Talented (rewrite): Complicated {chap. 5}

“Oh. My. God!” A hand instantly clapped my shoulder, well manicured nails digging into my skin. I winced, bowing down under the sting. I turned, seeing Rachel’s eyes boring into mine with the intensity of an open flame, ravenous for life.1

“What?” I hissed venomously. School was out, and kids were streaming out of the doors like a waterfall. Rachel had pushed me back away from them so we could wait for the others. Or maybe because there would be no witnesses for the murder she was about to commit.2

“I saw Virgil talking to you before you came into study hall! What did he say!? I didn’t know you were in a class with him!” 3

I brushed her hand off my shoulder, rubbing it lightly. “Yeah, I didn’t know I would either. I just have one senior class and that’s for lit arts. And he’s just going to pick me up and we’re going to a café where he’s going to help me with this book they’re reading and it’s hella hard. I don’t think that says romance, do you?” I asked pointedly, “Plus, the teacher asked him to.”4

“Still!” She gushed, beginning to drag me back to my other friends. I was getting sick of being handled around so much. Couldn’t I use my own two feet? I pulled my arm out of her hand, setting a brisk pace ahead of her.5

“What was that about?” Was the greeting I received from Jason.6

“Just Rachel being a freak.” I accused, glaring at her.7

“Am not! She has a date with Virgil Parker!” 8

“It’s not a date!” I snapped.9

“Is too! He asked you first, he’s picking you up, it’s obviously a date!” 10

“Yeah, studying!” I replied, voice dripping with sarcasm, “If that’s not sexy, I don’t know what is!” 11

“You can’t look at it that way,” Rachel stated. “This could turn into something more…?”12

“Huh, doubt it.” I smirked, punching her playfully on the shoulder. “After this, we’ll just ignore each other.”13

***14

I didn’t know what exactly to bring to a study session with Virgil. I just settled with a somewhat large purse that could fit a small spiral notebook and a book. My parents were out when I got home, so I just decided to write them a note to say where I was:15

Went to study with a friend. Be back soon.16

Simple and straight to the point, I taped on the fridge door. Dallas trotted back in from the backyard, because I’d left the door open for him. 17

“I’m going with Virgil so he can help me study. I tried to read this book,” I pulled it out of my bag to show him as I closed the door, “But I completely suck at it. I can only get a little bit. Maybe he could shed some light?”18

Dallas seemed to roll his eyes, as if he had a rude comment coming.19

“Hey, be nice.” I checked my watch, “I just don’t know where he is…” It was almost three o’clock, but I knew he’d just be a little late. What guy was ever on time? Chivalry was dead. 20

Suddenly, I heard a knock on the door. Was it…? Oh well, only one way to find out. I opened the door, purse still on my shoulder. Sure enough, it was Virgil. 21

“Oh… hey.” I said.22

“Hey. Ready?” He cracked a smile, and it made my heart stutter for a second. 23

“Yeah,” I couldn’t help but smile back as I walked past him. I grabbed my keys, locking the front door to my house. “I really appreciate this, I tried reading the book last night and I realize why Mr. Carner said I should be paired up with a tutor.”24

“What? You didn’t want me as a teacher? That hurts, Jess, right here –” He held his heart, pretending like he’d been shot. I laughed.25

“No, I just don’t… like relying on people a lot. I don’t know, it just always feels like it ends up a disappointment.” I confided as I opened the door to Virgil’s jeep, realizing that he drove one.26

He got in the other side, starting the engine. 27

“Hey, you know these things are a little risky to drive, right?” I swallowed, nervous as he started the engine. Jeeps weren’t very good on-road vehicles. One sharp turn and it could tip over easily. 28

“Not if you know how to drive it right.” He started the engine, “Some people like to treat these things like sports cars.”29

That was also true, but I didn’t really believe a guy who’d had his license and driving experience for a grand total of two years. Well, he had more experience than me, which wasn’t saying a lot. 30

“You getting your permit soon?” He opened the conversation as he drove.31

“Hopefully. I’m turning fifteen soon.” 32

“When?” He asked casually. I felt so relaxed with him. His questions weren’t prying, just open curiosity. It was relaxing, in a way.33

“July twelfth.” I smiled. “What about you?”34

“February twentieth.” He replied promptly. I nodded slowly, processing. 35

We arrived at what I remembered was the Smalls Café. Virgil pulled to a stop, and I opened the door while he cut the engine. 36

“Why don’t you get us a table, and I’ll get some coffee. What do you want? My treat.” He wasn’t rude, like I thought he’d be. In fact, we just seemed like two friends who’d known each other for ages. It was odd, but not in a bad way.37

“I don’t drink that much coffee,” I shrugged lightly, “Just a hot chocolate for me. Thanks.”38

Inside the Smalls Café, there were a bunch of art pieces and sculptures everywhere. They covered the walls, barely showing the paint job. I grabbed a table next to the window, watching Virgil walk to the register. He was completely confident. 39

I pulled out the copy of Beowulf, looking out of the corner of my eye to see Virgil leaning over the counter as he spoke to one of the baristas. She was tall, healthy looking with dark brown hair. She had a smile on her face that was completely angelic, flipping her hair out of her face. Virgil’s smile was completely serene, and I knew they were flirting. It made the hold on my book harden, fingertips turning white.40

Virgil came back soon after, with both Styrofoam cups in hand. “One hot chocolate for the redhead.” He gave me a joking wink, and it made my blood boil. He wasn’t my boyfriend, but I still found something unsettling about him flirting with that other girl.41

“Thanks,” I said briskly, taking a sip. Virgil was taken aback for only a second, and then regained his normal look. “What did you get?” I asked lightly.42

“Caramel macchiato,” He replied absently, gently running his finger along the lid, “I hardly ever get anything else.”43

“Boring,” I snickered, and we plunged into the full workings of Beowulf. 44

Virgil was a good teacher, but we often got off topic when we talked for real. He was smart, easy to talk to. I didn’t feel weird about it at all, like just talking was natural for us. Like we were meant to do this all the time. Like we just…45

Virgil’s face clouded with a mask of annoyance and worry set in his expression. “What?” I asked, looking around. Then I found the cause. 46

Missy Hollins and her cronies were entering the café, all of them laughing. “Time to go.” He said lightly.47

“Why?” I muttered crossly, realizing that our time was ending. 48

“It’s… complicated.” He replied, but it didn’t seem like he wanted to go either.49

“Explain.”50

“Missy is out to get me, no matter how childish that may seem. She always has been. I don’t know, but every time she wants me to go out with her, I just can’t refuse. Then after one date I realized I was right to stay away from her. But, it’s not because of what you think!” 51

He must have read my expression.52

“Most of the stories you’ve probably heard – they aren’t true. I wish there was some way I could get rid of them, but it seems like if I try…” 53

He looked so upset, and then I knew it was time to leave. I put my hand on his arm, and after a second’s hesitation, he pulled away. “Let’s go.” I murmured, but all he could do was smile sadly.54

We stood up, making sure we were being as quiet as possible. We maneuvered around Missy’s dumb spies, and out the door before they could notice us.55

“You know,” I observed as we got in the car, “I don’t know what it is, but when I first saw her, I knew I hated her.”56

Virgil chuckled, starting the engine and driving me back home. I looked out the window, sighing that the basic highlight of my day was over. 57

We stopped at my house, and Virgil came out with me as I walked back to my house. A loud barking made us both look back to see Dallas charging from around the backyard. He ran straight for Virgil, but instead of begging for attention, he sat only a foot away from him. 58

Then the weird things just kept getting weirder. 59

Virgil seemed look at the dog intently, as if expecting an answer. Then, the dog sneezed, and turned tail to run off. 60

“Sorry about that…” I shrugged, and the senior seemed to look at me like I was a new person, “I think that dog’s a little weird. He’s not ours though; we’re trying to find the owner.”61

“How humanitarian of you,” He chuckled.62

“I’ll see you at school Monday?” I called as he walked back to his car.63

“Oh yeah,” He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me, “Text me or something if you need help with the story over the weekend. Try and read some of it.”64

“Okay,” I said, unfolding the paper. It had his number on it. “Thanks again.” I waved as he got in his car, starting the engine and driving away. 65

I refolded the paper, putting it back in my pocket, reminding myself to put it in my contacts. I looked up at the house before going inside, remembering I still had to test that window theory. 66

With that thought in mind, I opened the door to my house. “Mom? Dad?” I called, hearing the Zen-like music and nature sounds flood through the house. They were writing, meaning they weren’t going to be disturbed. 67

The rest of the day just seemed long and boring. The only thing I did was watch TV with Dallas beside me, flipping mindlessly through channels, and eating popcorn. Then, I tried to get through more Beowulf. It was definitely more fun with Virgil helping me. But, with the tricks that he’d taught me, the book made more sense, and a feeling of victory drew my day to a close.68

Only when the clock told me it was eight, I walked upstairs, Dallas following me like a shadow. I stood at the office doors, knocking only three times.69

“Guys, it’s eight.” I called.70

Though I got no response.71

I rolled my eyes, going into my bedroom and closing the door behind me. I barely noticed when Dallas managed to squeeze through my door before I could shut it all the way. He jumped on my bed, settling down and staring at me intently.72

We looked at each other, Dallas seeming to say ‘well, what are you waiting for?’ A smile spread across my face, and I darted to the closet, yanking off a black jacket. I put my arms through the sleeves, zipping it up only a second later. I was good.73

And then I was at the window before the next millisecond was up, opening the latch and climbing out with as much silence as a dormouse. I turned around, pushing the window over my head so it was open a crack. Dallas was there, looking at me with an annoyed expression set on his face.74

“Cover for me?” I pleaded, having a small feeling that he could understand me.75

I could swear he rolled his eyes, and then disappeared from view. 76

This time, I moved a little faster when going down the roof, knowing I had a game plan. I reached up for the now familiar branch, and was at the edge of the roof before I could even second-guess myself. Now was for the tricky part that could either make me, or break me. 77

With both hands firmly clutching the bark, I let my feet leave the roof’s surface, swinging in the air. With one push, I was in the nook of the trunk. I was exultant at the sight of my success; the last part was only jumping down.78

In a second, I was on the front lawn, crouching on my knees. I straightened up, bolting from the prison which I also felt was home.79

I pushed myself, trying to see how fast I could really go. It felt like I was basically flying off the sidewalk, but it still didn’t feel like enough. What would you call the ability of running at super speed? Flitting? Darting? I wanted something cool, but at the same time sounded beautiful – 80

Pong!81

My back took all of the impact when I fell on the sidewalk, banging my head into the concrete. It didn’t hurt a lot, except for the pain on my forehead. I rubbed it, hissing at the pain. What the hell just happened. Then, I heard the groan of metal, and another loud crash. Except this time I heard electrical circuits defusing, and glass shattering. 82

Springing up to being on two legs made me feel wobbly, and I realized what I had done. 83

A lamppost had fallen over, and I realized it was my doing. “Well, crap.” I mumbled crossly, my hand still on my forehead. That was going to leave a bruise.84

Lights turned on all around, questions being raised. Run! I jumped at the bit, instantly flitting down the road and being as far away from that place as possible. My breath supply was depleting, and I was getting tired. Finally, I jogged to a stop, nearly stumbling over my feet. I panted, realizing I’d have to work on this whole flitting thing more.85

After gaining a bit more air and sense, I looked around, realizing I was in deep trouble. Darkness surrounded me in an empty cul-de-sac; all of the houses here had their lights turned off. There was only the empty glow of another streetlamp. 86

I spun around, not using any coordination as if I were a drunk. Where was I? Nothing seemed familiar, and I sighed ruefully. Damn it, I was lost!87

Maybe I could just go back the way I came…? Surely the small crowd of people surrounding their dearly fallen lamp wouldn’t notice a slight breeze in their hair? Surely there was no risk factor. Was there? 88

I kicked a rock underneath my shoe, listening to it skip down the empty asphalt and fade into the night. I hated indecision and the way it could just stop me in my tracks. I rolled my eyes and without a second thought, tore down the street back the way I came.89

Luckily, there weren’t that many people gathered around for their little lamp memorial. I heard a few say “See that dent? It’s too small for a car.”90

Damn straight my head was too small for a car. Just thinking about it made my hand reach for my forehead, already tender and I felt a light bump. Great, how was I going to explain this one?91

After an hour or so of searching, I finally leapt over the brick fence and into my front yard. I looked at the tree carefully, and then grabbed one of the lower branches so I could lift myself into the nook of the trunk. Again, with a bit more effort, I grabbed the branch and swung across, already landing on the roof and racing up to my sill. Thankfully, the window was still open a crack. 92

I pulled my phone out of my pocket, flipping open the screen to check the time. 9:40 p.m. “Sweet.” I smiled, pulling open the window so I could crawl back inside.93

As I shut the latch, I could hear the sound of keys typing vigorously. I had to smirk at my first ever time sneaking out of my house and not getting caught. But this was also the very first time of me testing my speed. If I had run at a normal speed, I probably wouldn’t have knocked that lamppost down. No, it needed a lot of force. The force of a car. 94

Out of the corner of my eye as I finished putting on my pajamas, Dallas stirred and looked up at me with glazed eyes from my bed. It was like he was questioning me, asking what I had been up to.95

“It’s… complicated.” I said lightly, pushing him aside so I could get into bed and sleep.96