- eughh, Paul- when I heard Paul's horrible voice.

"Aiden, have you met my bud, Chaz?" He asked, all too loudly. I snapped my head forward, but I was too late. My back and head slammed into my locker and I felt my personal space invaded. I could have sworn that I heard a growl, but who knows, in my state of shock. I glanced up to see who the non-voluntary personal space invader was- regretting it instantly.

All of my worries and fear and anxiety about this whole stupid emotions situation that had been growing and growing like a little kid blowing a bubblegum bubble… popped. The pressure in my chest shattered- replaced by another emotion. Oh no. My heart and head started screaming at me louder than they ever have before. I stole another glance up at him.

He was looking away, arms pressed into the lockers, I assumed, body hovering slightly over mine, with an expression that could have killed Paul- had he been anywhere in sight. He looked so incredibly intimidating and scary, angry and dangerous. Yet… I wasn't the least bit scared. I felt safe. How wrong is that. I know I don't- in the least bit- like Paul, but this guy was pissed, and I felt safe?

I took a deep breath and averted my eyes, calming myself down. Keep it together, Aid. I tilted my head down and stared forward intently. I would not let these emotions get to me. You know you're pressed up against a locker by the boy you can't stop thinking about. He's so attractive. Muscular. …Hot. Shut up. I will kill that stupid voice. Though, It is really warm in here…

I regained focus and looked forward as I saw, and felt, somehow, his face shift. I swore I could feel him looking at me. It was the strongest sensation I had ever felt. It was like magnetic force. It was so hard not simply turn my head and look at him.

Just then I noticed something on his chest. Other than muscles, that is. I mean lot of- Ok. There was this small uneven bump in the middle of his chest. It looked like he had a necklace on under his shirt. His black, tight- Ok. Not thinking before acting, I tilted my head and quirked my eyebrow.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing to his chest. I hoped I didn't sound stupid, like I was asking what his chest was or something.

"Hm?" His voice sounded a little hoarse. Oh no. I wonder if he has a soar throat? What if he's sick? Although- it made his voice deeper and raspier. Mental cough. Back on topic.

"This," I said, furring my brow and putting a finger on the bump. It was hard and a bit pointy. And, even though it was a charm or something, my emotions screamed with joy.

"Its, uh…" He cleared his throat and looked around. I suddenly realized I was still trapped her against the lockers, not minding one second of that fact, either. Then he stepped back, and squared my shoulders. Wow. As if he could look any better. I wanted to look up at his face, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I would melt, I knew it.

I remembered what we were talking about as he pulled a chord out from under his shirt, and held it out from his chest, showing me the pendant. It was a small wolves head carved out of wood.

"It's a family heir-loom," He informed me, in a deep, matter-of-fact tone. I looked at the charm and reacted before I thought about it, I reached up to grab it, and He dropped it in my hand. I was somewhat grateful for that, fearing what would happen if my skin touched his.

I stroked the edges of it with my thumb and forefingers, not able to shake the fact that the wolf gave me this feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. It was a faint glimpse of the pull I feel when Chaz is around.

"It was the last thing my father gave to me." He stated indifferently. I nodded my head in understanding, never releasing my gaze on the charm.

"So, it's kind of like a good luck charm or something?" I asked. I faintly saw him bob his head around a bit, as if thinking.

Finally, he replied, "It's something like that."

Then, again, I acted without thinking. I brought the wolf up to my lips and pressed them against the charm, before releasing it to hit his chest again.

"Well, good luck then," I said, blurting out the first thing that came to mind, in a lame attempt to cover up the whole scenario. I finally brought myself to look at his eyes for a split second. The emotions screamed at me and my heart stopped altogether. I winked at him and turned on my heel to talk away.

I could barely walk- but I knew I had to. I walked straight into first hour, hearing the warning bell, to my desk, and collapsed, whacking my head against the hard surface.

Ow.