Chapter 6: Her

"I'm curious," Marlene slid her tray along with Selena on the rail after getting their lunch of sauce-less spaghetti, "why do you hate Kowalski? You keep fighting about everything and anything every time you two are together. It never stops. I mean, first day, you two were just getting along."

"Yeah," Selena rolled her eyes and grabbed a small cup of peaches before another girl could get it. She gave the furious girl a smile and turned to Marlene. "For like, the first day. Afterwards, he was such a d-"

Marlene covered her friend's mouth.

"Language, please. We have children here." Another eye roll as Marlene put her hand down.

"And society doesn't care, so why should I?" She placed the cup of peaches before Marlene. "Wanna share?" Marlene lit up and nodded.

"Please." Selena grinned and placed the cup on Marlene's tray before the two walked together to their usual spot outside. It was a huge acacia tree just before the boundaries of the school, feet away from the fence that surrounded this part of the school. They could still see the school, but the others couldn't see them, due to the acacia tree's 'falling' branches. It was quiet and peaceful, and that was how Selena liked it. She didn't mind sharing it with Marlene too. Her friend knew when to keep her mouth shut when she wanted just company.

They settled down and leaned against the trunk of the tree, just enjoying the light wind before picking up their trays. Selena had already twirled her spaghetti on her fork when she paused. That weird chill she got when something was watching came. She couldn't describe the feeling, actually, but she always felt colder than usual when this feeling came. Unfortunately, it was everywhere, so she always had to wear a jacket. Even during the hot days of summer, she was shivering whenever things started looking her way. And not in a good way.

She slowly lowered the fork and directed her gaze toward the fence separating them from the forest. She expected to see something staring back at her, but there was nothing. Still, the chill didn't move and it seemed to have intensified.

"Something's out there..." Selena frowned at the trees, tilting her head a bit. Marlene turned to her, confused.

"What?"

"Oh," Selena casually turned back to her tray and placed the forkful of cold pasta into her mouth, "nothing."

Marlene just placed her tray down and looked past Selena.

"You said something was out there." She was about to get up when Selena grabbed her arm. "Selena?"

Great job, Sel. Now you got her worried.

"It's nothing really. It's probably just me weirding out."

"Nah ah. I feel like someone's watching us too."

"It's probably just them." Selena stared at her tray, still holding onto Marlene.

"Them?"

"Yeah..." She sighed, let go of Marlene and looked up at her. "You know, them?"

"Who?"

"Those people who...don't like me." She sighed again, placed the tray on the ground and pulled her knees to her chest. "They're probably waiting for you to go...so that they can attack again."

"Really, I don't get what's their problem. Why would they keep doing that to you?"

Of course you wouldn't know their problem. You don't know who they really are. They're just trying to kill me before I can 'cure' them.

Cure them? Angel mocked, and Selena could just imagine her 'friend' placing her delicate looking but are not hands on her hips. I haven't seen anything, Selena. You haven't 'cured' anyone.

I don't know how, okay? I don't even know how this...thing, works. Besides, you heard what Kitty told me on the first day.

I still don't trust her...

Kitty sighed exasperatedly. You don't have a choice, Angel.

How long have you been there?

I live here? We're neighbors?

Whatever. Just because she's a guardian of darkness doesn't mean she's got good will.

I'm still here.

Your point is?

Guys, Selena sighed out loud and placed her head on her knees, please stop fighting. Can't you just get along? You're tiring me out, you know? I can barely do much while you two fight about in my head.

Sorry... The two murmured before the heavy feeling in Selena's heart and brain lifted a bit, meaning that the two had left.

"Selena?" Marlene placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. Selena tilted her head a bit and looked at her. Her friend had already taken her seat beside her and was smiling back at her.

"You came to the wrong school, Marlene. You shouldn't be here."

"And if I didn't, I never would've had you as a roommate."

"Yeah," Selena sighed and buried her face into the crook of her legs, "and now people won't go near you. I feel horrible. Maybe we shouldn't be friends."

"Excuse me, but I chose you to be my friend. I already told you, I don't care what they say about me, or you, but if they dare do anything to you, you have to tell me."

"And then what? You'll tell the teacher or the counselor? They'll just get worse and hate me even more. You should just leave it alone."

"Well, if we don't do something, they could kill you or something. I mean, really. Who beats up a girl?"

That's the point, Marlene... "They're sadists. Definitely not normal."

Marlene nodded and leaned back on the trunk with a huff.

"You said it." Selena grinned and turned to her.

"It's a good thing the food's great." The Californian scoffed and crossed her arms, even with the grin on her face.

"You've lost it."

"Not my fault. Wanna just stay here 'til break's over?"

"Got nothing better to do anyways. Oh wait." Marlene placed her bag on her lap, took out a notepad and waved it. "Tic-Tac-Toe? Wanna break the tie?" Selena laughed at that and adjusted herself so that they would face each other.

"You're so on." Who would lose in Tic-Tac-Toe? When you've played it too much and forgotten that you're supposed to make three of your own shape instead of blocking the other's moves.

Private had been walking down the hallway to get an early start on something before the bell rang. He had already finished his lunch and so did the others. Unfortunately for him, he couldn't join them for whatever they were about to do, Skipper's orders, so Kowalski suggested that he start on his reading before his next class. He was about to turn the corner when he caught sight of a familiar girl. She looked like Selena; they had the same skin tone and height. Her clothing was strange though, seeing as it was slightly revealing and well, plain white. If he noticed anything about the Asian, was that she had at least a colorful accessory or piece of clothing to match her quirky personality.

This girl was wearing a white sleeved dress with a bubble skirt, thick felt belt decorated with swirls and dots of white and a metal 'infinity' buckle and knee-high brown boots. On her head, which was surrounded by her mass of waist-long brown curls, was a white headband arranged like a halo. Another difference. The Selena he knew always had her hair tied up or placed in a loose and messy bun.

Private blinked at the girl but quickly hurried after the female when she was about to disappear down another corridor. If she was really Selena, what was she doing here in the middle school building? Private didn't recall anything about her working as a tutor for middle school students or anything similar.

He reached a hand for the girl as he called out. "Selena?" The girl turned around and Private blinked when he stared into a pair of dark grey eyes with an inner lining of violet. He was so lost in her eyes that he didn't notice that she was calling him. This wasn't Selena, but...she had only blinked once and he snapped out of his trance and smiled sheepishly at the slightly flushed girl before him. "Um, sorry. I didn't catch that."

"Oh, uh, no. I didn't really say anything...except, I'm not this, 'Selena', you were looking for."

"Obviously..." He coughed when he realized that he was staring again and looked over at her from head to toe, not noticing the blush spreading on her face. "But you do look like my friend."

"Friend?" She seemed a bit taken aback by his assertion of the famously infamous female. "You're friends?" He frowned and raised a brow at her.

"Yes. Why, do you have a problem with that?"

"Um, no, it's just, I've heard of the girl, and well..."

"You can't believe everything you hear. She's actually pretty nice and sweet. If she would stop fighting with Kowalski though. I'm scared to leave the two alone even for a second now, but I don't know what to do. It's like staying in the same room as a restless tigress and an angry lion."

"Really?" She lit up at this and grinned. "Maybe she likes him?"

Private grinned at her, and the girl felt like melting. She immediately bit her lip and chastised herself. This is no time to goggle over a boy...even a cute one. You know who he is, remember? He's the enemy. I think.

"I think so too. Hey," she tensed a bit at the change in tone and held her books even closer to her chest, "how come I've never seen you before? Assuming that you're in the same grade as me, that is."

"I, uh," she tucked a strand behind her and concentrated on the ground, "usually stay at the corner. Near the window, at the front. The teacher hardly notices anybody there and everyone doesn't walk by my lane."

"Oh, you're the quiet one in the corner. Amaica, right?" She merely bit her lip and nodded. "We're not in the same lane, but I'm a couple rows back."

"I know..."

"Oh." He looked down at books in her arms and looked back up at her. "Do you need a hand with those?"

"Oh no, I'm fine. Besides, you already have your own load." She gestured with her mouth to the books he was carrying.

"Come on. Let me at least make it up to you."

"For what?" She blinked at him as she let him take the books from her. "You've never done anything to me."

"That's the thing." He shrugged and adjusted her books over his. "I usually like knowing others. I don't know how I missed you. You seem like a nice person."

"I suppose if you say so..." She mumbled and slowly moved away from him, in the opposite direction as their classroom.

"Where are you going?" He called after her, slightly dejected.

"I," she looked back at him with a little frown on her face, "uh, just need to get something first. I forgot something."

Why would he be disappointed?

"You won't leave me waiting?" He asked seriously with a tiny grin and Amaica couldn't decided between laughing at the claim of someone like him being alone and raising a brow at his unusual boldness. The grin caught her though, and she found herself looking away before she could drift to his baby blue eyes. Again.

"I-I won't. I'll be with you. Promise." She turned on her heel and hurried away.

"Alright." He turned around and headed for their classroom. Amaica ducked into the next hallway, peeked out at his back and leaned against the wall with a hand over her heart.

"Oh gawd." She looked down at her hand like it was some strange object. "Is this what a crush feels like? It feels...weird." She dropped her hand and shook her head, tapping it with fists. "Concentrate, A. Concentrate. You're NOT supposed to love someone, most especially him. Wait what? Love? I mean like. You're not supposed to like the guy. You can't like him, not in this lifetime." She paused and blinked. "Am I seriously arguing with myself...and losing?" She frowned and crossed her arms with a huff. "Oh great. Now I sound like her. I need better friends." She placed her hands on her cheeks and patted them as she headed for the girls' room. "And something to cool me down."

Amaica - Ah-may-ka

And as much as you want, THAT was NOT a PLL (Pretty Little Liars) reference back there. (A's pretty cool though. One of the best 'villains' I know...Loki's still numbah one! XD GO LOKI! XDXDXD)

That's all folks! :B :D

Layla :B