Crimson High – The Jane Story

Chapter two

About six weeks had passed since the arrival of Teresa Lisbon, but I still couldn't shake her from my thoughts. I had no idea why I was so desperate to know her problems, but the feeling just wouldn't leave. I needed to know, so I could help her. Lorelei had been furious when she found out that I had changed the plan, but I refused to budge on my decision. Teresa didn't deserve what Lorelei had initially decided, and I was glad I could spare her that horror. Lorelei was still – according to the public eye – my girlfriend, but I didn't really want that anymore. I hated the way Lorelei spoke about Teresa, like she was worthless and inadequate. A girl like Teresa was worth a lot more than what Lorelei was.

I began to notice that Teresa would often wear the same shirt twice a week, or that her jeans would be worn for two weeks straight before they were changed. This showed me that she was struggling financially, and didn't own a lot of luxuries. She barely had enough clothing. I knew she didn't have a lot of money, but I wasn't sure why she didn't ask for some from her friends. Cho, Rigsby and Grace were more than willing to lend her some money.

Teresa and her friends attempted to stay out of our way as much as possible. I felt sick whenever I watched her walk past us quickly, with her head down. I knew she was attempting to not draw attention to herself, and the idea that I had played a part in that made me feel angry. Lorelei agreed to leave her alone, but only after I threatened to break up with her. Craig had doubled his efforts to win Grace's affections, but she ignored him. We had all tried telling him to give up, but he refused to admit to defeat. I admired his efforts, but he needed to move on.

I sat in the cafeteria at lunch, trying to pretend I was enjoying myself. I hated every minute of sitting there these days. Lorelei clung to my arm, and I resisted the urge to shake her off. I was so deep in thought that I didn't even hear JJ calling my name. Lorelei shook me out of my thoughts. "Patrick," said JJ. "What's up?"

I shrugged. "I'm just thinking about stuff. It's been worrying me for a while now."

JJ glanced at Lorelei, but she ignored him. "What stuff?" she asked, gripping my arm tighter.

I didn't reply, but JJ already knew. "Teresa?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Dude, this isn't the first time you've been thinking about her. What's up?"

I shrugged. "I'm worried."

Lorelei stiffened next to me when JJ mentioned Teresa's name. "Teresa Lisbon?" she asked through gritted teeth. "You've been sitting next to your girlfriend this whole time, but thinking about another girl? Worrying about her? You should be worrying about me! I'm your girlfriend." She pushed herself away from me and stood up. She put her hands on her hips and yelled down at me. "We are done! You care more for her than you ever did for me. This has gone on long enough, Patrick Jane! This relationship is over! I can't believe I fell for you!" With that, she turned and ran from the room.

I could feel all eyes in the room on me, and so I turned to the person next to me, Harold Atkinson. "She took that well." I said nonchalantly.

Harold laughed, and I felt myself smile. Lorelei had been a real pain in the ass, and I was actually glad we were done. I glanced up towards Teresa, but she was talking to Grace, and not looking in my direction. Everyone else at our table was at a loss at what to do next, and so I produced a coin from Harold's collar with a flourish. Everybody laughed, and soon the atmosphere was almost back to normal. The bell rang, and we all stood up. I watched Teresa head off towards her locker, and the same niggling question ran through my mind; what happened to her that made her what she is? I patted JJ on the shoulder as I passed him, and he smiled back at me. "Lorelei will get over it."

I shrugged. "That doesn't worry me," I stared past him in the direction Teresa had gone. "I worry about what she will do to Teresa."

Craig came up next to me. "They're going to insult her."

I felt myself go cold. "What?"

Craig nodded. "I heard Lorelei and Casey talking. They're planning on catching her at her locker."

I knew that I couldn't stop Lorelei. I shouldn't. If Lorelei didn't get this out of her system now, it would only be worse for Teresa later. I felt sorry for her. She didn't deserve to be treated like this.

On my way out of the school, I stopped by my locker. I suspected what I would find, and my thoughts were confirmed as I opened the locker door. A shower of bits of paper hit the floor. Twenty-three phone numbers. I picked up the wad of numbers and shoved them angrily back into my locker. I had no time for desperate girls looking for something shallow and temporary. I couldn't handle going through that again. My stomach turned when I came to a startling realisation. I didn't want to have those kinds of thoughts in the middle of the school building, and so I shut my door with a bang. I headed out to my car and drove off. I needed to get away, now. I needed to be away from the shallow, petty atmosphere that hung about the school like a dense fog. And I knew the perfect place to go.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

I sat alone in the booth at the coffee shop, drinking a cup of tea. I needed time away from the pretending, and the troubles of daily life. I heard two familiar voices at the door, but resisted the urge to look in their direction. I didn't want to draw attention to myself. Grace and Teresa sat in the booth behind me, and ordered a coffee each. Teresa had wanted to talk to Grace, and that's why they were here. I listened in closely to their conversation as Teresa told grace the whole story. My eyes grew wide. Teresa had lost her mother at age twelve. I now knew why the weight of the world lay upon her shoulders, because she had raised her three brothers herself. She had left her home to find work because her father couldn't hold down a job, and she was holding down two jobs while attending school. I was right about her living alone, and the thought saddened me. No-one so kind should ever have to go through that kind of trauma. A lot of things about her now made sense to me. Two hours passed, and I was still listening to her speak. "I can't believe you've lived through that, Teresa." Said Grace gently.

I could hear tears in Teresa's reply. "It's been a lot, but I'm handling it."

I could tell how hard it had been for Teresa to tell her this. I got the impression that Teresa liked handling things on her own, and letting someone in was a big step for her. "What suddenly brought this on?" asked Grace, slightly confused.

I listened closely to the comments Lorelei and her friends had made earlier that day. Lorelei had insulted her favourite jacket, and had called it scruffy. Casey had insulted her boots, calling them ugly and tacky. "I'm so sorry, Teresa," said Grace. "I know what it's like to be on the other end of that attack. Especially since…" her voice trailed off.

I smiled to myself. Grace was so kind to Teresa. "Thank you for listening to my story, and for being a comfort to me."

I smiled at Teresa's words, but then frowned. I wanted to be a comfort to her, to tell her that everything was going to be alright. But I couldn't, not when she barely trusted me.

Grace shifted in her seat. "What are friends for?"

They laughed together, and I smiled. Teresa really did have a good friend.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

Christmas approached, and I watched as Teresa and Grace grew closer. I couldn't help but like Teresa. Her kindness seeped into everything she said or did, and I felt drawn to her. I was lying in bed one night, unable to sleep, when something occurred to me. Even though I knew most of Teresa's life story, she barely acknowledged me. I got out of my bed and headed over to my desk. I wanted to write down how I truly felt about her, but I couldn't bring myself to. It would terrify her. Instead, I opted for a short note, written in a language I knew well. I used slightly outdated English, knowing that doing so would throw her a little off balance.

"Teresa, sapphires do no justice to your glittering eyes. Ebony silk has no texture in comparison to your exquisite locks. Your features are sweet and lovely beyond compare, and many a heart do you now hold, to the envy of those around you."

It took me over half an hour to compose the simple note, and I glanced around to find many crumpled bits of paper lying on the floor. I folded the note and slid it into my bag. I still couldn't sleep, and so I got up to get ready. I wanted to be there early.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

I sat in the cafeteria later that day, listening to Craig telling me about his next idea to win Grace. I fought the urge to roll my eyes, and smiled politely. I glanced across to where Teresa sat, and froze. She was showing the note I had slipped into her locker to Grace. I saw Grace smile, and Teresa blushed. The blush made her look beautiful, and I had to work to remain focussed. I could see them discussing the note amongst themselves, and I wanted to smile. Cho had reservations, and Rigsby agreed with Van Pelt's decision. I felt myself relaxing, and considered a note for the next week. I couldn't think of anything to say, but I knew I would come up with something by the following Wednesday.

That week passed in a blur, and I found myself the next Tuesday night still with nothing to say. Teresa's face appeared constantly in my dreams, and I couldn't escape the thoughts about her. I sat at my desk, and an idea came to me.

"Teresa, you hold my heart, haunt my dreams. I can only call you my 'Beautiful Nightmare'. Sweet dreams, Teresa, my Beautiful Nightmare."

I folded the paper and slid it into my bag. I was eager for her to see what she was doing to me. I was being masochistic, but in a surprisingly pleasant way.

She hadn't read it by lunchtime, and I was worried. Maybe I had been too forward by sending notes. My palms sweated, and I fidgeted nervously in my seat. It wasn't until the next morning that I realised something. She had read my note when she had arrived back home that night. Her face looked pensive and nervous, and I smiled to myself. She was clearly affected, and I decided to continue sending the little notes.

Six weeks down the line, and she still hadn't worked out who it was. I enjoyed watching their conversations over lunch as they attempted to work out who was sending the cryptic notes to her. It was the beginning of the last lesson, and I spotted both of them heading towards Grace's locker. I caught the word 'genie' as they walked past. I smiled. That was in reference to the last note I had sent.

"Teresa, a genie in a bottle could not conjure the exquisite beauty that you are. You hold my heart, my mind. I close my eyes and only see you. You are the light in a day, the stars at night. A beauty that none other can match."

I leant up against my locker and watched them as Grace dug around for her book. Teresa caught my movement as I shifted out of the corner of her eye and nudged Grace with her elbow. I was watching them, a somewhat indulgent smile on my face. They both looked at me, and Teresa raised an eyebrow in mild confusion. I grinned widely at her before sauntering off to my last lesson. She wore my favourite expression; annoyed and slightly confused. I chuckled and kept walking.

A/N: Please review and tell me what you think about this story. I really appreciate the input. Thanks.