"You know the drill, John. No scrapes, no trouble, no detention."
I lounged leisurely in the backseat of Grayson's car as he spoke, reminding me of what my father expects from his sons: one a pride of joy and the other regret. Grays girlfriend had claimed the passenger seat and her incessant chewing of gum had driven me to brink of insanity. How on earth could he not find that annoying? Was my brother oblivious to the noise that disgusting mouth was creating?
I snorted involuntarily which provoked Grayson; he stretched his arm across and swatted me in the chest. Mother fucker!
Of course I hadn't said anything but my brother and I were in tune. He knew what I was snorting at without words being shared. I guess that's the one thing that remained during times our dad rode us into the ground with his berating. The beat up Camaro rolled along the ground catching against the freshly graveled road. Mystic Falls, you had to give it to town council. They took care of our town; every school year they repainted the signs, graveled the roads and created the illusion that we were a town that cared. Yeah right, we just wanted to be perceived as a town that cares.
If everyone knew about all of the weird shit that happens people would avoid this place like the plague. Animal attacks were growing more frequent along with disappearing teens; I'd have left years ago if it wasn't for Grayson.
The car pulled to a stop and as I grasped at the strap of my backpack I opened the door simultaneously. I didn't need another lecture or pep talk from my brother nor did I want to look his shadow in the face and get a glimpse of that nasty piece of gum she refused to spit out. I almost gagged on the image as it made its way into my brain, bringing forth a shudder I couldn't shake. As I wandered toward the den of decay –a corner in the parking lot where teachers never ventured—with a pack of Marlboro lights in my palm, Mr Ashcroft, my inept guidance counselor called out my name.
I say inept, he got his degree online, like that validates him to guide young minds. Anyone who gets their qualifications from a place called 'Sun valley Community Annex' is not qualified to council me. I'd rather sit through a full day of church listening to Pastor Young condemn us all to hell for our unnatural sins. That self-righteous heathen would join us in hell.
Over the summer I was avoiding home at all costs and Pastor Young's sister was visiting on her college visit tour of the country and things got pretty heated. A pool and a discarded bikini top were involved, but that's beside the point. I ran into the house to grab a soda and overheard the holier-than-thou man of god exchanging some less than PG words with the maid. Now, God must have been busy that afternoon because I'm sure he would have smote the philandering Pastor and his mistress of a maid. Adultery is a sin, preacher. I was saving that tidbit of information for dear old papa Gilbert. His religious ramblings would explode in his face the next time he decides to lecture me on bad morals and behavior.
Oh hell! I grumbled under my breath as I grabbed some table and climbed to perch atop of it. Mr Ashcroft had not given up. He'd walked into enemy territory and school had not officially started yet.
"Mr Gilbert."
I glanced up as I pushed the packet of cigarettes into my pocket once again. I didn't want to be hauled in front of the principal on the first day.
"Yes Mr Ashcroft. What can I do for you?"
His expression was visibly uneasy; I suppose he was hesitant to stay in this quadrant for too long, for fear the delinquents of MFHS would turn up. I succumbed to the pity and extended an olive branch.
"Sir, relax."
He breathed a calming exhale and hurried with his words.
"I just had a word with your father –such a nice man—and he informed me that you're interested in taking a more hands on approach to this school year. I've signed you up to tutor your peers. Please report to the library at the end of the day."
I couldn't contain my resolve and I felt the mask slip. Way to screw me dad! This was payback for staying out all night. Biting back a comment that would make Mr Ashcroft blush. I swallowed the world of hurt that threatened to tumble from parted lips and gave a performance that rivaled Todd McKinney's portrayal of Macbeth.
"I'm really pleased to hear that. Yes, I am looking forward to a more hands on approach this year. Thank you for telling me, Sir. I'll be at the library after school."
I permitted my smile to remain as I watched Mr Ashcroft walk away, my fingers dug into the metal edges of the table I sat atop. I needed more than a cigarette to keep my cool but before I could fish into my bag for my stash, the bell rang.