DRIIIIIIIIING!
A shrill alarm clock echoed in my ears, rousing me from my sleep. With a lazy hand, I turned off the alarm and then passed my gaze over the room. I recognized the converted attic that I used as my bedroom. Through the window, I could see the rain falling silently outside.
I descended the ladder by the retractable staircase to get to the bathroom and after a shower that seemed to last forever and finished getting ready. I returned to my room, I put on black jeans, a white t-shirt, and a red jacket before looking at myself one last time in the mirror. Messy brown hair, dark blue eyes, and the typical look of a teenager living in queens. A female voice called out to me.
«Roy? Breakfast is ready!!»
«OK, thanks! I'm coming!!»
I left my room, before taking the wooden ladder leading to the ground floor, being careful not to knock onto floor the photo frames that ran along the wall. I crossed the entrance hall then stopped, noticing water droplets in front of the door and the presence of a brown coat on the coat rack. We had a guest in our house.
«Leroy!!»
I walked over to the voice coming from the kitchen. When I walked in I found a tall woman with shoulder-length black hair wearing a long black dress and a pumpkin-colored apron standing at the counter, peeling apples while humming.
That was my mother, a person of incomparable sweetness (most of the time) answering to the name of Leona Gardner. When she saw me she gave me a bright smile.
«Hello sweetie, your breakfast and your lunchbox are on the table.»
«Thanks !» I responded by giving her a kiss on her cheek.
Turning to the table I stopped dead. On one of the chairs sat a beautiful girl with red hair and green eyes, eating toast. That girl was Marlo Chandlers, one of my classmates at midtown high school. And one of my rare friends.
«Hi Marlo?» I said slightly surprised.
«Morning Roy,» she replied with a radiant smile.
«What are you doing here?»
«My mother is going to drop me off at high school, so I came here to suggest that we take you too.»
«Alright, I am fine with it.»
I put my lunchbox in my bag, gulped down a piece of toast, and opened the way for Marlo with a bow.
«After you, my lady.»
«With pleasure but tell me, Roy, are you planning to go out dressed so...lightly?» She said pointing to my jacket.
«Why not? I just have to take my umbrella and I'm ready.»
«...You haven't seen the weather outside have you?»
Puzzled, I went to the window, I drew the red curtains and when I opened the window a wave of cold hit me in the face. What I had mistaken for rain was actually snow that I could see falling all the way to the horizon. We were in the middle of October and it was snowing like we were in an Alaska in winter.
«Riiiight, that explains the big coat. And the water in front of the door is slush I guess.»
«Strange isn't it? But as it's only falling snow, the authorities are encouraging establishments to remain open. According to the news, New York is not the only state affected. The entire east coast is snowed under.»
(«--------»)
After half an hour in Marlo's mom's car, we had finally reached midtown high school. Despite the heavy white powder covering the building, I could see that some things hadn't changed at all.
«Look who's coming !! The king of jesters and his red-haired knight !! So, Chandler, I didn't know you had a liking for nerds!! But as they say, losers attract each other.»
I didn't need to figure out where that voice was coming from and the snickers that came with it. That was Flash Thompson and his gang of friends, which consisted of Sally Avril, a member of the cheerleaders, and some members of the high school football team.
«Hello, Thompson. Excuse me, did you say something? Surely nothing smart because you and your lackeys would already have to understand what this word means.»
Some of the students around were holding back from giggling as Flash's face quickly turned red while his buddies began to crack their knuckles. I instinctively positioned myself in front of Marlo.
«Watch your tongue, Gardner. I could break you and your girl like twigs.»
«Is that why you surround yourself with your friends, so as not to get your hands dirty? Afraid of breaking a nail? It shouldn't be a problem for you though, we already know you're used to put your hands in the filth.»
Flash was about to pounce on me when his friends grabbed his shoulders to hold him back. Behind me, Marlo grabbed my left arm and by turning my head toward her, I saw her gaze asking me to not play their game. The high school bell rang and Flash finally regained her composure.
«Saved by the bell losers, we shall deal with you later.»
After watching Flash and his clique pull away I turned to Marlo who was giving me a teasing smile.
«Thank you for trying to defend me, Mr. Gardner.»
«Thanks to you Miss Chandler for preventing me from kicking these boors asses.»
We shared a knowing look before we burst out laughing.
Once in class, I settled in my seat by the window while Marlo took a seat behind me. Mr. Weston, our science professor dressed like a mad scientist, stood in front of the blackboard staring at us all sternly.
«Ladies and Gentlemen, before class begins, I would like to inform you that we are welcoming a newcomer to this class. I would ask you all to welcome her. It's okay you can enter» He said in the direction of the door.
The door opened and a beautiful girl entered the classroom. Sparkling green eyes, long orange hair, wearing a hooded green hoodie, black denim pants, and lace-up boots. Strangely this suited her nicely, so much so that I could notice other boys and girls admiring her. When she began to speak, her clear and confident voice was the only thing we heard.
«Hello everyone, my name is Hope Summer and I'm new in this town. I hope to get along with all of you.»
The lesson flew by and finally came break time. The newcomer calmly walked to her locker, followed by students gathered around her, who began bombarding her with questions to which she answered, seeming more amused than bored. The students continued to talk with her while Flash and his group stayed away, giving her a sideways look.
«Seriously what are they all getting excited about just a new student?»
If Hope heard it, she didn't show it. Sally whispered a few words in Flash's ear and they shared a nasty smile. I could feel trouble coming. Followed by four of her fellow cheerleaders, she slowly walked over to Hope and the students gathered around her.
Seeing her, they scattered like leaves in the wind, leaving this girl alone with her back to the wall, facing five horrible shrews dressed like cheerleaders.
«So, miss newbie, do you like our high school?»
«Yeah, it's not bad,» Hope replied casually.
«Good. So let us give you some advice.»
«Advice?»
«Yes! Or rather rules that newbies must follow to avoid problems with the class.»
Then without warning, Sally brutally put her hand against the locker behind Hope, her face inches from her.
«First, newbies keep a low profile in front of Seniors. Secondly-
«Oooh, attempted bullying towards a student on her first day!? Gross, but nothing surprising coming from you, right Avril?»
Hearing my provocation, Sally and her friends turned to me and froze when they saw what I had in hand. The instant they walked over to Hope, I pulled out my phone and activated the camera. I showed it to the bunch of cheerleaders and turned on the playback of the last video.
A video that showed in detail everything Sally and her friends have done in the last few minutes. I couldn't help but smile seeing their faces turn pale. The few moments filmed were proof enough for any teacher of Sally's intentions.
«You look good on camera don't you think, Avril? I am curious to know the opinion of a professor about my cameraman skills...
«I too would like to have the principal's opinion on mine.» Said a voice behind me.
I turned my head to see Marlo, her cell phone in her hand. She obviously had the same idea as me. Sally didn't say anything. She looked at Flash, as if she wanted to say «Don't just stand there. Do something!!!». If she was as smart as she believed she would have understood that there was no way her Bulldog would risk getting into trouble with the teachers for her.
Otherwise he wouldn't have left her act without him. Seeing that she wouldn't receive any support from him, Sally nodded to her friends and they walked away, past Marlo and me, bitterness and frustration on their faces.
Once they were out of sight, Hope walked over to Marlo and me, a smile on her face. It was definitely one the most beautiful smiles I've seen in my whole life.
«Thanks to you two. I could have handled these shrews by myself but your intervention was...not bad.»
«Don't worry, it was a pleasure.» I said in a friendly tone.
«I've seen you two in my class earlier. Let me introduce myself again, my name is Hope Summer, I hope we get along well.» Hope said happily, holding out her hand. Marlo and I shared a look before smiling back at her.
«Marlo Chandler.»
«Leroy Gardner.»
Marlo squeezed Hope's hand then it was my turn. The moment my hand came in contact with Hope's hand, my body was seized with a brief but strange sensation. It was as if the beat of another heart than mine had echoed through my body.
Classes passed quickly until lunch break. Hope having no one to spend this time with, Marlo and I offered to join our table, a proposal she accepted with a delighted look. The longer we talked with her, Hope told us more about her.
According to her, her father and her traveled the world for his work, but he had to give up his profession due to health problems. Marlo seemed to enjoy having someone (besides me) to talk with.
«...So you've never been to any school before?»
«No one. Because of my father's job, we had to travel a lot, so he took care of my education by himself.»
«Why did you enroll in this high school? Your father could have done homeschooling can't he?» Marlo asked, bringing a goblet of soda to her lips.
«My dad and I recently moved into the Queen's. He wanted us to be able to settle down somewhere and make a new start.»
Marlo seemed to be thinking about something, a finger on her lips.
«Hmmm... tell me Hope are you free tomorrow?»
«Uh, yes I think I am.»
«If you want, Roy and I could take you to get to know Queens a little better, after all that's where we live too.»
"Why not today?"
«I can't, today I'm going to do the tryouts to join the swim team of the school.»
«Really, could I come and see you?»
«Of course, Roy also said he would come.» Marlo answered enthusiastically.
«There's a something I am thinking about for a moment now. Are you two dating?»
Her question put a heavy silence upon the table.
(«--------»)
Marlo.
It was the end of school. Marlo was excited but nervous. She was about to start the tryouts to join the school swim team in a few moments. She was rather confident in her abilities after all she had been doing swimming since she was little. She walked into the girls locker room, opened her locker to pull out a midnight blue swimsuit, and slowly began to undress.
Soon other girls entered the locker room and began to change as well. As she got ready to remove her bra, a blonde, blue-eyed girl next to her stared at her with curiosity.
«So, is Gardner your boyfriend?»
This simple question made Marlo stop short in her tracks as her heart pounded.
«W-What are you talking about? What do you all have to ask this question today? Do we know each other?»
«Oh I'm sorry. My name is Elizabeth Allan but everyone calls me Liz. You can see me as...an old acquaintance of Roy.» Liz said, holding out her hand. Marlo was suspicious at first but finally squeezed the outstretched hand.
«Fine, Liz. My name's Marlo Chandler.»
«So Marlo, are you dating Roy?»
«What makes you think that?»
«I've seen you together a lot over the past few months and then this morning when Flash looked for you sticks, the way he put himself between you and him...»
«Roy and I are just friends. When I arrived in this high school, he was the one who gave me a tour of the place. He was nice to me and I didn't know anyone here. Later he saved me from a terrible joke from Flash and his pals. We have become friends since that day.»
«Why did they target you?»
«A few days after my arrival here, Flash made more or less 'inappropriate' advances to me and I made it clear to him that I would never date someone like him. He didn't really appreciate it.»
«Is that why he's such an asshole with you and Roy?»
«Yes and no. I told you Roy saved me from falling into a trap set by Flash and his gang. Have you heard of the teacher who showered with garbage in front of the whole gymnasium?»
«Yes, Flash gained 2 months of detention for that. But I don't see...Wait, you mean...»
«Yes, it was for me that Flash had intended this little surprise. If Roy hadn't predicted he was preparing something bad, I would have ended up humiliated in front of half of the school. But this poor Mrs. Hale found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thanks to the influence of Thompson's father, he and his friends were able to avoid dismissal, but they all took two months of detention. Somehow Flash understood that Roy had played his part in the story because he promised he would make both of us pay and since then he never misses a chance to harm us.»
«Ok I see the picture. But tell me, aren't you a little interested in Roy? I mean, he's not bad looking, he's top of his class in some subjects and then not everyone has the guts to oppose Flash Thompson because that means alienating at least half of the football team.»
«Uuuuuh ...»
«However, maybe he's interested in you, have you never thought about it? A cute girl like you are, this is many boys dream, isn't it? And that might explain why he pays you so much attention.»
Liz's words slowly turned Marlo's cheeks red. She looked at herself in the mirror inside her locker door. With a toned but well-proportioned body, curves where needed to be and a face who can be called very beautiful, Marlo undoubtedly had a charm that was unique to her.
«Do you think he's interested in me in that way? That he sees me not as a friend but as someone of the opposite sex ?» Marlo asked without taking her eyes off her reflection.
«That's for you to know it. What do you really think about him ?»
«...Honestly, I'm not sure. He is kind, smart, he is always ready to help others and I must admit that I love being in his company. But I'm not sure I'm ready to engage myself into this kind of relationship.»
«Well, anyway if you keep spending so much time with him you'll eventually find the answers you're looking for." Boys aren't that hard to understand after all.»
(<-------->)
Leroy
Natatorium
Marlo's tests were about to begin. The rays of the sun were passing through the glass walls. With the melted snow that could be seen outside it looked like a simple downpour of rain had hit this morning. Hope and I waited in the beige marble bleachers while she was harassing me with questions.
«So you and Marlo aren't dating?»
«Once again the answer is no.»
«I've only been here a day but to me you already seem like two peas in a pod. That aside, I have the impression that the other students are avoiding you two...
«Marlo and I are on the blacklist of the biggest bully of the school. Not really ideal when you want to make friends.»
«Oooook but you aren't even a little attracted to her?»
Even if I was keeping a poker face, Hope's questions made my brain work at full speed. Marlo was an awesome girl. She was beautiful, intelligent, she had both a strong personality and a sweet side. However, I had never envisaged that our friendship could evolve into something more intimate. At least never consciously.
I was about to respond to Hope when a group of girls in midnight blue swimsuits entered the room, among her I recognized Marlo, her hair gathered in a gray bathing cap. Because she usually wore sober clothes this was the first time I had seen her so exposed.
Perfect skin, long slender legs, enchanting curves. I felt my heart skip a beat. Marlo saw us in the stands and the moment our eyes met, she immediately looked away.
She positioned herself on one of the diving boards, waited for the signal from the coach who raised his hand. From the moment he brought it down, Marlo showed us a marvelous show of grace and technique in every exercise that was asked of her. At the end of the tryouts, Marlo was admitted to the swim team with the best results ever recorded in Midtown.
(«--------»)
The sun began to set when Marlo and I arrived at the bus stop to return to our respective houses, the only difference from usual were that we were carrying in our arms the coats we had this morning which had become unnecessary, that Hope was waiting with us for the same bus than us and that for some reason Marlo seemed to be avoiding my gaze since the tryouts.
The bus, however, arrived slightly late as usual. Hope entered first and then I waited for Marlo to enter. She seemed to be thinking about something then gave me her most serious look.
«Leroy do you mind if we walk a bit? I would like to talk to you about something.»
She had never called me by my full name since we met. That alone told me that she didn't want to talk about fashion topics.
«Okay well, see you two tomorrow.» Hope said as the bus door closed.
Through the window I saw her wink at me as the bus slowly pulled away. So we do as Marlo wished. We walked in silence for at least ten minutes. Then Marlo finally decided to break the silence.
«Hey Roy, do you remember the day we met?»
«Yeah. You got lost in the corridors, you were looking for the principal's office and you were asking the other students for directions.»
«Yeah, but most of them were too focused on themselves to pay attention to me. But not you.»
Guys like me always have some time to waste. For me, helping a pretty lady find her way is always a pleasure.»
«But you didn't stop there. It was also you who saved me from the trap that Thompson had prepared for me. Yet you were taking a huge risk by helping me like you did.»
«Thompson had me in his personnal blacklist for a long time already. So it wouldn't-
I didn't get a chance to finish my sentence as Marlo grabbed my head from the sides, forcing me to look her in the eye. She was 5'7 '' tall, approximately four inches shorter than me, but I could feel the strength in her arms, as expected of an expert swimmer.
«You are always so...caring with me. And you're always defending me against Thompson and his gang. I need to know what I really am for you Leroy.»
My heart was pounding like a drum in my chest but it was hard to think properly with her face just inches away from mine and her sweet scent invading my nose. As I looked for something to say, a green car suddenly pulled up on the sidewalk in front of us.
We both turned our heads towards the car and its doors swung open to let out none other than Flash Thompson, accompanied by Sally Avril and two of their football team friends both built like bodybuilders, one with green eyes and blond hair and the other with a shaved head and black eyes.
«Hello !! Are we disrupting you, loosers ?»
«What are you doing here, Thompson ?» I replied. Instinctively, I grabbed Marlo's hand and pulled her behind me.
«Don't you remember what I told you both this morning ? I told you that we shall deal with you and Flash Thompson always keeps his word. Where's your new friend? Already bored of you two?»
«Returned to her home. I think she wanted to quickly put some distance between her and your scent of congenital moron.»
«Catch him !!» Flash yelled at his blond pal.
The tall blond fellow rushed at me like a berserk, I guessed he was going to try to pin me to the ground. With Marlo behind me it was impossible for me to dodge the charge. So I put myself in position to prepare to take the big guy charge.
Upon impact I felt my feet slide on the ground for a few inches but miraculously I held on. I then grabbed the bastard still in my arms and threw him to the ground to give him a kick in the head that knocked him out.
Flash and his mates all had drooping jaws, but I was the most surprised here. I had managed to stop and throw a guy twice bigger than me and who must have been used to lifting heavier loads than me to the ground. However, now was not the time to worry about it. Flash seemed to agree on that.
«Keep him busy, I have something for him.» Say Flash in the ear of his other comrade.
He had said these words in a whisper and yet I had heard them as clearly as if he had spoken them in my ear.
As Flash went to search the trunk of his car, the bastard number 2 came over to me. Clenching my right fist I swung a right hook that he stopped with his left hand. It seemed like a serious strain on him at the grimace he was making. He then tried to hit me with his free fist but I could see his fist flying at my face.
Strangely, his stroke seemed slow to me, unlike what one would expect from a sportsman of his stature. I grabbed his fist with little effort and threw my head back before giving him a violent headbutt which made him kneel while holding his nose, while I did not feel any pain to the head after what I did.
«Hey Gardner, over here !!»
Sally's voice made me turn my head behind me to see that Marlo wasn't alone. The tall blond who was knocked out moments ago was holding her tight with an arm around her waist holding her in the air and a hand over her mouth to keep her from screaming as she struggled trying to give him elbows and heel kicks, she was even trying to scratch his arms with her fingernails.
Sally standing next to him stared at me with a mocking smile. I gritted my teeth as I blamed myself for focusing too much on what was happening in front of me.
«She's a hell of a tigress isn't she ? But your fucking game is over.»
Marlo pointed at something behind me, but I barely had time to turn my head when a sky blue glow dazzled me and a sharp pain numbing my whole body made me collapse to the floor. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Flash holding what appeared to be an electric baton, a disgusting smile on his face.
«Being on the ground among the worms suits you better Gardner.»
«What are we going to do with this little shit?» His shaved-headed friend asked.
Flash turned to the asshole who was still holding Marlo.
«Don't let her look away. I want her to watch the whole show.»
Flash raised his baton when suddenly a noise similar to an explosion was heard, freezing everybody. I looked for the source of this noise, to see between the buildings a gigantic and multicolored pillar of light rising up to the sky. The ground began to shake repeatedly, similar to a rhythm of steps. Something was shaking the earth. And it was getting closer.
CHBOOOOM!!!!
The red brick building behind us was blown away as was Flash's car and what we saw emerging from the dust made my heart crash against my chest. Mounted on two legs carved like sickles where a minute ago there was the building held a flaming insectoid monster with knife-like arms. Even though he was covered in the flames they didn't seem to bother him and rather seemed to be a part of him.
To sum up our situation, Marlo and I were surrounded by a bunch of professional bullies and a horror movie monster coming out of nowhere was about to join the party. Great.