Measures of My Life: Jack Mercer
Authors Note: Hmmm...didn't get many reviews last chapter so hopefullly this chapter is better. I honestly do believe it's my longest chapter yet...maybe not haha oh well. Thanks to those that did review, Warriora, Romantic Tragedy,and XNegAttentionX (you never let me down!). There is this one part where I talk about Jack's wardrobe if you ever get confused about what I'm talking about watch the movie and look at his jacket's closely. All of his jackets except the leather one has paint splatters all over them. Even the one that he's wearing at the funeral, it's really faint but there are red paint splatters everywhere. Anywho...enjoy!
Chapter 12
I couldn't bring myself to stop shaking my leg as the car slowly stopped in front of the school. All the kids milling around made me nervous, every new school made me nervous.
"Jack…Jack!"
"What?"
"Here take these." Bobby handed me two little white pills that looked highly questionable.
"Are you trying to kill me Bobby?" He gave me an annoyed look as he threw a water bottle in my lap.
"Would you just take em and shut the hell up."
"What exactly am I taking?"
"Just something to calm your nerves Jackie, believe me it works."
"How do you know I just won't get addicted to these?" He gave me one cold look and I immediately swallowed the pills.
"Hey Jack." I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Angel. "Watch your back. There's a lot of shit that goes down around here and if anybody gives you trouble just come find me."
"Little brother…just make sure you bring Jack out of the school in one piece by the time I come pick you up later this afternoon. If he comes home hurt you know ma's just going to kick my ass." Before Bobby and Angel could say anything else I swung the car door open and made my way to the front doors of high school hell. I readjusted my backpack on my shoulder and stuffed my hands deep into the pockets of my black jeans. My black paint splattered hoodie barely enough to ward off the cold winter air of Detroit. I could feel the eyes on me, it felt like everybody was assessing every inch of me, it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
I took the first few steps on the stairs leading to the entrance of the school when I heard light snickering and laughter. I turned to the side and noticed a group of black kids pointing and laughing at me.
God…I hated high school…
"Well, well will you look at this. Detroit keeps sending its finest white trash to our school. Get a load of this punk here." I guess this was the point where I had to introduce myself. I walked straight up to the large group of black kids and cocked my head to the side staring intently at the guy in particular who had just said the 'white trash' comment. He wasn't too big, I figured if a fight were to happen I would be able to take him, hopefully his friends wouldn't help him out. I glanced to the right to see a girl standing next to him a cigarette between her delicate finger tips. To my advantage, the guys hand was firmly attached to the side of her hip and I decided to do what I did best. Seriously piss some people off and it all started with the girl.
"What's your name?" I spoke softly.
"Don't talk to my gir…"
"Why don't you be a gentleman and let the lady speak for herself." I turned back to the girl standing next to him and gave her a soft smile. A smile that I figured out not too long ago always helped me get what I wanted. "Your name?"
"Amber."
"Amber…may I?" I nodded my head towards the cigarette she was holding and held my hand out. And to everybody else's surprise, except mine, she handed me her cigarette with a slight smile. I took it graciously lightly letting my fingertips brush up against hers and I glanced back at the guy standing next to her. His eyes were filled with anger, so furious that it had made him incapable of speaking. But of course I had to go further. "Hey man… I think your girl just gave the 'white trash' her very own cigarette." I gave him a lopsided grin as I brought the cigarette to my lips. After taking a large puff of the cigarette I blew the smoke I had to exhale right into his face. I ran my tongue across my lips tasting the remaining flavor of Amber's lip gloss on the cigarette. "Mmm…her lips taste like cherries. I'll see you around campus Amber." I put the cigarette back upon my lips and turned back towards the schools entrance. I was waiting for it, I was waiting for someone to tackle me into the ground, but nothing ever came.
Before I let the schools doors close I took a quick glance outside to see if they were following me when I noticed Angel talking to the guy I had just pissed off. I was just about to walk off down the hall when Angel grabbed me by the shoulder.
"Not even one minute out of the car and you're already pissing off the wrong people. Fuck man you can't do whatever you did to Jamal like that. It's only going to lead to violence and violence won't solve anything." Was he kidding me? I rolled my eyes and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Do you seriously believe in what you just said?" Angel stood silently for a moment before answering.
"No but it's what ma would've wanted me to tell you. But still…"
"He called me white trash."
"Oh…well then. Did you get few good licks in?" I smirked.
"I think so."
"Right well…hey. Don't take offense to this or nothing but, don't come and talk to me during school. Only come to me when you seriously need help. Got a reputation to uphold you know."
"Right then. I think I can handle myself Angel so you run along and do whatever the fuck it is that you do." He seemed to smile for a second as he looked beyond my shoulder. My eye brows furrowed at his reaction. "What?"
"Well then Jack. Guess you can handle this one all by yourself." He gave me a pat on the shoulder and walked passed me. "Morning Miss. Jensen."
"Good morning Angel." My shoulder went tense at the sound of the teacher's voice. I heard her clear her throat right behind me and I slowly turned around. She stood a few inches shorter than me, piercing gray eyes, with wavy brown hair, rounded out by a black dress suit. I once again brought the cigarette butt to my lips and took a puff. "What do you think you're doing young man?" I smiled.
"Oh let me guess…my pants too high on my waist for the standards of this school? Or is it my chain? No chains allowed here?"
"We have a no smoking on campus rule here." I frowned and looked down at the cigarette.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that."
"I suggest you put it out Mr…"
"Bradshaw and you can't make me put it out. It's my only one and I need it to get through the day."
"Aren't you a bit young to be smoking anyways?" She crossed her arms and gave me a questioning look.
"Aren't you a bit too pretty to be a teacher? I mean finding a face like yours in a strip club maybe but here? Why?" She seemed un-phased by my comment.
"Hmm, smoking on campus and disrespecting a teacher. Boy, you're just asking to be sent to the principal's office aren't you Mr. Bradshaw?" I looked down at my wrist pretending to look at a nonexistent watch.
"Wow it's my first day of school and it's only what…7:50 in the morning and I'm already being sent to the principal's office? Now that's a new record even for my standards." I stated sarcastically.
"Put out the cigarette Mr. Bradshaw, now." She said it a bit more sternly this time. I took one last puff and exhaled the smoke in her face just like I had done to Jamal and I gave her a slight smirk.
"If you insist." I dropped it to the ground and stomped on it for good measure.
"Don't let me catch you smoking on campus again Mr. Bradshaw and you might want to ease off on the smart talk. Not all teachers are as lenient as I am. I'd hate to see a new student spend their first few weeks here in detention. Welcome to Detroit City High School." She turned and went on her way. I sighed and readjusted my backpack and went to the office.
"I'm here to pick up my schedule." The old lady at the front desk slowly brought her eyes to meet mine.
"Name please."
"Jack Bradshaw."
"Jack Bradshaw…Jack Bradshaw. Ah yes your one of Evelyn's boys."
"No more like a temporary project."
"She called in not too long ago to make sure you came."
"You're shitting me." She seemed taken a back by my words. I chuckled under my breath when I heard her quietly cursing the Mercer family and how each son was too unruly or what not. She handed me my schedule without a second glance. I shook my head when suddenly I stumbled to the ground nearly landing on my face. I looked down at the ground to see what had caused it when I saw a pair of legs stretched out in front of the doorway. "What the fuck!" The boy sitting in the chair, with a grin on his face, put his arms behind his head.
"Woops, my bad." I wasn't in the mood for another confrontation so I decided to just ignore him. It seemed that Bobby's drugs were having some effect on me, at least I hadn't attacked him. Grumbling under my breath I made my way through the crowded hallway already dreading the rest of the day.
I had almost thought the day would go off without a hitch when I ran into the most unexpected person.
It was almost sixth period and I was completely lost. I had no idea where the hell I was going and the second bell had just wrung announcing the commencement of class. The halls were empty now and I still had no idea where I was. I turned another corner when I noticed a girl opening her locker to get some books. Since I really had no idea where I was I decided to ask for some directions.
"Uh excuse me I seem to be lost. I was wondering if you could help…" My jaw dropped when she turned around to look at me.
"Jack?" We both stood there in shock unable to move or say anything. It must have been another three minutes before she threw her arms around my neck to give me a hug. "Oh my god Jack…I was so worried about you. I'm so glad you're safe, thank god you're okay." I wrapped my arms around her body and picked her up to give her a proper hug. Her feet were dangling inches off of the floor as I continued to hold on to her. I dug my face into her hair and the familiar smell of strawberries and vanilla swept over me.
At that moment I didn't know if I was supposed to cry out of sadness or cry out of sheer joy for finally being able to see her. I could feel her tears staining my sweater but I didn't care. "Jaime…I missed you so much…"
Authors Note: So? What did you think? Hope it wasn't too much of a cliff hanger haha! Hoped you enjoyed it, now you know what you have to do. PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!
