NEWS FLASH- I added some stuff to the last chapter (nothing huge but some stuff that might make you go 'huh?' during this ch. If you don't read it)
Random Dedication- This is for my date to the spring formal (It was last night) who happpens to have fangs. I'm not lieing!
Rock, Paper, Scissors, OH SHOOT!
Bzzzz buzzzzz
''Oh shoot.'' I sat straight up in bed. My alarm had gone off late meaning I was also going to be late. I quickly snapped my box from the night before shut and tucked it away under my bed.
I pulled on jeans and a plain black shirt (everything else was in the wash) and tried to comb out my knotted hair. I ended up giving up and pulling it up into a ponytail. I removed all the remaining makeup from the night before but had no time to try to apply more. Flustered and hungry, I ran out to my truck. I can last until lunch. I told myself.
The truck would not start up at first and it took several minutes for me to get my growlingmachine onto the road.
Reaching my locker I realized that I was doing pretty good considering.
There was one thing that could cause me to get to class late.
A strand of hair.
It somehow worked its way free of my scrunchy and was dangling evilly in front of my eyes. At first I ignored it and focused entirely on finding the correct books. As I moved to close my locker it tickled my nose, as if it knew it was going to make me late. I stopped and set my books down on the floor.
''Stupid hair.'' I muttered as I pulled my hair back. ''Stupid alarm clock. Stupid truck. Stupid-.''
''Hey Miss. Bella.'' the locker beside mine opened.
''Mackenzie!'' I gasped. I had not even heard him approach. He found his books without difficulty (his locker was so neat!) and turned to me, a triumphant gleam in his eyes.
I had just finished pulling my hair up and was gathering up my books.
''Hey...'' It was the calm sneakiness in his voice that I dreaded. It was his i'm-going-to-ask-you-out-again voice. Calm from repetition but still a little hopeful and a little timid; a part of him still afraid of the rejection.
''Not in the mood today, Mackenzie.'' Stupid Mackenzie. Stupid Mackenzie. Stupid Mackenzie. I began to walk away but he was right beside me.
''You look beautiful again today, Bella.''
I blushed deep crimson. I looked horrible! I walked faster with longer strides and quicker breath.
''You look surprised. Does this news shock you?''
He actually thought I looked beautiful!? Even today?
''Yes.'' I answered stiffly yet truthfully.
'' For being incredibly brilliant, you can sometimes be extraordinarily ignorant. You are-.'' he stopped talking, changing his mind about what he was going to say. ''You're walking far too fast. We are going to reach class too soon.''
''We are already late.'' I reminded him sourly. We needed to be there before the bell rang. I could not afford any more tardies.
Ringggggggg.
'' Hey we're late already. What's five more minutes?'' He said.
What indeed?
When he saw that I had stopped he started talking with the same triumphant gleam in his eyes. He thought that he had already succeeded. He took it for granted that I was going to say yes?
''I'm going to give you one more chance to say yes freely.''
Freely? What?
''No.'' I said with out thinking. I could not think too hard about these things. Especially after it had gone so well at the dance.
''Dance with me.'''
''Um.'' No no no no. ''okay.'''
He looked sad, a deep resigned sad, not like the last times where it was obvious that he would try again. Had he finally given up?
''Can- can I ask you something?'' He was looking at the ground.
I refrained from pointing out that that was a question or that he had already asked far too many. ''Sure.''
''What is wrong with me?''
'Well, I think you might be a vampire' was what I wanted to say, but, again, forced myself to hold it in.
He meant what was wrong with him that I did not want to go out with him. As I looked at him trying to find something. His black hair had grown a little since I had met him and it now fell into his eyes. His face was flawless and pale. But it did not look like it was supposed to be pale- he was meant to be tan. He wore a black hoodie sweater with Ashes of the Wake written in spiky gray letters across it. I found myself wondering if it was a band and, if it was, then what type of music it would play, and what was a 'wake'. If there was a wake then did it actually have ashes. I pulled myself out of these confusing and pointless questions. His jeans were the perfect dark color, a dusty blue. I felt tears in the corners of my eyes. ''Nothing.'' I finally answered, feeling immensely ashamed when my voice cracked. ''Nothing at all.''
He looked up again. I had somehow managed to put myself into the minds of two perfect boys. How? I certainly don't deserve it.
''Then why-''
''Because- because i'm not ready!''
''I'm not asking anything of you. Just one movie. One female president.''
I shook my head. ''I can't. I just can't. Not yet.'' I felt sick and dizzy. Almost like I was going to fall back into that coma where I did not have to notice what happened around me that did not directly concern me.
He seemed to notice this because he said. ''Won't you tell me what happened?''
I tried to smile. ''As soon as you admit to me what you are.''
''Not today. Not here. Not now. Later I promise.''
''The answer is still no.''
''Come on Bella! Don't make me kiss you!''
I stiffened. ''I have to get to class.'' I heard my voice come out flat. I turned, robot-like in stiffness, to walk away.
This was the first time I experienced his strength.
''Oh no you don't!'' Mackenzie turned me around pinning both of my hands behind my back with one of his own hands. I felt my feet move. My shocked and unprepared body was forced up against his. His other hand reached up to cradle my head and forced me to look up. I struggled but it was useless. He was strong. He was hard. His hand around my wrists felt like ice. He had to be a vampire.
If he was a vampire I was in a very dangerous position because his face was suddenly only an inch from mine and my blood smells especially appealing to most of them.
His breath was coming hard. Something that smelled like fire and ice at the same time. Burning ice if that was even possible. I wanted to lean in and smell this delicious scent but that would surely spell out doom for me.
''You don't know how much I want to right now, Bella.'' he whispered watching me closely. Want to what? I found myself thinking. Kiss me or drink my blood. I guess I was hoping it was kissing because at least it was not lethal. Well...at least I did not think it would be.
I was watching him, especially his eyes. They were slowly turning black. ''Your eyes.'' I gasped. ''They are black.'' i'm not sure why I said this but it seemed to help.
He froze. Then he looked down and slowly released me. ''Didn't you know that peoples eyes dilate when they see something they desire.'' He tried to make his voice light until he saw me rubbing my wrists. ''Sorry.'' he muttered. ''Forgive me. Now and forgive me for what I will do later. Please, go to class now.''
I looked around. We were in a utility closet. He must have been nervous about people seeing us and somehow dragged me in here. How had I not noticed? The light was on and everything. He had done all that in one second?
I half ran to my locker (there was no point in going to class) and grabbed the granola bar that I always kept for emergencies. I crouched on the floor nibbling pathetically on my breakfast.
The bell rang again before I expected it and I carefully picked up my books and walked slowly to the next class.
Pretty much as soon as I sat down Mike was at my side. ''Bella! Hey! Jessica said you weren't there in first period. Did you just get here?''
''No.'' I told him. ''I've been here.''
''Oh. Well. I'm glad.'' he smiled cheerfully. The teacher entered the room and called for silence. Mike was forced to sit in his own seat.
Today was a quiet day in that class. Everybody just sat there and took notes. I flipped my notebook open and stared at the picture on the page. It was my portrait that Mackenzie had drawn me before.
I will make you whole and happy.
Thinking of that actually made me smile. I doubted that I would ever be whole again. There were too many parts missing for me to possibly replace in one lifetime.
It took me a moment to realize that I was smiling. It was a smile probably a lot like the one in my picture, easy and real.
I lightly traced the picture with my finger tip, careful not to smudge it. It was the most beautiful drawing I'd ever seen. An angel. I thought decisively. It resembles an angel more than me. Is this really how Mackenzie sees me?
What is wrong with Mackenzie? Why am I so opposed to him?
Mackenzie is not him. My mind explained.
It was in that moment that I experienced my first prolonged - and in broad day light- hallucination.
Be careful
I nearly jumped out of my seat. My heart was beating so hard it hurt and I felt dizzy. My head snapped to look around me, searching for him. Amelia, the girl in the seat beside me looked at me in alarm.
Be careful. Be safe. Be happy.
His voice whispered sadly in my head.
It was Edward. The pain in my heart was fading. I could finally think his name.
I could almost see his face, sad because I had found someone else. Or I may have...
I could barely picture his face anymore.
''You memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals wounds for your kind.''
And now the sharpness of my memories was lessening. I could think of them as thought it was a story someone else was telling me.
It was the best time in my life and it was somehow fading.
I won't forget. I promised both myself and the Edward in my head.
Be good.
Ha. Right.
The bell rang signaling for the beginning of lunch.
I followed Jessica into the cafeteria and picked up a random bottle as I passed through the lunch line. My mind was too busy to notice anything else at the moment.
I didn't pick up any food. That granola bar would have to do until dinner.
Jessica cast me a worried look as we walked over to our usual table. I said nothing.
''Um...Bella.'' it was Angela. ''I think Mackenzie wants you.''
I looked over at where she was pointing. Mackenzie was sitting a little apart from the rest of his table. He motioned for me to go over and sit next to him.
But I stayed in my seat. ''Do you think that I can ignore him?'' I muttered.
''No.'' Jessica said. I noticed a strange glazed look in her eyes. I looked around. Angela's looked the same. ''Just go see what he wants.''
I rose and,leaving my unopened bottle at my table, walked over to Mackenzie's table. The guys there nudged each other as I walked over. ''Heeeeey!'' They called when I was close enough. ''Isabella, right?! Come sit here, Izzy!''
I ignored them and stood in front of the seat across from Mackenzie. ''What do you want?'' I said angrily.
''You to go out with me but, since you obviously aren't going to agree to that, then I want to make a wager. Please sit .''
"A wager?'' I leaned forward but did not sit.
''Yes. We will play a little game. If I win, you will go out with me one time to see a movie this Friday.''
''And if I win?'' I said skeptically already sure that I was not playing.
'' Then I will give you a ring.''
''Ha!'' I leaned back away from him. ''No way! Why would I want a ring from you!?"
"It's a beautiful ring. Topaz and silver.'' he pulled my ring from his pocket and held it up to the light, making it glisten. I was suddenly reminded of how Edward's eyes flashed when he was angry. It was almost like the ring was angry. I looked down at my hand and, just as I suspected it was gone. I had not even remembered it this morning.
''That's my ring!'' I screamed at him. ''Give it back!'' I lunged for it but he pulled it back at the last second.
''No. No. No, Bella.'' he said in a voice that made me want to punch him. ''You must play the game first!''
''You- you- you-. '' I could not think of a bad enough word. ''You stole it from me!''
''Don't be absurd!''
''This is low. This is low even for you.''
''So I've been told. Now just play the game!''
''What game?''
''Have you ever heard of rock paper scissors?''
I am the rock paper scissors champ! ''Yes.''
His strange blue eyes were sparkling with a hidden amusement. ''Good. Sit.''
I did. ''This is utterly immature.''
''Best 2 out of 3.'' was his only reply.
We both placed our fists on the table (although at the moment I wanted to place it somewhere entirely different).
The people near us went quiet, not knowing exactly what was going on.
''Rock.'' Mackenzie said. Our fists went up and down in unison. ''Paper. Scissors. Shoot!''
I kept my hand balled into a rock. His was flat- paper.
Mackenzie-1. Me- 0.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot!''
My hand came out in a peace sign- scissors. His was again paper.
Mackenzie- 1. Me- 1.
''It's any man's game now!'' he growled.
''Or woman's.'' I countered.
''Well then may the best man or woman win!''
''Its a game of luck! If you win it does not mean you're better than me!'' I found my self yelling.
And suddenly he was yelling back. ''But it would mean that i'm luckier!''
'' I already know you're luckier!''
''Really how!?''
''You don't have you stalking you!''
''Was that sentence supposed to make sense!?''
''It made sense in my own mind and that's all that matters!''
''Then keep the thoughts in your head where they actually make sense!''
''I had to say something! You were provoking me!''
'' I was not! Lets just get on with the game!''
''Gladly!''
Our fists slammed down on the table, both of us so angry that we could barely force out the words. ''Rock! Paper! Scissors! Shoot!''
My hand made the peace sign again- scissors. Mackenzie's was in a fist- rock. My mind went blank. If he had rock that would have to mean-
''I won!'' he said happily, smiling and bouncing up and down slightly.
''I demand a rematch.'' Hey, it was worth a try, right?
''Under what complaints?'' His smile did not go away.
''You had me angry. I momentarily lost my focus.''
''As you said before, it's a game of luck. Not skill.'' He looked angry and elated at the same time. It was very cute in an infuriating kind of way.
''As I said before, my luck is abysmal. So I deserve another turn to make up for the fact that fate hates my guts.''
''Well fate has recently had a change of heart because you are going to the movies with me on Friday. I'll be at your house at five. I'll buy, I'll drive. All you have to do is choose the movie. Comprende?''
Did he just speak Spanish? ''What if I refuse to go.''
His voice lowered so that only I could hear. ''That would be horrible for you. I have witnesses to my awesome winning of our game who would be very confused if I did not come back telling stories of my Friday night. Also you would be a lot smarter to go with me. There are probably more things in your house to steal than this. '' He fiddled with the ring in his palm.
''Okay?'' He looked at me with hopeful eyes.
I stood. This had to be one of the worst things that had ever happened to me, naturally eliminating the obvious. ''Five o'clock Friday.'' I said. ''That movie with the female president. Try to be late.''
He smiled, the happiest I had ever seen him. His smile lit up the room with a wonderful brilliance.
Not wanting anymore to do with him at the moment, I turned away.
''Wait!'' Mackenzie stopped me. ''Here.'' He reached out a hand toward me and I immediately reached toward it. He dropped something small but heavy into my palm- my ring. ''Only because I love you.'' he said.
Love... No! Wasn't that like a well known rule- you don't use the L word...love. Especially if you don't mean it, I though bitterly. He doesn't even know what love is.
I dropped the ring into my pocket. Hopefully it would be safe there, at least until I got it back into its box.
Ta-Da! New Chapter goodness! I'm trying to get these Ch. Up as fast as possible but i'm gonna be busy for a while with tests and scholarship essays. So please be patient with me!
Disclaimer- If I were Stephenie Meyer I would not have to write scholarship essays, now would I?
Review please! I love reading about what you think of the story and, of course, Mackenzie. Do you love one of them? Hate them? Wish to marry them? Wish to sacrifice them to the gods- Mayan style? Tell me all about it!