I got ready and ate my breakfast as dad was doing the dishes. I don't want to go but this is a necessity. I took my pen and my notebook. I left my phone on the charger as I walked out of the house. Ted was waiting with his bike. He looked hot. Pale blue t-shirt and black jeans. He had tied his blonde hair into a ponytail. He gave me a spare helmet as he took my notebook. I wanted to stay home and get some sleep but dad made it clear. I have to come home before ten. There was a weirdo roaming around kidnapping girls I was his type. I put the helmet and got my book back. We drove to school and I tried to go my way but he wouldn't let go. I entered the guidance counsellor's office to get my schedule. His was the same as mine. I met his mom in an empty classroom. She was grateful for the help. She promised to return the favour. I explained the nightmare I have been trying to sketch but can't since one of my neighbours is invading my privacy.
She asked me if it was as bad as the plane and the train. I just nod my head. I keep seeing a face and he is bad news. A part of me is afraid to sketch him because he will come after my parents in retaliation. If they die I become a ward of the state. She grinned, "I can talk to someone and spring you out. But is this guy really that bad?" I replied, "This is the leader who is orchestrated the plane explosion. He was a soldier who was captured and brutally tortured. He watched as his buddies all die. He discovered a discrepancy. He has decided to punish the ones responsible for their murders. The kill list is extensive. Your fiance is on the list. I don't know his role but I only know what he explained as he tried to gut my father like a fish." Teddy moved instantly to protect me and his mom smiled at his reaction. He told me not to worry things will get better soon.
She stood still for a second and asked me to sketch him. I told her to delete any record she has of me and her sons. Her fiance is looking for leverage. He knows he is coming and he is planning to leave. He needs a diversion so he will put your son in the hospital. In one vision the little one will walk out with a cast on his leg. The next one you pull the plug on his life support. I am not threatening you. I am just telling you the future as I see it." Her face turned white as she held on to the chair for support. She promised to nail him. I saw she had a bunch of magazines so I torn a few pages and made her a collage. They worked like a bizarre jigsaw puzzle. She took a picture and sent it to her assistant. She promised to handle it. She requested that I take it easy. She will make sure no one comes after my family or hers. The supervisor walked in and requested that I attend the start of school session held outside. She promised to be careful as I stepped out.
Teddy took my hand as we walked out. His football buddies were staring as we came closer. They didn't say anything. My old friends stared indignantly. Josie always wanted to be in the in crowd so she stared daggers. The others pretended I wasn't even there. I held Teddy's hand and he gave it a gentle squeeze. We listened to the new principal Mr Morrow speak about proper conduct and many more. Frankie Dexter asked Teddy why he was with someone like me. He told him to mind his own business. He wasn't the only one. The others stared too. They were with their girlfriends who were all members of the cheerleader squad. They were wearing barely there clothes. He wasn't paying any attention. He kept his eyes on the principal. Then we went out separate ways. I told Teddy to be safe and take care of himself.
He smiled as he walked away. I reached my class and I saw my old friends sitting in the front. I ignored them as I walked to the back. Josie came over wanting to know how I did it. I told him he was giving me a ride. I knew she abandoned me since I got infected. I was introduced to him while I was in recovery. I know because her family has strict policies about sneaking out. She didn't apologize for her actions. Teddy walked in and told me that my schedule has been changed. He is here to take me. I took my stuff and walked away. I heard his thoughts. 'I felt your loneliness and her foul words. I had a word with the counsellor. She has switched your classes so you will be with me. I got your back' I gave him an appreciative smile as we walked out of the class.
Mr Hoffman was given a note. He waved us off and I joined him biology class. He and I were sitting together. I took notes and made sure I missed nothing. As we got out of class we made sure to stay away from the linebacker. I was going to my locker when my notebook was snatched. The supervisor took a look and apologised before he gave it back. He assumed I was someone who likes to waste my time sketching when I should be listening. He gave me a smile but that vanished as he saw someone. He yelled at him to open his locker for inspection. I stepped aside and walked towards the next class. It was chemistry. My least favourite subject. It felt like she was expelling sleeping gas as she spoke. I was bored but kept listening. After the class Teddy laughed hysterically. 'That was so much fun. I like listening to your thoughts. It is refreshing how you kept yourself awake during classes?' I just nod my head. He and I had lockers on the opposite side.
I was trying to figure out what I will use it for. A cheerleader in thigh length skirt with skin tight t-shirt leaned near me. She was furious. She asked me how I nailed him. I didn't say a word. I raised a hand and asked if she is going to speak on my behalf. She asked me how she does that. At least tried to and I gave her a demonstration. It took her several tries before she got the point. She shut up and all I said was we met at the burger joint and he gave me a ride. She wanted details. I told her I am allergic to gossip so she wants to know why ask him herself. If she has the stones to hear what he has to say. Teddy came over and told her to take a hike. He is not dating her under any circumstances. She looked at him with a shattered expression. She tried to express her broken heart but all I heard was her thoughts about the yearbook photos looking photogenic if he was her arm candy.
I didn't understand her words so I thought to myself. 'Is she a cannibal? He is a person. Eating him is not allowed." He started laughing and she didn't get it. She walked away. He gladly took my hand and shut my locker door. He coughed, "Arm candy doesn't mean canniblism. It means someone who is beautiful accompanied by an equally beautiful person." I shook my head, "Let's just get through the day." He asked me to show him my point of view. I did and he whistled. We walked past by my ex friends and they stared with hatred. I didn't bother to double check. I had double period on Spanish and it was lunch time. I got a carton of milk, a burger and fries. I walked towards the exit only to be nudged towards the in crowd. It was Teddy's best friend Max. He was happy to see Teddy so happy. Usually his company makes him very depressed. Even the others were more friendly. I sat down and he picked up a fry. He was smiling the entire time.
After schools I sat in the benches to watch hi.. He seems very relaxed. He came out to practice and I mentally waved at him as he went by. He looked up to see me and smiled. I waved and he waved back. I was waiting for him to finish and he asked me if I was going to consider joining a sport this year. I did consider it. I kept my thoughts empty so I won't disturb him. He grinned as he thought out loud. Wait for me. I won't take long in the shower. I gave him a thumbs up and he went in. I can feel him smiling. Even though I was up high in the benches. I came down and waited like he asked. He came out and I gave a carton of coconut water. He drank the entire thing, "This tastes different. You didn't add anything by any chance?" I replied, "the juice of one lemon and a pinch of salt. Supposed to help replenish the body after a tough workout."
He smiled as he drove me home. He promised to pick me up in the morning. I told him to avoid his usual route. The Feds were waiting to ambush him. I told him to call his mom and tell her if he is late blame the Feds. He did as I asked before he drove away. I thought my number out loud. He promised to call once he gets home. I came inside and dad was smiling. I felt my face turn hot. "Dad we are not in a relationship. He is just giving me a ride." Mom was laughing. I ignored them as I sat down to finish my homework. The news was horrendous as always. This time someone had set a place on fire. Dad forbid me from going out except for school. The pyrotechnic had killed several firemen and police alike. Mom ordered Chinese food while dad talked to a customer about a few changes he could do to the furniture. I went upstairs to take a shower. Teddy called and I forgot what I was about to do. We talked about what we will do this weekend.