Sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes!
~Allison
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Chapter Six: Strange Topics of Discussion
After class was over, Kaylee took me to where my cabinet was located and I saw that I had one English book, one Literature book, and a small notebook cramped into the space.
I followed Kaylee out of the classroom afterwards.
"Your next class is on the 200 floor. The stairs are at the end of the hallways. Meet me right here after class and we'll go to third period together, okay?" she told me.
I nodded my head and she wandered off, leaving me by myself. I turned around and faced the direction that Kaylee had told me and started walking towards the giant steps. They were long and wide. They looked like they were made up of some type of wood. Surprisingly enough, they were clean and looked brand new, not something I would expect at a school like this.
I felt weird not carrying around a book sack or books, but I suppose I'll have to get used to it.
I checked my schedule to make sure I had the right room number before walking into the classroom. I had Chemistry for second period with Professor Miller.
Sucking in a breath, I opened up the door and walked in. I wasn't late to this class like I was for the last one, so not all of the students were in the room yet, but the kids that were stared, again. Jeesh, people. It's like they've never seen a new kid before . . .
The professor wasn't in class yet, so I just walked to one of the many seats in the back of the classroom, hoping I could just blend into the crowd of students. I sat quietly until the bell rang and everyone got quiet.
Professor Miller finally walked into the classroom and said, "Welcome, class, to Chemistry. I understand that we have a new student with us today." He looked around and came eye to eye with me. He was a good-looking, older guy if you ask me. His dark hair was slicked back stylishly and he looked to be about the age of thirty, if not younger. But the few grey hairs and some wrinkles told just how wise and knowledgeable he really was.
"Claire Marks. Welcome to my class." I prayed that he wouldn't be like Professor Johnson and make me introduce myself. He didn't. He just nodded his head politely and I gave a small smile and that was it.
Professor Miller began talking about ions and their chemical reactions. I zoned out completely. Over all it was a basic chemistry class.
Finally, the bell rang and I shot out of my seat. But just as I'm about to walk out of the door, I heard someone calling my name. "Miss Marks, would you come here for a moment?" Professor Miller's voice rang out through the now-empty classroom.
I turned around and walked to his desk. "Yes, Professor Miller?" I asked politely.
His eyes traveled up and down my body and for a second I'm scared that he is going to try and hit on me or something. But his eyes found mine again and he walked around his desk and to one of the cabinets along the wall. "This will be yours for the rest of the year. Make good use of it," he said and walked back to sit at his desk and started writing furiously.
I stared at him curiously for a moment before looking back into the cabinet to see a chemistry book and notebook. I left them there, knowing that I didn't need it tonight for any homework because Professor Miller didn't give any. Then, without looking back, I walked out of the classroom and to where Kaylee told me to meet her.
As I made my way through the crowd of kids, I kept getting whistles from the boys and death glares from the girls. I scowled at the girls before flipping off some of the guys and then hurrying to Kaylee. This school was way different than my art school. I missed it so much. There was no way that I could do any of the things I used to there. I had had so much freedom it was ridiculous, but the way Kaylee was talking about Nya, there is no way that I will have that same privileges. I could tell that Nya was a good principle, no doubt better than my old one who didn't give a care what the students did. His name was Mr. Nichols and he was a total pervert. He creeped me and most of the girls at my school out. He's one thing that I definitely didn't miss.
I turned a corner, trying to look for the stairs, but they weren't there. I turned the other way. Maybe they were over there. Glancing around, there definitely wasn't any grand staircase over there . . . I groaned. Of course, leave it to me to get lost. Kaylee's probably waiting for me and then I'm going to have to tell her that I—
My thoughts were cut off by a deep voice coming from behind me. "The stairs are that way." I turned around to find Dominic leaning against the wall with a hint of a smirk on his face and he was pointing to somewhere to my right.
I narrowed my eyes at him before looking to the direction he was pointing. Sure enough, there was a set of giant stairs that led downwards. I turned back to Dominic and I saw that he was staring at me, again. His smirk was gone now and it was almost like he was studying me. His green eyes traveled up to mine and he smirked one last time before vanishing into the classroom he was standing next to.
I sighed and started walking in the direction of the stairs. Why did he do that? It was almost clear as day that in English he was glaring at me like there was no tomorrow. So why did he help me out now? Dominic seemed like he wasn't one to help a person all that often. Even Kaylee said to ignore him because he wasn't much of a nice guy. Not that I wasn't appreciative or anything, I mean, he helped me out, but he didn't even give me a chance to say thank you before he disappeared.
I shook my head of all thoughts of him and walked down the stairs carefully trying not to run into anyone and then fall down and break something. Not that I'm clumsy much (actually, at all), I can just see myself doing something like that and embarrassing myself.
I found Kaylee sitting on a bench in the spot where she told me to be after class, eating an apple and giving flirty smiles at any male thing that passed her. I rolled my eyes with a hint of a smile. I'd only known this girl for a minimum of two hours and already I was beginning to like her. She seemed like she could be a really good friend to have around and not one of those fake, snotty girls that I hate so much. I was so glad that I got someone reasonable as a roommate and first friend (if you don't count June, who I don't really know if she's a friend or not . . .).
When Kaylee saw me, she took one last bite of her apple and tossed it into the nearest trash can and then made her way over to me. "Sorry, Professor Miller kept me after class to show me my cabinet. And then I kind of got lost on the way here." I decided not to tell her that Dominic showed me the way considering it was obvious that she wasn't Team Dominic or anything remotely close to that.
Kaylee shook her head with a smile and said, "No problem. We have a break between second and third anyways, so we should be good. Although I suggest we get going now before we're late. Again." She began making her way through the thread of students and, in fear of getting lost again, I had no choice but to follow her.
Walking into the classroom, Kaylee directed me to a couple of seats in the back. There was a guy sitting in the seat in front of Kaylee who turned around and grinned at her. "Kaylee, babe, where you been? I haven't seen you in ages," he said. They guy had blonde, shaggy hair and sparkling brown eyes. His smile was wide and friendly. I couldn't help but like him from the start.
Kaylee smirked. "Oh, Will. That's for me to know and for you not to."
He fake pouted. "Aw, Kay, secrets are no fun," he said.
"Mine are."
I snorted and they both turned to me. Will's face lit up even more and I swear Kaylee rolled her eyes at him.
"Ah, the famous Claire Marks. I've heard a lot about you," he spoke.
I raised my eyebrows. "Really?"
Will nodded, "Yeah, you're the talk of the school."
I suddenly got a thought and with that thought, I smiled and leaned forward in my desk. "Why is that?" I asked.
I heard Kaylee snicker from beside me. Will didn't even glance at her before he smirked and said, "Oh, you know why."
"Do I?"
He chuckled and said, "If you think you're going to make me say something cheesy like some playboy who thinks he can get any girl he wants would, you're wrong. That would just be insulting to all males." He finished with a playful smile.
I blinked. That's something I didn't expect. It seems as though my first impression of him was right, he seemed like one of those genuinely good guys. Nonetheless, I gave an innocent, toothy grin and said, "Well then I guess it's good that that wasn't what I was aiming for, huh?" and turned to look at the front of the class.
"Right," Will said sarcastically. That was the end of the conversation because the bell rang and the professor strolled into the room happily. Too happily. She was wearing a flowing skirt with a flower pattern and she had a pink, lacy top. Her smile was wider than Will's had been. And that's saying something.
I shot a curious look over to Kaylee and she explained. "Professor Baker likes to be happy. And some of us have an idea on how she gets happy."
Will caught my attention and mouthed the word 'drugs'. I made and 'O' shape with my mouth and turned back to the front, suddenly interested in what this lesson was going to be like. Professor Baker turned to the class with a cheery smile and said, "Good morning my wonderful children!"
My eyes widened at her tone and words. Wow, this lady really must do drugs because there's no way that she could be this happy to teach a bunch of delinquents. "Today, we will be learning about Quadratic Equations! Doesn't that sound like fun?" she chipped.
There was a chorus of 'no's and Professor Baker made a face. "Aw, come on guys! Algebra is fun!" No one said anything so she turned to her desk. It was then that I got a good glimpse of her features. Professor Baker was a lady in about her mid-forties with graying brown hair that was twisted up into a bun and wide, child-like eyes.
There was a sticky note on her desk that she picked up and read. Immediately, she looked up with a grin and her eyes looked around the room, searching for something. Or in this case, someone. It was a big class, but I knew what was going on even before she called, "Claire Marks. Where are you?"
I reluctantly raised my hand and she finally spotted me. "Stand up, girl, and introduce yourself to the class!"
I groaned loudly and Professor Baker rolled her eyes with a playful smile. "Come on. Stand up and tell us one interesting thing about you," she told me.
I did as I was told and stood up. I faced the whole class and found that everyone's eyes were on me. I swallowed and said, "My name's Claire Marks and . . ." I thought for a moment before I thought of something, "and I'm from California."
Professor Baker clasped her hands together and said, "Very cool, Claire!"
"Yeah," I muttered and sat back down.
"Well, Claire, welcome to my class and I hope I don't bore you like some children complain about." She made eyes at certain students who just either rolled their eyes or snickered to themselves.
"That would be a shame, wouldn't it?" I said. It was supposed to be to myself, but somehow, my words were spoken louder than planned and some students laughed while others seemed unimpressed. Jeez, tough crowd?
Professor Baker eyed me wearily before becoming happy again and turning back to the board to boast about formulas and numbers, ignoring my comment completely like she never heard it. This I was grateful for. No way did I want to get in trouble on my first day. My parents were sure to hear about it and I would be in even more trouble than I could handle.
After class was over, Kaylee showed me my cabinet and I got a move on to my next class. US History was just as boring as it had been before. Professor Wilson was teaching a lesson that I had already learned, so there wasn't much since in paying attention when I already knew the material. The professor was an older guy. He seemed nice enough and he didn't even make me introduce myself which I was thankful for.
I just sat in the back of the class, playing with my fingers or staring off into space. I was so bored I didn't think it was possible. Just when I was about to pass out from boredom, the bell rang and I jumped up. Professor Wilson quickly showed me my stuff and let me go.
I was so ready for this day to be over with, it wasn't funny. I'm wasn't so sure I was going to make it here if my morning classes were always like this. Only two more classes, that's it. Then I can go and call Heidi and Jude and fret about my situation.
I was walking down the hall, trying to find Kaylee (or even June) to walk with me to the dining hall for lunch. I was just about to give up and go by myself when someone was suddenly beside me. "Lost?" a male voice asked.
For a split second I thought it was Dominic again. But when I turned to see a head of blonde hair and a big smile, I let out a breath.
"No," I mumbled.
Will chuckled. "Sure. Why don't you let me walk you to lunch?" he asked. I looked up at him and thought about it. He was nice enough, I decided. He had proven to be friend-worthy enough, too. I eyed him for a moment before nodding slowly and following him out the building.
Once outside, Will began talking. "So, Marks, what brings you to this fine, wonderful school of hell?" he asked and I couldn't help but shake my head playfully with a ghost of a smile.
I bit the inside of my cheek in case I blurted something I would regret. I thought for a moment and decided that I could tell him. I mean, there was no shame in having a little fun right? And that's all I was doing when trying to steal the necklace, having fun.
I looked up at him and had to squint because of the sun in my eyes and then said, "I stole something."
He raised his eyebrows. "What did you steal?"
I looked back to where I was walking and said, "Nothing important enough to endure this, that's for sure."
Will whistled. "Well it had to be bad enough for you to get sent to this hellhole. You don't look like the type to steal," he commented.
I shot him a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He chuckled. "Nothing, it's just . . . you're not someone I could see doing something like that. No offense, I'm sure you're plenty capable of doing it, but it's just not something I can picture," he said, shaking his head.
I nodded my head, "Damn straight I'm capable enough."
He laughed and we were getting close to entering the dining hall by now. I turned to him and asked, "So I told you why I'm in here, now are you going to tell me what you did to get stuck here?"
Will's laughter died and he glanced at me quickly and said, "I got caught DUI and my old man thought it was best if I learned some discipline so he sent me here. My cousin goes here, so it was the first choice."
I was about to ask him who his cousin was and if I knew him/her, but Kaylee popped out of nowhere looking frantic. "Claire! Where have you been? I've been looking—," but she stopped when she caught a glance of Will.
She frowned. "What's he done? Brain-washed you into walking with him so that he can flirt with you more?" her voice was far from serious.
Will smirked at her. "Naw, is Kaylee jealous that I got to her new friend before she did?" he teased, leaning forward and into her face. Of course, Kaylee was having none of this. She smacked him in the back of the head and he pulled back with a curse and started rubbing the spot she had hit.
"Respect me, bitch," Kaylee ordered.
I started laughing and they both turned to me. Will with a proud grin that he made me laugh and Kaylee with pure amusement. "You guys should really record your conversations one day. They're hilarious."
Kaylee crossed her arms, "I'm glad you find our bickering so humorous." She then turned away from Will and me to the dining hall entrance. Will just shrugged his shoulders before following her and me having to keep up with them both.
Once inside, finally, I could see the students everywhere, talking and joking around. Most of them stopped what they were doing to either talk to or eye Kaylee up and down hungrily. I saw Will roll his eyes and step closer to me.
Everybody knew Kaylee, and Kaylee knew everybody. There were some who told Will and me hi, but they were more focused on the girl strutting (purposely) across the room. I smiled at her because I knew she was doing it just because she wanted to mess with people. And it was successfully working.
Inside the building was sets of round tables spread out across the room. There were no lunch ladies like at my old school and instead there was a giant buffet table in the dead center of all the commotion of a regular high school lunch that held different types of foods from meats and vegetables to desserts and sweets.
The walls were decorated in a soft, blue color. It suited the feeling of the room and made it comfortable. A few kids who were already sitting down with their food looked my way, but not as many as before, gladly. I followed Kaylee and Will to the buffet table and filled my tray with a small salad and a main course that consisted of one wrapped up hamburger, a taco, some French fries, and a bag of potato chips along with a bottle of water.
Will gave me wide eyes when he saw my plate but I just shrugged my shoulders and followed Kaylee to one of the many tables in the room. It was the same walking there. Kids stared, Kaylee glared, blah blah blah. Finally, we reached the table which held two other kids besides us three that just walked up.
There was one girl and one other guy. The girl, whose name I found out was Mackenzie, had long, blackish brown hair and absolutely gorgeous green eyes. But I couldn't help but compare them to Dominic's mesmerizing ones. I recognized Mackenzie from her being in my second period class.
They guy, Evan, looked almost exactly like Mackenzie. He had the same color hair, and it was cut short and spiked in the front. He was well-built and muscular, but his eyes held a shade of blue instead of full on green like Mackenzie's.
I thought they were nice enough and I took to them well. Mackenzie was incredibly nice and helpful while Evan stayed quiet. He was shy and every time someone talked to him, he kept his answers short and to the point. I wondered briefly what they could have done to get into this school. I couldn't help but notice how Evan kept glancing at Kaylee when he thought no one was looking. I thought it was sweet how it looked like Evan liked Kaylee. Even though she had practically every guy she could want chasing after her. I felt kind of bad for Evan because even though they were friends, I knew Kaylee wouldn't pay much attention to him. I made a mental note to talk to her about it when we were alone.
"So, Claire, how's your first day going?" Mackenzie asked politely.
I swallowed the bite of hamburger I just shoved into my mouth and said, "It's okay. I don't think I'm going to like Professor Wilson's class though . . ."
Mackenzie made a face, "Yeah, his class is the worst. But isn't Professor Baker the funniest?" she went on from there talking about times she had with the teacher. But I was, unfortunately, too busy looking down at my food, drowning her chatter out. I had had a lot of practice with ignoring talking like that with having Heidi around me so much.
Thinking of her made my heart hurt. I missed home so much. I just wanted to go back.
My sudden gloominess must have been noticeable because I suddenly felt someone touch my arm. I looked over to see Will staring with slightly worried eyes. He mouthed 'Are you okay?' and I nodded my head.
I could tell he was about to ask another question, but something over my shoulder caught his attention and he glanced up. Something flickered in his eyes, but I couldn't tell what it was. Frustration maybe? I looked back to see a very scary and furious Dominic storming towards our table. Other people must have seen him too because the dining hall suddenly got quieter and everyone at our table went completely silent.
I didn't get time to wonder what was going on before Dominic, without stopping, grabbed Will by the arm and pulled him out of the room. I stared after them in wonder. What's that about? I didn't even know they were friends. But after staring at the door for a few moments, I shrugged to myself and turned back to eating my food and trying to listen to what Mackenzie and Kaylee were talking about.
They just went on talking as if Will were still sitting beside me. I leaned over to Kaylee when Mackenzie had stopped talking to her and more to Evan.
"What's up with them?" I jerked my head in the direction that the two boys went.
Kaylee sighed. "Who knows? One of the teachers probably gave Dom a detention and he got mad. Will is the only one who can get him to calm down."
"How?" I asked.
"Will and Dominic are cousins," she answered and then jabbed her fork into a piece of chicken and shoved it into her mouth. I was a bit shocked, to say the least. Dominic is the cousin that Will had been talking about earlier? Who would've thought . . .
Just then, the doors to the side of the building opened again and Will and Dominic strolled into the room. Dominic looked a lot better than he had before, a lot calmer and relaxed. He didn't follow Will back to the table and instead grabbed himself a hamburger from the buffet table and walked out of the dining hall. Will walked over with a smile like nothing had happened. He sat down in his same spot and everyone continued with the mindless chatter.
I was about to ask Will what had happened, when a blazing headache made its way to the surface. I dropped my fork and pressed my palm to the spot it hurt worst. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping it would go away.
"Claire, are you okay?" someone asked me. I couldn't tell who it was, though.
I nodded and opened my eyes to see all four of the people watching me with worried eyes. I forced a smile and said, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a small headache. I think I'm gonna . . ." I started to get up, "go somewhere. I'll be back in time for class. Don't wait up." I dumped my trash and pushed the heavy doors open. The sunlight hit my eyes immediately and I tried to block the brightness with my hand.
Ugh, what's the matter with me lately?
I swept into the giant library building and away from the sun's evil rays. Once inside, I looked around. The very tall walls were filled with books of all sorts. There were shelves and shelves of them. Here's the thing about me, I love to read. No matter how tough or confident I seem and how nerdy reading is, I absolutely love getting lost in a story that takes me away for a little while.
Walking up to one of the shelves, I pull out the first book I see without looking at the title first. When I read the front, I'm shocked to find that I had pulled Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, one of my favorites. I smiled to myself and traced the title with my pointer finger.
I wasn't aware that someone was standing in the aisle along with me until I heard a deep, husky voice and I looked up. "'If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it'," Dominic quoted. He didn't once look away from me or hesitate to think of the words.
I had read the book a thousand and two times and never, I mean never, had that sentence seemed so deep, meaningful as Dominic made it sound. He gave it feeling and made it sound better than even Emily Bronte herself could have thought it to be. His green eyes left mine for a moment to look at the book that was in my hands. "A classic," he mumbled.
I snapped out of my reverie and nodded. "My favorite," I responded.
Dominic held out his hand and gestured towards the book. "May I?" he asked. I nodded again and handed him the book. He ran through the book quickly and took a step back, towards the main part of the building and sat on one of the comfy-looking seats. I stood behind the chair across from his.
"You know, I don't think Emily really knew what she was writing about," he stated, still looking at the book instead of me.
Suddenly interested, I asked, "Why not?"
He glanced at me over the top of the book and said, "Heathcliff was mad. His love for Cathy was the only reason he kept sane. When she married Edgar, he went off the deep end. And then he goes and marries Isabella. Could you spell out the word stupid for me?"
I rolled my eyes and said, "Cathy was the stupid one. She let Heathcliff go in the first place. She did everything to him. She betrayed him, but when he does the same to her, she doesn't like it. Not really reasonable, is it?"
There was a hint of a smirk on Dominic's face as he said, "Right. But what good did it do him when he betrayed her? Nothing but trouble. His hate consumed him until his whole life became a mess."
I thought for a moment. "Okay, so he had no reason to toy with Cathy that way, I will give you that. But Heathcliff did all those things because he was heartbroken," I countered.
Dominic shook his head. "You really won't give up on beating down Cathy will you?" he asked, amused.
"Nope. It's a romantic, yet tragic love story."
He nodded and looked back to the book in his hands. I took his silence as a chance to glance around the room. There was a lady at the front counter, typing away on a very old looking computer. That's when I notice that there's hardly anyone in the library. I looked at the giant clock on the wall and took in a sharp breath. French class starts in two minutes!
Dominic raised an eyebrow at my abruptness. "Going somewhere?"
I narrowed my eyes at him, the nice moment totally gone. "Yeah, French class. Don't you have a class to get to, too?" I asked.
"Yeah, I sure do," he stated and then went back to reading the book. I scoffed at him and rushed out of the door.