part 3

Walking down the hall June noticed the only people who were giving her those nasty smug looks were just jealous because Henry had personally forgiven her. Apparently the most popular guy in the school was not known for forgiveness. He had stopped her in the hall and told her everything was good. June gagged thinking about it. He had stopped her in the hall the day after and talked about how she was forgiven because she was "so adorable" and "too cute to stay mad at". She tried to hide her face as people stared at her from their lockers. Most people like Henry had forgiven her and seen it as defending a poor lonely soul, but some looked afraid, as if she'd turn on them too. It pained her but she kept moving. 

         Approaching her locker June noticed she had company, the usual Tristan and Levi. They would follow her around like bodyguards shoving people out of her way and carrying her bag. She sighed as they shifted to let her pass. They said nothing as she opened it and said nothing as she got her books. She stared at the navy paint for a while not wanting to face them, they reminded her of her anger, something she was trying to keep down. She had succeeded for months, but just as she thought she was over it. It was back. She turned to the boys and searched their eyes. Both their gazes were blank as if they weren't actually people. Though it wasn't new. Everyday for the past week they came with their blank stares and waited. Anger rose inside her. She could take care of herself. 

           "Saw you at the gym yesterday," Levi said glaring at people who walked by.

           June looked at him in surprise. His grey eyes emotionless as usual. How they did it she had no idea. Tristan on the other hand looked confused at the sudden conversation. 

           "So you're stalking me now?" June snapped. Then winced at her failure to keep her frustration under control.

           "No, other people go to the gym you know"

           June cleared her throat and started walking without responding. She could hear the clicking of their shoes behind her. It sent anger rippling down her back.

           "Go there a lot?" Levi asked.

           "Why do you want to know?" June turned the corner quickly and swerved through people hoping to lose them.

          Tristan coughed and whispered something June couldn't catch. But neither spoke.

          When she got to home room relief swept over her. They would finally leave her. The first thing she noticed was Arthur's usual scowl in her direction. Chewing on her lip she took her seat next to him and watched as his scowl of hatred turned to a sigh of disappointment.

            She did the same thinking of that day. She had punched Henry in order to stand up for Arthur and his friend Maya. Maya and her had even gotten close over the couple day period where everyone hated her for punching a beloved football player, but once he forgave her they separated. They hadn't really talked since, but she knew she probably hates her. She knew that Arthur hated her because she wasn't shoving away her guards or denying Henry, and he and Maya were too close to expect anything else.  The only friend she had had when she came here lost because yet again, like all the other schools, she was sucked into popularity instantly.

            The rest of the day was pretty much the same. Jealous looks from some, admiring looks from some and fearful looks from few. She hated it, but there wasn't much she could do. If she stood up for Arthur again people would resent her, but she could get Maya back. Was it worth it? She was walking home thinking this all through when she bumped into something. But then the something moved, and she looked up from the sidewalk to see Arthur.

          Beaming she searched Arthur's eyes. She was glad to see the taller boy but his brown eyes said the opposite.

          "What do you want?" He groaned continuing his walk.

            "Do I have to remind you that I live down this way as well?" She said matching his pace.

 He groaned again and fixed the cuffs of his white shirt.

    "Look I….." June started, watching him mess with him tie

    "June, I get it okay."  he said, focusing  his gaze straight ahead. "You defended me to get closer with Henry or to get back at him, i don't even remmeber there is alot of stuff going around. Maybe you just wanted to get deeper into popularity. And now that you've done that you expect Levi and Tristan to follow you around and obey your every command. As weird as it is people have done worse to get the kind of attention that you have."

    June stared at him with horror. Is that really what he thought? That isn't what she intended at all! She felt her heart racing as emotion swelled in her chest. She couldn't decide if it was anger or pure sadness, but she didn't like it. Her fist clenched trying to hold it in.

    "That was…"

    "June I understand. Stop trying to explain." Arthur said, cutting her off again. Though June was amazed how calmly he spoke the words. It didn't make it better.

    "Arthur I...." she tried yet again but her attempt failed again when Arthur coughed loudly. "Shut up Arthur!" she yelled, pulling him to a stop.

    Turning slowly he opened his mouth to argue but she held up a hand to stop him. "Let me talk or next time it will be you instead of Henry."

    His mouth snapped shut and he slipped his hand out of her grip and muttered something under his breath. They were stopped in front of a small one story house that was painted white with a black roof. One giant tree was providing shade for the entire yard, and there were rocks creating a border, June guessed a foot away from the trunk. Pink, yellow and white flowers were filling the space between the rocks and tree. The grass was so green it almost looked fake. The two of them were standing there in silence, June not knowing what to say.

    "When I was younger we figured out pretty quickly that I had quite the temper and I was as stubborn as a mule. Long story short I was kinda bullied for it. So whenever I see someone being made fun of like that it just makes me so freaking mad. I didn't do it for attention and I didn't do it to get back at Henry, no matter what you or anybody else says." She searched his chocolate brown eyes. They were filled with understanding but he said nothing. After a second Arthur started to fidget with his tie absentmindedly. June could tell he was in deep thought, so June waited staring at the grass in silence. 

    "June I…" It was Arthur's turn to be cut off, but this was by an older man. He was in his forties and he was wearing a black suit and his jacket was flying out behind him as he ran. He had a goatee and a very panicked expression.

"What are you two doing? Get home now!" he heaved trying to catch his breath.

"We were just walking home,"June explained 

"Well get home now there's this smoke and…"

"Smoke?" Arthur echoed confused. "What about the smoke...is it scary smoke?" He whispered, sounding genuinely afraid. 

"Yes and it…"

"It what! It did something?" Arthur turned to June worried, and all June could do was try not laugh.

"Let me explain boy!" Goatee man said, looking back the way he had come.

"Boy!" Arthur exclaimed and June burst out laughing.

Just then read smoke came seeping into the streets. First slowly then it picked up pace. It was absorbing and disintegrating everything in its path. Gasping Arthur backed up behind June. Goatee man did the same thing. June was too scared to be offended. 

"We need to hide!" both of them said, from behind her while Arthur pulled on June's arm. Nodding June turned around, looking for somewhere to hide from this mysterious smoke.

"It's getting closer!" Arthur said shakily, backing up farther.

"We have eyes!" Goatee Man retorted 

"There!" June said pointing to two metal doors in the ground next to the giant tree house. "Wait who even has those anymore?" Arthur said, examining it as he got closer.

"Doesn't matter!" June yelled over the destructive rucas of the smoke. She led all of them to the metal doors and pulled on the handles. She growled as they stayed in place. She tried again hoping they were just stuck. She was starting to get a headache from the banging of the metal doors.

"June!" Arthur said from her side. "The smoke!"

Barking with frustration June slammed the two doors with all her strength and leaned back at her feet. She watched the clouds for a couple seconds before looking at Arthur whose eyes were stuck on the smoke. The doors swung open after a couple of moments, hinges squealing with protest. A man stuck his head out looking at who was making such a fuss outside. He had a scraggly beard and was wearing a plain grey t-shirt. He looked past June at Goatee man.

"Jack! What are you doing?" He pushed the door open wider waving him in. "And bring your companions with you," he ordered ducking back in as Arthur moaned something about companions. June elbowed him and he shut his mouth but he was still messing with his tie.

"Thanks Ryan," Jack responded leaning against the wall.

Nodding he turned to the two teenagers. "And who might you be?"

She smiled and shook his hand introducing herself. Arthur on the other hand said nothing and continued fidgeting with his tie. June then introduced Arthur as well. June looked around the place and noticed how small it was. It was pretty crowded with just the four of them. The walls were concrete and were lined with metal shelves. All the selves were filled with white candles, some of which were lit. The metal door was letting in no light. It made for good mood lighting which June guessed was appropriate due to the weird situation.

"Do you know what that stuff is Ryan?" Jack asked, moving to stand next to him. 

Shaking his head Ryan frowned. "I was at the store when it first appeared across the street. I got in my car and drove down the street as fast as I could. Once I got here I got my family in here and we've been here since.

"Family?" Arthur asked looking around. As if on cue a baby's cry came from somewhere close. That's when June noticed that there was a small leading from the corner of the room to further into this weird bunker. "Oh" Arthur said, messing with his tie yet again.

"Come on!" Ryan said laughing. "Let's go into the depths of the bunker of mystery."