Chapter 2

Science the next day started as usual, their teacher; Mr. Blake. Gave them the command to use a French phrase as answer to their name in the register. After the register he would walk around the classroom very slowly, inspecting each pupil's uniform. Stopping, as usual, when he came to Kim.

She was sat in a corner, her left hand curled into her stomach and her right was sketching randomly in her student planner. The page was utterly disfigured with scribbled drawings and patterns.

"Why is your jacket still on Miss Jordason?" he looked as ominous as ever, leaning over to be at her eye level. She looked down at the vandalized page in her planner, adjusting her head so her hair formed a curtain between her and the stern face of Mr. Blake. A sort of barrier that was meant to keep it all out. To make it go away. It didn't stop the snide giggles of the class. Smirks washed over the watching faces as they got comfortable for the show.

"She always wears it sir, it's her thing y'know." Lee said, coming to her defense as always. He was a tall dark boy with ripped trousers and studded accessories. A fellow Goth and the only person Kim could relate to properly. Or so he liked to think.

"Not in my classroom. Miss Jordason, I believe we have already been through this many a time. You may be able to get away with that non-uniform coat by other teachers but I am putting my foot down. Now kindly remove it."

Kim continued to stare blankly at the spot on her planner. She wasn't even listening. Why did he always do this to her? Make people focus on her so intently. He was right; he had done this many times before. But it did not make her any more willing to reply to him, let alone co-operate with him. Why should she consider his demand when he was never willing to compromise? It just confirmed her complete lack of respect for this man. He had not earned it. He did not respect her why should she treat him differently? Just because he was old? In her opinion, he had a severe superiority complex. Why must he prove his power every time? Yes, he was a good teacher but he was very irritating, she was set on keeping silent again. As she always did when confronted. This teacher was not going to make her inferior! He would only humiliate himself. No matter what it took.

Jared sighed; he had known Kim for years, since they were very small. She was quiet and stubborn. This teacher continued to cross her. Mr. Blake was an extremely flamboyant man; he liked to show off a lot. Weather it was his Intelligence, his money, his car any excuse. Impudent fool. Jared thought. Drawing all eyes on Kim when she was so shy, now she had covered her face, hiding from view. He hated when people did this to her. Why should anyone else look at her? They didn't even like her. Only out to humiliate her, get a laugh out of it.

But he knew by now that she had zoned out. She was sure to be re-captured in her own little world. This had annoyed him from a small age. If confronted or embarrassed, she would escape into this place in her mind. The ultimate defense. He could tell by now that she was there. Her hair was locked in place; blocking eyes that he knew only too well would be glazed and distant. He hated when she went there. It meant that she was not here, with him.

Kim continued to look at this man, his lips were moving faster but they were muted now, as if someone had turned down the volume. Her mind filled with clips. Short video snaps that cascaded through her mind so fast. She couldn't remember them. Sucked in to each immortal moment then it was forgotten as soon as the next came. They were so clear. Real. But blurry. Indistinguishable from the next. Separate, but connected so intently. She was absorbed, lost.

Brought back by Jared's loud whistle. She knew it was Jared; he was the only person who could successfully rescue her from there. He'd had much practice and as she regained her conscious thought, she recognized the tune, her favorite sound in the world. It was a long time since he had whistled it for her. Since she was about eleven. She turned to face him and he grinned.

She was back, out of her own little world. Jared despised that he wasn't a part of it. He had no part in her life anymore, not since her mother had died.

Mr. Blake had lost a one-sided battle and returned to teaching. Lee flicked her hair from her eyes, and bent his head to talk to her. "Don't worry, he let you be. It's ok now." He sounded proud. As if it was him who had stopped her ordeal. He probably hadn't even noticed her zone out. But now he spoke like he would always be the only one to help her.

It bothered Jared. He almost stood up to yell at lee that he had no idea. He probably didn't even know Kim's mother was dead, but he goes acting like the knight in shining armor. Jared wished it was him to be the one comforting her. He hadn't seen in those deep green eyes for so long.

Jared was distracted for the rest of his tedious science lesson, and barely noticed Andy and Liz dragging him from lesson to lesson. It wasn't long until the bell rang and he needed to head home. He waved his friends a quick goodbye and started towards the huge gates.

"Jared! Jared mate! Over here!" it was Carl. "You're s'post be coming over mine today remember." Of course. Carl had invited him over ages ago but Jared had been pre-occupied with this weird dream and it had slipped his mind.

"Sorry Carl; but I left my stuff at home. D'you mind comin'?"

"No prob's mate." Carl huffed as he came running over. "C'mon then Jar' I got loadsa stuff planned. I just got a new game and we rented Die Hard 4!! It'll be a laugh. Mum got a pile of junk and Andy might be coming!"

They walked quickly, and soon they were heading down the rocky path that lead to Jared's house. The door got stuck as Jared heaved it open, much to Carl's amusement. They jogged up the wooden stairs and soon were at his room. Great, perhaps now I will get a chance to rid myself of this dream. A night with the guys should distract him, for a while at least. Besides, it could be fun. It had been ages since he'd hung out properly with Carl and Andy. He was very much looking forward to it.

He slinked through the door, flicking the switch parallel to the frame as he came in. Jared began picking through the possessions that cluttered his floor, unearthing a couple of sketches in the process. He found a clean pair of boxers and spare clothes for the next day. He whipped up a T-shirt to sleep in and stuffed them clumsily into his rucksack. "Do I need anything else?" Jared turned to Carl. Carl was not paying any attention, he had a piece of paper in his tanned hand. "What?"

Carl paused. Jared got curious and slid the paper from Carl's hand. It was from his sketch book. On it was a delicate drawing. Of Kim. What? When had he drawn this? He had no recollection of it. But it was in his style and he had scribbled his signature in the corner. There was too much detail, it would have taken him ages. Far too long for him not to remember doing so. It was strange, he had not thought about Kim for a while; not since they were kids. Until science that morning. But there was no mistaking that it was he who had drawn it. Subconsciously maybe.

"Awww dude. Its awesome! Kim eh? When you gunna make a move?" Jared went pale. It wasn't that he didn't trust Carl. Just that… well, Kim was… He had known her for a long time. He could relate to her. She was a separate part of his life. His old life. But now? She was just someone in his year. He'd gotten over her when they were separated.

"It's nothing. Probably my sis making a weird joke." Jared shrugged.

"whatever dude." Carl looked smug but let the subject slide anyway. "Come on Andy won't wait forever!" Carl toed Jared along by his bicep Jared's bag dragging along the floor. He just managed to scrape the switch off whilst being dragged swiftly out of his room.

Jared abruptly stopped in the kitchen, causing Carl to stumble with momentum. He rearranged the alphabet magnets on the fridge. Jared fumbled for a minute and stepped back. He re-read the message.

GONE TO CARLS TONIGHT

C U ON SAT

LUV J XX

Carl became impatient and started tugging on Jared's arm again. "Why didn't you tell her when I let you know about coming over? Like a month ago! Now move your sorry ass or I'll kick you to my house!" Jared smirked but started following Carl anyway.

Once out of the house the boys' attention was caught by a bright car. The car honked obnoxiously and pulled up. Andy leaned out of the window casually.

"Are you coming or what?" Andy grinned. Jared and Carl clambered into the back seats.

"To my house!" Carl exclaimed enthusiastically. Carl struck up a conversation –being the loudest of the group- and light chatter took up the remains of the journey.

The drive was quick before long they were all extracting themselves from the indented seats, outside Carl's house they took their bags from the boot and turned into the drive.

"Thanks Mrs. C!" Jared waved at the car as it drove away.

Jared had missed this house. He hadn't seen it in a long time. The run-down building was friendly and welcoming. Jared smiled and sighed. Tonight was going to be completely dedicated to guy time.