painful kisses (ch. 7)

I ran my fingertips over the writing carved into the smooth surface of my desk. ICP: if ur not down wid da wicked clownz then get the FUCK UP- nice. I looked across the room and tried to catch Calla's eye... but she was reading and wouldn't look at me. I sighed and glanced at the journal assignment on the board. A freewrite.1

Since my teacher decided I was clinically insane long ago, I figured it was safe to write a poem. I wrote, then crossed out, then wrote again, then crossed out again... then, frustrated, I gave up. There was too much to think about and not enough words... so I spent the class trying to figure out how I was going to apologize to Calla. 2

At the end of the period, I followed her out before she could leave. I grabbed her wrist and saw her wince.3

"Calla!" I said, scoldingly.4

"Just leave it, okay?" she whispered. I gave her a dissaproving look and let go.5

"i'm sorry if I was bitch earlier. I guess i'm just paranoid." I said, as if that made up for chiding her in front of Poison. 6

"it's fine, whatever," she said, dismissing the issue. I didn't think it was a great idea to press her, but I didn't want her to blow me off.7

"What did Damien want?" 8

"Orders from Vylle. Nothing important." I knew she was lying... Vylle wouldn't dare to send orders to one of Ramora's line. But Calla isn't a dishonest person- a lie is her way of saying 'shut the hell up.' I thought i'd take the advice. She found one of her preppy cheerleader friends to talk to and I took that as my cue to leave.9

A little farther down the hall I felt someone grab me around my waist from behind. Instinctively, I reached in my boot for my knife, only to remember that Carr took it... I swore, but before I could turn around and sock the idiot in the face, he turned me around and gave me an enormous kiss. Damien. It took all the self-control I had to keep from slapping him.10

"You scared the shit out of me!"11

"Aww, i'm sorry," he said in a mock soothing voice. I gave him a mock scowl. He proceeded to drag me halfway to the other side of the building to his locker.12

"You're coming to party with me tonight," he said.13

"That sounded like an order," I said, smiling.14

"It was. It's at Tre's... maybe he'll let us borrow the bedroom for a while." he said, half kidding and half hopeful.15

"Oh you wish!" I answered, very unconvincingly. 16

I left smiling.17