"SO..." MY VOICE drawled. "Listen to any good music lately?"
James gave me a stoic look before returing to what he was doing.
"Want me to turn on the radio?"
Silence.
"Is that a yes or a no?"
Nothing.
I glanced at him for a second before focusing back on the road. "What are you doing?"
"None of your business."
"It speaks!" I exclaimed.
James shot me a glower before resuming whatever he was doing. The traffic light turned red so I used this as an excuse to see what he being so cryptic about. I craned my neck so I could see past his backpack which he strategically placed on his lap. Much to my surprise, James was reading a book.
"What are you reading?"
"Focus your attention on the road."
"It's a red light."
James looked up from his book and stared ahead. "Does that look like the colour red to you?"
"Oh, crap."
A car honked behind me and I pressed my foot down on the accelerator.
"How did someone like you even get a licence?" James pondered.
"Is your book any good?" I asked, ignoring his unnecessary remark.
"Stop talking to me."
"That's not a proper answer."
James took out a pair of earbuds from his backpack and he plugged them into his phone.
"Aw, don't drown me out."
He put the earbuds in his ears as he continued reading, bopping his head up and down to the beat of his music. The remainder of the drive home I wondered what kind of music potential serial killers like him were into. Within a few minutes, we reached our destination as I parked the car on my driveway.
"Alright kids, the ride's over."
"Don't be late tomorrow," were James' parting words as he got out of my car.
"Thanks for the warm farewell."
"Be prompt," he said before shutting the car door.
That motorcycle needed to be fixed as soon as humanly possible because I wasn't sure I could put up with more of James or the use of the word prompt for another day.
I heaved a sigh as I carried my backpack to the porch. I unlocked the door and walked into the empty house. Perhaps I shouldn't have bailed on Amber, I hated being alone. I went up to my room, ready to call it a day.
As I walked past my desk to go to my closet I got an idea. I grabbed a felt-tip marker and jotted something down on a sheet of paper. I then folded it and walked right up to my open window. Luckily, James' window was open too, so I threw the folded paper through his window into his room.
I doubted I'd get a reply, but trying was better than nothing.
~*~
It felt like I had just closed my eyes when my alarm went off. I slept around four in the afternoon yesterday, yet I was still exhausted. Too much sleep was never enough. I wanted to stay in bed longer, but then I remembered the chauffeuring commitment I was forced to make.
Suddenly eager, I got out of bed to see if there was a note lying around for me. I searched on the floor, on the windowsill, and even under my bed but there was nothing. Perhaps he didn't see it, or perhaps he was just an asshole. Feeling glum, I walked over to the bathroom. Alex exited the bathroom, a relaxed expression on his face.
"I love it when Brent has early morning practices," he said. "Then I get the sink all to myself."
"Must be nice. Now scram."
"Someone's not a morning person," he muttered.
Ignoring him, I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. The last thing I needed was for that jerk next door to bitch at me for being late. I was in and out of the shower within minutes — a new personal record for me. I blow-dried my hair and let it rest in its natural loose waves since I didn't have enough time to style it. I threw on a pair of stockings and a sweater dress, and I briefly did my makeup. I then slung my backpack over my shoulder and ran down the stairs.
"School bus is here," Alex said as he walked to the front door.
"Why does the bus drop you off but not pick you up?"
He shrugged. "I didn't make the rules. Go write a complaint letter." He scampered out the door to catch his bus in time. Man, that kid was sassy.
I was going to grab something to eat, but just as the door was shutting, I caught a glimpse of a familiar face. I peeked outside to see James standing on the edge of my driveway, an annoyed look on his face.
"Can I get something to eat on the go?" I asked.
"We're going to be late."
"I'll be super quick, I just need—"
"We're going to be late."
My lips curved downwards into a frown. I took my car keys off the keyring and walked to my car. "I don't like you."
"Did I ask for your opinion?"
I exhaled loudly as we sat inside. I put my key into ignition and the vehicle roared to life. I pulled out of the driveway and we were off to school. Neither of us talked the entire ride. For James, it was probably because he loathed me. As for me, I was still annoyed from earlier this morning. It wouldn't have hurt to give a reply. I figured he was antisocial, but this was just ridiculous.
As soon as his motorcycle was fixed I wasn't going to interact with him ever again.
I parked into an empty spot, ensuring I didn't hit any cars this time. James opened his door and walked right out without sparing me a glance or even uttering a thank you. I waited for a few minutes until I was sure he was far enough. Then I got out and walked into the building.
If I saw him again it'd be too soon. I navigated through the bustling halls to get to my locker. Not only was I avoiding James, but I was hoping I wouldn't have a run-in with Amber either. I'd rather not see her at all than randomly bump into each other and get engulfed in a tense atmosphere. Considering she hadn't replied to my texts yesterday I figured she was still mad. My quick-fix solution was to give her time to cool off before talking to her again.
After arriving at my locker I spun the knob on the lock, inputting my combination. The lock made a clicking sound and it opened, so I swung open the door and put my textbooks in my backpack. I was so consumed in my thoughts I didn't notice the presence next to me.
"Dani Parker?" It was Holden. "Are you with me, Dani Parker? Over." He had his hand over his mouth to emit a muffled sound as if he were actually speaking into a walkie-talkie.
"You are a loser. Over," I mimicked, placing my hand over my mouth.
"Yet you're still talking to me. Over."
I leaned against the locker beside mine. "What do you want?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Someone seems a little grumpy."
"Try food-deprived."
"Want to skip homeroom and grab a bite?"
"I wish," I groaned. "But my mom would kill me if she found out I ditched class."
"Good old Mrs. Stick-up-her-ass Parker." His eyes widened when he realized what he said. "That was not intended to come out."
For the first time all morning, I cracked a smile. "Whether or not you meant to say it, I wholeheartedly agree." I paused. "Are the 'rents back yet?"
"Came back this morning right before I left for practice."
"Were you able to hide all the evidence from your party?" I asked.
Despite the fact that Holden's cool as hell parents were actually okay with him throwing parties, Holden had this game where he'd see how long he could go without them finding out.
He beamed at me. "The fifth party in a row, and I still haven't been caught."
I faked a gasp. "You fiend!"
"Schoolboy by day, miscreant at night"
"The Holden Rollins story," I added.
The playful look on his face suddenly disappeared. "I heard some people saw you walk off with Cade at the party."
I blew out a puff of air. "Don't remind me."
"What happened between you two?"
"Aside from the fact that he drunkenly kissed me, not much else."
Holden's eyes widened so much, I was afraid they were going to bulge out of their sockets. "He kissed you? Wait until Brent finds out, he's a dead man."
"Don't tell him," I pleaded. "I really want to throw that night behind me."
He didn't look too pleased by my request. "Fine. But if he ever comes near you again you tell me, okay?"
I nodded. "Thanks."
Holden looked at me with sincerity. "I'm here for you, Dani."
I smiled at him. "It means a lot."
The warning bell rang, indicating classes were going to start in a few minutes. Holden waved goodbye before jogging off to his first class of the day. I finished getting the remainder of my binders and textbooks from my locker.
I was just about to close my locker door but something fell out. It appeared to be a loose sheet from one of my binders. I picked it up and was going to toss it into my backpack, but I stopped when I noticed an unfamiliar scrawl on it.
Can't disclose. Only time will tell.
I blinked in confusion. What did that even mean? I flipped it over to the other side and saw my own writing.
What's the name of the book you were reading?
I didn't know whether to be alarmed that James knew where my locker was or annoyed that he didn't answer the question. I also didn't know why the curiosity of what he was reading yesterday was eating at me. It was just a book. Then again, what kind of book was it? Knowing him, it was probably a motorcycle catalogue or a book with too many pictures and minimal writing. I froze.
I didn't know him.
What if it was a book of assorted poetry? Or a steamy erotica novel? Or a guide on how to kidnap someone? Who knew what this boy was into?
Despite that, I felt a small smile creep its way onto my face when it dawned upon me that he actually replied to my note.
~*~
"Can someone please share with the class the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?" Mrs. Frazer asked.
I glanced down at my notebook and pretended to write something to avoid being called upon. When I heard someone mutter my name I turned around to see Amber looking directly at me. She had managed to avoid me for most of the period, but I guess something inside of her made her want to talk to me. Either that or my head was blocking the board and she wanted me to move.
"I'm sorry about the way I was acting," she whispered.
"I suppose I was annoying, so I'm sorry too," I whispered back.
"Are we all good now?"
"Always."
"Ms. Parker," Mrs. Frazer called out. "Since you like talking so much why don't you answer my question?"
"Damn it," I muttered. "What was the question again?"
"What is the difference between an epidemic and a pandemic?"
"Umm..." I tried to wrack my brain for anything. "They have different prefixes?" Some of my classmates laughed at that, but Mrs. Frazer didn't seem too amused.
"Perhaps opt for less talking and more listening," she suggested before giving the correct answer.
"Want to hang out after school?" Amber whispered to me once Mrs. Frazer was lost in her own boring ramble.
"I have to do some errands."
"I can help. What kinds of errands?"
Just chauffeuring my neighbour to and from school because I destroyed his motorcycle. "The usual," I decided to go with instead.
"Want help?"
"I think I can manage."
"You're not still mad, are you?" she asked.
"I'm fine," I assured her.
"That's enough, Ms. Parker," Mrs. Frazer intervened. "Ms. Lane, please switch seats with Mr. Hastings."
My eyes widened when I realized whose last name happened to be Hastings. "I won't talk anymore," I promised. "Can I have one more chance, please?"
"I've given you many chances, Ms. Parker. If this new seating arrangement is problematic for you, then you can go on down to the office and discuss this with the principal."
I slumped in my seat. Amber gave me a sympathetic look as she walked to the other side of the classroom. I didn't dare turn around when I felt a new presence behind me.
"Now we're desk neighbours too," James whispered.
I forced myself to face forward and focus on Mrs. Frazer, ignoring the goosebumps forming on my neck from his proximity.
"As you all know, your term projects are coming up," Mrs. Frazer said. "This will be a research assignment in which you will write a report, create a brochure, and do a presentation on an epidemic or pandemic. You will have the rest of the semester to complete this and it will be worth forty-five percent of your final grade, so make sure you start early."
Someone raised their hand. "Can we do this in groups?"
Mrs. Frazer pondered over the question. "I am aware this is a lot of work, especially with all of your other classes and college applications coming up, so I will make this a partner project." She paused. "However, you will partner up with the person sitting behind or in front of you."
I glanced ahead, praying there was an odd number of people in front of me in my row. Of course, there were two people who happily partnered up with each other. Feeling myself deflate, I turned around to face my partner. James didn't look too pleased himself to be partnered up with me either. At least the feeling was mutual.
~*~
Awkward couldn't even begin to describe the drive home. The only sound audible was the commercial softly playing on the radio. James was invested in the same damn book he kept hiding the cover of, and Alex was sitting in the backseat staring at James. Every now and then James would look up and catch Alex through the right-wing mirror. Both of them would look away like nothing happened, and the cycle would repeat itself. This occurred the entire ride home.
Alex, who I could never get to shut up, finally spoke when we were inside our house. "Who was that?"
"A friend." James was hardly a neighbour, let alone a friend.
"What's his name?"
"Something."
"Why are you being secretive?"
"Want mac and cheese?" I offered, hoping to change the subject.
"Yes please!" Alex gave me a strange look. "Is he your boyfriend?"
I choked on air. "Jeez, kid, stop saying that! Especially not about him."
"What's wrong with that boy?" My little brother pondered over his own question. "He did seem kind of mean."
"You don't even know the half of it," I grumbled. I filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove to boil.
"Why'd you drive him?" Alex continued.
"His car broke down and he lives near, so he asked if I could drop him home."
He casted me an odd glance. Just when I thought I was getting better at lying, my ten-year-old brother was able to see right through me. "Does anyone else know about your friend?"
I dumped uncooked macaroni into the boiling water. "No, and I'd prefer for it to stay that way."
He looked back and forth between me and the pot. "Make it with extra cheddar and my lips are sealed."
I chewed on my lower lip as I considered his proposal. That wasn't too bad. "You've got a deal."