It had been two weeks since the attack, and the student council grew more oppressive. They started a, "Safety and Help" service in which they allowed themselves to track us, via cell phones, and read all our private messages. At first we refused to, but they threatened to kick us out of CGS if we didn't. I had nothing to hide, plus I still wanted field trips, so I signed the contract. Most others followed, though I don't know why, and soon the entire class had agreed.
Today was dark and stormy. I hurried to the broadcast room, hoping not to be the last one, but was no use. When I walked in the door, I was greeted by Ashley saying, "Uh oh, looks like you're last," she smiled manically, displaying her hand in front of me, "Now, hand it over!"
I pulled out my phone and gave it to her. This was all part of the new service; the last person to show up would have their phone taken for "Investigative" use, but the last time they took it, they deleted all my contacts, social media accounts, and changed the background to say, "WE KNOW".
"See, that wasn't so hard," replied Cole who had been hiding behind her. I ignored him and walked past them. I looked around and saw no one there, it was only 7:20. Nowadays, people came in early, checked in with the student council, just to not have their phones taken. I sighed and kept walking to the other door. I decided to go upstairs and to the library.
One the way up, I saw someone in a dark black cloak walking down the hallway. At first, I thought it was one of the Poe's but as I walked closer, I realized it was Andres. I hadn't seen or heard from Andres since the attack, he never came to school and never answered my texts.
"Andres?" I asked, loud enough for him to hear, but quiet enough to not draw attention to myself. He stopped walking then looked back at me. His face was more pale than a ghosts, around his eyes were the scars of sleepless nights, and his eyes...his eyes pleaded not for help or comfort, but for something much worse. He looked like he wanted to die. "Are you okay…"
"Yeah," he voice was deep and emotionless, "I guess,"
"What happened to you?" I cried, "You've been acting strange all year. You're all pale, you haven't said anything to me, and you…" I quieted down, my mind caught up to my words and I knew I should say it, but I did, "you didn't protect me!"
He rose his eyebrows, slightly. He didn't even look upset, "So what? Do you want to break up or something?"
Shocked that he could say that, after everything we've been through, after everything he's said to me. My blood boiled and, in my fit of rage, I shouted back at him, "YES!" and turned away. I continued walking to the library, starting to cool down, when I realized what I had done. I had just broken up with Andres whom at a time was the only reason I stayed in CGS, and another the only reason I went to school, and my only boyfriend. I felt guilty and turned back to see him, but he had gone.
I continued on to the library as I held back some tears. When I entered, I saw Adam leaning over the librarians' counter talking to some girl. I tried to sneak behind him unnoticed, but the girl he was talking to shouted, "Hey!"
I looked over and barely saw Jessica's head above the desk. She waves her hand to come forward, so I did.
"Hey," Adam said, hardly paying me any thought, his eyes focused on Jessica.
"So," Jessica began, "Adam was just telling me that he saw Andres wearing a black cloak and I told him, 'No way!' but he was all like, 'No, seriously' so I wanted you to tell me. Was he wearing a black cloak?" I nodded my head as a single tear ran down my from eye.
"See, I told you!" Adam shouted teasingly to Jessica. "He's like Romeo,"
Jessica broke out laughing, "Oh my gosh, I need to see that!" Her laughter stopped and Jessica looked at me and must have seen the tears streaming down my face. "What's wrong?"
I almost told her, but saw Adam there, mischievously anticipating my response. "I...I'll tell you later," I whimpered, "When there's more privacy," Adam seemed to understand what I meant as he soon left there after.
Soon, Tanya and Anne appeared out of nowhere. The walked towards me with their arms crossed and blank faces. "Let me guess," said Anne.
"It's finally come to an end," Tanya continued.
Anne put her hand on her hips and gave Tanya a disappointing look. "Didn't I just say let me guess!?"
"What's come to an end?" Jessica asked, keeping the two on topic.
"Do you not remember anything from the first day of school?" asked Anne, "The whole, 'OMG ANDRES WASN'T THERE FOR ME' thing?" Jessica nodded, "Well then…"
"Oh," Jessica interrupted Anne, "I understand now," we stood in silence, waiting to see what else she has to say. "What?" she looks confused.
"That's really all you have to say?" asked Tanya, "Not a bit sympathetic?"
"Nope," she said and walked away.
"Well, we care," they both spoke simultaneously as they came in for a hug. I stood there, squeezed between the two of them, not able to hug them back. Then, I felt something crawl up my leg. Something, warm and...furry.
"YO, IT'S YOUR BOI, DENNY G.!" he shouted, earning a threatening "SHH!" from the librarian. It didn't faze him, and he continued to cling to my leg for dear life.
I jumped slightly from the shock and kicked out my leg, which released his hold on me. Dennis hit one of the bookshelves with a small 'thump' and stood, shaking himself as he did so.
"Oh, gosh. I'm so sorry!" I shouted.
He narrowed his eyes at me furiously and began to trudge over, only to be stopped by Xander, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. He reached down to hold Dennis by the fur on the back of his neck.
"Let go you miserable-"
"Shut up." Xander hissed. Dennis scowled, but snapped his jaw shut, muttering about something or other. Xander now raised his eyes to me, and I could see the concern etched on his face. We just sat there for a moment, all five of us staring at one another.
"So…" Anne cleared her throat. She shifted from one leg to the other, looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Are you ok?" Xander asked, releasing Dennis, who then let out a gasp like he had been struggling to breath.
"I…" My voice caught in my throat. "I don't really know." I could feel tears welling in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Tanya gave me a one armed hug, which I was grateful for.
"You stupid humans with your stupid problems…" Dennis grumbled, clawing his way up to Xander's shoulder. "We should be concerned about my problems. Like the fact that I'm a Believer was in Austin Powers which starred Mike Myers who also starred in Shrek which came out two years later and consistently used the Smash Mouth version , unlike Austin Powers which used the original!"
Xander rolled his eyes. "Someone shut him up." Anne muttered.
"I WILL DESTROY YOU!" Dennis screeched, ignoring another "shh" from the librarian.
"I'd like to see you try, fur-ball." Tanya snorted.
"Guys, bigger problems here." Xander coughed, motioning to me. Dennis gave both Tanya and Anne a death glare, which they returned, but they stopped bickering.
"Is there something we can do to help?" Xander asked.
I shook my head. "I don't… I don't know"
Xander reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me a look that said, "if you ever need anything...I'm here." I smiled and gave a small nod, thanking him silently.
"Oh my gosh!" Tanya and Anne shouted. "Another one?" They both ran out of the library. Xander quickly let go of me and followed them. I stood, un-moving for a second, then heard grunts coming from the hall. I walked out and saw Xander holding Andres' arms behind his head.
"Let me go you fecking grasshole!" Andres screamed. Xander only tightened his grip. I walked closer to him, only to see a lighter in his right hand.
"Somebody grab it!" Xander shouted, "Quickly mates!" I rushed forward and seized the lighter from Andres' hand. Xander let him go. Andres stood for a second, as we waited for him to say something. But, he suddenly vanished right in front of us.
"Well, well, well," I heard someone say behind me. I turned to see Adam standing with his arms crossed. Slowly the other student council members came walking out behind him. "I guess we've solved it." It pointed at me, "You started the fire, didn't you?" What? "We read your phone. You looked up 'what is a pyromaniac' and 'how to know someone is a pyromaniac' and now you've got a lighter in your hands!? You need to come with us, now!"
I turned back to see Xander, he looked angry and was about to say something when Ashley grabbed my arms. "Come on, loser, let's go,"