CHAPTER SIX

NORTH

Lunch time is when I can really wind down from everything. I had just gotten out of math class, and my brain was throbbing from doing algebra problems non-stop. My tray was filled up with random things that I picked off our strange menu. I was making my way over to the table where my friends sit when my eyes swept over to Essence. She was sitting alone at a table and thoughtfully nibbling on a slice of cheese pizza. She had the normal lonely expression on her face. I felt my heart drop to my stomach. I immediately turned on my heel and strolled over to where Essence was sitting. I set my tray down and find a seat right next to her. Essence's smokey eyes fill with fear for a second and she scoots away a few inches.

"I'm not here to hurt you." I assure her. She seems to relax a little and continues to eat her pizza. Is that all that's on her tray? It looked like there was just a bottle of water and a slice of pizza on it. I didn't want to be rude so I kept my mouth shut.

"How are you, Essa?" I try. Essence whips her head around to face me. Her eyebrows are knit with confusion. Damn it, I called her Essa! Does she like that? No? Ugh!

"How are you doing?" I ask politely. "How's your day been?" And to that, Essence only offers a little shrug. Ooh, I wanna hear your voice. Pleeeease, I think to myself.

"Did you see the Bruins cream the Red Wings last night?" I offer. She likes hockey, right? A beautiful smile and rosy blush creeps up her face. My heart skips a million beats. Essence nods and laughs a little bit. It was a beautiful sound, like wind chimes in spring or a gentle calypso in summer.

What happened next blew my mind completely.

"That one guy on the Wings just wouldn't get out of the way of Chara's slap shot!" Essence purred. Her voice was buttery and sweet and it echoed through my head like the melody to a song.

"Yeah." I chuckled. Yesssssss! Conversation! One point for Aster!

"Enough about me." Essence cooed. "How have you been?"

"Uh… Well…" I stuttered. Her eyes welcomed me. "I've been good. Thanks for asking."

"No problem." Essence chirps.

"The reason I was asking you that was… Well, because of… Ahem… Her…" I said carefully.

Essence's smile faded. Fuck! No! Grrr… "She's narrowed it down to only one beating a night now!" She says enthusiastically. My eyes pool with tears. I couldn't imagine how it must feel to get beaten by someone who is supposed to love you.

There was a long, hollow silence. "Hey," I say, breaking the silence. "Do you like pop tarts?"

"Love." Essence beams. I pulled a strawberry-iced one off my tray and handed it to her. Her eyes sparkle as I place it in her hand.

"I don't really like them." I explain.

"On the rare occasion that I do get fed, I love eating pop tarts." Essence smiles. "I just can never afford them. Grandma doesn't put any money in my lunch account."

"That's sad." I say. She shrugs and takes a bite out of the yummy pastry.

"Thank you." Essence says once she's swallowed it.

"No problem." I laugh. "That's what friends are for."

Essence only smiles at me.

"North?! What the hell, bro?" Derek's voice calls from behind me. My heart stops beating for a second. Oh shit. He's here to tease her.

My entire group of friends emerges from behind me and Essence's eyes fill with fear.

"Well, well, well. What do we got here?" Myrah snickers. Essence closes her eyes and and wraps her arms around herself. Myrah appears next to Essence and gets up in her face.

"Don't eat too much, kid. You'll end up fat! Oh wait, too late." She teases, patting Essence's stomach. Essence looks very pissed off at her.

"Aww… Is the little piggy too full?" Derek sniggers. Essence shudders and my face gets heated.

"Leave her alone." I snap. Myrah and Derek don't stop.

"Oink oink!" They laugh. Essence whimpers and curls herself up into a ball.

"This little piggy…" Myrah chants. Essence is sniffling now.

"Careful, she's still hungry." Derek cackles. Essence starts crying and I jump up, pushing Derek down onto his ass.

"I SAID TO LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU BASTARD!" I boom. Derek looks at me incredulously.

"Bro, chill out. I was just having fun." He snickers. Other kids have started to stare at us.

"How would you like it if she was teasing you? Huh? Did you even think about that?" I scold him. Derek shakes his head.

"She's pathetic! She wouldn't have the strength to insult me!" He shoots back.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Essence running out of the lunchroom, melting into the crowd of people heading off to class.

"Essence, wait!" I call after her. I run towards the lockers just in time to see her pulling her binder out and slamming the door of her locker. She scampers off to class and my heart wrenches in my chest.

She doesn't deserve this bullshit. My friends call from behind me, this time more Alyssa's voice than anybody else's. For the first time, I ignore them.

I run through the halls, pushing past little seventh and sixth graders. I catch a glimpse of her silver and grey hair and try to catch up. She ducks into English class and I stop running, standing for a while to catch my breath. I was going to be late to class. I was sure of it. I plodded back to my locker and grabbed my binder after putting in the long, rambling combination. I was tardy to science class but I didn't care.

We were learning about genetics but I wasn't paying attention much. I was too busy thinking about Essence. She actually talked to me. She was so happy and so nice and then my friends just thought it would be funny to hurt her feelings.

I should've been paying attention in class because we had a pop quiz a few minutes later. Needless to say, I flunked it. I didn't care. As soon as we got out of class I bolted and tried to find Essence. I made it out the front doors in time to see her boarding her bus to get home. Shit.

Tomorrow. I promised myself. I will find her tomorrow.