Warning: Rated PG15 for suggested themes, and rude gestures.

Chapter Nine

Strangers and 'Strangers'

Another day gone, certainly more interesting than any I'd experienced in my young high school life. I had no more desire for it to get any more interesting, but sadly such decisions are not always up to me. In fact, they rarely are.

My last class of the day had just finished. I was walking down the hall after stopping by my locker to collect the books I'd need to look over at home. Students filed ahead and behind me, and I remembered that Sarah was probably still mad at me. I tried not the think about what the ride home would be like. I don't deal with awkward well.

Given my current thoughts, it was a little surprising to find Sarah behind me. She grabbed my hand, and leaned in close.

"Can we talk?"

I nodded. She didn't sound angry, though there was something in her voice that said not all was well.

She let my hand go, but we walked together to the schools entrance or exit, or whatever.

Abruptly, Sarah grabbed my arm. Hard. It jerked me to a halt.

"What?" I said and immediately was unnerved by her expression.

Sarah had gone pale. Her eyes were wide, staring out into the crowd before us. I followed her gaze.

She was older than most of the kids around her. It wasn't that she exactly looked older than them, but she carried an air of maturity that most highschoolers completely lack. The green creature next to her was quite an odd thing. It had a huge purple flower on its head and long webby arms that dangled to its feet. Strangely, no one seemed to notice it. In fact, the girl drew more stares than anything else.

I could just imagine what people were thinking.

'Who is the hot red headed chick?'

'Why does she look so angry?'

'Is she single?'

Imagination of course, I honestly had no idea what people would say. Arms cross over her chest; the girl frowned at the students entering the bus that Sarah and I usually took. The green creature looked back and forth, as if searching for someone.

"That's her," Sarah whispered, still holding my arm in a death grip. "That's the girl I saw last night."

With a jolt, Sarah dragged me back into the school building. I might have fought her, but that creature was strange, and I'd rather the red headed, angry, girl not see me enter the bus with, well, Sarah.

We pushed through the onslaught of students, until we broke through to a merging hallway. But Sarah didn't stop there. She ran clear to the other side of the building and left through a side door used for only an emergency. I wondered if some alarm went off as we darted down the sidewalks along the school.

I decided now would be a good change to ask Sarah where we were going.

"I don't think she'd following us," I said, glancing over my shoulder. Indeed, no one was there.

Sarah came to a slow walk and bit her lip, looking about. Few students remained; most were heading to their cars or to their parents, picking them up from school.

"We're going to miss the bus." I pointed out obviously.

"I know! That's the point! She knows I'm taking it!" Sarah snapped, still searching the school grounds.

I hesitated, but couldn't help myself. "Isn't that a little paranoid?"

Sarah rounded on me. "If you'd seen that man-"

"I did."

Sarah went red.

"Didn't you say there was a fairy?" I asked. I should really be more nervous, or excited, or something. But I wasn't. Yes, I'm not very sensitive.

She went pale. It was a little surprising how quickly her skin could change color. Sarah looked into the partly cloudy sky. I remembered the cat, and looked up to.

Nothing was there.

"I don't know where it might be." Sarah muttered, still searching the skies. She looked a little crazy with the bags under her eyes, and the whispering to herself.

I looked at my watch. "Bus left."

"I know!" Sarah said, coming out of her stupor. Something caught her attention and she darted across the lawn. "Come on!"

I considered calling my mom to pick me up, leaving Sarah to her stalker troubles. But, well, I figured that wouldn't have such a good impact on our friendship. Rather reluctantly, I followed after her.

Sarah came to a boy that I surprisingly knew the name of. Kyle.

"Dan," Sarah addressed him.

Ops, guess not.

Dan glanced up at her through red eyes. He sat on the pavement, back supported by the wall of the preforming arts building. He smelt of, well, you can imagine what, given his eyes. He wore a black beanie with a red rim. You know the typical 'I'm a stoner' hat. His face broke into a stupid grin.

"Hey, baby," Dan said.

"We need a ride," Sarah said. I snapped my head towards her. What? We?

"Baby, I can give you the ride of your life," he reached into his pocket.

"Are you stupid?!" Sarah shouted. "Selling that on school grounds! And no, that's not what I meant."

He pulled his hand out. "Oh, that kind of ride."

"Yes, that—no!"

Dan waggled his brows.

"Dan," Sarah wined, allowing some of her sleep deprived panic to show.

Apparently, it worked. Dan sobered up. "What is it?" he asked, truly concerned now.

"We just need a ride." Sarah sighed.

Dan observed us a moment, but quickly rose. "Alright." He started off, and Sarah followed after him.

"I'm just going to call my mom," I called.

Sarah stopped, Dan as well.

She, well, I wouldn't say stomped, but…

"I need to say at your house," Sarah stated, quite clearly.

"What?" I managed. "Why?"

Sarah looked as if she couldn't take much more. Her features fell, and her expression grew so desperate I couldn't help but pity her. "Please," she was begging. Sarah? Begging?

"Okay," I finally agreed.

"Thank you," she said and hugged me. She stayed attached for longer than I would have liked. I returned the hug… awkwardly.

"That it?" Dan said when we broke apart.

Sarah gave him the finger, and we were on our way.