“Yeah. She’ll be fine. Just staying a few days in the hospital.”
“Oh, my. Well, how are you?”
“I’m fine.”
Mrs. Taylor was left speechless by his abruptness, which Cole took as a cue to sit at his desk.
“G-good morning everyone,” Mrs. Taylor said. “I have a few announcements…”
At this point, Cole drifted off until his class was brought into the cafeteria for lunch. Once he had picked up a tray of food, he took his solitary seat at the end of the table. He was lost in a train of thought, mindlessly chewing his sandwich, and did not notice someone approach.
“Hey, uh, Cole?”
A large chunk of bread lodged itself in his throat, throwing him into a coughing fit. He grabbed his milk and swallowed huge gulps, trying to free the food. After a long minute he recovered and looked up, embarrassed, to see who had startled him.
Standing there, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, was the girl who was with the group he had sat with at lunch the other day. Fighting his disdain in an attempt to be the bigger person he said, “Yeah?”
“Is, uh, can I sit here?”
Cole could not hide his suspicion. “Um, I guess.” What kind of mean trick is this? What is she doing?
The girl placed her tray across from Cole and sat down. Cole looked down the table and noticed a sea of eyes upon them. He turned away from them and back to the girl, truly seeing her for the first time. She had shoulder length brown hair, tied back in a pony-tail, and sparkling brown eyes. He did not trust her, but at the same time, he had no idea what to make of the situation.
“My name is Amy,” she said.
Cole decided he might as well play along. “I’m Cole.”
“Hi Cole. You're in my gym class, right? You're pretty good at sports.”
Cole's cheeks heated up and he prayed his embarrassment wasn't visible. “Thanks. I'm all right, I guess.”
“So, why weren’t you here yesterday?”
She was staring him straight in the eye and it made him uncomfortable, a fact he was trying to repress.
He shifted in his seat, considering whether or not it was prudent to tell her the truth. Why is she being so nonchalant? “My mom was hit by a car and is in the hospital.” Despite his best efforts, his defenses were lowering. You better not be screwing with me.
Her face seemed to show genuine emotion. “Ohhh. I'm sorry. Is she okay?”
“She will be. I was hoping I could see her later today.” Why did I say that?
“I’m sure she'll be better soon,” Amy said and smiled.
Open your mouth wide and blink hard three times. Then shrug twice.
What?! Cole practically shouted out loud. Are you kidding me? You’re gonna drop this on me now of all times? No! I’m not doing it. Deal with it.
“Are you okay?” Amy asked.
Cole realized that even though he hadn’t obeyed the request, his face had been slightly contorted into a mixture of rage and desperation. “Sorry, yeah, just a little upset over it. Thanks.” He forced a weak smile.
There were a few seconds awkward silence, broken by Amy. “So…I just wanted to say that I felt bad about what happened a couple days ago.”
Great, this is a pity talk. Of course it is. He had tried to tell himself this would happen, but nevertheless, he felt on the verge of tears. He held them in. The last thing he wanted was to show more weakness. I should’ve known better. “Thanks,” he mumbled.
“No, really, they were all being jerks. And… I didn’t want you to think I was a jerk too.”
Cole lifted his head and met her eyes, straining to figure out what she was thinking. Maybe I was wrong. The blur of flip-flopping emotions was making his head spin. “It’s okay. I don’t think you’re a jerk.”
Amy smiled again. “Good. So, what kind of things do you like?”
Cole hesitated again. “I’ll tell you what I don’t like. The dinner my aunt made last night. I swear it was throw-up. Green mushy chunks that smelled like it too.”
Amy laughed. “Ewww, gross. Glad I didn’t have that.” She didn’t say anymore, just watched him, waiting for him to continue.
Damn, that didn’t work. I gave her so many possible tangents, but she didn't go off any of them. She really actually wants to know what I like. What am I supposed to like? Would she think I was weird if I said the truth? Screw it. “I just started reading Edgar Allen Poe last night. It was one of the best things I’ve ever read.”
Amy looked confused. “Never heard of it.”
“He’s an author. I read a collection of his…never mind. I’ll have to show you. It’s great.”
Amy picked up her sandwich and took a small bite. Cole took this as a sign to resume eating his own lunch. He glanced over at the other kids at the table and was surprised to see they weren’t watching anymore. Attention spans of dogs.
“So you like to read?” Amy asked.
Cole froze. “Um, yeah, I guess so.” Was that the wrong thing to say? Is that the end of this conversation?
Amy leaned in closer, beckoning Cole to do the same. “Promise to keep a secret?”
“Yeah, definitely,” Cole said, now more intrigued than anything.
“I love to read too. I do it all the time. But you can’t tell any of them,” she said, nodding at the group of kids at the other end of the table. “They’ll just make fun of me for it.”
“And you’ll get enough of that just for talking to me?” Cole said, smiling for the first time.
“Hehe, no, they’ll come to like you, I promise. I knew you seemed like a cool kid. I’ll show them that too.”
“You know, you’re pretty mature for your age.”
“So are you,” Amy said.
“So what kind of books do you read?” Cole said.
They talked for the rest of lunch, mainly about books they had read. They had few favorites in common, but each one showed interest in the books the other one liked. As lunch period ended, they stood up with their trays, preparing to go in separate directions. Cole hadn’t realized how much he had been enjoying himself until it was time to go. He kept a straight face, forbidding his sadness to reach the surface.
“That was fun. I like you,” Amy said.
“Yeah, you too.”
“Okay I gotta get to class. See ya.”
“Yeah, see ya.” Cole reluctantly turned and walked in the other direction.
5
The rest of the day he could think of nothing but his lunch conversation. He hated to admit it, but it was the longest conversation he had ever had with someone his own age. Could it be his first friend? He shot that idea down instantly. Don’t get your hopes up. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
At long last the day drew to a close.
“I have an important announcement,” Mrs. Taylor said as she cleaned up in preparation for the final bell. She smiled as every head turned expectantly towards her. Even Cole snapped out of his trance. They were the first words he had heard since lunch.
“As you all know, this Sunday we are going to have a special field trip to Six Flags.”
An explosion of chatter erupted from the class as a number of heads perked up higher.
“Shhh. Everyone quiet down. Just a reminder, you must have your permission slips signed by the trip. I am still waiting on a number of you. Anyone who does not get them signed will not be allowed on the trip. Is that clear?”
There were a smattering of yeses and Mrs. Taylor nodded. “Good.”
“Also, don’t forget, history test next week,” Mrs. Taylor said as everyone packed up. “We need to get those grades up from the last one.” A collective groan issued from the students who were already heading out the door.
Cole hurried after his class so Mrs. Taylor wouldn’t stop him. I completely forgot about that trip. I don’t wanna go there. I’m not going to bother Mom with that one.
“Hey freak!”
Without turning around, he knew the target of that insult. He also knew
the voice. He ignored it and kept walking, hoping against hope that it would up and disappear, but there was no such luck. A boy almost twice Cole’s size stepped in front of him, arms folded, a look of perpetual irritation on his face.
His name was Derek Sollis and no one wondered why he had no friends. Derek had managed to garner a violent reputation, but Cole doubted any of it was true. He didn’t strike Cole as a bad kid, per se, just lonely; human contact was not his forte.
“Congratulations,” Derek said. “You’re the biggest loser in this school.”
Without making eye contact, Cole turned to avoid Derek, but Derek sidestepped into his path.
“I don’t think so,” Derek said. “I need to have a word with you.”
Cole had had enough of this game and of this dimwit. He looked up at Derek with a mixture of disinterest and impatience. “Yeah, what do you want?”
Derek smiled. “Good, now I have your attention. But don’t give me that attitude. You running home to your mommy, freak?”
“Uh huh. See ya later.” Cole tried to walk away again, but Derek stayed in front of him.
“Why don’t you ever get angry?”
Cole sighed. “Um…sorry.”
Derek raised a fist. “I’m going to kill you.”
“Hi Mrs. Kreplowsky,” Cole said to a passing teacher. Derek's fist dropped to his side.
She stopped and looked down at them, confused, since Cole had never had her as a teacher. “Hi,” she said. “Are you looking for somebody?”
“No, I’m good thanks,” Cole said as he fell in step beside her.
“This isn’t over,” Derek whispered to Cole as he walked away. “I’ll see you in gym tomorrow. Just you wait.”
Cole walked away smiling. He knew he had broken the cardinal rule about ignoring bullies, but Derek had never frightened him. Plus, it felt so good to outsmart Derek at his own game.
Cole was certain that Beth would forget to pick him up at school, but to his surprise, she was waiting there when he stepped out of the building. She was far from thrilled, but nonetheless, there. “Hi. Thanks for getting me,” he said as he climbed in to the passenger seat.
“Couldn’t just leave you stranded at school. Come on. Hurry up.”
Cole didn’t ask what the rush was. He knew there was none.
That night he gagged down his dinner without a word and cooped himself up in the library for another night of intense reading where he could be alone and not have to deal with people. He reluctantly put aside Poe in search of something else, hoping he would find another book as compelling, and secretly hoping to find something that would allow him to sleep that night. He decided to try a large book with a worn red hardcover whose title was mostly rubbed off. He curled up on the chair and began to read. It was an adventure book about an explorer searching the New World for treasures to bring back to his home country. Cole knew that he would have normally enjoyed it. It was well-written and had frequent exciting situations, but after Poe it seemed dull. He craved new Poe stories. There had to be more.
He drifted off to sleep after a while and, when he awoke, it was long since dark. He dragged himself out of the chair and set his alarm so he wouldn’t have to hear Beth complain about his tardiness. A minute later he was fast asleep in a black world of shifting images.
* * *
Friday. Usually a day of relief but not this week, knowing he would have to spend the whole weekend with Beth. All morning he watched the doorway, hoping someone would show up to tell him that his mother was out of the hospital and he could go to his own home for the weekend. But no one showed up.
As he took his usual seat at lunch, a new thought took hold of him. He looked down the table to see Amy, joking and laughing with her old group of friends. This was the reason he had tried to put her out of his head. Of course she didn’t come back. Did you really think she wanted to be your friend? I bet she’s joking about me with her friends right now. They just needed new material to laugh about. And why do I care? I don’t need anyone else. Remember that.
He expected nothing else, yet he could not shake off the sadness and bitterness from the deception. Each bite out of his sandwich was slow, deliberate. I swear to God if you cry I will kick your ass later. He kept his eyes down, trying to forget what was going on down the table.
“What’s the matter?”
A chunk of sandwich lodged itself in Cole’s throat and he began to cough violently. He grabbed his milk and gulped it to stop his choking.
“I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you. Again. Are you okay?”
Cole looked up to see Amy sitting across from him, watching him to make sure he could breathe. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he said, now more embarrassed than anything. “Just went down the wrong pipe.” He took another swig, still coughing gently.
“I was just talking you up to the others, but it looks like they’re going to need another few days to lighten up,” Amy said.
“Oh, thanks, but you really don’t have to bother.”
“I’m not bothered. Don’t worry, they’ll come around. So, what’s up? Read any more Poe?”
“No, I tried this other book, but it didn’t compare. You really gotta check it out sometime.” He was impressed at how well he was hiding his emotions about her coming back to talk to him. I guess I'm too pessimistic. Maybe good things really can happen.
“…me,” Amy was saying.
Dammit. Good job. Now I missed what she said and have to look like an idiot. “Sorry what was that?”
Amy smiled. “Did you just drift off into outer space? I said I wanna check out that book. Maybe you could show me.”
“Oh, uh, yeah, sure.”
“How about after school? What are you doing later?”
Cole’s brain froze; the question had caught him off guard. “Oh, um, um. Later might not be good.”
“What’s the matter? Gotta get to your college classes? Gotta save the world from the forces of evil?” The little smirk was back.
“What? No, no. I…it’s just, well, because my mom’s in the hospital, I’m staying with my aunt, and she’s not the easiest person to deal with.”
“I’m sure your aunt won’t kill me. I have to be home for dinner with my parents – they're all weird like that – but I’ll tell my mom to drop me off later and then we can hang out all night. Well, until I get picked up. What d’ya say?” She winked.
Cole hesitated. He considered what it would be like to have to introduce Amy to Beth. It wouldn’t be pleasant, but after the initial introduction, they could go to the library away from prying eyes. Beth would almost certainly leave them alone. She hated one kid being around; two were a horror she would try to pretend wasn’t happening. “Okay.”
“Great. I’ll meet you at the entrance after school and we can figure it out with my mom and your aunt. And I know your mom doesn’t know me, but send her my best wishes.”
“Thanks, I will,” Cole said. “Where do you want to meet?”
Open your mouth wide and blink hard three times. Then shrug twice.
What? Goddammit. That’s the same agreement as last time. I never get the same agreement twice, and in the same damn situation? Well, I turned you down once, I’m doing it again. This time he managed to keep a straight face.
“By the front door,” Amy said as the bell rang. “Ooo, gym. All right, come on!” She got up and hurried away with her tray, leaving Cole who was still recovering from his second refusal of an agreement. He had never refused an agreement before and he had just refused the second in two days. What did that mean? What would happen? He immediately thought of his mother in the hospital bed and his silent promise to her. I swear to God. You leave her out of this. You got a problem you deal with me.
6
Thanks to his relative athleticism, Cole managed to enjoy gym once in a while. It was the only time his peers showed him some level of respect, even if they did not intend to. Of course, they were always ready to pounce on his every mistake like lions waiti
ng to attack, which provided gym with its own measure of distaste, but at least he was never chosen last when they picked teams.
Due to recent cuts, gym class was only on Fridays. It consisted of the occasional organized sport with “free sessions” in between, which Cole attributed to his teachers' laziness. Today was one of those free sessions, as it had been for a while. With the end of the year looming ever closer, he had the feeling that the days of organized sports were over.
During free sessions, Cole considered it a successful period if he managed to stay in a corner by himself without anyone bothering him. With Amy, this gym class was guaranteed to be unique, but not necessarily in a good way. As he pushed what he hoped were baseless fears out his head, he began to wonder what was going to happen. He almost faked a sickness to avoid gym altogether, a tactic he had used on more than one occasion. However, against his better judgment, he followed Amy into the bright, sunlit schoolyard.
Cole blinked hard, trying to adjust his eyes to the new light, and surveyed the scene. The schoolyard was just an empty, open concrete space, large enough for the whole grade to run freely, and surrounded by a towering fence. Two teachers stood to one side, supposedly watching the students, but in reality chatting.
Most of the students were already outside and it looked to Cole like a zoo of mentally disturbed animals. He walked out into the crowds, catching sight of Amy across the yard.
She noticed him too. “Hey slowpoke! Come on! I thought you were right behind me.”
Cole walked a little faster to catch up to her.
“So,” Amy said. “What do you usually do during free gym periods?”
Cole froze up again. Why did she have to ask that? “Not too much. Just kinda hang around.” I must sound like the biggest loser.
Amy just smiled. “I don’t understand why you don’t have a million friends. You’re funny. All right, I’ll teach you a game. And once you get the hang of it we can do it with all the other kids and then they’ll all like you. Okay, first, the name of the game is…”
“Hey! Cole! I told you I’d find you.”
Dark Mind (The Dark Mind Trilogy Book 1) Page 4
