Chapter 5: Down With the Sickness (Disturbed. Warning: Explicit.)

Disclaimer: Own NOTHING except Rose. Don't own any of the stuff I reference either. Now on to the stupid chapter.

I ran into the center of the room where Jack was standing. I grabbed him by the wrist and pulled him into the hallway.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I hissed, glaring at him.

He grinned. "Introduce a little chaos into the equation and everything, uh, falls apart."

"Chaos? What are you talking about?"

"It's all about the anarchy, sweetheart," he said, licking his lips. "They're no better than I am. They just needed a little push."

I shook my head. "What are you talking about?" I asked again.

He smirked. "Y'know, you're really somethin' Rosie. Catch ya on the flip side," he said before turning and running down the hall.

I shook my head again. What was that?

•••

Jack wasn't at school the next day. Neither Eddie nor Jonathan mentioned the little... event and I didn't either. It was a delicate subject and no one wanted to talk about it.

When Jack returned on Thursday, he didn't say anything to me or Eddie, but pulled his black hoodie over his face anytime he saw us.

I spotted him sitting alone during lunch and made my way over to him.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" I asked. "Usually you're always two feet behind me. What's wrong?"

He shrugged and lowered his head, not looking at me.

I'd had enough. I reached out and pulled at his hood, tugging it off easily.

"Shit!" he muttered, quickly trying to cover his face. But not before I had seen the dark bruise under his left eye.

"W-who did that-"

"Why'd you have to do that? Dammit," he said, standing up and yanking the hood over his head.

"I didn't mean to-"

"Shut your fucking mouth," he grumbled, walking away.

I started to follow him, but someone said, "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

I turned and saw Jonathan standing behind me.

"You guys have to stop sneaking up on me," I said, crossing my arms.

Jonathan frowned and didn't respond. Instead he said, "Despite his demeanor, Jack is probably more sensitive than you think."

"Sensitive? That kid is like...like... A gremlin!"

"Excuse me?" he asked, blinking slowly.

"You know that movie 'Gremlins'? They're these little creatures that cause chaos wherever they go. Jack is like a gremlin!"

Jonathan frowned again. Was that the only facial expression he could make?

"I suppose I see your point. He is quite chaotic... But I suspect there's something more to it."

"No, there isn't. According to him, 'It's all about the anarchy.' I don't think he cares about anything."

He shrugged. "Maybe not. But still...ah, never mind. I'm probably over analyzing this." He turned and waved over his shoulder at me. "See you." I waved back and made my way out of the lunchroom.

•••

I slammed the door shut and went up to my room, flopping down on my bed. Jack hadn't taken the bus with me and I wondered where he was.

I sighed and turned on my mp3 player. Paramore's "Misery Buisness" began and I mumbled the words to myself.

"...But I got him where I want him now..." I muttered, pulling my textbooks out of my backpack.

I tried to start my homework, but I just couldn't focus. I grabbed my cell phone off the black bedside table and scrolled through my contacts. I found the number I wanted and dialed it, listening to the ring.

"Hi, you've reached Maya's phone. I'm not here right now, so call back later. Mm'kay, bye!"

I sighed and hung up. Figures. Just before I'd moved, Maya, my best friend in the world, had started spending all her time with some guy. I buried my face in the pillows. I really did have no life.

•••

"So how was school today?" my mom asked, looking at me over her plate.

"Fine," I muttered.

She sighed. "What happened?"

"Nothin'."

"Rose, you can't keep your feelings bottled up inside. Tell me what happened."

I moved the food around on my plate. "I'm fine Mom."

She sighed again. "Fine. Forget I asked. But if you're not going to eat that, put it in a container."

I nodded and carried my plate into the kitchen.

When I had cleaned the dish, I climbed up the stairs leading to my room. I decided to check my phone again, just in case Maya had called back.

There were no recent calls showing, but I had a new text from a blocked number. My heart pounded in my chest as I read the small letters on the screen:

"Youll pay."