I slammed my locker door shut with more force than necessary and turned to the regular subject of irritation, my features the picture of hostility. Unfortunately, as anticipated it had no effect. He didn't flinch away or avert my stare but smile crookedly in a way that never ceased to antagonize me.
"I'm beginning to debate whether I think you're persistent or completely oblivious," I bit out, my patience wearing thin. North opened his mouth to reply but I beat him to it. "Never mind," I held up my hand to silence him, "Don't bother answering. I'm not really keen to hear you talk."
"I've heard that Disney land is the happiest place on earth. But apparently, no one has ever been standing next to you," he winked, his smile completely goofy, and irritating and- I rolled my eyes. Complete idiot!
Abruptly, the bell tolled. I cursed, staring at the now barren halls.
"Tut tut, honey. I thought angels weren't allowed to swear." I cursed again. Arms heavy with notes, I rushed down the dreary and empty halls. However, before I turned the corner, I faintly heard him chuckle under his breath. My fist clenched. Persistent asshole.
**
I clicked my pen emphatically in an attempt to redirect my aggression from the herd of giggling bimbos. Was it working? If the twitch in my right eye was any indication, then no, it was most definitely was not. Shifting slightly so as not to draw the attention of the teacher, I discreetly turned my head toward the direction of their attention, only to make eye contact with 'Lover Boy'. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and his eyes shone smugly. 'Like what you see?' they seemed to say. Blech, they can have him.
As the class heatedly debated the classic, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, my brows knit together. Whilst I admired the heroine, I could never – in the many times I had felt compelled to read it – comprehend how she gave up her freedom. I understood that she loved Mr Rochester, but he had tarnished their love, yet... she returned; heart open. It baffled me, how the complex action of placing your heart in someone's hand... could be so simple, so easy. My brows creased further, eyes becoming distant as mind descended into a bottomless well.
Time passed like a whisper on the breeze. Present for a single moment, then gone, leaving only the doubt of whether it was real. My desk jolted as students proceeded to leave the class, each chime of the bell was like a whip herding cattle. I flushed crimson, ashamed to have blanked through the whole class and absentmindedly grabbed my belongings as the fog retreated to the edge of my consciousness.
**
Boneless legs struggled to carry me, and my palms grew clammy with sweat. My stomach churned uneasily as I stared at the weary door, heavy with the weight of its fate. We had become quite familiar, the door and I. It was probable I knew every crack and spot of the chipped yellow paint better than the back of my hand. Steeling myself, I opened the door which cringed in protest; it was such a broken, lonely sound. Stepping over the threshold, I entered my cell.
**
"Where are you?" I grunted frustratedly as I emptied the contents of my bag uselessly, eyes flitting up toward the door eye few moments. An ache bloomed in my head. "Well, that is just perfect?" Defeated, I opted to lie on my bed, the worn mattress groaned beneath my weight as I curled into a fetal position. Eventually, seeking comfort, I turned to lay on my back. Despite being in my senior year, I hadn't removed the glowing galaxy of stars from my bedroom ceiling. I still found myself gazing up at them every now and then, pretending I was laying in an endless, open field staring up at a blanket of stars.
Distantly, I heard faint knocking. Jolting upward, I froze waiting to see if I had imagined it. No one came here. Ever. Slipping on my sandals, I walked carefully through the house. I could faintly hear the voices of my parents from the bedroom. Dread dried in my stomach. The knock came again, stronger this time. Weaving my way around furniture, I arrived at the front door and opened it cautiously. I froze.
"Missing something?"
I stared dumbfounded at the slim plastic phone hanging from between North's fingertips. Then back at the satisfied grin on his face.
"I thought you might be looking for this. So... do I get a kiss as a reward?"
That kicked me right out of my stupor. "What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed, my eyes staring daggers; his smile didn't even falter.
"Returning your-"
"I know that. But what are you doing here?" I cut him off urgently. I shifted from one foot to the other in an attempt to quell my panic.
Just as he was about to respond, the crack of the door against drywall exploded throughout the house. I flinched; the presence of my peer forgotten. Squeezing my eyes shut, my face contorted painfully as my chest tightened unbearably in its struggle for air. A cold sweat broke out across my forehead and my fists bleached white as I struggled to centre myself waited for what was to come.
"Your worthless b**ch, why the f**k are you so stupid! Quit whining or I'll kick the f**k out of ya!" Each word was like a punch to the gut and my chest tightened excruciatingly. I was sure my face was purple from the lack of oxygen. But nothing, nothing, pained me more than the bleak whimpers that escaped my mother's lips. Suddenly, two hands gripped my shoulders firmly and shook mine gently.
"Look at me!" a voice pleaded desperately, "Open your eyes, Melina!" Compelled, my eyes opened, drawn to the gentle voice. "Good. That's it," turbulent ocean eyes held mine, "Now breathe." I opened my mouth opened and closed, but still, the pressure did not ease. North's voice grew strained, "Please." Tears welled in my eyes, how beautiful, that word was, filled with so much concern.
I breathed.