Jason stands in the center, still surrounded by shadows he refuses to explain. But now there's something new. Instead of running from them...
He keeps poking at me.
Distracting me.
Testing my patience.
Like if I stay focused on his annoying side, I won't look too closely at the rest.
Interesting strategy. As we reach the staircase, he leans closer again.
"You're smiling," he says.
"I am not."
"You definitely are."
"Don't ruin it."
Too late. He grins like he's already planning his next disturbance. And somehow I know tomorrow won't be any quieter.
By lunch, I've confirmed something important. Jason doesn't like quiet. Not in theory. Not in practice. Not even for a few seconds.
We're at our usual table. Stella sits across from me, scrolling through her phone. Jason drops into the seat beside me like he owns it. He doesn't. He just acts like he does.
I take a bite of my food. It lasts exactly eight seconds. Jason taps his fingers lightly against the table rhythmically
I don't look at him.
"You're doing that on purpose," I say.
"Doing what?"
"That."
"That could mean anything."
"It doesn't."
He pauses the tapping. Then resumes, slightly louder. I turn my head slowly. He smiles.
"There it is," he says.
"What?"
"Reaction."
"You're proud of that?"
"Very."
Stella sighs without looking up. "You're both exhausting."
"I'm helping," Jason says.
"With what?" she asks.
"Molly's personality."
"My personality doesn't need help," I say.
"It's very controlled."
"I know." He says it like he's figured something out. I don't ask what.
I don't need to. Instead, my attention shifts inward-not away from the moment, just deeper into it.
The noise around me disappear.
Voices become layers. Movements become patterns. People fall into rhythms I can follow without effort.
Jason doesn't.
I don't have a movie theater in my world. I'll add it just the way I want it. My theme and theater name. Argh! I'm so excited.
"You're quiet," he says.
"I'm eating." I say and stare at the open space of the filled cafeteria.
He leans back slightly, watching me.
"You always do that?" he asks.
"Do what?"
"Look at everything like it means something."
"Everything does."
"That sounds exhausting."
"It's not."
"For you, maybe."
Stella finally looks up. "I don't know how you both manage this every day."
"We don't manage it," I say.
"We enjoy it," Jason adds.
"I tolerate it."
"Same thing."
It's not. But I let that go.
"Your parents," he says after a moment. I glance at him.
"What about them?"
"Are they fine?"
"Yes and out of town."
"Really? Then you're back to living alone with Oliver."
"Am I complaining?"
"No."
"Good."
Then- he taps the table again. Back to normal. I try to ignore it. But it's not working.
"Can you stop that?"
"Stop what?"
"Stop tapping th-."
Stella stands, picking up her tray. "I'm leaving before this turns into something I need to study for."
"It already has," Jason says.
She shakes her head. "You're both strange."
She walks off. Jason watches her go, then looks back at me.
"So now it's just us."
"Unfortunately."
"You keep saying that."
"It keeps being true."
He leans slightly closer. "Then why are you still here?"
With that question, I pick up my tray and head to the sink to dump my plates. I'm done with this shit.
"Molly, wait." I hear him yell. He laughs a bit and I just angers me more. I calm down by taking three deep breaths and it works.
I make my way to the basketball court. It's peaceful there. Remember the first time I told you about my life? That there are these Enemies Of Progress?
Well, I may have avoided them for the past few days but today I didn't. What I'm trying to say is that Tyler and her blind musketeers are coming my way.
How ever will I avoid them? I just ignore them and walk but Tyler drags my hair from behind. Her actions land me on the floor, wincing in pain.
I stand up and run my hands through my hair. Still I pain, I manage to speak.
"What's your problem? I don't have any money."
"You think I'm here to beg?" She asks and I burst out laughing. I swear, I couldn't hold it. Why did she say that I think she's here to beg when I know she's here to beg?
I wouldn't believe any other thing.
"What's so funny?"
You. God, she's so funny. These, my friends, are characteristics of a beggar. You can't just stop someone like that except you're looking for a means to exploit them.
"It's nothing."
"Hold her."
'Hold me?' Girl, I just told you I have no money. Her musketeers come towards me, hold both of my arms.
"Today," she starts "I saw you with Jason. Tell me what you are up to."
I don't answer, in fact I push her minions away from me and walk away.
"Hey," she says walking behind me and dragging the collar of my shirt and I stumble back. Goddammit! Someone has to put this bitch in her place and one day, that someone will be me.
I look at her and notice that the has a dark bruise under her eye. Has that always been there? I want to ask her what happened but I won't. Maybe I should mock her.
"Hey Tyler, did you use some expired beauty mask? Cause it seems you did. "
"What? What are you talking about?"
"Oops, my bad. I forgot your mirror broke this morning because it saw you." I say and she let's go of my grip. I adjust myself and walk out of the classroom before any other thing happens.
I breathe in the cold air and find my way to the school yard. I have gym class today and I head for the gym. On my way, Scott, my gym partner, almost every girls dream, see me and waves.