The Deranged: Pt 1 Ch 6

Potter pulled her arms tight and realized that she’d forgotten her jacket. She rubbed her arms and guessed that the temp was about 60. Which meant that the warmest room in the building (principal’s office) would be 90 and the coldest (art wing) would be 55. Great. Potter looked about her. Except for the occasional bum, the early public of Clayton bridge were all dressed for warmth. Potter glanced around the park. Early hoes in spanx were awaiting customer, businessmen, legal and illegal, were making their way to their various clients/employees. Everything was normal, except for the cloaked parade.1

This was the third time Potter had come across the pool of freaks. Any time of day they stood there as if they were waiting for something. Potter walked about thirteen feet away from the group. No gaps could be seen between the black cloaks. It was almost like a constant curtain of fabric, shielding whatever lay in between. Potter didn't stare long,m though. Every time she tried to get a good look, one of the figures would turn around and glare at her. Fine, I don't care anyway. Bunch o' freaks And she bitterly crossed the bridge without a backwards glance.2

When she made it to school, Potter already wished that she had skipped instead. For one she saw that Lex’s car hadn’t been parked out front when she entered the school, which meant he wouldn’t be in classes. The second reason was walking toward her now.3

In elementary school, Potter had been popular. Everyone liked her and picked her first for every game because she was funny and cute. Along with Potter had been Linda. They both were picked and usually ended up on the same team. It was Linda who had given her the nickname Red Rose, Red for short. Linda had been Potter’s best friend she had known when Potter’s father left Monica for another, younger woman. Ii was Linda who comforted Potter when her mother had started to beat her. Linda suggested that Potter take dance and kick boxing with her. It was Linda who told Potter everything she knew abut her body and boys’ body before she met Lex. I t was Linda who in middle school stopped wanting to play sports because the guys couldn’t stare at her when she ran. It was Linda who went on to be a ballerina and left Potter to all the medals in martial arts tournaments.4

It was Linda who, in eighth grade, had gotten her first bra and told everybody but Potter. It was to Linda that Potter told her first bra story to years ago. It was Linda who had spread the rumor that Potter starred in a porno. It was Linda that got the crap beaten out of when Potter found out. It was Linda who completely ignored Potter freshman and sophomore year. It was Linda who was sat by and watched Potter turn down guys that she wanted; watch Potter lose her whole femininity and lead the coed and girls’ teams to state. It was Linda never acknowledge Potter at parties and refused to forgive Potter. It was Linda who walked forward now, wearing the same smug look that Potter had punch. It was Linda, with her cheerleading posse and gang of horny jocks who cornered Potter now. 5

Potter searched the commons for an easy escape. Here she was seated along at a table with no one to help her. Lex’s crew would be in the art department till first bell. All of Potter’s ex-teammates were absent. She measured the T distance. If there are fifteen feet between Linda and Potter, and Linda walks six inches ever second, how much time does Potter have to run and how far could otter get? The group all wore smug looks, for they knew there was no outlet. Potter would be forced to deal with whatever bullshit they brought. Potter took one last desperate glance around. There was no one she knew in sight. So she waited patiently as the gap between her and the invading party closed.6

It was weird to look into Linda’s eye and know that the sweet smile she had always gotten wouldn’t be coming. Potter had long since given up on apologizing. Now she and her childhood friend spat insults down the halls. In class they glare as they caught one another eyes. Everyone in the school knew that Linda and Potter were polar opposites. Linda was petite, blond, cheerful, and queen bitch of everything she did. While Potter was half a foot taller, red head, moody, and B.A, in any situation. There had never been a real show down since jr. high but bets were often placed on who would win, the perfect cheerleader or problem star-hooper. Potter’s eye flicked away. She didn’t know what to say. She had nothing to say. All she wanted was to get through the day and beg Lex not to break up with her. She tapped the table lightly and glanced at her watch. 7:50. Ten hole minute until the first bell would ring. Please let this be quick7

“I’m surprised to see you. I was told by Mr. Rines that you dropped out.” Potter looked up at the condescending smile and smirked. Leave it to her chem. Teacher to take a leave of absence as failure.8

“No, I am afraid that that is false. Actually I’m graduating early. I’ve finished most of my credits and just need to obtain .5 credits of both science and history. Sorry, to disappoint you.” The second half was bullshit and Linda knew it. But she held her own and changed the topic.9

“So why have you missed school? We all missed you terribly. It’s funny I was talking to Mr. Howard the student director and he said that although you were absent all your assignments arrived in on time. If it weren’t for your attendance you’d be valedictorian. Well, I guess that honor goes to me, again. But really what could occupy you so much to miss school?”10

“I have better things to do that are a waste of my time. Some of us have better things to do besides prance around call attention to ourselves. Some of us, Linda, have lives and try to make the most of them.”11

“According to Howard you make the most of your life several times a month. Yet your other siblings seem to make it to school on time and attend regularly. Is there anything I can do to help? You just look so tired and drained. I’ve never seen you wear so many clothes. It’s appalling.” Linda looked Potter up and down. What the hell is this bitch talking abut?12

Potter looked up and stared Lind dead in the eye. “Funny you should mention clothes, Linda, seeing as last I recall you were caught behind the school with none too many on.”13

Potter tilted her head and sneered. Linda went pink. The whole school had heard about her escapade with one of the football players. But that’s what cheerleaders do and no one cares. Linda scowled the smiled.14

“Oh, I’m sorry were you interested in Colin. Cause when he came to me it sounded like you hadn’t even looked at him when you said no.”15

“So you’re saying that you were Colin’s rebound from me. How does that make you?”16

Linda flushed more and narrowed her eyes. “It’s—It’s not a rebound if yo said no. Be-be-besides…he wanted me anyway.”17

“Keyword wanted. Doesn’t even talk to you in the hall anymore, does he? Do you usually put out on the first date or was it a special occasion?18

“Why don’t you ask your mom?” Potter snapped up and glared at the group.19

The area stopped still. Everyone had heard it. No one knew how true it could be, save Linda and she wouldn’t dare. But maybe the old Linda was gone. Maybe she had told her new friends how fucked up Potter’s life was. Either way Potter was pissed. She hadn’t expected it. She wanted to cry and at the same time kick some serious ass. Monica may be a bitch of a mother. But she’s my bitch of a mother. And nobody talks about my mother!Potter stood slowly and cracked her knuckles calmly. She took a few deep breaths before she spoke. And when she did her voice was dark, deep, and on the very edge. 20

“Which one of you fuckers said that?” Her eye flamed as she searched them. The tenor tone told her it was a guy. And from Linda’s own eyes, the girl couldn’t believe anyone else would say that either. A couple of people stepped back to reveal a tall, Aryan male. Potter didn’t recognize him, but he did look familiar.21

“I’m the guy who saw your mom fuck his dad last night. Then she left. So you tell us; what’s your mom feel when she sells her self to married men just for fun? And is it hereditary?” He sneered and flipped back his hair. Potter clenched her fist and walked slowly up to him. She didn’t know what he knew, how he knew. She didn’t know how she was going to keep her cool. But she knew that if he was allowed to speak everyone would know. 22

“How do you know my mother?”23

“I told you.”24

“Tell me what she looks like, because if you can’t I’m gonna kick your ass.”25

“She has dark brown hair that’s cut short. Her left eyebrow is pieced and so is her stomach. She named you and your sisters after flowers. And her name is Monica.”26

Potter exhaled and nearly smiled. It wasn’t her. Her mom hated piercings (Potter’s dad had earrings). And she would never voluntarily cut her hair.27

“First of all the reason I know you lied is because I can read is your face. Second anyone who’s see my mom knows that her hair is blonde and that she abhors defacing the human body. Also I am not named after a flower. My sisters are but I not and neither are my brothers. So you can take that bullshit of yours and stuff it!” Potter punched the boy in the jaw. Her knuckles stung at the hit of bone and she was sure that she heard something crack. Potter jumped on the boy and pounded him even as his hands shielded his face. “If. You. Ever. Talk. Bad. A. Bout. My. Ma. Again. I. Will. Stamp. The. Shit. Out. Of. Your. Nuts. You. Sick. Mutha-fucker.” With each syllable, Potter rammed her knee into the guy’s crotch. It felt good to vent her frustration on someone. 28

When the bell rung, Potter stood and surveyed her masterpiece. He was keeled over rubbing his privates in private shame. A crowd had gathered and paid witness to Potter’s revenge. Several guys hid their jewels from view and inched away. Potter collected her stuff and exited the exodus already leaving. She glanced back out of habit and Linda looking back. Linda’s face was caught between admiration and confusion, but Potter didn’t take the time to find out why.29

The rest of the day was a blur. All Potter could think about was how Lex would react. Whenever she saw one of his friends, she felt like they knew. Like they could see into her soul and knew that she was a bad girl friend. 30

When the last bell rang, Potter couldn't get out of school fast enough. She bumped and pushed through everyone. Potter wished to make it to Lex's house before she had to work. That meant that by 3:00 she had to be walking out the door at home. Potter rammed a group out of her path and jumped into the daylight of the afternoon. She could see her brother Moss running up to her, but she kept her pace.31

"Hey slow down."32

"I don't have time, Moss. I need to be home by three."33

"but it's only two fifteen. why can't you stay--"34

"Because I have to! Just go play with your friends. I can't babysit you all the time!" Potter ran ahead leaving her brother behind. I'll apologize later. Right now I need to be at Lex's place. Oh, God i hope he understands.35

Lex lived in a secluded area of the Clayton quarter. His house stood under two maple trees and was mostly hidden by the boughs. 36

His parents were never around, but that didn't mean that Potter was free to be free. Lex kept her on a strict rule when they were in the small abode. No drinking, smoking, eating on the couch; no shoes in the house, no feet on the table; no doing anything that Potter didn't want her youngest sister to see. I.e. no fun. Potter didn't really mind she never smoked or drank, usually, but that left out messing around. Lex never wanted to make out for long periods of time. He was always trying to "utilize" their time together. 37

Was that why you cheated? Came a little voice in Potter's head.38

I didn't cheat.39

What do you call it?40

I just....41

Lex's front door open and there he stood. Already dressed for a night on the town "Hey baby, you ready to go?"42

Potter nearly choked as she saw how perfect he looked in the evening light. She bit her tongue and shook her head. 43

"Do you have to work tonight?"44

Nodding head. "Ok come on in. It's too cold to just stand around."45

Potter trudged inside and dropped her backpack on the floor. She laid back against the door and rubbed her forehead. "You weren't at school today."46

Lex turned around and shrugged. "I had a lot to work on. But I missed you." He wrapped his arms around Potter's waist and brought her close. As Lex kissed her, Potter's eyes watered. Silent tears dripped down her fae as she knew that this might be over soon. Lex pulled away and gazed over her face. He narrowed his brows trying to figure out what he'd done wrong. "Potter, why are you crying?"47

"There’s something I need to tell you.”48

Lex dropped his hands and waited. “What, are you on?”49

“No. I have to say this though. Look Lex, We’ve been together for a long time. And I really enjoy it but…it’s been really hard for both of us. And sometimes when we don’t know what want we forget who we are…and…and do really stupid stuff. That we really regret later on.”50

He stuffed his hands into his pocket and sighed as if he knew what was coming. Lex dropped his head the raised it eyes already full of hurt. “Go head and tell me, Potter. I can take it.”51

“I cheated on you.” 52

Lex lost his sadness instantly. “What.” Uh, oh. From Lex’s change of face she could ell he had expected something else. He though I was breaking up with him. 53

“What did you say?” His eyes searched hers but Potter looked down. She could already feel tears coming to her eyes. 54

“I mean. Well, we didn’t fuck or anything we just…Baby look I’m sorry.” Potter reached out to pull him to her but Lex dodged her like the plague. His eyes brightened for a moment. Lex shook his head in disbelief and left the room. Potter was crestfallen. I shouldn’t have said it like that. Matter fact I should have just kept quiets. Now he’ll never trust me. 55

A crash from another part of the small house caused Potter to jump. Lex was so calm and collect that she hadn’t expected any violent behavior even if it was out of sight. Tears streamed down Potter’s cheeks. She suffocated herself to muffle her soft sobs. I should go, before he comes back. Potter took one last look around Lex’s living room and bit back her tears. She might never be here again. Potter wiped her eyes. She heard another slam and distinctively identified something wooden breaking. She ran out of the house and down the street before she could start again.56