Chapter 4

If people are looking for a place with not much fuss, an uncrowded neighborhood, and a simple lifestyle of usual routines; Terrell is the perfect spot to call home. Of all the things that I find too boring for being typical, Terrell and its simplicity are what I am obsessed about. The quietness of the streets when students are off to school and the smell of the tires creating friction against the hot pavement. The living greenness surrounding each home. Another thing that makes the place -Jonsell village specifically- sublime is because of its unfamiliarity to people who live in Terrell. When Gabe and Mason first found out that I live at one of the most unknown villages in the city, they never thought I was weird, they find it cool. They just gained a bolthole. I admire this place. Chemistry is in fifteen minutes and I feel my eyelids weaken. If only I didn't have that stupid dream, I would've slept pleasantly. I walk out of Math class passing through our corridors heading to my locker. Terrell High is overrated with so much red. The lockers are red, the bulletin is full of painted red tigers, the doors to the school's gymnasium and field are red and everyone wears red. This is too much to bear. It's not even Valentine's. If not the imagery of Heart's day, High School Musical would be the finest description of our school. It's a good thing I don't have much of the 'bloody' shades in my closet. I pass the Music room and Gabe was out just in time.

"How did you go?" Gabe iss chewing gum again, referring to the test paper in my hand.

"98. You?"

"86. I should've just asked for my personal calculator." Gabe shoves his paper in his orange shoulder bag.

"Gabe you don't need me, and you improved a lot from last week's quiz. You're smarter than you think you are." I give him a light tap on the shoulder. We turn to the left and from afar, a bunch of girls is trying to push their friend unto Mason's way as he arranges a few things in his locker.

"Aw, look at our little baby. All grown up now. He's been checking the list is he?" Gabe whispers into me.

"He's not that type." We look at the girl, I can't tell what that sophomore is saying but I know what they're there for. As soon as Mason scratches the back of his head and does a semi shake, mouthing 'no' to the girl, I turn to look at Gabe.

"He declined. Again." I scoff at Gabe's dropped jaw.

"Rude!"

We approach Mason while the girl passes our way with her friends calming her. I think I heard one of them say Mason's a complete jerk.

"Wow, how imperious." I tell Mason leaning on the locker next to his.

"You know you can be less arrogant if you give them a chance." Gabe sounds so pissed and I laugh at him being dismayed.

"She's too young," Mason says as he drops a few books into his bag. He offers us bubblegum and I show him my tongue revealing my pink candy now turned to mint green.

"Ew." He is a bit arrogant.

'If you keep declining offers, you'll end up going to the dance without a partner." Gabe is still angry.

"I don't mind. I'm going by myself."

"Well, clearly Holly is more of a decent junior than you." Gabe speaks with annoyance.

"Greeny Holly?"

"She's going with Scott." I said.

"Wow, didn't think someone like Scott would date someone like her."

"Why not? She's good at Math. I mean our girl's better of course," Gabe grabs me on the elbow, I return the gesture with a giggle "but nerdy girls can be hot too. By the way, I'm not saying you're nerdy." Gabe is assuring me again. I'm unsure whether it's pure affection or sarcasm. "Just a tiny bit." Sarcasm.

"Hey!" I kick Gabe in the knee but I miss. Gays are pretty energetic. Mason laughs with our little show. As he closes his locker we head to the main corridor. I'm surprised that even though all three of us have different class schedules, we stick to our daily pattern. Meet after our first classes, then at the cafeteria for lunch break and sometimes during anyone's free period. Gabe and Mason turn left and I head to the opposite direction. As I enter Chemistry, I can feel the lingering need of sleep. Not now, I said to myself. I shake my head and focus on Professor Vic's discussion. I try to snap on reality but it's no use. I lean unto my palm with my elbow placed at the desk.

"Just thirty minutes. Thirty minutes and I can get out of here." I said to myself. I fight the enraging need of sleep. My eyes with an involuntary choice, closed.

"Ms. Olives?" Professor Vic's raspy voice made me bounce in shock, I even dropped my notepad and a few sheets of my pad. He points the door with his marker and I give a gall expression as I head to the door with my things. I head straight to my locker thinking about detention. Maybe this is better than getting a weird dream. Swinging my locker open lies all of my books stacked on the left. Two jars of chocolate bars and candies are placed at the front ride side and some hair ties in a small paper box. I reach for a candy bar and closed my door with the disbelief of getting kicked out from Chemistry. I turn towards the opposite side for the cafeteria, and I gasp in astonishment to see him again, standing in front of me; as if he was already here ever since I got to my locker. I back off a little and blinked a few times. So he's real.

"You shouldn't be sleeping in class."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean if I were your professor I would've banned you from my classes for a whole year." He looks through the window, tapping his left foot in an accelerated 4/4 meter.

"Were you in Chemistry class?" I examine him from head to foot, then back to his face.

"Not that I know of." This guy is weird.

"Leave me alone." I pass through him and head to the cafeteria. I tear my candy bar wrapper with my teeth and I can hear footsteps pacing behind me.

"Well, you know it to yourself that you want me around." He peaks at my right and I avoid his gaze.

"And why do you think is that?" I spit the piece of the candy wrapper from my mouth.

"You tell me." He's finally caught my attention. I look at him and then I stopped walking, my face inclined to match his sight.

"I don't know you-"

"Tokyo." he cuts me, smiling like a puppy. "My name is Tokyo."

"I didn't ask."

"I'm sure you wanted to know."

"Well it's great meeting you Tokyo but I'd appreciate it if you quit stalking me." I turn and left his open palm unshaken. I know this won't stop him from tailing but I tried. I arrive at the wide cafeteria that smelled nachos and burger patties. I sit at our usual spot -third table from the lanes at the windows like a teddy bear recklessly placed by a child, of course Tokyo has arrived as well.

"I'm not stalking you ." He casually sits across me with his elbows resting at the table. I notice a few scars at his left wrists. Not interesting.

"Then how come you know me? How did you know I got kicked out of class? Why didn't the bus driver remember you? At least Gabe and Mason should've recalled."

"Gabe and Mason huh? So... which one's your boyfriend?" I don't answer. Instead I give him a waspish look.

"Okay, okay. No personal questions." he folds both his palms. I turn behind to look at the view of the school's window instead.

"If I tell you why I know everything, would you believe me?" That was an unusual question. I shot him with confusion.

"Why wouldn't I believe you?" I ask as he moves closer, again.

"Because you're quite... peculiar. That little mind of yours, it's full of surprises." I try to back away but I'm getting pinned on the window.

"What's wrong with you?? Stop-"

"I wish I could talk more. But Professor Vic is coming."

"What?"

"See you when you're asleep..." Tokyo's voice fades and so as my sight. Everything is dark again. My body feels heavy, heavier than my actual weight. I drift light-headed.

"Ms. Olives!" That's Professor Vic's voice. I open my eyes and I see an unfocused view of my classmates giving me critical stares.

"Ms. Olives, you're free to leave my class if you want a beauty rest." They giggle but I didn't care. I grab my stuff and rushed to the bathroom. I reach for the sink and twist its handle revealing splashes of water. I palmed them to give myself a little face drizzle while conceiving certainty. I've got questions that need answers and I need to talk to Tokyo about them. I need a nap. No, I need to sleep.