"Amira, Amira get up!" I heard my father's voice and I felt his push.
I drifted off to sleep again when I felt his presence disappear. I was dreaming of a pair of eyes watching me from the woods. I knew I should be afraid but for some reason I felt drawn to them. I felt a soft touch to my head and felt a breeze across my forehead. My eyes fluttered open and I heard my moms soothing voice singing to me.
"There you are." She said as she sung, gently blowing on my face between lyrics. Though I woke with a smile, irritation quickly settled in as I pushed my mother away. My mother held a triumphant smile as she exited my room, walking by my dad who stood in the door way.
"You have half an hour." They both walked out and closed the door.
I typically wake up on my own, but on those days when I don't they tag team. My dad uses force and my mom uses her gentle touch. I think they have an on going bet about which one yields the most results. I remembered my dad said I only had 30 minutes. I quickly showered and threw on anything, sprinting down to breakfast. I used the last fifteen minutes to gobble down some food, my parents not forgetting to shove my meds towards me. Once in the car I closed my eyes and rested while I could. You would think it was a Monday but in fact today was Wednesday. My second week in school and I am already going to sleep through my courses.
"You're here." I opened my eyes and peered at the school. A certain feeling over came me…a feeling that something eventful was going to happen today. I don't know if it was a good feeling or a bad feeling. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I said opening the door. I headed towards the school feeling slightly more awake.
"I see daddy is still driving you to school," I brushed past Lexi ignoring her.
It didn't take long before Mark was walking beside me, stride for stride. He threw an arm over my shoulder and peered around the front of the building. "Hey," I threw back a response absently.
"Is everything okay?" He inquired.
He smiled down at me, "Yeah." He didn't elaborate before continuing into the building. He stood next to me at my locker while I grabbed my books.
"Where is your book?" he reached into my locker and pulled out his copy of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
"I already read this anyway," He said nonchalantly.
"You just about read all of the books," Cameron said walking up with Ava. "Hello" he greeted me.
"Hi" I said and exchanged greetings with Ava. "I'll see you for science?"
"See ya"
Mark replaced his arm around me and we headed to English. Mark has continued to walk me to all my classes and I found out that Cameron tends to walk with Ava. It was one day when we were leaving science and he was there instead of Mark. Ava revealed to me that he walks her to every class they do not have together.
Being in English together I got to see a more serious side of Mark. He was really smart and we worked well together. Even when we were arguing it became an intellectual debate and we pointed out facts to persuade each other's point of view. Mrs. Kinely was happy about our pairing, she felt I challenged Mark thus keeping him as quiet as possible. Alex on the other hand, I felt bad for him. His constant state of irritation was evident on his face as Lexi continued to flirt with him instead of working.
I was happy that today's assignment was just us recreating the cover of the book. We had to come up with a concept and attempt to draw it.
"I cannot draw for shit," Mark said staring down at the sheet of paper in front of us.
"I'll do it," I said grabbing the blank piece of paper and began drawing.
Mark peered over my shoulder as I quickly sketched out a rough draft of what we wanted.
"Your good at this," He said as the image began to appear on the sheet.
"It's just a rough draft," I pulled the paper away from my face and examined it.
Alex turned around and looked at our work. "That is good."
"Alex you're my partner not theirs," Lexi said in a whinny voice pulling his arm so he could face forward.
I shook my head and went over our notes, "Is this what you were picturing." Me and Mark discussed what should be added and what should be changed. Ms. Kinley knew we would not complete this today and was giving everyone another day to finish. Friday we had to present our art work and why we choose the cover we did.
The last class of the day was gym and we all stood around outside waiting for instruction. I was a bit cold with the breeze in the air from last night's rain. Mark saw me shivering and placed his arm around me, getting used to it I never thought anything about the gestures he made. I long accepted he was just one of those friends who looked out for me.
Coach gave us simple instructions for today, 15 laps needed to be completed before the end of the class to get full credit. This was an easy task for my group, all of us finished before the rest of the class. It was Mark, Cameron, Ava, Alex, and I standing by the bleachers.
"There's a party this weekend," Alex said looking around to see if anyone is listening.
"I want to go," Ava said quickly.
"No," Cameron said shaking his head.
"You know your father and brother are not going to let you," Mark pointed out.
She pouted but did not argue further.
"Did you want to go?" Alex asked flashing his famous smile that I have seen girls swoon over
"No," Mark said
"Hey!" I slapped his arm.
"It's not safe," He said pulling me closer, as if he felt danger could reach me at anytime.
"But it's safe for you guys," I said glaring at him.
"My point," Ava sided with me
"Look," We all looked in the direction Cameron pointed in.
"My brothers back," excitement laced Ava's voice.
There he was again. My breath stilled as I watched him coming our way. His features already familiar to me.
"Why does he look extremely pissed off?" Alex asked
I then realized his rugged stance as he stormed towards us anger filling each step. Ragged breathes escaped his perched lips as he drew his fist back and punched Mark. Mark flew back into the bleachers and everyone stood in shock.
"What the hell?" Mark asked wiping the blood from his mouth.
"Caleb!?" I shouted.
He pulled me to him "Mine," He said as his chest rose and fell quickly.
Further shocked filled their faces while he pulled me away towards the building. I looked on as we gained the attention of the rest of the class, embarrassment filling my face. The embarrassment quickly left me as we stood in the hallway leading from outside to the gym, my thoughts only consumed with him. Caleb held me against the wall as his lips quickly claimed mine in a rough kiss. I instantly kissed him back matching his feverous behavior. When he pulled away he repeated the words "Mine," but with less hostility than he did towards Mark. He stared at me as he rested his head against mine. I heard the door open and four pair of feet approach us. "I apologize I did not know. I knew she smelt… different. But none of us could decipher why," I heard Marks voice from behind Caleb.
Caleb responded only in a growl. Mark bowed his head and retreated down the hall towards gym. I saw the rest of the group not standing far from us. "Come on. Gym is over, the rest of the class is coming in," Cameron said resting his hand on Caleb's shoulder before leading the group further into the school.
Caleb pushed himself further into me, before pulling away and dragging me with him behind the group. He didn't say anything and part of me knew it was because some part of him was still wrestling with his anger. His grip on my hand tightened as we walked into the hall passing all the other students. They all looked at our hands with curiosity. He was dragging me towards the door when I stopped. I was starting to gain some clarity which was hard around him.
"What? What is it?" he asked looking concerned
"I have to get my books out of my locker." I attempted to pull my hand from his grasp which he held tighter.
He pulled me into his chest refusing to allow me to step away from him. His subtle nudge encouraging me to lead the way to my locker. Once we reached my locker I once again attempted to pull away from him when he pulled me back.
"I need my hands to get my books." I gently pulled my hand from his.
Reluctantly he let go of my hand and posted against the locker next to me. He left little space between us as he glared back at everyone glancing our way. I ignored his behavior as I traded the books in my bag for the ones in my locker.
"Is that everything?" He looked to me as I closed my locker.
"yes," I said zipping up my bag
Caleb grabbed my bag, then my hand, before leading me towards the exit. Once outside we walked to the bike rack where everyone stood. I did take notice that Mark was not with them. I looked to Ava who quickly shook her head as if to warn me not to question it. My thoughts consumed me as I tuned out the conversation around me. My gaze travelled down to the arm he stretched around me. I could not explain why I felt so comfortable with him. I allowed him to touch me in ways I allowed few men before him to. He kissed me without warning twice now and not once did I consider retreating.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a door slamming and my father storming over to us. Caleb instantly pushed me behind him.
"I told you already to stay away," My father said as his chest heaved up and down.
"It is absurd I have not slept in two weeks," Caleb said. Not budging from in front of me.
"That sounds like your problem," My dad growled. "What you're doing to her is cruel. You must see reason," Caleb gritted out looking ready to attack my father.
I glanced between my father and the one I felt drawn to. If it came down to it I don't know who I would side with. My father who I loved and respected, or to Caleb who I had an indescribable draw to.
"I have to see to nothing but my daughter's safety."
"I can protect her from anything you think you are protecting her from." Caleb shot back.
"You don't even know her," he snapped.
"This is not the place," Cameron interjected standing between them.
Caleb pulled me to his side and buried his nose behind my ear, "I went to the counsel."
Caleb spoke the words so quietly I did not think my father heard him until I saw his face. My dad looked taken back but recomposed his facial expression.
"Let her go with her father," Cameron said reaching for me, "for now Caleb. You went to the counsel. They'll side with you when it comes to this. The separation will only be for a short period."
Caleb kissed me gently on the lips and slowly released me. Cameron briefly touched my arm as he ushered me to my father. My father quickly walked me to the car and closed the door after he knew I was in. I looked out the window and saw Caleb fuming. It was just as hard to be apart for me. I felt the separation stronger this time, and my insides instantly tensed up as I saw the sadness in his eyes. Ava tried to comfort him but he shrugged her off and ran away. I don't know where he went because my father quickly pulled off from the school.
We did not talk on the way home and I did not try to initiate conversation. I crawled into bed when I got home not speaking to anyone. I didn't know how I felt exactly but I knew the feeling was not good.