Into The Eyes of the Wild

Author's Note: There's a picture of Michelle in my profile now.)


Chapter Five: Days Can't Get Much Worse

Michelle's POV

Today was going to be horrible. Might as well write it down now. The worst day in history! I couldn't help but glare at the girl staring back at me in the mirror. Karma. That was it. Had to be. Somebody up there had to hate me. Someone who was best friends with Kate Tunney.

Son of a bitch.

In the 6 years she'd been out of her home, she'd never been to a school with a dress code. Spencer was the first. And it wasn't even a flattering uniform at that.

I smiled as a thought crossed my mind. Hey… not a bad idea. A quick glance at the clock told me that I definitely had enough time for my plan. Not that the school would necessarily be okay with it, but there wasn't much they could do too much about it.

A good twenty, thirty minutes later I pulled the navy blue skirt back on. The originally knee-length skirt hit about mid-thigh now. The Provost would probably be unhappy with me but what did I care? Maybe I could snag me a hottie.

I looked back at the mirror and watched as my lips curved slowly in the mirror. Haha. I'd left the top two buttons on the blouse unbuttoned and the striped tie at half mast. The pressed white shirt was new and uncomfortable just on that principle and there was no way I'd even start on that tie I refused to wear the vest. In extreme cases I could always just button up the blazer.

In an effort to take my mind off my hand, Mina had taken me to a salon in town to get my hair cut and low-lighted. It now fell to about the middle of my back, maybe a little longer, with bangs. I hadn't had bangs since I was 6 but my hair actually looked good this way. I didn't even have to straighten it this morning. Always nice.

The upper level of the house was quiet as I grabbed my bag from the hook on my door before I ran downstairs.

I love the silence of a house before everyone's up and at em.

My right hand started to burn in the splint the doctors had fixed me up with. Just a sprain. Should heal up in a couples weeks the doc said. That was okay. I hadn't gotten to see the damage I'd done to Kate's face personally, but Pogue had ripped me to shreds over it. Something about Kate looking like she'd been hit by a train. Not a bad idea that.

I briefly wondered where the nearest train station was but the thought was overrun with one of breakfast. Mina would have a cow if she found out I'd left without eating breakfast.

A bagel smeared with cream cheese sounded like a good idea. I could at least stuff it in my bag and eat it later.

The pipes began to bang and creak in the ceiling above said that Pogue had finally gotten up. Guess he wasn't too much of a morning person. Neither was I, but for some reason, I always made a point to get to school early. Overachiever, who me?

"Ah no..." I muttered. My search for food was beginning to prove completely hopeless. How lame. I snatched the bottle of painkillers off the turn-table on the counter. I had to eat before I took them… and my hand was really starting to bug me, but I could handle it. Maybe Tyler would bring a bag of Chex Mix to class or something.

That reminded me. I had to get my schedule and all that good stuff today. Maybe I'd grab the Sons' schedules too. Hopefully I had classes with someone. Hopefully.

I stuffed the bottle of painkillers into my bag and doubled checked to make sure I had everything. My small bag of makeup- just eyeliner, a thing of eye shadow with colors to bring out the green in my eyes, chap stick- a travel hairbrush, a pack of gum, a few meaningless thingamabobs for class, and my car keys.

One of the upsides of the weekend was that Abigail had finally gotten around to bringing my baby to Ipswich. I found my boots sitting on the shoe rack inside the door. I'd already decided to wear them instead of the navy socks and brown loafers that they expected us to wear at Spencer.

I wondered when Tyler would get there. He'd mentioned something about never staying in the dorm with Reid the day before school. I honestly had no clue why he and Reid didn't live at home. The Simms were incredible people and well, Mrs. Garwin was kind of scary but that was only because she suspected I was sleeping with her son. Maybe it was the case of the lady protesting too much?

I didn't know but still. If I were their kid, I would live at home. Tyler said he stayed at home the night before school started because it was a chance for him to spend time with his Ma but I had an idea that it was because Reid always brought some little tart to their room to play.

The thought made me a little more irritated than it should have and I had no clue why. Oh well. Figure it out later.

The purr of my 1966 2 + 2 Mustang filled the air. I let it idle for a little while to warm up the engine so I could turn on the heater. I'd saved up some money and taken it in to get it modified a year or two ago so I could put the top down in the summertime. It was light blue and the best car I'd ever had. The heater whirred to life quietly as I drove down the rode towards Spencer. I had music playing in the background but it was merely white noise compared to my thoughts.

Nothing was going to ruin my day. See? Optimism at its best.

My mind was working a mile a minute. The scenery flashed by without me really noticing, I was on autopilot. Reality didn't really hit until Spencer rose up in front of me. This place made me think of places where royalty should be educated. You know, like kings, queens, dukes, people like that.

The receptionist glanced up from her computer as I walked in. She had stereotype receptionist written all over her. She smiled up at me with careful eyes and a dentist whitened smile. How much did they pay here at Spencer?

"I need my schedule and my four friends' schedules please." Her eyes widened like I'd done something interesting. Maybe it was the please?

I gave her my name and the Sons' names. A few minutes later she gave them to me without as much as an extra word. She was looking at me pretty funny though. Maybe it's a new kid thing. Whatever…

The halls were practically deserted as I found my locker. I checked my schedule against the Sons' and found out I had five out of seven classes with them. I had World History and Algebra 2 with Tyler, Home Economics with Pogue and Caleb, and Language Arts and Chemistry with Reid. No pun intended of course.

"Hey Michelle, you're here early."

I could feel the smile on my face before I even turned around. Tyler was smiling as he walked down the hall towards me. Damn he was cute.

"Why is it that you look better in this monkey suit than I do?" He asked with a smile as he snatched his schedule where I'd folded it and stuck it in those funky little vents.

I gave him a shrug and what he had nicknamed my pixie smile. Weird kid but it was cute. "I bet the Provost won't like it nearly as much as you do." I laughed.

He smiled and this time his dimple showed. Guys shouldn't be cute and innocent. It's just not fair. Makes us girls feel totally self conscious. And I had four gorgeous guys to hang with all the time. Self conscious me? Nah…

"We've got Wold History and Algebra 2 together." I offered as he started to scan his schedule.

He nodded. Satisfied with his classes I guess. A heavy arm around my shoulders made me look up at the boy beside me. "Yes?"

"Well, we've got half an hour before class starts. Think we should grab Reid?" He asked as he steered me down the hall. I didn't recognize where we were going, I'd only seen the way to all the classrooms then I remembered that this was the way to the cafeteria, café for short. "Mina would have my head if she found out I'd let you go without breakfast." Tyler murmured with a grin. I almost hated him knowing me so well.

"For all you know I could have already eaten."

Tyler looked at me with a knowing look. Yeah… he knew me way too well for comfort. Hmm… and he smelled good too. "Okay, okay. So I didn't eat breakfast. I was gonna eat lunch."

The brunette made a small 'mhm'ing kinda sound as we walked towards the café. My hand was starting to burn again and the feeling started to spread to my wrist. Not a good sign I guess. Time for meds.

Tyler ordered breakfast for himself and Reid while I sat and munched on a waffle I'd gotten.

"Are you sure we should be going up there?" I asked for the umpteenth time. Apparently it was common knowledge that Reid was the manwhore of Spencer. I didn't really want to see him… on the job.

Tyler turned around with two paper trays in his hands. "Look, if you really don't want to go up there, you can go to class and I'll see you later. But I'm betting more than likely, that Reid's alone. He doesn't usually let girls sleep over, ya know?"

I could tell he was getting agitated but I didn't know if he was irritated with me, or his best friend. Probably Reid.

"He pretty much just screws 'em and ditches 'em." Yup. Definitely mad at Reid.

I could tell where he was coming from. Tyler was the epitome of a gentleman. He was their damn poster boy for pity's sake. I never understood how someone like Tyler was best friends with someone like Reid but maybe they balanced each other out. I dunno.

I took one of the untouched trays of food and gave him a smile. "So, am I really the only girl at Spencer who hasn't slept with Reid?"

Tyler gave me a lopsided smile. "Pretty much. You and the first years, and with Reid that last one is negotiable." He chuckled a bit and gave me a look I didn't really understand. "Unless there's something you're not telling me."

I laughed and I could see Tyler smile out of the corner of my eye. "Oh yes Mr. Simms, I haven't told you about the glorious affair that I've shared with Mr. Garwin." I gave him a devious look and he laughed again as he draped his arm around my shoulders. The smell of eggs was far too close for comfort. I hate eggs.

"That's what I thought."

The two of us headed over to the dorms and I followed Tyler up to his floor. A few devilishly handsome boys passed us by but none of them had that extra something the Sons had. Maybe the power gave them some kind of sex appeal? Nah, they were just that damn sexy. Hey, even Pogue was a knockout and I think of him like my big brother.

I followed Tyler to a door with a number above it and followed him inside slowly. I caught a glimpse of long dark hair and an uninterrupted line of pale skin from the side of Reid's sleeping face to a muscled butt and thigh before a hand covered my eyes and almost made me drop the food.

Apparently, after the night's "rigorous" activities, Reid had fallen asleep before he could get her out.

I sat outside the door with my knees pulled up to my chest. I was pissed. I sat glaring at the wall, rubbing my hands up and down my leather class legs, feeling the buckles and tiny metal hooks under my hands to chase back the red I felt like I was seeing. I didn't understand why I was so angry. Not in the least.

The door beside me opened and a petite, slim brunette first year stepped out. Her dark blue eyes stared at me, startled. A thick lock of wavy dark brown hair fell into her face and she quickly swiped it away like it burned her.

I rubbed my hands over my boots again, the anger coming back full force. No, no, no. I would not be angry. I would not be angry. I chanted it over and over in my mind like it was the only thing tying me down. The metal hooks and buckles dug in my palms and I felt better. Pain was a good way to chase away anger.

The door opened for a second time and this time I didn't look up until the figure spoke. I realized belatedly that it was Tyler. "You can come in now if you want. Reid's in the shower."

I felt myself shaking my head before I pushed myself to stand. "I think I might just go down to class. Wouldn't want to be late on my first day. Mina would kill me."

Tyler nodded. He'd probably ask what was wrong later but at least for right now he'd let it go. Even I didn't know why I was so mad. I guess knowing Reid was a whore and seeing it personally were totally different. Oh well.

The classrooms here at Spencer weren't much different from the others I'd been in over the years. A little bigger for sure, a little nicer, but pretty much the same. I gave the Proctor my name before he told me to take a seat in the back row. He had a seating chart but at least he didn't put me in the front. I couldn't handle have all those people behind me, feeling like they're staring at me…

Mina had probably told the registrar's office. Most likely.

I sat in the back of the room and pulled my iPod out of my bag. I slipped the blue earphones in and cranked up the music. Knights of Cydonia by Muse filtered through the small headphones as I sat back in my seat and leaned my head against the wall.

Okay. So this was Chemistry. I made sure that most of my hardest classes were in the morning. Now I was wishing that I hadn't because now I had to sit here, hoping and praying to every god there was that I wouldn't have to sit next to you know who.

A hand tapping me on the shoulder made me open my eyes and I bit the inside of my cheek. Damn. I stared up into the baby blue eyes of Reid Garwin. Life was cruel.

Damn.

"I need to get into that seat." He said, pointing to the seat next to me.

Double damn.

I stood up and moved aside a little so that he could get to his seat. I sat down and leaned my head back again. Panic! At the Disco's Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off began to blare in my ears. Not something I wanted to think about at this moment. I mean, if it was Ryan Ross or Brendon Urie sitting there next to me I would probably have jumped his bones, but sadly it wasn't.

"Alright. I'd kindly ask everyone to take their seats. Class is about to begin." I could hear the proctor saying from the front of the room. I yanked the earphones from my ears and stuffed the iPod into my bag. Books were being passed out and when I got mine I flipped through it.

Ugh. This was gonna suck. Chemistry is no place for optimism.

I crossed my arms on the desk in front of me and leaned on them as the Proctor explained what the basics of the class were, how he'd be grading us, etc, etc, etc.

A hand brushed the skin on my thigh, making me jump. I glanced to my left to see Reid smirking at me. "I like the uniform change."

I glared at him until he moved his hand away from my thigh. I knew he was trying to cheer me up but I was still mad and the fact that I didn't know why I was mad made it worse. "Just don't touch me and we'll be all hunky dory."

Something slid through his eyes that I didn't really understand but at least he stopped touching me.

The rest of the class seemed to drag. I had a feeling that every day was going to be like this.

Finally the bell rang and I don't think I could have gotten out of that classroom fast enough. Tyler was leaning against the lockers when I walked out the door. "Hey."

I gave him a smile as he offered me his arm. Aw. I looped my arm through his own and he answered my smile with one of his own. Happy I was glad to see him I guess? "So, how was your first class of the year?" I asked, trying to take control of the conversation before he could question my rapid escape earlier.

The brunette sighed over-dramatically as we headed down the hall to our next class. "Ugh. Spanish. If all my classes are that horrible I may have to kill myself."

I had to look at him for a moment to see if he was serious. I couldn't tell. I slugged him in the arm as hard as I could. Tyler made a small sound of pain and clutched his arm. "What was that for?" He demanded, rubbing his 'injured' arm.

"Don't joke like that. It tempts Fate."

He laughed. LAUGHED! I glared at him half-heartedly. Bastard. He was making fun of me.

"Don't tell me you're superstitious Michelle."

I glared at him, willing that pretty face to fall into a wall or door or something… I sighed. It was too hard to be mad at multiple people. Too draining. "There's not much I don't believe in anymore Tyler."

He caught the double meaning in my words and dropped it. Smart boy. Maybe you could teach an old dog new tricks? Certainly didn't work with Pogue….

After that first couple of hours the day passed by fairly quickly. Surprisingly. My locker was full of lovely, mind-numbing new books. Oh fun oh joy. Good thing- just one more class. Bad thing- it was Language Arts/Drama. I'd never been to a school that combined the two. If you want to know a secret, I really suck at acting. Oh I'll put myself in it, but there's really no pizzazz to what I do.

BUT- it should be interesting, especially since I had that class with Reid. Before you get confused, no I'm not still mad at him. That kind of fizzed out from avoiding him. When I'm mad, best way to keep the other person in one piece is for me not to see them. Simple? I thought so.

At least I'd have something pretty to look at the whole hour.

I slammed my locker shut and turned to be met by a pair of angry baby blues. Well speak of the damn devil and he's gonna show up. "Hello there. Missed me so much that you couldn't wait for class to see me?" I asked. He was pissed and I was out of ideas. Tyler said I should be prepared for him to act like a kid and ignore me. You know that whole eye for an eye thingie… I wasn't prepared for a confrontation. Not with Reid.

"You've been mat at me all day, you avoid me ALL day, and then you try to get cute with me. What's your problem?" Oh wow. Not how I thought this would go.

I lightly touched his shoulder; the semi-rough material of the navy blazer was warm from his body heat. I slid my right hand underneath the blazer and touched his side gently, feeling the lean muscles under the smooth clean white cloth. He was pretty much pinned me to my locker, might as well take advantage of it right? Oh come on, don't say you wouldn't.

Besides, I hate to admit it, but he was starting to scare me and I really didn't want him to get much closer.

"Cute?" I asked. Pretend I didn't know what was going on and being labeled dense, or acting like I do and being a smartass. Decisions, decisions. "Mad at you Reid? Why in the world would I be mad at you?" I pushed him back and circled him a little bit. I kind of felt like a predator, it felt amazing.

And the look on Reid's face? Priceless.

"Oh let me see, maybe it's because I believed Tyler when he said you wouldn't be so much of a whore that you wouldn't have a girl with you this morning? Maybe because I had to see you butt naked? That's enough to give me nightmares." Maybe because she looked just like me.

A growl bubbled from his lips as he shrugged away from me. "Forget it. Let's just get to class."

I watched his retreating form for a heartbeat or two, feeling more depressed than anything. I needed a hug. Where was Tyler or Pogue when I needed them? Damn. I grabbed my bag from the floor in front of my locker and hurried after Reid.

Of course I had to hang out with the confusing boys. Maybe it would be safer to hang out with Caleb and Pogue. Of course, then I'd have to deal with that bitch Kate.

In that light, I guess I could handle a little confusion. That, or another trip to the hospital. Those were some nice doctors… and they had a few cute trainees…