Do You Know Indigo?

Chapter Two

Edited 10th May 2020.

I could resolutely conclude, from our unfortunate interaction in front of the school gates, that Indigo Boy was cunning, handsome and most comfortable when wearing a damningly smug grin. Mack, Indigo Boy's companion, dissected me with clever eyes and clear reservations as clusters of students wound their way past him. There was an eeriness to the way the pair were being avoided. It was as though a forcefield kept them safe from unwanted attention and stumbled into by unsuspecting passersby.

Even from a distance, I could taste Indigo Eyes anticipation in proving his henchman wrong. The indigo-eyed boy wore self-righteousness like a second skin.

As I drew closer, I found myself walking into a moment that was only ours. Time halted and there was only Indigo Boy and I dancing on a perilous precipice. I dared to look straight into the darkness of his eyes as if intending on answering the question in them. My recklessness revealed my awareness and Indigo Eyes knew, without further hesitation that I could see him. The callous conviction in his expression burned itself into my memory like a brand fresh from hellfire. And yet, when I dared to scrutinise Indigo Boy for a final finite second,I caught a glimpse of some notion more complex than triumph in his character. Was there guilt hidden in the shadows of his smirk?

My thoughts were interrupted by an urgent need to draw breath. I was drowning. Memory flooded into every fibre of my body and I palpably felt the consuming force of vast arms of water pulling me downwards. Déjà-vu soaked through me as I struggled to compose myself.

But the moment I withdrew from the challenge in Indigo Boy's face, the sensation of drowning ceased and I was free of his grip. For the time being, Mack appeared unconvinced and I had to keep it that way.

Taking a deep breath, I struck up a conversation with Beth and ignored the temptation to confront Indigo Boy's glare. I cared not for the girlish swell of colour in my cheeks as I thought of him and his intensity. The moth could be attracted to the flame without flying so close as to burn itself, couldn't it?

As Beth and I passed them the strength of their fragrance caused me to falter. My hand reached up and curled around my satchel strap, wringing it tightly.

"What did a tell yae? The girl clearly cannie see yae," Mack reaffirmed, folding his arms and snorting. "You're imaginin' 'hings." I entwined my arm with Beth's and didn't look back. After all, there was no need as I could feel the intensity of his glower upon my rain slickened back. I clung to Beth and thanked God as the number 8 bus was rolling in to rescue me from the rain and my indigo-eyed adversary.

Once on the bus, it did not take long for Beth to demand what I'd meant by dragging her from the English classroom so abruptly. Life had cruelly removed one villain in favour of another.

Where were Jude and Mandy when you needed them?

"It's almost like you're avoiding someone," she guessed with too much indifference to have deduced it from the truth of the matter. I placed my satchel between my knees and gathered my sodden hair over my shoulder.

"You aren't exactly wrong," I replied, weaving my hair into a plait to distract my shaky hands. Beth quirked a brow and leant her head neatly on her knuckle while her elbow rested on the seat in front.

"Don't tell me, Devon Taylor." She snorted at the audacity of it. "I can't believe he'd chance his luck after Jude said she would, you know..?"

"No, not Devon." I quivered at the very mention, unsure whose mercy I would have rather befallen.

"Who then?" Beth flaunted her full, glossed lips and pierced her brilliant blue eyes in anticipation of a delicious development of highschool drama.