Disclaimer: Refer to Prelude.

A Moment's Reprieve

Chapter 4: A New Friend

"You know where I'll be."

Needy slammed her locker shut in frustration. The metal door rattled violently.

What does she want with me?

She shifted the weight of her backpack on her right shoulder with an awkward shrug. The wound on her other shoulder still ached horribly, and the freshly replaced bandages already felt moist to the touch.

Who the fuck cares.

The teen stumbled out of the hallway towards the school library.

"Anita Lesnicki!"

She turned.

A haggard, bespectacled man in his fifties beckoned to her with his only real hand.

Needy's lips twisted in annoyance.

Great.

The teen approached him reluctantly.

"Yes, Mr Wroblewski?" She inquired dully.

The man's eyes softened with pity. He nodded sagely in perceived understanding.

"I know how…difficult the past month must have been for you." He began gently, oblivious to the dark look she returned him.

"Chip Dove was a good boy…"

Needy gritted her teeth.

"…and the two of you were…"

Mr Wroblewski cleared his throat, and shook his head sadly.

"Anyway, I've noticed that you've been keeping to yourself a lot lately. You know it won't do you any good to shut yourself out." He cleared his throat again. "Which is why I've arranged for you to meet…"

Needy opened her mouth to retort, but stopped.

A teenage boy of medium height and lightly bronzed skin had stepped out from behind Mr Wroblewski. He gave her a small wave and wore an apologetic smile on his face.

"…our new student, Gregory Williams."

"But you can call me Greg." The boy quickly offered.

Needy couldn't help but stare at him. He was really…attractive.

"Hi, Greg." She managed at last.

Mr Wroblewski nodded in satisfaction.

"Well, I'll let you kids get better acquainted. You've got your class schedule, Mr. Williams?"

Greg nodded. "Yes sir. Thanks."

"Stay out of trouble." The elderly teacher advised, purely out of habit, and left.

Both teens stared at the scuffed floor, uncomfortably aware of the silence that had fallen between them. Meanwhile, students streamed past them back and forth through the hallway, chatting incessantly amongst themselves.

(Going for football practice later?)

(Fuck! I forgot my assignment!)

(Yeah! I'll see you there!)

Mr Wroblewski just set me up with a boy…and he's probably clueless about it.

She risked a glance at the teen. Greg was still staring nervously at the floor.

Now what?

(Hah! You're going to get detention!)

(Don't be such a dick!)

(Pat! Wait up!)

"So, um, are you free now?" Greg asked, pushing a thick fringe of dark hair out of his gray eyes. "To show me around, I mean."

"What?"

(Thanks for abandoning me earlier, Sarah!)

Greg cleared his throat and raised his voice slightly, above the din.

"Are you free to show me around?"

(Shut up, you'd do the same to me too. So quick, tell me! What did Jennifer Check want with you?)

Needy bristled at the sound of Jennifer's name.

"Yes, I guess I am." She answered, drawing herself to full height.

(What? She wants to see you alone?)

(Shhhhhh…!)

"Great! Where to first?"

(In the gym! After school! You…don't think she's bi, do you?)

"Um…" Needy hesitated, suddenly looking very disturbed.

(What? Ohmygod, did she hit on you or something?)

(She was totally into me!)

"S-sorry, Greg…I've got to go…" Needy mumbled, feeling a little sick.

"Oh!" He replied, looking rather disappointed. "Sure, maybe later then."

Needy nodded dumbly and half jogged her way to the school field.

(Wow, you think maybe she wants…you?)

(Shut up, Sarah! That's not funny!)

Greg sighed mournfully.

"I didn't even get her cell phone number."