Chapta' 6 By: Heather
Evan was out of eyesight quicker than anybody could feel the swoosh of air against their faces. He had her number so it wasn't like he couldn't talk to her on the phone. But, Evan declared silently to himself, talking to her in person would only have more people swooning, or whatever the heck you would call it. He wasn't romantic. I mean, would you call an unbathed and black-eyed freak romantic compared to some other guys he knew? Hardly. A few days along and nobody will even remember his name. He hoped. And now he'd have to stay his stinky self for at least an hour and a half til his detention was over. He knew that once he got home, his Mom would have already had Molly home from day care and that he'd either be forced to bathe her or feed her, on account of his mother's new job. She was an interpretive dance instructor down by the east side of his city, at some broken down building turned studio. She had invited him a few times to check it out but it never interested him. The only interpreting Evan knew how to do was dissect what people really meant to spell on the bathroom stall doors and that was it.
"Evan!" he heard someone call him. He turned around from the pylon he concealed himself with and came face to face with Shannon.
"Look, Shannon..." he began as she walked closer to him. And that was when she slapped him. And it hurt. Bad.
"I was only trying to tell you earlier that I was happy about Nicky and you, you jerk!" Evan grabbed his face and smoothed his fingers lightly around the gash incurred by her massive pinky ring. He couldn't even force out an 'I'm sorry'.
"You know what, Ev? You leave me alone." His whole left side was now numb. Finally, he forced the words out, softly and slowly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad. I just couldn't lose Nicole, understand?" he spat out. Shannon smiled and sighed.
"I knew you didn't mean to. But as your ex, I've gotta keep you in line." Evan wished she didn't feel she had this obligation. But, wouldn't that mean he had the right to keep her in line, as well?
"Then why did you run your fingers through my hair?" he asked. He probably was going out on a limb here with the question but he had to know.
"Because I guess I missed doing that." Evan remembered how she used to do that whenever he felt stressed. Suddenly, he realized he missed her doing that too.
"See ya around, Shannon." Evan said with a smile. She kissed his other cheek and looked concerned for a second.
"Did I hurt you?" The question really melted Evan's growing ego for the moment. She hurt him? Ouch.
"Nahhhh..."he said as he held back a scream. The pain was growing as he talked so he cut the conversation short, "I gotta go, though, so bye."
He walked away and headed directly for detention, rubbing his now battered face. Mr. White, their principal, was leaning crookedly next to the new female Math teacher as he walked in. Mr. White straightened up when he caught glimpse of Evan and pointed into the interior room of the main office. It was a large, dark blue room with tinted windows and a horrible stench of Clorox and vomit. Or maybe that was just the Clorox. And in the midst of all the regular faces he witnessed there, he saw Nicole. There was two guys next to her, snickering and poking at her shoulder. Evan was enraged.
"Nicole, you alright?" he said. Nicole gleamed at him and got up.
"Sit with me back there?" she asked but it sounded more like a plead. She grabbed ahold of his hand immediatly and led him back to the postboard. She looked at him.
"You too?" she exclaimed. Evan was just glad he'd have someone to sit next to and not worry about them taping a 'Kick Me' sign on his back.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. What did you do-?" Immediatly before he could finish his sentence, Mr. White entered the room in his usual ganster fashion, two of his gullable cronies stationed to his side.
"You are not here to mingle or to meet girls, people. Pick a seat and get started on your written work. Today we'll be working on page 13 of the School District Disciplanary Handbook. I want you to copy as much of it as you can in the hour you'll be here. You may start." Evan looked over at Nicole and grinned. He had heard this speech at least 8 times this year. Mr. White probably knew him by his first and middle name. The over head ceiling fans whirred constantly, blowing the puke smell right in his face. He could barely stand it anymore.
"Evan...psst..." Nicole whispered to him. He looked over to her and suddenly, a small, folded white note landed on his desk. She had written him a letter. He swiped it secretly onto his lap and began to unfold it.
To Evan-
I got my first detention today! For, um, disrespectful attitude and disrupting class. How you like that? All I did was slam some books. Nothing I don't normally do. But, ah well. You make it to class finally? Your so bad Evan, I can't believe you. But hey, that was really sweet. You can do it again if you'd like. Anyway, heres some basic info on me.
Age- 16 (17, in about a month...December 12)
Color eyes- Brown
Color hair- light, ugly, putrid brown
Fave Bands- Alternative bands like The Calling, Jimmy Eat World, and Nickelback
Fave color- Red and turqouise
Fave music- I'm pretty much into everything
Fave movie- Definatly Pearl Harbor. But Josh Hartnett ain't got nuthin on you, babe
Fave song- "The Light In Your Eyes" by Blessid Union Of Souls (they are my ultimate favorite band)
To smoke or not to smoke? Never. Absolutly not.
Drink or not to drink? Personally, I think beer tastes really gross.
What I like in a guy? Blue eyes, brown wavy hair, about your height called Evan... :)
Well, thats it for now. Would you do me the honor of giving me some info? I feel alittle dumb not knowing your fave color. Hope the teachers treat ya fairly and see ya later.
-Nicole
She must have written that after lunch. He smiled and stuck it in his shirt pocket to keep and read again later. Suddenly, a smaller note landed on his desk. He scooped it down onto his lap and slowly unfolded it. He couldn't believe how rebellious Nicole was. It was becoming thrilling.
Evan, why is your eye scratched and black? Did you get beat up?
-Nicole
He laughed to himself, getting a stare from Mr. White. Quickly, he covered his mouth with his hand and looked intently at the handbook. It was just as boring as the first two other times he copied it. So, he scribbled out about three paragraphs before another note landed on his desk.
Am I corny?
-Nicole
Evan just sighed and wrote carefully back.
Don't be silly. There can only be one corny person in this relationship and we both now that I've taken that position. Sorry...
-Evan
He flicked it onto her desk quickly and casually went back to his work. Nicole stared, smile on her face, at the note and covered her face in her hands. For a moment, Evan thought she was crying. So he looked over and grinned strangely at her. She turned and faced him and mouthed something Evan was pretty sure said, 'Thank You'. Evan felt welcome.
Nicole had never gotten detention before but Evan seemed to have the drill down to the last second. Ten seconds before Mr. White excused them at 4:30, Evan leaned over and whispered something in her ear. Five seconds later, Mr. White dismissed them with the same speech. Nicole could have laughed but didn't want to risk another detention.
"Evan..." Nicole started after picking up her books.
"My brother punched me." he told her. She gazed confused for a second then realized he was answering her note.
"Oh," was just about all she get out at the moment. Then he handed her a note.
"Read this after I leave, all right?" he asked her. He didn't sound too confident in himself. Maybe he wrote a love poem or a real juicey secret about himself. Or maybe he was just nervous because the two ganster guys who were harrassing her earlier were eyeing him down. Nicole took the note and placed it in her purse pocket. He kissed her cheek and walked away, slowly. Thats when she remembered Jenna's and hers Burger King plan.
"Evan!" Nicole called out. He turned and faced her. "Umm, Jenna and I are going to Burger King tonight at 8 o' clock. Could you come along?" she asked. She expected a thankful acception but what she got instead stunned her.
"Can't. Sorry." he replied and walked away, faster than before. Okay, that went well, she thought. For a moment, she actually felt sorry for herself but it wasn't her fault he wouldn't come. Maybe he had somewhere to be. But if he did, wouldn't you think he'd at least give her an explanation? He was her boyfriend now, right? Or maybe she just got the wrong idea. The room had pretty much emptied itself, with the exception of one or two teachers walking in and out. Through the lobby window of the schools front doors, she could see Hector and Jenna moseying about the pylons and corridors outside the school rooms. From where she was standing on the second floor stairs, she could see Evan walking home, hands in his pocket, the lake's waterline coming to a halt at his chest. Then she remembered the note he handed her. She took a seat on the third step up and grabbed the note from her purse.
To Nicole,
It bothered me too that I didn't know your favorite color. But now that thats over with, let me share some of my info.
I'm 17, brownish hair (sun-blond highlites-yeah, its a curse), blue eyes (yet another curse), and about 5'11. I'm into punk rock bands and watching indie flicks. I'm also into playing my guitar, when my older bro's don't purposely cut my strings. My brothers are Kyle and Jim Harley (u may have heard of their infamous prank on Mr. French?). My favorite colors? I guess I've always favored black. But you can occasionally see me in reds and navy blues. My favorite band is Blink 182 and on weird days, 311. Smoking? I've tried it and I really didn't like it. Drinking? Its just another excuse to forget your problems and I'd rather attack my problems then dodge them, you know what I mean? Favorite movie? Okay, this is gonna sound really freaky and dumb, but I liked Titanic. It had great graphics but a pretty good storyline too. Am I lame or what? Me sweet tho? I've heard that one waaaay too much today. But thanks anyway. It sounds better coming from you. Anyway, I think Mr. White is suspecting that I'm not copying this retarded handbook so, bye and talk to you tonight.
Thinking Of You,
Evan
p.s. You seriously like guys like me?
Nicole felt swoony all over again and sighed. Behind her were two older looking guys, most likely seniors, and they were carrying their band instruments with them down the stairs.
"You have a ride home, sweetheart?" the less attractive one called out to her. Nicole just grinned and realized that she didn't have a ride home because Hector and Jenna just gave up waiting. The other guy with him smiled at her and outstretched his hand.
"Here, let us give you a ride." Nicole grabbed his hand but told them no anyway. The hottie shrugged and they continued down the stairs, their instrument cases banging the whole way to the bottom. They seemed to be laughing about some girl the two of them knew and weren't too taken with but Nicole didn't want to pay all that much attention. All she could think of right now was that her new boyfriend turned down thier first date and about the half an hour ahead of her.
Cars quickly passed him by without a thought or care as to why his stride and whole demeanor was troubled. He would have jumped on the chance to join Nicole somewhere, but out of all the places, Burger King? Maybe he could call her up and convince her that Wendy's or McDonalds had better service. But then that would contradict what he told her in his note. He was dodging his problems, blowing them off and saving them til the next time they came up, just so he could run from them again. Evan felt like such a lier, telling Nicole one thing then doing another. He hated Rebecca for ruining his life. Ruining normal things kids his age did and turning them into fears. Why couldn't he just go in there, be a man and get it over with? Evan knew why. Because he was acting like a wieny.
"I'm home!" he shouted to his cluttered house. One of his brothers was upstairs blaring Radiohead while the other reclined sloppily in the living room, watching Melrose Place.His mother was tying her head scarf on for her dance class with Molly glued to her leg, screaming 'kling on, kling on!' over and over. He ran up the stairs only to be stopped midway.
"What kept you?" his mother asked. Evan huffed and told her he had detention.
"Again?!" Jim yelled, clicking through the channels some more, stopping on some Nickelodeon cartoon show. Why was everyone now suddenly interested in his life?
"Shut up!" Evan roared and stomped a few more steps up.
"Evan!" his mother called again. He turned around and looked at her. She had Molly sitting on her shoulders, and she was carrying a small cardboard box in her hand. She extended it towards him with a smile.
"I was going to give it to you this morning but I forgot." she told him. Evan grinned and took it from her hands.
"Why?" he asked her. His mother never bought them things 'just because', only when she needed something from them. Come to think of it, Evan thought to himself, the front lawn did look like it needed a trim.
"Okay. Whats the catch?" he asked her. There had to be a catch.
"I just wanted to let you know I loved you, thats all." she claimed. Evan had doubt but he let it all slide away as he hugged her.
"Thanks." he replied. Jim began to make kissy sounds, the disgusting moaning sound and all, when his mother turned on him, asking him if his homework was done. Jim just did his usual, 'You look really nice today, mom' and went back to his Dorito's commercial. Evan walked the rest of the way up the stairs and into the spare bedroom in the attic. It would have been Evan's if his brothers hadn't fussed over being the oldest and all that stupid superiority crap. So, now, by parental decree it lays unused and dusty. Every once in awhile, Evan goes up and picks it up from his brothers digusting habits such as leaving empty food containers and other unmentionable deeds but still it never looks tidy. But, his brothers don't visit it all that much so it becomes his own personal haven. While nobody's home, he hides away in a spacious nook by the window, where he thinks about perplexing problems and jots down some of his best writings. From that window, he can see his highschool, the lake, and the local club, where practically every weekend his brothers hang out. Evan doesn't join them, but he knows what goes on in there. Somehow, from that window, the grass didn't look so green.
It didn't take Nicole very long after reaching her house to start feeling woosy. She hated disapointing her father. As if failing grades and dropping track speed wasn't enough, a detention? This was surely gonna blow the lid off the pot.
"Daddy, I'm home!" Nicole yelled. Her father walked over to her and then looked at his watch,
"Track meet today?" he asked her, the eyebrow raised. Nicole felt for a second smaller and less bolder than she had ever felt.
"No, something else. Umm, I'm gonna drop off my pack and go for a run, alright?" she told him. She hoped that showing interest in getting her speed up would divert her fathers attention to her tardieness. She was more than relieved when it appeared to work.
"I want you to be more diligent in your running, Nicole Marie. I can't have my daughter being known as a quitter." he called to her as she walked into her room. She tossed her pack to the carpet with a thud and dug out her NYU jersey sweatshirt from a pile on her floor. It still smelled like the school gym, all sweaty and onion-like, but who would care? No one would be joining her and she'd be alone as usual.
"I know, Daddy. See you later." she replied and shoved her shoes on. He towered over her and folded his arms.
"So, what kept you? You said something else, what was it?" Nicole hesitated opening the door, fearing she'd have to shut it and explain eveything.
"Hector took Jenna and me out for an Icee and I asked to walk back home. Thats all." she lied. Lying didn't become her. She was horrible at it and she hated it.
"Well, don't do it again, you hear me? You don't waste time with friends when you could be studying. Now, get going. You'll have homework to do tonight." he ordered her. She nodded and ran out. There was a hard and cold feeling in her gut telling her she was a disgraceful human being for lying to her father, the other giving her an enthusiastic thumbs up. She didn't have to ask whether what she did was bad or not. She knew that answer, whether she wanted to accept it or not, was her choice. Her jogs were repetitive but jagged. The days activities were jumping around in her head, unable to find peace of mind. Evan's kiss was incredible. She knew, as she held him, that it was right. Or, at least until his ex-girlfriend, Shannon, showed up. Then it was strange and awkward but still slightly all alright. She stopped jogging at this time and made a b-line back to the park she had just unconsciously passed by. Only two small children were left, consequently because of the storm clouds above, and a stray cat stalked its dinner by the bathroom stalls adjascent to the street Nicole lived on. She smiled and sat down on the seat of a swing, reminiscing about better times. Making believe of a happy life and of a sense of contentedness but seeing only the lack thereof only made her feel more empty and lonely inside her merry-go-round world. Nothing would ever change, she thought staring at the two children playfully chasing each other. And she almost felt sick of trying to create a hope that would never float.
