Don't Run From Me

Unparallel

I didn't realize I was subconsciously holding my breath until the shape of what I seen was no longer that, instead, dark black eyes beamed at me in confusion. I heaved, looking at her wide-eyed as Anise's long hair suddenly came into view. The sultry expression now replaced with a worried grimace. I looked away, my chest rising and falling in disappointment.

"Grayson? Are you ok?" I was taken entirely aback, I imagined him...I think I must have looked insane to her right about now.

" I imagined it?" I voiced my confusion, whispering softly, my brows furrowed in disbelief. The air now felt suddenly docile, much lighter than before. The constant pounding in my chest is now a calm and eerie pater. She mulled over my expression before taking a seat on the stage beside me. We sat in silence for what seemed like forever before she chimed once more.

" Are you ok?" Her voice was unassuming, filled with curiosity yet accepted my nod of approval and didn't press any further; The bell of our disposal blared and she watched me silently as I fixed my shirt, ready to finish today without any more abnormalities. I felt my skin.

It's cool  to the touch, as opposed to the constant warmth that seemed to plague me like a bad cold.

I walked without any real purpose to my last class of the day. I felt nauseated beyond reason and wanted nothing more than to leave for the day. I found my backpack placed neatly in my locker. Did Anise do this? I wondered, I couldn't quite picture her doing such an act. My eyes skimmed the halls, they were empty. I was later than I had hoped I would be, but decided to head there without getting an excuse this time.

As soon as I made it inside, the liveliness began again and the class was immersed in pointless chatter, This was one of the two; Anise and I did not share. I walked all the way to the back, hanging my bag off the back of the seat before plopping myself down, immediately laying my head down on the cool wooden surface waiting for the torture to start. All of the side conversations consisted of gaudy ego tactical escapades with little to no shame. I sighed, pulling my hoodie over my head; closing my eyes desperately tired and feeling like I'd over exerted myself unnecessarily.

The sound of the crowd dimming in brilliance was my tell that the teacher had finally begun scribbling on the board, I picked my head up. The board had three novel titles written in red dry erase that long before stained the white glossy board.

Relaying the summary of said novels was usually how most reading list began, I flipped the page in my notebook , writing down the dates on which she expected us to read them. I suppressed my sounds of annoyance and began writing down just two of the three names.

"I've already read; The Great Gatsby," I mumbled under my breath deaf to the ears of those around me.

Just as I finished scribbling down the theory chart, a soft knock came at the door.  I watched as she stopped writing, eyes curiously peeking through the slot of glass that sat perfectly unsymmetrical at  the head of the door, allowing her to see from the inside. The volume in the room grew steadily as everyone took the opportunity, while she was distracted to mow over who did and didn't already read the assigned novels.

I watched as she capped the marker, setting it down; walking to the door.

I felt uneasy and all for good reason. The hairs rose on my body, goosebumps trailing in their wake. My eyes widened taking in the towering figure at her door with a piece of paper that looked incredibly tiny in his grip. My cheeks felt hot as I gazed at him. His attention wasn't on me, as far as I was concerned. It didn't even seem he was aware of my presence. I noticed a couple of the girls' head turn, rolling my eyes I averted my gaze; lowering myself onto the desk.