Chapter II:
Monochrome Deficiency
The streams of crowds formed at the bends.
Not this time.
Weirdly he made a slow stroll as he went up the street. I ran as fast as my legs took me, but to no avail it did not shorten my distance to him.
He turned around and smiled at me. His lips formed the words but they did not match up with his voice. "Aldo is very clever more than Misses Never. Never did he never spill his beans~"
His Cheshire grin started to annoy me as he spoke those words.
"No! Stop it! Stop it!"
He walked up close to me as my body seemingly suspended in place. I am unable to continue my pursuit.
He walked near me until his face stood an inch away from me. He lifted his hand up until it cupped my face.
"I can't wait I get to see you when you get older...Maybe some more wrinkles to your frown."
At that moment I realized I can still control my face. He brought his face closer, almost until our lips touched.
"You did not catch me this time my sweet flower. Heh."
The alarm bleeped. I woke up in cold sweat as I stared at the clock.
"7:00!" My voice yelled groggily as I rushed to the closet. I threw on some nurse scrubs. My mother left me all her belongings when she died, especially her clothes.
When she was alive she was called the angel of the hospital.
"Darn I don't have enough time to make proper breakfast", I shouted out random things as I bounced around to get ready for school. I managed enough time to make some oatmeal as I grabbed my lunch from the fridge. I quickly rummaged through my bag for the house keys and locked the front door.
As I made it into the car, my guardian gave me a look. "While I still have the ability to hear most of what you're saying I still get tinnitus when you make me drive fast."
"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry", I said as I strapped myself in the car.
"Well let's go. I guess ole Nick has to showcase his driving skills. Hooyah!" He stepped on the gas pedal and right then and there we sped off to school.
My brother went to Gerveil High school. And weirdly enough I am attending it just as he did. Though without all the trouble.
He slammed on the breaks as he rounded the curb. My mind finally settled as the whiplash drew my attention away from my thoughts. "Hoojah! Ladies and gentleman Nick has brought you here on per his skill as a driver. Thank you, thank you very much. So is there a thank you from the miss in the back?", he said in his announcer voice.
"Yes, thank you again." I held my neck as I got out.
"You're welcome from the Nick express. Hooyah!", he said as I closed the door. He sped off into the streets as I whipped out my phone. "7:26"
The large gates started closing as I ran towards it. I made it just in time as the security closed it. My hair streamed behind me as I ran to class.
Weirdly enough everyone was still waiting outside the classroom.
I heard everyone around me murmur as I sat down on a bench to catch my breath.
"I heard he's gonna be away for a few days" "What happened?"
"Must've had a heart attack. His fat gut must mean something right?" "Don't be ridiculous, his wife just died. Stop messing around."
"Bet they replaced him with an even fatter one. The type that just sits around all day. Hah."
"Come on guys, why does weight even matter?" "In an oversized economy, it should."
"Grah it's so cold! Where's this guy?" "Be patient I heard he's coming soon"
"From who? The security? Criminy woman just-"
I heard them quiet as I patted myself off. I looked up and saw a hand reach out to me.
"Hey, is this yours? I found this on the floor near you", a mature voice spoke to me. I looked up and saw the same face of the man in my dreams, but with black hair and ebony eyes.
I steeled myself a few seconds before I spoke,"...yes.."
He hands it to me before turning to the class.
"Students, I'm sorry if I came a little late I was still handling things at the front." He swiftly walked to the door and opened it for the class.
Everyone filed in; some pleased others keeping a neutral expression. As I walked in he stopped me at the door.
"You seem like the type who would be reluctant to ask for help. So don't be afraid to ask me anything okay." His kind eyes looked at me as I fidgeted.
I simply nodded before sitting in my seat at the back.
"Everyone, as most of you have heard, your teacher is out for personal reasons. I may only be here for a little while, but I will be your teacher until the end of the next month due to complications. Don't worry he'll be fine it just might be awhile for everyone to be in the flow of things."
His eyes scanned the classroom as random coughs and shuffling of feet resounded in the small space. Seeing no one has anything to say he went to take roll call.
"When I call out your name instead of saying here I want you to say either your favorite fruit or vegetable. Okay. Josh Concorde"
"Apple"
"Giovanni Durnst"
"Star fruit"
"Wow, Fiona Fullard"
"Dragon fruit"
"Wow another good one, Samuel Grovner"
"Turnips"
"Mhhm, Suzy Hicks"
"Pinapple"
"Ooh spiky, Abbey Jutt"
"Celery"
"Mhhm"
Why does sitting here now scare me. He probably isn't him.
...
"Blackberries"
...
"Potatoes"
...
"Cabbages!"
...
"Mangoes"
...
Why am I shaking? He hasn't done anything at all.
"Sweet peas"
...
So why is it hard to breath?
"Thomas"
...
Why now of all times?
"Cherries"
"Marischino? Hah, I crack myself-"
...
I don't understand this at all.
"Francoise"
Why?
"Freddy, oh Freddy my boy"
Why?
"Ah so there is a Fleur. My cherie"
Why? Why now?
"April"
Wh-
"Juniper"
Why?
"Fillip"
Why at this time?
"Michelle?"
Why?
"Is there a Michelle here?"
Why?
"Oh, what? There is? Where is she?"
No. Please.
"Hey Michelle."
"Are you okay there?"
No.
"Hey Michelle, are you okay there? You seem like your very bothered by something."
The gentle tap he gave on me shoulder shook me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm just very worried about Mr. Field."
"Well, don't let it bother you that much. So, what is it?"
"What?"
"You're favorite fruit or vegetable."
"Oh, um onions sir."
"Hmm, so you're a layered type of girl I could see that."
He walked back to the podium.
"Sorry everyone for the disruption. There's only a few more names"
I'm such an idiot for getting stressed over a guy who doesn't even know me.
"Okay...Tabitha Trisnor"
"Oranges"
"Christian Walter"
"Leaks"
"Jay Yarvis"
"Blueberries"
"And...Latka Zotto"
"Strawberries"
I'm so dumb. My eyes started to tear but I held back. I already feel the scorching warmth on my face.
"Okay, class I was told to inform you that there will be more laborious work at this time of year for the new years. I worked at the local colleges so I'm sure what I will teach you will suffice. So...we are going to outline an essay for The Catcher in the Rye."
He eyed me every once in while when he talked.
I must be such a moron.
"Get out your books, I assumed all of you have read it all to the end."
The whole class rang with the opening of zippers and and the quiet grumblings of the students.
"Your teacher left it up to you to create a prompt as practice for the upcoming test. For today that is your assignment and if there is enough time I would collect your papers and give it to other students to create an outline for what you wrote."
I felt myself feel colder as I sat in my seat. I'm such an idiot.
"Before we do that I will teach you of how you approach essays. Ahem. There will be directions that confuse you or put you off as you write-"
*Slam*
"-More to come as you write, especially in college"
*Crack*
"-So, define, describe, explain are simple directives that can either-"
*Slap*
"It will confuse the living daylights out of you I know-"
*Skid*
"-You probably will have an easier time with Geometry, if anything if you don't get this-"
"No!"
"You will be done for. By the end-"
"Someone get the ambulance. She won't make it if we-"
"-That is all."
My mind was boggled by the thoughts of that night.
"Any questions? So everyone here's some notes if it would help you on your paper."
Papers filed. People creaked in their seats. And as I sat mindlessly staring at a corner in the room, a paper flew onto my desk.
Reading it over I looked up and saw everyone already scratching away at their papers.
Five minutes before the bell
"Ah, it seems there is not enough time to finish your outlines in class. You may all take it home for today, I will collect it tomorrow. Pack it up for the day."
Simultaneously the students chattered away as a plethora of clangs and whistles littered the classroom. I held my breath as I stared at the clock.
Eventually it ranged and I was the last one to leave. As I was about to leave the door the sub called me back.
"Hey Michelle. Why ya so hasty to get going?"
"I have class sir.."
"Yeah I'm fully aware of that. So tell me are you okay?"
"What makes you ask that?"
"You seemed troubled."
"I probably always do, but that is just the normal face I make."
He scrunched his brows as he look at me. "You're a tough cookie aren't you?"
"..W-what?"
"All well. Just remember to eat your greens. Okay? Never say no to a healthy meal every once in a while. Okay?"
"Okay."
"If you need anybody to talk to, you could talk to me. Okay?"
"Right sir, I really need to go to-"
"Class, I gotcha. See ya later."
I bolted off as soon as I left the classroom door.
He seems nice. But my stomach still felt heavy. I can't shake the feeling of danger as I entered my next class.
The school day ended with no more oddness going about the rest of my day.
As I sat at the front of the school I saw that more and more students left. Eventually I was left alone.
I felt myself slowly falling tired as my warm coat kept me comfortable on the bench near the faculty and administrative. My eyes finally closed and for a few minutes I almost felt the overwhelming pull of sleep.
Someone shook me awake. It was the substitute.
"Hey sleepy head it's already way past noon. Want me to drive you home? I'm sorry is that a bit too much?" He looked at me with eyes full of concern.
"No, nwo it's not."
I saw the sky becoming darker as I sat. After weighing my options I wanted to rid myself of my overwhelming feeling so I chose to..
"You can drive me home."
His smile reminds me of that guy in my dream. No matter.
He led me to his car. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly before opening the passenger side for me.
"I'm sorry it's a Prius. Some people are reluctant to buy it because it's tampons on wheels."
Hmm modest. I sat in the car, feeling the cool leather hit my skin.
As he sat in the driver's seat he turned on the radio.
"Sorry, I like to listen to music while I drive. Does it bother you?"
So cute.
"No."
"Good."
I explained the directions of my home as he quietly nodded. In his car I felt weirdly calm, and eventually I fell asleep.
I woke up to the light tugging on my coat. I thought he was trying to tell me I'm home, but I found myself strapped to the bed.
I struggled with my wrists bound to the bed posts.
How could he do this without waking me up?
I saw him peer over me as I stared down at him.
"So you're awake, I see."
My eyes widened as I struggled.
"A quiet lamb usually stays quiet."
I struggled harder.
"And I've always wondered why you're always chasing me, my sweet flower."
I stopped as I looked down at him.
"I've always wanted to know where you lived and now that I know I won't let that go. Will I?"
My eyes widened as he climbed onto the bed.
"You don't have the upper hand this time sweetheart."
He pulled my coat apart.
"And I had made sure that the only thing you had on is just your favorite coat. Oh Santa what will we have today~?"
I blanched as my face blushed ten-fold. He stood over me with a triumphant face.
My mouth finally had the ability to open. "I don't even know why you're in my dreams anyway."
"You could say whatever you want. Cowards such as you could only spew meaningless words. Now, shut up."
He grabbed my chin and molded his mouth with mine. "You taste so sweet."
My eyes glared daggers as he held my chin.
"Fiesty, fiesty. Your nasty eyes don't deter me."
He smoothed my hair as his tongue rounded the shell of my ear.
"What do you plan to get out of this?"
"Your innocence."
He nuzzled my nose before trailing kisses down my neck and between the valley of my chest.
"Ahh~"
"Oh, a noise from the little lamb."
He pressed closer to my sex with his throbbing erection.
"Ahh~"
"A little more."
Tears leaked from my eyes.
"Why are you so gentle?"
"Because you're the girl I see in my dreams."
My mouth seemed to only whimper incoherent noises.
"Yes~"
I felt his nose press my bundle off nerves. My body convulsed as his tongue explored my forbidden flower.
"No~"
"What is it that you want?"
My previous feeling started to slip away. After all he had done, my mouth had betrayed my.
"Please keep making me feel good."
I hate myself with every fiber of my being.
He gently rolled my breasts in his palms before wrapping his mouth on one and suckled slowly.
"Iahhah~"
He pulled his last article of clothing and positioned himself at my entrance. Pulling back I felt pain rip through me as I screamed, gentle kisses covered my cheeks as he whispered hurried apologies. I didn't care enough as he passionately kissed me as he rocked me back and forth.
It felt so good I could vomit. And as my voice hitched his movements became staggered and hurried. White filled vision as the most intense feeling imaginable hit me as heat pooled inside me.
I felt him cuddle behind me with me bounded to the bed. I couldn't decide if I should feel disgusted or happy, but nothing else mattered when I finally fell asleep.
I woke up in my bed. As I readied myself, Nick told me I looked like a zombie when I climbed into the car the other day. As I walked to class, I expected whatever happened yesterday was just a dream as a nagging feeling in the back of my head told me otherwise.
I wanted to shake my feeling of danger and embarrassment when I walked into first period, but somehow no matter what I do I it won't go away.
The substitute's face increasingly annoyed me as he spoke.
"The cognates of this word may vary throughout each one you're planning to find. Though each one had a similar root it doesn't hurt to distinguish-"
How can anyone stay calm around a fake one like him?
"And sometimes the root word does not have a specific origin in which you can find it, but our researchers scrap up as much as they can to satisfy-"
He's pleasant when he talks and interacts with us, but even with what happened yesterday it doesn't mean-
"Michelle can you tell me how the a root can change with modifiers and how it cannot survive as a word?"
What is he-
"M-me sir?"
"Yes you. Now answer the question."
My palms sweat.
"Yes, um it changes meaning with each additional change, sometimes different from the meaning of the parts themselves. And roots cannot survive as a word because it does not have a definite use other than to be used with other words."
"Hmm. You're partially correct, though that is a hard question for anyone anyway. So what she means is-"
If he could kill me let him do it. If he had fire I'll run in it. If he had crayons I'll do whatever it takes just please I don't understand such things as this. Even though I hate him, how could he call on me like that? Does he know how hard I'm blushing?
I fumed in my seat until he was done with his lecture.
"Oh, not again. Another day then. Everyone pack up, the bell is about to ring."
Just as the bell rang everyone left before I had the chance to stand up.
"Hey Michelle come on down." His cheery voice doused my fire momentarily.
"Y-yes sir."
"Now now don't be shy. Call me Aldo."
"Wha?"
At that point I felt time stood still as he walked up to me.
"My sweet flower you were so lovely yesterday. Let me indulge once more."
My legs were glued to the floor as his hand cupped my cheek.
"We have all the time in the world."
"No."
"That's not what you said yesterday."
He kissed my cheek before walking back to his desk.
"I'm not in the mood today so you're lucky"
As he sat down it was as if time resumed.
"What are you still doing here?"
"Huh?"
"Don't you have class?"
"Yes."
"Then get going."
As I walked out of the door I did not have the will to run. I had every right to be afraid.