I slowly walked into my history class. After a distracted time in math and not being able to concentrate, I was thankful for the movie we had been watching on the revolution. Though it was gory and disturbing, my teacher, Mr. Watson, ignoring the school's policy on movies like this, played it anyway.

I had just gotten comfortable when the bell rang, the last few students scrambling inside. Mr. Watson said nothing as he pushed play on the DVD player, the movie's images projected on the large screen in front of the class. He then proceeded over to his computer where he spent most of his time in the class.

I sighed loudly. Though I was thankful for the movie, it still didn't help class go by any quicker. So, I decided to go on my usual stroll around the school to speed things up.

I ripped out a piece of paper and wrote 'Bathroom, 9:15, Sara W.' on it, and walked up to the front of the class.

"May I go use the restroom?" I asked. Mr. Watson sighed, glancing at the clock, and once he noticed it was a good ten minutes into class, he signed the pass.

"Be quick," was all he said, and I walked passed all the empty desks in the back and left the classroom, closing the door gently behind me.

I started toward the Senior bathrooms, seeing as how they were the furthest away, and the nicest. I walked slowly through the halls, smiling and nodding at the occasional teacher that walked by.

Just as I turned into the Senior hallway, however, I saw him at his locker, the guy from this morning.

I slowed my pace as I watched him shove books, violently, in his locker, before he brushed a few strands of his messy hair out of his face, seeming stressed. He then kneeled down, and shoved some books that were on the floor in his black, ripped backpack. I continued to watch as I got closer to the turn off to the bathrooms, and notice him rummage around in his backpack a little while longer before he drew out what looked to be a pack of cigarettes before putting them in his jeans pocket. He then stood up, throwing his backpack around his left shoulder, slammed his locker, and started towards me.

In what seemed like full on panic mode, I quickly turned towards the bathroom, pushing open the door, getting a glance of him as I turned, and I noticed he was looking right at me.

My heart beating, I walked further into the bathroom, right up to the full length mirror behind the cleanest sink.

I replayed the image of him in my head as I looked at myself in the mirror. He had seemed so angry, still. How could someone be full of so much hate?

But maybe he had every reason to be. I guess you could say I was a loner, and I had every reason to be. So why couldn't he be angry?

Still, though, I had to wonder what my fascination was with him. Just a second sighting of him took my breath away, and made me want to know more. But why?

He's just the new kid, I told myself. Everyone wants to know about the new kid.

I fixed the bottom of my tank top before I fixed the bottom strands of my wavy brown hair, and once I was satisfied with my make-up, I turned to leave. It wasn't like I was trying to impress anyone, but still, I liked to look presentable, even if it was just for myself.

I tried to take my time getting back to class, but unfortunately my walk seemed to go quicker. Mr. Watson, luckily didn't notice me come in a good seven minutes later, but I noticed, however, that Brian Housemen was in his seat now, the first seat by the door, or the furthest seat in the back, depending how you looked at it. I figured he had just snuck in, seeing as how he was always more than ten minutes late. He glared at me as I walked passed, and I quickly looked away, taking my seat two rows over and up from him.

Brian Housemen was the 'weird' kid of the school. Not just the class, but literally the entire school had dubbed him that. Which, I didn't blame them. It wasn't like Brian was ugly, he was actually pretty good looking, with messy blond hair that ended just at his ear lobs, it gave off the idea that someone had just run their hand through it, messing it up. He had darker blond eyebrows and pretty blue eyes, and a small blonde goatee. He wore incredibly baggy pants and big t-shirts, his appearance coming off as 'rappy.' But everyone knew he listened to bands like Limp Bizkit and KoRn, mainly.

What made him weird was not only the fact that he was a complete loner, but also his tendency to just stare. He would, no lie, literally just sit there, his eyes fixed on something, and he would not blink. I secretly watched him in class once, and he'd only blink once in between four or five minute intervals. This creeped most people out, especially when he started a staring contest with you.

Brian had the history of skipping and ditching every now and again, only showing up for some classes, but no one knew where he went. He didn't go to the pizza place down the street, or the 7/11 across the street where most smokers went. No one knew where he lived, and it was just assumed that he went to weird places and did weird things.

I turned my head and looked over at him for a quick second. He was just sitting sideways in his chair, staring at the TV, motionless, not blinking, like always. I turned back around, and tried to focus on the movie.

---

School finally got out at three o' five. I rushed to my locker, eager to go home, and grabbed the necessary books and binders I needed for homework. I was just about out the main doors when I heard loud music blaring to my right. I glanced over, and saw Brian walking up. He now had on a blue and white beanie, his hair sticking out in messy tuffs underneath it. His hands were dug deep in his pockets, his shoulders slightly up, and he just started at the ground as he walked. I continued out the door, and somehow he was able to squeeze passed the open door, and right out the second set of doors that someone else had just exited out of.

I watched him as I finally got outside. He didn't head to the Senior parking lot, instead he turned right, and started right off the campus, and I had to wonder what weird and freaky things he was off to do.

I dug my keys out of my bag once I reached my blue Honda Civic, a present I had gotten for my sixteenth birthday, a few months before I got my license.

I unlocked the doors and got in, cranked the engine, and was lucky enough to beat the long line of cars out.

---

Once I got home, I wasn't so sure what my rush to be here was, exactly. The first thing I heard was Linda storming around the kitchen, murmuring curses to herself as she slammed cabinets. I knew if I was to go in there and tell her stop it would only make matters worse, but I was starting to get a headache, and I couldn't take it.

"Linda," I called as I walked into the kitchen. "Stop, please. I have a headache."

"I'm hungry," was all she said. "We never have any freaking food! And I'm sick of it!"

"Groceries aren't exactly on top of mom's priority list," I told her, leaning against the doorway.

"They should be…" she mumbled slamming the fridge shut now.

"Okay, what's more important, a snack, or a place to live?"

She said nothing now, and only stomped passed me. I rolled my eyes, and proceeded into the kitchen, deciding some tea sounded good right now.

I had just put the kettle on and gotten out my mug when I heard the garage door open. A few moments later my mom came inside the house.

"Hey mom," I said.

"Hi," she said, rushing to the kitchen and placed her many briefcases and folders on the table. A folder slid off and fell to the floor, and I instantly saw that look of stress, if she could even have anymore, upon her face.

"Here," I said, quickly going to the other side of the table.

"Thank you, sweetie," my mom said nicely as I picked up the papers for her, placing them back in the folder.

"Would you like some tea?" I asked. She smiled widely at me. "That would be wonderful! Thank you, Sara," she said.

"No problem. How was work?"

I figured this was the wrong question, because rather than her usual 'it was fine' answer, she just sighed and took a seat.

"Busy. And I had to go to Linda's school in the middle of it all."

"Why?" I asked as I placed a tea bag in her coffee mug.

"A quick conference. Apparently she's been skipping, more than ever now."

I made a face. Skipping middle school? Was that even possible? Where was there to go, anyway.

"Really?" I asked, the kettle starting to whistle.

"Yeah," she said. "Apparently our number wasn't registered with the school this year since it changed, so I haven't known for, oh, about three weeks."

"Wow," I said, pouring the tea.

"I know," my mother said. Obviously she was in no mood to discuss further details, so I just made our tea, gave her hers, and starting up to my room. with mine

"…I know, it's so lame! I hate her!" Linda's voice was loud through my bedroom wall. "I don't know, because she only cares about herself. No, and I'm sick of it. I wish I could just leave."

I rolled my eyes as I took a sip of my tea. My sister had become such a bitch now, only looking out for herself.

It had happened after dad left. It was obvious he was her favorite parent, and once he was gone, she went downhill. She started to wear different, more reviling clothing, something a high school student would wear. She'd alawys piss and moan when at home, and did nothing but argue with my mother about everything (which only added to her stress) and ignore me. She started hanging out with just as rude people, claiming they were her friends, They got her into smoking and skipping, and her grades were slipping badly.

But what could I do about it? I seemed to be the peacemaker of the house. I did everything I could to help my mom, and keep Linda off her back, and it was stressful on my own part.

---

My first three classes went by smoothly, and I now sat at the window at lunch, eating my usual curly fries and bottled water. In the beginning of the year, everyone would always shoot me weird looks, seeing as how I was basically the only one that ate alone, besides Brian. But I didn't care. And it wasn't like I had a choice ever since Laura had stopped talking to me.

Laura had been my best friend since fifth grade, but once we reached high school, she started to change, and by junior year, she was gone, hanging out with crowds that were more 'popular' than I was. That only added to the lesson that my father had taught me, however; you can't trust anybody. Everyone will betray you, somehow.

All through lunch I had been secretly wanting that new guy to walk passed, just so I could get another glance at him, and maybe figure out why I, really, was so intrigued by him. Just as I had finally convinced myself that it was silly, Brian went walking by. He wore tan, baggy cargo pants that dragged on the floor, covering his big shoes. He had on a red shirt and matching beanie, and held a slice of pizza in his hand, and I watched him walk all the way to his usual lunch spot, when he was around, that is.

He sat down on the second stair from the bottom of the main stair case. He lifted one leg up and stretched the other out, and took a monstrous bite of his pizza. He had his usual bored and sleepy look on, and creepily watched people as they went by, staring down one person at a time with his haunting blue eyes. I finally looked away from him before he'd catch me staring at him.

I had just finished my curly fries and was taking a sip of my water when I saw him, finally.

He was sitting on the windows to my right, a good five or six person length away from me. It was at that moment that I at least wish I knew his name. He was hunched over, scribbling something down in a notebook. He was writing furiously, and every few seconds or so he'd quickly jerk his pen back and forth, angrily, before finally turning the page and starting over, that scowl on his face. What was he doing?

I continued to watch, unaware that I was full on staring now, as he closed his notebook and shoved it into his backpack before picking up his Mountain Dew Code Red. He opened it and took a huge swig before standing up. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and started my way. I was still looking at him as he walked passed, and my heart skipped a beat when he looked at me. He gave me a sort of confused look before he looked away, and continued on down the hall. Great.

My eyes continued to follow, until they suddenly fell upon Brian. He was staring at me, that cold, scary gaze as I stared back, and suddenly, a small, sly grin appeared on his face.

I quickly looked away and capped my water before standing up and throw my trash away. Wonderful, now he's seen me looking at the new kid.

The bell rang as I started down the hall. As I walked passed Brian, I looked at him, and noticed he was still staring at me, that grin on his face. I quickly turned back around and walked at a quicker pace down the hall, and to my locker, unable to get the image of him or the new kid out of my head.

---

I found myself rushing to history the next morning. I had stayed after class to discuss with my math teacher the homework, having her clear up some confusion. And deciding she thought I could make it, she refused to write me a pass, and I was forced to practically run to class.

The bell rang now as I had finally just stepped into the room, startled to see Brian was actually in class on time, sitting in his seat. He stared at me as I walked in, which I tried my hardest to ignore as I took my usual seat.

"Alright class, what did you think of the movie?" Mr. Watson asked as he stood up, clapping his hands together. A few members of the class murmured their answers as he walked over to his desk.

"Well, I hope you were paying attention, because we're going to start our first project of the year!"

He seemed happy. I, however, wasn't. The last thing I needed was to work on some time consuming project with a group of people I hated.

The class was instantly filled with chatter over who was partnering with who. I rolled my eyes and slumped further down in my chair.

"Now," Mr. Watson said loudly to get the attention of the class. It worked, and everyone looked ahead at him. "I've taken the pride in assigning you your partners randomly. You may hate me for this, but that's life."

Aww! The class was loud with protest, but Mr. Watson ignored it as he took out his roster.

"Hey!" He called. "Everyone settle down." The class finally started to quiet as he read the partners.

I wondered who I'd be partnered with. My eyes glanced around the room. Perhaps I'd be lucky enough to be with Ms. Queen Bee, who thought she was the most precious thing in the world. Or maybe I'd be paired with the lazy Collin Withers, who wouldn't help at all. It wasn't until Mr. Watson announced my partnership did my heart skip a beat.

"Sara Williams, and Brian Housemen."

I swear, my mouth must have dropped to the floor upon hearing this, and I could have sworn I heard some gasps and sighs of relief from the class, happy they didn't have to be paired with him. I turned and looked at him. He was slouched in his chair, staring at me, and before I turned, he just kind of raised his eyebrows and saluted at me. I pulled a half, fake smile and turned back around. Wonderful, now I was completely alone on this project, which, actually, was expected, anyway.

The rest of the class Mr. Watson explained in detail what he wanted to the project to be. Basically, you just had to present the main points of a war of your choosing in a 'creative way'. I kept looking at the clock, wanting class to get out. The thing was, it wasn't that I was scared or nervous to talk to Brian, really, it was just it would be awkward as hell, wouldn't it? I had the feeling that he wouldn't even talk anyway. Just sit there and stare, do his own thing, assuming he'd actually help me.

"Okay," the teacher finished his explanation. "We still have a good five minutes of class, so get with your partner and discuss some ideas."

Wonderful. I took a deep breath as I turned and looked at Brian, who was staring at his shoes. I picked up my backpack and started over to his desk, and sat down in the one in front of him.

"Hi," I said, the word coming out more nervously than I had wanted. All four years of high school I had always known about Brian, but had never talked to him until now.

He didn't say anything, and continued to stare at the ground.

"S-so…" I started, unsure of what to say. I knew this would be awkward. "Did you already have an idea on how you wanna do this?"

Still nothing. He continued to stare. A few people were looking over at us, listening. It was embarrassing, really. Trying to talk to him and not getting a word back. I was starting to get frustrated, so I finally asked: "what are you staring at?"

"Nothin," he finally answered simply. I stared at him in shock; his voice did not match, at all, what I pictured it to sound like. It was deep, very deep, and unique. No one else I knew had a voice like it. Finally, he looked up at me, and seeing how this was the closest I had ever been to Brian, I noticed his eyes weren't only blue, but had a little bit of green in them.

"Okay," I started slowly. "So, did you have any ideas?" He only shrugged as he continued to look at me, and I sighed loudly as I rolled my eyes. "What is the problem?" I asked. He looked somewhat shocked suddenly, the only other expression I had ever seen on him, besides that creepy grin. "Look, it's not like I wanna be paired with loner, either, but--"

"Loner?" He asked, making face. "Who's the loner?" He raised his eyebrow, a small grin spreading on his face.

"Never mind," I sighed. We were quiet for a moment, and just as I was seriously debating whether or not I should ask Mr. Watson for a new partner, he spoke.

"Why are you always staring at the new kid?"

My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him, my first instinct to deny it.

"I… don't." I shifted my gaze away from him.

"Yeah, you do," he said.

"Well," I started, thinking of a way to get out of this. "I could ask you the same question."

"I don't stare at the new kid," he said, sounding somewhat offended, though he looked somewhat amused at the same time.

"Not the new guy," I said. "Just, things."

"What things?" He asked boredly.

"Like, anything. You just sit there and stare, and don't even blink. It's creepy." I hadn't meant to say that, but he didn't seem offended.

"I dunno," he said simply. "Just do sometimes." He shrugged, as if it was nothing. "But you don't, so what's your excuse?"

"I don't stare at him," I lied again. I really wanted class to get out. Talking to Brian made him only seem stranger, and I wasn't so sure I liked it.

"Are you scared of him?" He asked, leaning over his desk.

"Scared? Why would I be scared of him?" I asked. "I don't stare at people I'm scared o--" I stopped short, and Brian grinned widely.

"Yup," he said, leaning back, his voice full of satisfaction. "Most people are, scared, that is. But he's a cool guy."

"Wait, you know him?" I asked, sounding a little more desperate than I had wanted. He looked at me and grinned again.

"Not really," he said. "He's in my anatomy class. There was an open seat next to me and he took it. We talk a little bit. He's cool," he repeated.

"That's, cool, I guess," I said and looked at the ground again.

"Jealous?" He asked a beat later. I looked back at him and squinted my eyes.

"Why the hell would I be jealous?" I asked. He shrugged, smirking just as the bell then finally rang. Thank God, I thought. I picked up my bag and walked right out of there, not even bothering to say anything else to him. I looked over my shoulder and saw Brian slowly waltz out, and walk down another hallway. I turned back around and took a deep breath, inhaled some chicks way-too-much perfume and coughed. Then I got back to thinking about what had just happened. What an odd experience...

---

I had just finally gotten out of the lunch line with a cup full of curly fries, and was now heading over to the windows. I took my usual spot, sat down and popped a fry into my mouth.

About a minute later, Brian walked past, a slice of pepperoni pizza in his hand again, heading to the stairs. Before he reached them though, he suddenly looked behind him and noticed me. He then turned on his heel and marched over towards me.

"Hey there girly," he greeted with a slight grin. With his deep voice, he did not sound right saying that. I had to laugh a little, against my will not to. This guy really has some confidence, I thought.

"So," he started before I could greet him back. He surprised me by sitting down next me on the floor. He turned and looked up at me, some of his blond hair falling out of his face. Suddenly, he reached out and took a fry from cup, and quickly placed it in his mouth. I should have been pissed at this, really, but rather I just held the cup away.

"Hey," I whined. "You have pizza."

"I am aware," he said in the same tone. I rolled my eyes "Anyway," he began, "we never specified some things…"

"Such as?" I asked, feeling nervous now. Please be talking about the project, I thought.

"Which war we're doing," he started.

"World War II," I answered for him. He looked at me blankly.

"No," he said simply. "Revolution."

"No, World War II," I argued.

"Revolution," he repeated in a sing-song voice.

"Why?"

"Cause it's cooler," he said.

"Do you even know anything about it?" I asked rather rudely.

"No shit," he said slowly, staring at me in the eyes. "So, Revolution."

"World War II," I said back. People near us were staring directly at us. It was a very odd argument to have, but I knew they were mainly staring because of Brian, and wondering why I was even talking to him in the first place.

He sighed. "Why World War II?"

"Because it's my favorite," I said back, finishing the last of my fries. I threw the cup in the trash can next to me. He sighed again, and took another bite of his pizza.

"That's a lame answer," he said.

"So is yours," I pointed out. We both got quiet. Obviously, I thought, him bringing up this argument and wanting to do a specific war showed that he was actually willing to help me on this. Maybe I should just let him do the one he wanted, to be sure. But then again, what if all his information wasn't at all correct. I didn't know. I decided to stick with my war of choice.

Brain had his head turned away from me now, and was staring without expression at something. I was just watching people walk by and occasionally listening to peoples conversations around me. The new kid suddenly walked by, and I made a big mistake by never taking my eyes off him as he walked by and turned down a different hall. I felt Brian staring at me now and I looked down at him. He slowly grinned and then looked back down. I didn't say anything and rolled my eyes and looked away.

"Why can't girls just admit things?" He asked, fiddling around with his thumbs. "Well, I guess that's what they're supposed to do. Be complicated," he finished and sat up a little.

"I don't like him," I said turning to him, figuring that's what he meant.

"I never said you did." He smiled up at me. I rolled my eyes.

"I don't even know the guy." I felt so stupid talking to him about this again. He only shrugged, laughed a little and turned away.

"He's pretty cool. Got a pet snake," he said, bobbing his head a little. "Good taste in music too," he added, looking at me now with his pretty pale green eyes.

"What are you trying to do?" I asked. "Torment me?"

"Maybe, is it working?" He asked, a small grin appearing now.

"No," I nearly yelled. "It might, if I actually did like him." God! I felt so stupid and immature. We needed to drop this conversation, like now. Where the hell was the bell? I was ready to go to class now. He rolled his eyes and looked away again.

I decided it was a good time to go to my locker and get all my shit for my next class. I stood up and he looked back up at me the second I did and scrambled to get onto his feet. I started walking and he followed me.

"Jeez, your pissy," he said catching up with me. I turned my head and glared at him a little. "Okay! Okay!" He said, raising his hands and widening his eyes. "I'll drop it." Good, I thought and looked away and continued down the hall.

"His name is Jack, in case you're wondering," he added with a sly grin.

Jack? He didn't look like a Jack to me. More like a Cody, or something that began with a 'C'. I was seriously beginning to think the new kid didn't have a name. But Jack... I guess Jack was cool. I liked it.

Although I didn't say anything, I couldn't help but be secretly glad that Brian mentioned his name, I had been really wanting to know. But his reason for randomly telling me made me a little mad. Regardless what he said, I did not like him. How can you possibly like someone you don't even know? No matter what Brian said or thought, I didn't like him. Brain was free to think that in his own little world, as long as he didn't mention it out loud.

We finally made it to my locker and I started the combination. I glanced at Brian and noticed him staring at my hand on the locker handle. Great, I thought, now he knows my combination.

I grabbed the two books I needed and a binder, and quickly closed my locker. The bell finally rung as I headed toward the stairs. I turned my head to ask Brian if he was willing to work in the library after school today, but he was suddenly gone. I turned around all the way, and didn't see him at all, and there was barely any people in the long hallway. Weird, I thought, suddenly feeling bad for not saying anything to him.

I turned back around and headed upstairs to my German class.

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