"Does it matter?" he challenged. "I mean there's no point to continue arguing with her further—"
"No point!? Did you forget what she did at the gym? Are you having memory loss of something Cal?" Daniel retorted back. The memory of her assault stung his thoughts. She'd threw a string of insults, back after back that he had not had enough time to really respond. All that really hit him was the shock of her sudden appearance and anger. Josh and Will had tried to reprimand his anger, but both seemed too wary to attempt at it.
In contrast to them Callum laughed which dragged Daniel back to reality.
"What was that about anyway?" he inquired, failing at covering the smile behind his hand. Daniel sighed and looked at a stray poster indicating last days to sign up for the upcoming senior trip to Italy. "How would I bloody know," he muttered, scratching his head absentmindedly. "She's mad," he added dismissively.
"Come on. We're going to be late," said Callum. He motioned towards the English hall. Daniel bit his lip, hesitant not to continue the questions, but he was aware that Callum would bite his head off later for missing one of his favorite courses and relented. They had reached the classroom and took their regular seats before Daniel found that he could not contain his curiosity any longer.
"You did not answer my question earlier. Have you been hanging with that American?" He tried to control the insistence in his voice but found that it came out high and whiny. Daniel knew he was never really good at hiding his emotions form the guys. Callum smiled, as if he expected Daniel's impatience. And why should he, Daniel thought. Callum had never shown any interest beyond their immediate friend group. Yes, he had Sophia, but she'd encouraged Callum to venture out when she was away and yet again, Daniel would find him silently tagging along their exploits. Most of Daniel's targets weren't anything of consequence so Callum had not intervened. Then again, the American was the first girl Daniel had really gone after. His persistence was annoying Will and Josh but at the time Daniel brushed it off. Was that it? Maybe Callum felt it was against his ethics to go after a girl?
Daniel was so lost in his thoughts that he nearly forgot that he was amidst a conversation with Callum, who immediately answered saying. "Kind of."
What did that mean? Daniel frowned. Damn he hated it when people beat around the point.
"Cal. Just spit it out," Daniel threatened which received a knowing smirk from Callum. Only he ever dared to mess with Daniel. He'd consistently dancing around Daniel's temper for years, ever since they were kids. Callum continued slowly, stating, "I see her around. Though not as often as I'd like."
"How long has this been going on?" demanded Daniel.
"Oh, for god sake, Dan. Is this a police investigation? Am I under observation?" Callum demanded. The only response Daniel could muster was a scowl. Things were silent for a while until the professor entered the classroom. The air between them was one of irritation for neither could understand the other's attitude, Daniel most of all. The question remained nagging into his brain. When had this happened? Was the American targeting Callum?
The air head's words from yesterday came back like shouts. He'd been speaking with Rachel at the daycare about Amy while hiding in the Western staircase. Amy had been fussy the whole day and they hadn't been able to reach Mrs. Rothford.
"Of course," he's remembered uttering sarcastically. All of a sudden, Daniel had heard her voice from outside of all places. She was escaping a confrontation of some sort. Daniel waved off the interruption.
"Daniel, I think you need to come down here. She only appears comfortable—"
"This is a warning skank," taunted a nasty voice.
"Please come up with a more original insult," Mary had demanded from below.
Dammit, he was trying to focus. Where was she coming from?
Rachel called his name several times when he didn't not answer immediately. "Daniel are you listening? This is serious. Mrs. Rothford had been non-res—"
"I'll be there!" Daniel shouted and made to throw his phone, the surge of heat filling his brain to the max. His phone would have been chunks on the ground if not for the sound of his own name being yelled from outside.
"That goes for Daniel too. I don't want your filthy trash hands on him, you got it," the nasty voice continued. An annoyed grunt escaped his lips. He descended down the stairs hoping to set the stupid girl straight. She'd pushed it at the party.
"No problem. Scout's honor," the American replied heavily. Daniel remembered barking out a laugh before suddenly being shock by a painful scream. He jumped down the stairs, a rush of panic hitting his gut.
"Get off me you psycho!" the American screamed and Daniel managed to catch sight of the fight. Two girls were holding her down while the Chasity lass was grasping the American's hair tightly. The American's knees had buckled to the ground and all other noise seemed to evaporate when he saw the pain that etched across her face.
"What is this?" he demanded. The sound of his caused a trigger. The girls released the American but Chasity who stared at him obsessively. Agh, he thought revolting at the sight of her. The American seemed to notice that he had appeared but made no motion of relief.
Chasity started to coo and spatter pretty words at Daniel as it went through one ear and out the other. The American's painful expression took most of his attention. A twinge of something knotted his insides at this and he found himself addressing Chasity with more outrage than he meant to display.
"When did I ask anyone to do my work for me?"
"I-I thought you would be happy. She has been getting full of herself. Don't you remember the party—" Yeah when you got in my way, Daniel nearly shouted back but his guilt at Mary's pained face made him pick another route.
"Get the hell off her," Daniel snarled. The girl jumped away and the American landed hard on the floor. He almost reached out to help but thought better of it at the audience. "Uh, she'd my target. No one gets to do my work for me." He cleared his voice before continuing. "Unless you want red cards in your lockers too." Daniel glared at Chasity who gaped at him in disbelief. "Piss off, now!" They all ran, leaving the American laying on the floor. Daniel did not bother to see if they had left, walking straight towards the girl rubbing her head. That would have been the perfect time to get back at her for the gym. Make her pay for all her behavior. He should have continued where those girls left off and had the American begging to leave. Where had Will and Josh been when this opportune moment had come? Hadn't she declared war on him? This was the time to attack.
And yet, Daniel brought to mind her state. The American had not risen and remained rubbing the spot on her head that had been assaulted. Her hair had all escaped the braid and ran free along her shoulders. The sun had been setting from the window and illuminated the whole hallway in orange. That orange light reflected off her soft brown curls which he did not see often. Daniel found himself staring at the reflection on her hair for a while until she moved again. His hand reached for her without him thinking clearly and Mary stared back at him in surprise. It was quiet but he did not withdraw the hand. She would probably reject it, he remembered remarking to himself.
Warmth replaced the cold in his hands, and she was raising to her feet. Her hands had felt warm despite the exposure to the cold and her cheeks were flushed. Huh, she didn't look bad, he'd thought….
RINGGGG
Daniel awoke from his thoughts and before he could comprehend where he was again, most of the students had proceeded to lunch. Callum was collecting his things, unaware at the confusion that was swirling in Daniel's brain.
"Anyway, I wanted to ask you something?" Callum stated when he's finished. Daniel didn't respond, his mind still recovering from his daydream.
"Uh huh," muttered Daniel. Callum continued, unaware of the lack of attention Daniel clearly had.
"Do you mind letting off on Mary? She isn't going to leave anytime soon and I want to get to know her better. She's fun." Distracted, Daniel couldn't think of much to respond with. Again, the image of the American's pink face and shiny curly hair filled his thoughts. Maybe it would be best if he stayed away from her. Daniel shouldn't be thinking this much about such a nuisance.
"Dan?" Callum interjected while shaking Daniel's arm.
"Huh, what?" Daniel snapped. Callum eyebrows raised and Daniel let out a nervous laugh. "Oh sorry. Right sure. Your right, it's getting boring now. Don't worry. I'll try and lay off a bit". A new grin spread across Cal's features and he punched Daniel's arm lightly.
"You're a good lad. Let's go, I'm famished." The only answer Daniel could provide was a nod as he tried to put all his efforts to eject thoughts of the American from his brain.