Chapter Two:
The next day, Larissa hardly ate any breakfast. She nibbled at her toast unenthusiastically and headed out the door to wait for Marie. A few minutes later, her friend came running out the front door with a concerned look on her face. She hopped into the car and put the key into the ignition.
`` Are you okay, Lara? `` Marie asked. `` You didn't eat anything, and you look so sick. ``
`` I'm fine. `` Lara replied. `` Just drive. ``
`` Another nightmare? `` Marie questioned with feeling, backing out of the driveway and cruising down the street.
`` Yes. `` she said. `` I don't want to talk about it. ``
Marie frowned.
`` Alright. `` she nodded and drove on.
The rest of the drive was silent except for the low hum of the car radio. When they got to school, Marie waved goodbye to Lara, who didn't seem to really acknowledge her at all.
---
`` He's looking at you. `` said Marie, a playful smile on her face. It was now lunchtime, and Lara was sitting at her usual table with Marie and her other friend, Jake.
`` Who's looking at me? `` Lara asked, turning around to see behind her. She was interrupted by Marie's grip on her arm.
`` Don't make it so obvious!!! `` she whispered. `` Every girl in the entire school has her eyes set on him right now. He's new. Name's Tom Johnson. Jet black hair, deep blue eyes, very nice smile. He's a definite hottie if you ask me; and he's looking at you! `` she said the last word tauntingly.
`` Well, gee wiz Marie. Thanks for the news update. `` Lara wasn't used to having boys take an interest in her. She was as plain as ever, and next to cute-as-all Marie, she didn't really have a chance. After her parents had died, she'd gotten some attention... but it was more pity rather than anything else. She continued to eat her sandwich in silence, and upon finishing she got up and threw it out.
`` I must say. I'm so happy for you, Lara... and I'm sure this would be much more exciting if I were a sixteen year old teenage girl. `` said Jake with a yawn. This was the typical comment that could come from a person like him. He was very laid back, a slender build with deep brown hair and green eyes that told everyone who passed ` I don't care what happens anymore. `
He'd been Lara and Marie's best guy friend for more than he could remember. Ever since that day in first grade when he'd told off those bullies for Lara, he'd, well, he'd had a thing for her. Jake wouldn't dare admit it, though. He believed in being a strong person, and he never wanted anyone to see him at his weak times. He had a pretty tough life. His parents had split up when he was two years old, his mother gaining custody. At first, he didn't want to move to Greenwitch, New York. The town was so small, almost like a hole in the wall. But when he set his eyes on Lara, everything had changed, and he wouldn't ever be the same.
The silence at their table was suddenly broken by Lara's voice, speaking to the both of them.
`` I'm gonna go up to my locker. I'll see you in sixth. `` she called out to them, turning before they had a chance to give an answer.
Everybody was in the cafeteria at this time of day, even the teachers, so the halls were deserted. She managed to slip past the monitors and head towards the upstairs corridors. She breathed heavily as she climbed the stairs, walking towards her locker. Why the hell does it have to be on the second floor? she asked herself. I hate this school. True, she was being a little stupid over the whole thing... as if it was a ` thing ` at all. But given the predicament she was in, she deserved at least some credit.
She bent down and began to turn the lock. It was at this moment in time that she felt another pair of human eyes upon her. She stopped and looked around the hallway. Silent as ever. No one there. She shook her head and focused on redoing her combination. She looked up again, as she felt the intense gaze once more. Alright, this is creepy. she thought, turning the lock faster and taking a few books out. She slammed it shut and began walking, quickening her pace as she turned the corner and--
`` Oof! `` she cried, spilling the three textbooks she was holding in her hands onto the floor. `` Watch where you're going, God Damn freshman. `` she said, bending down to pick up her belongings. She felt a hand reach down and pick up one of her books, holding it up to her as she regained her standing position.
The figure she was staring at was none other than the boy from lunch. He had to be: tall, smooth, jet black hair and blue eyes. He smiled at her.. a sinister, yet charming smile.
`` I think this is yours. `` he said, handing her the book.
`` Oh.. thanks. `` she said, taking it from him and adding it to her pile. `` I guess you're not a freshman, now are you. Sorry. `` she said, nervously running fingers through her hair. Marie was definitely right about this one. There was something about the boy that drew Lara further into his presence. It was almost hypnotizing, and he looked familiar. Oh, he looked so familiar... and yet Lara was having the hardest time pinpointing just who he was.
`` I'm Tom. `` said the boy. `` Tom Johnson. I just moved here not too long ago. I've seen you around. Larissa, right? `` he asked. Boy he was forward, she thought. But at the same time she was rather surprised that he knew her name, that he'd recognized her at all. It gave her a major confidence boost and she gave an inquisitive smile.
`` Yes. `` she said, gripping her books tightly in nervousness. `` My name's Larissa Cohen, but everyone calls me Lara. Whichever you prefer. `` Yeah, Lara. Impress him with your SAT vocabulary skills. Like the word ` prefer ` makes you sound any older than the lowly junior you are. She stared into his eyes. She couldn't help herself... they were just so familiar and inviting.
`` Lara is a pretty name for a beautiful girl like you. `` he said, flashing a smile at Lara. `` I'm sure I'll be seeing you around sooner than you expect. Oh, and be careful around those corners. `` he began walking away from the girl, turning around and giving her a slight wink.
Lara went weak in the knees. Someone actually... noticed you.
---
That was almost too easy. thought Tom as he walked down a corridor leading the library. Hey, he hadn't inherited his father's good looks for nothing. His father. He shuddered when he thought about the man, anger flashing over his face. He didn't deserve it. They'll pay. They'll all pay... in time.
He knew his plan would take longer than he thought. She had a strong will, but she was vulnerable. He definitely knew that. She hadn't reached the level of sophistication that he was used to viewing in a young woman. Not yet. Not with everything that'd happened in her life. He smiled, knowing his job would soon be done.
The next day, Larissa hardly ate any breakfast. She nibbled at her toast unenthusiastically and headed out the door to wait for Marie. A few minutes later, her friend came running out the front door with a concerned look on her face. She hopped into the car and put the key into the ignition.
`` Are you okay, Lara? `` Marie asked. `` You didn't eat anything, and you look so sick. ``
`` I'm fine. `` Lara replied. `` Just drive. ``
`` Another nightmare? `` Marie questioned with feeling, backing out of the driveway and cruising down the street.
`` Yes. `` she said. `` I don't want to talk about it. ``
Marie frowned.
`` Alright. `` she nodded and drove on.
The rest of the drive was silent except for the low hum of the car radio. When they got to school, Marie waved goodbye to Lara, who didn't seem to really acknowledge her at all.
---
`` He's looking at you. `` said Marie, a playful smile on her face. It was now lunchtime, and Lara was sitting at her usual table with Marie and her other friend, Jake.
`` Who's looking at me? `` Lara asked, turning around to see behind her. She was interrupted by Marie's grip on her arm.
`` Don't make it so obvious!!! `` she whispered. `` Every girl in the entire school has her eyes set on him right now. He's new. Name's Tom Johnson. Jet black hair, deep blue eyes, very nice smile. He's a definite hottie if you ask me; and he's looking at you! `` she said the last word tauntingly.
`` Well, gee wiz Marie. Thanks for the news update. `` Lara wasn't used to having boys take an interest in her. She was as plain as ever, and next to cute-as-all Marie, she didn't really have a chance. After her parents had died, she'd gotten some attention... but it was more pity rather than anything else. She continued to eat her sandwich in silence, and upon finishing she got up and threw it out.
`` I must say. I'm so happy for you, Lara... and I'm sure this would be much more exciting if I were a sixteen year old teenage girl. `` said Jake with a yawn. This was the typical comment that could come from a person like him. He was very laid back, a slender build with deep brown hair and green eyes that told everyone who passed ` I don't care what happens anymore. `
He'd been Lara and Marie's best guy friend for more than he could remember. Ever since that day in first grade when he'd told off those bullies for Lara, he'd, well, he'd had a thing for her. Jake wouldn't dare admit it, though. He believed in being a strong person, and he never wanted anyone to see him at his weak times. He had a pretty tough life. His parents had split up when he was two years old, his mother gaining custody. At first, he didn't want to move to Greenwitch, New York. The town was so small, almost like a hole in the wall. But when he set his eyes on Lara, everything had changed, and he wouldn't ever be the same.
The silence at their table was suddenly broken by Lara's voice, speaking to the both of them.
`` I'm gonna go up to my locker. I'll see you in sixth. `` she called out to them, turning before they had a chance to give an answer.
Everybody was in the cafeteria at this time of day, even the teachers, so the halls were deserted. She managed to slip past the monitors and head towards the upstairs corridors. She breathed heavily as she climbed the stairs, walking towards her locker. Why the hell does it have to be on the second floor? she asked herself. I hate this school. True, she was being a little stupid over the whole thing... as if it was a ` thing ` at all. But given the predicament she was in, she deserved at least some credit.
She bent down and began to turn the lock. It was at this moment in time that she felt another pair of human eyes upon her. She stopped and looked around the hallway. Silent as ever. No one there. She shook her head and focused on redoing her combination. She looked up again, as she felt the intense gaze once more. Alright, this is creepy. she thought, turning the lock faster and taking a few books out. She slammed it shut and began walking, quickening her pace as she turned the corner and--
`` Oof! `` she cried, spilling the three textbooks she was holding in her hands onto the floor. `` Watch where you're going, God Damn freshman. `` she said, bending down to pick up her belongings. She felt a hand reach down and pick up one of her books, holding it up to her as she regained her standing position.
The figure she was staring at was none other than the boy from lunch. He had to be: tall, smooth, jet black hair and blue eyes. He smiled at her.. a sinister, yet charming smile.
`` I think this is yours. `` he said, handing her the book.
`` Oh.. thanks. `` she said, taking it from him and adding it to her pile. `` I guess you're not a freshman, now are you. Sorry. `` she said, nervously running fingers through her hair. Marie was definitely right about this one. There was something about the boy that drew Lara further into his presence. It was almost hypnotizing, and he looked familiar. Oh, he looked so familiar... and yet Lara was having the hardest time pinpointing just who he was.
`` I'm Tom. `` said the boy. `` Tom Johnson. I just moved here not too long ago. I've seen you around. Larissa, right? `` he asked. Boy he was forward, she thought. But at the same time she was rather surprised that he knew her name, that he'd recognized her at all. It gave her a major confidence boost and she gave an inquisitive smile.
`` Yes. `` she said, gripping her books tightly in nervousness. `` My name's Larissa Cohen, but everyone calls me Lara. Whichever you prefer. `` Yeah, Lara. Impress him with your SAT vocabulary skills. Like the word ` prefer ` makes you sound any older than the lowly junior you are. She stared into his eyes. She couldn't help herself... they were just so familiar and inviting.
`` Lara is a pretty name for a beautiful girl like you. `` he said, flashing a smile at Lara. `` I'm sure I'll be seeing you around sooner than you expect. Oh, and be careful around those corners. `` he began walking away from the girl, turning around and giving her a slight wink.
Lara went weak in the knees. Someone actually... noticed you.
---
That was almost too easy. thought Tom as he walked down a corridor leading the library. Hey, he hadn't inherited his father's good looks for nothing. His father. He shuddered when he thought about the man, anger flashing over his face. He didn't deserve it. They'll pay. They'll all pay... in time.
He knew his plan would take longer than he thought. She had a strong will, but she was vulnerable. He definitely knew that. She hadn't reached the level of sophistication that he was used to viewing in a young woman. Not yet. Not with everything that'd happened in her life. He smiled, knowing his job would soon be done.