Hello everyone! Here is chapter 2. I see I got a few reviews and a couple subscriptions. Thank you all so much! Reviews are always welcome. Enjoy and thank you! :)
I sat down at my regular lunch table outside the school cafeteria. It was under an old dead tree near the back fence. I placed down my copy of Hamlet and breathed in the fresh fall air. It felt nice and cool in my lungs and smelled like leaves. I closed my eyes as my body relaxed.
"Hey Nezumi!" a voice yelled.
I cringed. I would know that voice anywhere‒unfortunately. I opened my eyes and saw her running my way.
"What do you want Inukashi?" I snapped at her.
She was a very strange girl. No one liked her because of her loud and sarcastic attitude. She was also very tomboyish and that didn't go so well with everyone for some reason. I'm pretty sure she's a lesbian too.
She set down the armful of packaged snacks she was carrying on the table and sat in the seat in front of me. "Aw, why so harsh to your best and only friend?" she said trying to sound hurt‒if she could. She laughed to herself before opening a bag of chips.
"Who said you were my friend?" I glared at her.
"The fact that I'm only the person who talks to you." She smirked biting a chip.
I rolled my eyes and started reading Hamlet. Shakespeare was a true genius when it came to words even though I think he had to have been a bit psychotic. If there was one thing I liked about school, it had to be when we were reading Shakespeare. While everyone would bitch and moan, I would read on my own time.
"Hey, look who's walking over here." Inukashi suddenly said. I looked over my book to see Shion walking over to us. "He must be lost or had lost his mind." Inukashi laughed.
"Probably both." I said only loud enough for her to hear.
"Hello Nezumi. Hello Inukashi." Shion greeted smiling.
"Well, if it isn't the class president. What could have possibly possessed you to grace two lowlifes like us with your presence?" Inukashi smirked at him.
"Nothing. I just wanted to sit here today." Shion answered her politely and honestly sitting down next to her.
She could see the sincerity on his face and started laughing. "You must be joking. No, seriously, where's the camera?"
"What do you want Shion?" I asked closing my book.
"I wanted to spend to time with you Nezumi." He answered me.
His respond made Inukashi laugh even harder. "Hey Nezumi, it seems like someone might have a crush on you."
"Shut up Inukashi!" I immediately said back to her.
"No need to get testy…unless someone has a crush too." She rested her chin on the back of her entwined fingers.
I rolled my eyes at her. I look at Shion to see that he had set out his lunch on table. Did he really just miss what Inukashi just said?
"What is that?" Inukashi asked giving his lunch a disgusted face.
"Stew and cherry pie." Shion answered with a small smile.
Inukashi made a face and stuck out her tongue.
"You honestly can't eat that together." I said.
"It's my favorite. You shouldn't judge something before trying it." Shion said taking out a spoon.
I scrunched my nose as he began to eat. I opened Hamlet again and started to read. Everything was silent as I read and I almost forgot that Inukashi and Shion were sitting in front of me. I could only imagine how it must have felt to have seen one of Shakespeare's plays on stage. Probably not too comfortable considering most of the audience stood in a pit in front of the stage.
"Nezumi?" Shion asked.
I was brought back to reality by his voice. I looked over my book in his direction. I probably looked like I could kill someone.
"Yes Shion?" I asked through my teeth.
"Why are you reading Hamlet if the assignment is already over?" he asked.
Was he really asking that question? He was probably like everyone else who bitched about having to read Shakespeare.
"Because, unlike every other uncultured brat here, I actually like Shakespeare." I answered him.
"He's just weird." Inukashi said adding in her own answer.
"I think it's admirable. I might try reading it again for fun." Shion said.
Inukashi gave him a face. "There's no point in wasting your time."
"I don't think it's wasting time. Nezumi doing something he likes so it's it more like a pleasure." Shion smiled.
"Whatever." Inukashi said as she opened a can of soda. "Oh! I almost forgot there's a show tomorrow at Rikiga's. Just thought you might like to know." She said to me.
"Maybe; if I have nothing to do tomorrow then sure." I replied.
"A show?" Shion asked.
"A gig." Inukashi said but he still looked confused. "A concert you idiot! Damn, for a straight-A student you don't know anything."
"Can't argue there." I said smirking at her comment.
"N-no I'm not and I already told you so yesterday Nezumi. I've just never been to concert before." Shion said staring down.
The fact that he looked down pissed me off. He looked so innocent. I can't fucking stand him.
I stood up and starting walking away. I needed to put as much distance between me and that airhead. How can he act like that with everyone?
I hear the sound of someone getting up and Inukashi's voice but I can't make out what she said. She probably stopped Shion knowing that I would pound his face in if he got near me. I can't stand his complete openness with people.
I walk through the halls and up stairs until I'm on the roof. No one supposed to be up here but none of the teachers ever check so it really doesn't matter. The air is colder and a bit stronger three stories up. It feels great as it gently bites my skin. I close my eyes and breathe it in. The smell of leaves isn't in the wind this time; it just smells cold. I open my eyes and walk over to the railing. I just stare out into the horizon until I hear the bell ring.
School has ended and I'm on my way to my locker to pick up a few books for the weekend. Again, the hallways are empty and quiet. The only sounds are my footsteps. I reach my locker and quickly take what I need and close it.
"Nezumi!" someone calls.
I turn towards it direction and see Shion running towards me. I've had time to cool off since lunchtime so I won't hit him unless he does something stupid.
"Twice in one day. This really is an honor." I say smirking.
"Stop that. I wanted to ask you something." He said as he reached me.
"What? The exit is that way." I pointed behind him.
"Nezumi please; I'm serious."
I looked at him and saw that he was. His face wasn't his usually blankness. He looked like he was focusing on something. I decided to give him a chance.
"Well, what it is you wanted to ask me?"
"I want to go to the concert with you tomorrow."
"No." I said immediately back walking past him.
"Why not?" he asked trying to keep up with me.
"Do you have any idea what kind of concert it is?" I stopped to stare him straight in the eye.
"Well…um…"he stuttered to find an answer.
"If you think its hippie-Woodstock shit, then you're wrong." I said walking again.
"Then what kind of concert is it?" he asked jogging next to me.
Rikiga always had different kind of local bands play. Most of them were metal punk kids with band names like We're the Living Dead or Run, Fuckers! to sound cool or scary. Very few were actually good. Many were just posers and fakes who thought they had talent.
I think what to tell Shion. I really don't want him to come with me because I would be saving his ass the whole time.
"The kind of concert where they sacrifice chickens and rip Bibles in half on stage." I said wiggling my fingers and smiling like a madman.
"Really?' Shion looked a little too excited.
"You honestly believed me. Fuck, you're so gullible."
"Then what kind of concerts are they?"
"Mosh pit type of shit."
"What's a 'mosh pit'?" he tries out the word.
"Where people push and slam into each other. You'll probably die in the first five seconds."
"No I wouldn't. I know how to defend myself."
I had to stop and stare at him before laughing. He really doesn't know how serious a mosh pit can be; how many people get hurt and hospitalized. He is the kind of kid who has no business being there. They would eat him alive and spit him out just to chew on him again.
I hear the sound of him going through his book bag and remember what he did yesterday. I stop laughing just as he finishes opening his water bottle.
"That's not necessary. I'm fine now." I say trying to control my laugh.
"So can I go with you tomorrow?"
"No Shion. You would just be a deadweight for me to carry around." I start walking again.
"Please Nezumi. I promise you won't have to watch me."
I stop and think for a moment. He used to do sports back in middle school and stuff like that so he can't be completely helpless. He should be used to taking a hit at least.
"Fine." I finally say.
"Really?" He smiles.
"But I'm not helping you if you get caught in fight." I add quickly.
"I promise you won't have to worry about me."
He's smiling ear to ear and his eyes are full of excitement: the true face of an idiot.
"I'll be at your house around 6 so don't keep me waiting."
"Okay. I promise. Thank you Nezumi."
I nod quickly before exiting the school. Shion doesn't follow me and I'm perfectly fine with that. The air is colder now than at lunch and I pull my scarf over my mouth and nose. The parking lot is again almost completely empty and I walk to my car. Once inside I turn on the heater and wait until it fills the car with warm air.
"What did I get myself into?" I say out loud to myself.
Bring Shion tomorrow is going to be pain. I should have just told him no and pretended I didn't hear a single thing he said afterward. He's going to get seriously hurt tomorrow and everyone would probably think I beat the living shit out of him. Another detail to add to my 'delinquent' profile: I'm the asshole who beat up poor Shion for no reason.
"Fucking great." I say before backing up and pulling out of the parking lot.
Tomorrow and next week are going to be a bitch.
