The Silent One
Chapter 2: Meet My Devil
By: Rheina Zysiks

Ian Scott was my devil. At the young age of eight Ian invaded my life and turned it upside down, of course not directly. Directness wasn’t his way, I doubt that he ever talked to anyone at all, not even family.

Ian came from a rich family. And just like almost all rich families, he was the only child. Isn’t it weird how the rich always have one or two children while the poor had many children? I myself came from a family of five.

Ian couldn’t be classified as a badass though; he breaks all boundaries and doesn’t fit in the mold. It was in his eyes. There was something behind those eyes…

“What is it Alena?” Delaney asked.

I shook my head but Delaney persisted.

“Looks to me as if you know that guy. What’s his name?”

It always amazed me how Delaney reminded me off a dog. Happy, persistent, annoying and always with a puppy dog smile.

“None of your business,” I mumbled before catching myself.

Crap! I kept my eyes forward to the chalkboard. And for some odd reason, I couldn’t help but notice classroom, if I didn’t know that this room was built only a few years ago, I could have sworn that it was old. The ceiling was all ready covered with gummy bears, spit wads, and pencils. Don’t ask me how the gummy bears got up there, but it just goes to prove Mrs. De Marzo’s lack of control. I found myself shaking my fist. I was becoming really random these days…

Delaney smiled with satisfaction. “So you do know him.”

Leave it to Delaney to bring me back to reality with his annoyance. I hit Delaney in the head with the back of my hand, the opposite hand that I used to shake my fist. Luckily, Delaney wasn’t a dog, otherwise I would been fined for hitting him.

“What was that for? That hurt!” Delaney whined.

I shook my head. I didn’t even hurt him. It was a mere swat. Not even my little brother would think of it.

“Leave me alone,” I said before turning back in my seat. The moment I turned my eyes met with Ian.

Ian’s eyes narrowed down at me as he tried to remember my face. It really was a curse that I had one of those faces that can easily be remembered. But it wasn’t his eyes the unnerved me now, it was the wait for him to realize that it was me that troubled me now. Had he forgotten me, I thought in anxiousness.

All I could do was hope.

“Lame?”

I heard him mutter my last name with hesitation.

Darn. I should have known that hopes and wishes never come true, much unlike the teaching in Disney movies and books.

I didn’t say anything, not from lack of words but lack of voice. For some odd reason my voice always escaped me in dire moments. I have been trying to come up with a reason for it but all I get is a blank.

Ian stood in front of me for a while, he continued staring. I tried vainly to continue in the battle of gazes but his eyes overpowered mine.

“Ian, please take your seat. You can chit chat later,” Mrs. De Marzo said.

It was suddenly becoming hard to concentrate, not that there was much to concentrate for though.

Time passed as slow as a snail but I was free. Instantly at a minute before twelve, I grabbed my books and stuffed them in my book bag.

Ring!

I got up before the bell rang and fought my way through the horde of teens. I was out the door when everyone was still packing his or her stuff.

I was waiting at the lunch line with my crazy friend Liz when I felt my skin tingle. I know that it’s a bit absurd but I had a sixth sense when it came to people. I fought every urge in my body to turn around. I knew that Ian was near. I could just tell.

“And so now Bryan and Aimee broke up. Aimee said that Bryan gets too jealous of her relationships with her guy friends and the one time she says he and Teresa are too close, Bryan gets all butt hurt. Then I talked to Bryan and he said that Aimee is too controlling. I think that Bryan is soooooooooo naïve.”

Liz was talking randomness and all I heard was Bryan and Aimee broke up, butt hurt, and soooooooooo. Yeah, I am not that very good of a listener. I try but boredom sets in easily.

“What’s wrong Alena?” Liz asked.

I smiled. Liz was such a good friend. Despite being loud, a bit annoying, and on the heavy side, Liz was a good friend.

“OH MY GOSH!” Liz suddenly exclaimed. Suddenly Liz started breathing heavily.

I raised an eyebrow at her. “What is it Liz?”

She only pointed. Her eyes seemed to follow something and something in my told me that it was Ian.

1. Ian was white and Liz had a fetish for white guys.
2. Ian was new and Liz liked new things.
3. Ian, I say this with reluctance, was hot and Liz liked hot guys.
4. See number one through three.

Liz turned me around. And for the first time in a long time I was wrong.

I couldn't believe my eyes. What was Josh doing here?

"He is soooooooooo cute," Liz confessed in my ear.

I nodded. Josh was cute, but the real question was what was he doing here? And Ian too?

Suddenly Josh's lime green eyes met with mine. He had the most entrancing eyes I have ever had the chance to see up close.

"Al. Where's Owen?" Josh asked referring to my older brother.

"He's in college now," I answered.

Josh groaned. "Are you kidding? What about Cole?"

"College."

"And Nick."

"Doesn't start high school until next year."

"Please tell me that Zeth is here."

I shook my head. "He goes to St. Antony."

Josh groaned. "Damn it. I got kicked out of St. Francis. Me, Adriel, James and Ian. Can you believe that?"

Ah, so there was a reason for Ian to show up out of nowhere. "But there is only three weeks left of school. What did you do?"

Josh suddenly smirked. "Do you remember Dayton and his 'crew'?"

I nodded in remembrance. Dayton was this popular guy, Zeth's arch nemesis – yeah I know that arch nemesis is kind of much but bleh – Dayton and Zeth hated each other.

Rivalry. Every boy has one and in the end one is the loser.

After much fighting and endless pranks Dayton became the victor. Zeth at this point didn't care anymore so when time came for high school entrance Zeth went to St. Antony the rival of Dayton's school. Quite frankly St. Antony is a better school but most went to St. Francis because it was coed where as St. Antony was an all male school.

"Why didn't you go to St. Francis?" Josh asked.

I shrugged. "I don't like the traffic."

Josh snickered sure that's it.

Suddenly I felt Liz poke me in the side. "Josh this is my friend Liz. Liz this is Josh, he's a family friend."

Josh nodded at Liz. For Liz I knew that it was a hard blow but I also knew that Josh didn't like shaking hands. His circle of friends was small and he didn't like new faces.

"Hey, I'll see you later Al. You still live in the same house right?"

I nodded.

"Ask your mom to set an extra seat for me at the dinner table. I miss her cooking."

I chuckled. "I bet she misses your messiness to."

Josh laughed and started to walk away.

I turned back to wait in line. I couldn't believe how long it was. Everyone always cutted in line and it was just not fair.

"Can I come over for dinner?" Liz asked.

I raised my eyebrow. No one ever asked to go to my house, and suddenly I remembered that she liked Josh. I almost laughed at myself. I should have learned by now to not raise my hopes…

"So this Josh guy, when is he coming?" Liz asked as we walked out of the school grounds

"I don't know."'

"Aww, come on Alena. You cannot tell me that you aren't the least bit attracted."

"I am not the least bit attracted."

"Why is that?" Liz pestered.

"Because I know Josh."

"What's wrong with Josh?"

I sighed. Liz was just too persistent sometimes. "I don't like the whole badass thing. It's annoying. Why does every guy think he needs to be this image of machoism?"

"Because if he is sweet, understanding, and a goody good, he would be a nerd and if the extreme he would be gay. Either way, I would much rather have a badass."

Suddenly the rain came pouring down. Just to add to my misery, God wanted to punish me… Thank you God.

"How far is your house Alena?"

"Twenty minutes."

"I can't go then," Liz said. "My dad doesn't let me go anywhere when it rains, mostly because of the accident. Maybe next time?"

I nodded and continued walking. I had no real choice but to walk in the rain. I groaned in frustration as I watched teens get picked up. I seriously hated the weather. It is a major pain in the ass.

I was half way home when a car stopped right next to me. I looked in, I know that looking in someone's care is a bit rude but I couldn't help it. The heavy metal music coming from inside gave me the idea that it was Ian.

The windows rolled down and I was right.

Ian looked at me. "Need a ride, Lame?"

I nodded, despite knowing that it was impossible for Ian to ever be nice to me. "Thanks."

Ian smirked.

I knew that smirk and all my hopes were dashed once again.

"I never said I was going to give you a ride." The jackass rolled up his window and speeded down the street.

He left me soaking wet in the rain.

The jackass left me in the rain.

He left me.

Goes to show that you should never expect anything, because you can only be disappointed.

Clueless-Patty - Thanks for that confidence boost. eh hehe. I am soo sorry for taking long to update.

Kitty-brdg - Thank you so much for that. I don't believe I have skill, I just write because ideas enter in my mind and they won't go away. lol. Alena is pretty much a better version of myself. haha.