Disclaimer: NM, DS. Title inspired by Rhianna's S.O.S.
Author's Note: Another post, this has to be a record for me, hopefully y'all are enjoying this! :) R'n'R people, like always. :D
Chapter 3: S.O.L.O.
Monday brought with it a hailstorm that would stall Hades in his tracks, but I got up and dressed for school anyway. My dark crimson duster over a simple black tank top and dark jeans were decent indoor wear but as always the thick winter coat came over everything.
Grabbing an apple and tucking it into my satchel, I peered out the window. The hail was coming down hard but had lightened since I woke up. I check my homework carefully, combing through all of Sunday's work before taking a bite out of my apple. If I was going to make it to school without bruises, I'd have to wait out the storm.
The flat screen adorning the wall adjacent to the balcony leading outside flickered to life and the news began to discuss the crime statistics in Seattle. A serial murderer had been identified as the cause of the disappearing citizens and was cause for concern. They'd raised the caution bars and were issuing out warnings that people avoid solo travel and the dark. I shivered slightly as the hail slammed against the glass balcony door, and my gaze went out into the heavy woods that lay just beyond my backyard fence. The trees seemed more menacing through the falling ice.
An environmental commercial cut into my reprieve and I muted the volume before reaching into my bag for my cell. My parents and I talked twice a week, Monday nights and Wednesday nights but as I dialed speed dial two, I couldn't help but think that an early call wouldn't be amiss. But alas, all I got was voicemail. I tired my dad but was met with the same result. Considering it was almost eight, both of them would be on their way to work, but still, I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I turned my gaze outside again and to my surprise the hail had stopped and if I looked carefully it even looked like some of the clouds were giving way to the periwinkle sky beneath.
I shouldered my bag and made my way out the front door, carefully locking the door and activating the security alarm before I left. Walking purposefully, I made it to school in just under fourteen minutes, and walked towards my locker.
Unloading my books for the remainder of the day, I took out my sketchbook to mess around with during homeroom, when clipped heels echoed to my right.
Tracey Russet. Oh great.
"Hey Kim!" Her voice was snappy, her jasmine infused perfume wafting over my nose, and I struggled to breath for a second.
"Hey." I peered at her around my locker. She was leaning against the metal, examining a fingernail, before shifting her gaze to meet mine dead on. Her eyes were much colder than her voice had let on; she looked irritated.
"So about Friday…" But before she could start on that, I cut her off.
"Don't sweat it, Jared talked me already." My voice came out shakier than I'd have liked but I shrugged casually to complete the picture of nonchalance that I wanted to project.
She popped her gum, her fingers rapping on my locker door before she swung it shut suddenly and I leapt back clutching my hands to my chest. That loon had almost taken off my right hand!
"What're you doing?" I exclaimed in surprise.
"Just making sure you realize how serious this is." She loomed over me, her stilettos giving her a good three-inches over me.
"Yeah. I get it." I backed away but she shoved me back into the lockers, her manicured fingers clawing into my arm, I could feel them getting perilously close to piercing the skin.
"Good." She blew a bubble in my face before smiling sweetly, and walking off with a flounce.
I just caught my breath when another voice called my name; this one, much deeper.
Jared tapped my shoulder and I met his gaze before shifting my attention over to the petite brunette leaning against him.
"Hey guys." I smiled at Nina, she'd always been polite to me. Perhaps not nice but she'd stood up for me once when I spilled paint on her sister's new skirt. I never forgot about that.
"Everything okay? I saw Tracey shove you…" Jared trailed off and his gaze met mine meaningfully. I could see him seeking reassurance that I wouldn't say anything.
"Yeah, it's fine, just a misunderstanding." My heart plummeted again; it was probably too much to hope that he was just concerned. I rubbed my forearm uncomfortably as the impressions her nails had left on me began to sting. His gaze darted to my arm quickly but then before he could say anything Nina cut in.
"I'm sorry about her, she can be…impulsive." She smiled apologetically and I nodded.
"Sure." There was a silence and none of us knew quite what to say.
"I've gotta get to homeroom…" I began and the others agreed before leaving me and I sunk back against my locker. I think I liked it better when no one talked to me. All this socializing was stressing me out. I looked up and was surprised to see Jared's dark eyes on me. He tilted his head in query and I offered up a small smile in return.
No big deal.
Nothing concerning me ever was.
The rest of the day passed without much activity and I made it home just before the sun began to set. As we got closer to winter, the sun had been hurrying along it's journey across the sky. Soon it would be completely dark by the time my art sessions with Miss Martequoi got out.
Unlocking the door, I headed inside and set a pot of water to boil on the stove before unloading my stuff onto the couch. I set the table for one. I ran up to my room and brought down my laptop, a new macbook that my parents had gotten me for Christmas. I set up skype and had just finished logging in when the phone rang.
"Hey, this is Kim." My voice came out high pitched, I could feel the relief coursing through me. Still I chided myself, of course they were alright, they were perfectly safe in the upscale neighborhoods, there was no sense in worrying.
"Sweetheart, it's us, we just wanted to check in but we have to run out for a party tonight. It's your dad's firm's charity fundraiser."
"Oh that sounds great guys." My voice dropped slightly. I had been hoping to see them.
They had had to cancel their trip home this weekend because of an unexpected case for my dad. It had been almost three weeks since their last trip and the solitude was starting to weigh on me.
"Oh, honey, we're sorry to cancel on you." My mother sounded quieter.
"No no, it's fine, I've got some homework I really need to get to, anyway. I'll see you guys on Wednesday?" My voice perked up, I knew it was hard on them too and I didn't want to encourage their unease.
"That's my girl, we'll see you then, Kimmy." My dad's comforting tenor came over the phone before they chimed goodbye together and then hung up.
I switched my computer off and laid out dinner.
It appeared I'd be dining alone.