(Gwen's P.O.V.)
"... and that class, was the history of how the screw was invented!" Pen FINALLY finished his twenty minute lecture about, obviously, the history of how the screw was invented. We all groaned. "Now, class, remember what your homework is! And, isn't it obvious," He pointed to me. "Tell your parents how the screw was invented." I chuckled. "Exactly! Don't forget it!"
"I don't really think we can, Mr. Pencil." Duncan snickered. I shot a look at him. "I mean Mr. Pennings." Duncan corrected himself looking at me frightened. I grinned mischievously at him. Courtney cleared her throat loudly, glaring at me. Pen chuckled, "Well, the bell should ring any minute now. Class, who's your favorite teacher in the entire universe, which I remind you goes on forever, according to scientists?" Various answers and names of teachers were shouted out. Class clown, Cody, who has a crush on me, shouted, "Mr. I'm-a-banana-peel!" That only got a few kids to chuckle. What in the hell, does that kid think he's hilarious or something?
Most kids yelled out, "Mr. Pennings!" I yelled out, "Pen!" Everyone burst out into laughter. I didn't know what everyone was laughing about, but then I realized what I had said, and started to blush. Only a few people know I call Mr. Pennings "Pen". "Oh, hush up, it's what she calls Mr. Pennings." chuckled Duncan from a few desks behind me. "Ooooo, do you like him...?" mused that bitch, Heather. I scrunched up my face. "What the heck, get a life, Heather."
"S-so, you d-don't like me...?" Pen asked in a fake sad voice, giving me a puppy face. The class laughed, including me. Then the bell rang. "REMEMBER YOUR HOMEWORK, CHILDREN OF THE RED PEPPER CORN!!" Mr. Pennings called out to us as we all dashed out the door.
[A/N: That's what my science teacher always calls my class!! XD]
As I was walking out of the room, Trent blocked my path. I went around him. He blocked my path again. I went around him one more time. He blocked my path again. "Listen, Gwen, I'm really sorry-"
"Don't you DARE try and apologize to me, TRENT." I said his name extra cold. "I won't ever forgive you for what you've said about me. Calling me ugly, saying being a goth is stupid, saying I have poor posture, and ANOTHER THING..." Pointing in his face forcefully, Trent flinched. "Gwen, can I talk to you for a sec?" Pen called from his desk inside the classroom. I kept pointing at the flinching Trent's face as I looked at Pen like, A little busy here! He looked at me back like, I don't really care, get in here now! I rolled my eyes, shot one last angry look at Trent, and trudged back into the classroom's doorway. "Have a seat, Gwen." Mr. Pennings adjusted his glasses. I sat down in the seat in front of his desk, he smoothed back his bright flaming red hair, turned to face the chalk board, and said, "So, rumors have been going around that you and Trent are over."
"This is what this is about? Seriously? I need to get to my next cla-"
"I'll write you a late pass." Pen interrupted me, still facing the board. "You've seemed more on edge lately. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Of course. I'm GLAD me and Trent are over with. I've found a new..." I wanted to say boyfriend, but it really didn't seem right to call Duncan my boyfriend. It would feel weird, Pen always knew I hated Duncan. Pennings spun around and handed me a card. "What's this?" I asked, taking the small index card. "It's a business card. For a psychiatrist. Dr. Heartstad. He can help you with anything you're feeling. You know, in your case, relationship problems?"
"I don't need it." I handed it back to him. "You sure?" He took the card in his middle and index finger. "Not even if you and Duncan have some problems?" said a grinning Mr. Pennings. "Gah! Fine, I'll take it." Snatching the small business card from him, I grabbed my books and walked out of the doorway. "And, Gwen?" I turned around. "If Duncan harasses you in any way, any way, you come find me, kay, little miss straight A student?"
A smile grew on my face. "Of course."
He pointed at me, smiled, and went back to the piles of work on his desk. I walked out the door and into the hallway.
"Where are you going?" an unfamiliar voice chided. I spun around to see Courtney, Duncan's ex, glaring at me. What the, had she been listening to mine and Mr. Pennings' conversation?! "Err, Family Consumer Science?" I quickly said. "Why do you wanna know?"
"It was rhetorical, Gothie." the brunette sneered. That insult hit me hard. I remembered at the park this weekend when Trent called me that. I felt a rising pain in my chest. "L-look, why are you mad at me, Courtney?" I tried to sound as confident as I could without the pain in my chest reaching my voice. "I haven't done anything to you, why are you mad?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Smiling evilly, Courtney left towards the math classroom. I cringed. What did she mean by, "You'll find out soon enough."? I didn't want to know. So I quickly rushed to the F.A.C.S. room, and stepped in just as the bell rang.
- - - - - - - - - -
Next up was free period.
Luckily, Duncan has free period with me, I won't feel so lonely and scared then. "Hey, Leshawna, you seen Duncan anywhere?" I asked my best friend. "No. Why? Was he here today?"
"Yeah, just to periods ago! Are you sure you haven't seen him?"
"Nope, not since first period this morning."
Uh oh. Is this what Courtney meant by "You'll find out soon enough."?! Getting rid of Duncan?! "Leshawna, you wouldn't lie to me, right?! Right?!" I pressed her with the question. Leshawna glanced to the side, looking a little guilty. "Sorry girl, I haven't. Hey I think Trent wants to talk to you." she said quickly, speed walking back into the hallway. She's hiding something, she knows where Duncan is, I just know it.
I found Trent at the side of the building. His head was facing the ground, his eyes closed. "What do you want?" I asked flatly.
"I wanted to talk." He still kept his eyes closed, his head bent towards the ground, hands in his jean pockets. Running my hands through my silky hair, I commented about Courtney. "She did something to Duncan."
"And how would you know that. You never know with Courtney. She's a great gal, she wouldn't do that to her ex." Trent opened his eyes, still looking at the ground, a concentrated look plastered on his long face. Black hair was covering most of his face. "Look, there's your 'precious Duncan' now."
"Trent, you need to get over me!" I snapped suddenly. "You should stop moping around, and stop making fun of me because I broke up with you! It's just low, and immature, and oh so many things that I really think you wont like me saying." I clasped my hands together and nodded sarcastically. "Have a good day, you son, of, a, BITCH." I enunciated the words so he would get the message. I guess he did, but my plan back fired. Trent rose to his full height, only about an inch taller than me. He suddenly raised his hand above his head. He was going to hit me!! Before he could strike the blow, someone jumped in front of me, and Trent hit them instead. Wouldn't ya know? And wasn't it obvious? It was Duncan. He took the blow, to his right cheek, from Trent. Duncan held his own cheek tightly with his right hand, a visible red mark streaked across it. "Don't hit her. Ever. Hit her, and I swear, you're gonna die sooner than you think. Who hits their ex?!"
"You stay out of it, you punk wannabe!"
"What did you call me?! A 'punk wannabe'?!"
"Yeah, whatchya gonna do about it?"
SMACK. A blow to Trent's face from Duncan was delivered. "Don't bitch off at me again like that."
"I'll do what I want, Mr. I-steal-peoples'-girlfriends!"
SMACK. Another blow to Trent was delivered, this time to his arm. "I didn't steal her. You were broken up before I asked her out."
I was going to interject with saying that he asked me out while me and Trent were still together, but that would make things worse. I kept my mouth shut with fear. "Gwen broke up with me on unfair grounds. You don't deserve her." shot Trent. "You don't deserve her because you only harass and make fun of her. You're weak. Mean."
SMACK. One last blow to Trent was sent.
Duncan pulled me close to him with his free arm. I clung to him for dear life. He was going to hit me... I thought silently. Trent... sweet, innocent Trent... Trent only glared at Duncan, shot a menacing look at me, then stormed off. Then I noticed a crowd had formed around Trent, Duncan, and I. "Well, what are you all looking at?!" Duncan shouted at them. "Get a life!"
- - - - - - - - - -
Mutters floated around the crowd as they disbanded. I hugged Duncan tight. "He was going to hit me..." I was still awed by the fact that Trent, Trent, had threatened, and almost did, smack me. "No der?" Duncan mocked quietly hugging me with his free arm. "Couldn't have not been hit if it weren't for you." I looked up at him kindly. "Stop sounding like Dora. You're creeping me out." he joked. I laughed as best as I could. My throat was still constricted with fear. "Where were you...?" I remember what Leshawna had acted like, acting all guilty and talking quickly, knowing where he was. "I was in the bathroom."
He's lying. "You're lying. Where were you?"
"I can't say."
"Why not?"
"I'm being forced not to. If I do, bad things will happen to me. And you. Now, off of this topic, wanna draw a picture of me?"
My brain processed this for a bit. Hmm... I thought. Question my boyfriend about where he was, or draw a picture of my boyfriend.
I chose the second option.
I looked at Duncan's face closely. I wanted to get in the exact lines, the exact wrinkles, the exact shine on his hair and piercings, I wanted everything to be perfect.
After a few minutes, Duncan whined, "You almost done, my neck is getting tired from slouching."
"I'm done, you big cry baby." I was proud of my drawing when I showed it to Duncan. His eyes bugged out. "Dude, that's GOOD! How'd you learn how to draw like that?!" I shrugged. "Years of practice."
"After years of practice, all I can still draw are stick figures and my skull." he snorted. "Here, you can have the drawing." Shoving the drawing of his head to him, Duncan shook his real head. "Na, you keep it. I'm good. People will think I'm a sap if I keep that picture as a 'memento' or whatever the crap they call it." he put air quotes around 'memento'. I giggled. "Why would people think that? They know that!"
"Now you're making fun of me, and you were worried about me making fun of you? My God, Gwen!" He chuckled.
"Oh shut it, the bell's ringing." I punched his arm and left. Walking in the doors, he swooped past me and whispered in my ear, "Keep on shinin', sunshine." and swooped away just as fast as he came. I looked after Duncan, who was swerving and weaving through the sea of people stealthily.
He's great. My brain thought.
"Shut it brain." I said aloud. People shot me awkward glances for the rest of the day.
After school, I was upstairs in my house's kitchen, just having a snack. You know, after school snack and what not. I had drawn another picture before school had ended that was supposed to go to Duncan, but, like the other picture, he refused to take it. It was of me and him kissing at Red Lobster. I thought it was the best picture I had ever drawn. He agreed. "It's really good. You should keep it. You know, to keep for one day when you're a famous artist?" Duncan had nudged my arm.
That was a few hours ago now.
I picked up my granola bar, and ran out onto the front porch steps, looking at my picture of Duncan and I at Red Lobster. I still couldn't get over that kiss. I stared at the picture for what seemed like hours, but in reality, was only about a few minutes.
"Gwen, honey! Time for dinner!" Mom called from the back yard. We were having BBQ tonight. "Coming, Mom!" I yelled to her, putting the picture under a text book, then leaving it, so that it wouldn't blow away.
Getting to the back yard, John came up and hugged me tight. "Hey, Gwen!" He laughed. "Wow, sport, BBQ sure makes you in a good mood." I ruffled his hair and hugged him back.
Just as we sat down to eat our ribs and steak, I heard footsteps on the drive way in the front of the house. "Hmm? Something wrong, sweet-"
"Shh!!" I shushed my mom. I heard the footsteps continue, stop, pencil on paper, then I heard a scratching noise, like a match on the lighter box, crackling, then running footsteps. Something had been set on fire. "Someone set something on fire in the drive way!!" I screamed. Please don't be my drawing... My head begged as I ran to the drive way with my mom and brother.
It was no use begging.
My drawing was set in flames, black curling around the edges, smearing and destroying all of the paper and lead. "NO!!" I screamed, grabbing the hose. I turned it on and sprayed the drawing with water, that continued to be engulfed in
flames. When the fire was finally out, Duncan, the table, the scenery, and I were all black with soot, and most of the paper was reduced to ashes. "No..." I whispered, picking up some of the still hot ashes that used to be the table. "No!!" I screamed again. Burying my face in my hands, Mom hugged me tight. "Honey, what was that?"
"I-It w-was a p-p-picture of m-me and D-Duncan kissing a-a-a-at R-Red L-Lobster, that n-night!" I sobbed. "Oh sweetie!!" My mom exclaimed, hugging me tighter. "Who would ever do such a thing?!"
Looking up from my drenched hands, tears still running down my cheeks like a waterfall, I noticed a little index card next to the ashes and soot. Picking it up slowly with a shaking hand, I almost fainted.
It read:
This is only the beginning of soon enough.
"... and that class, was the history of how the screw was invented!" Pen FINALLY finished his twenty minute lecture about, obviously, the history of how the screw was invented. We all groaned. "Now, class, remember what your homework is! And, isn't it obvious," He pointed to me. "Tell your parents how the screw was invented." I chuckled. "Exactly! Don't forget it!"
"I don't really think we can, Mr. Pencil." Duncan snickered. I shot a look at him. "I mean Mr. Pennings." Duncan corrected himself looking at me frightened. I grinned mischievously at him. Courtney cleared her throat loudly, glaring at me. Pen chuckled, "Well, the bell should ring any minute now. Class, who's your favorite teacher in the entire universe, which I remind you goes on forever, according to scientists?" Various answers and names of teachers were shouted out. Class clown, Cody, who has a crush on me, shouted, "Mr. I'm-a-banana-peel!" That only got a few kids to chuckle. What in the hell, does that kid think he's hilarious or something?
Most kids yelled out, "Mr. Pennings!" I yelled out, "Pen!" Everyone burst out into laughter. I didn't know what everyone was laughing about, but then I realized what I had said, and started to blush. Only a few people know I call Mr. Pennings "Pen". "Oh, hush up, it's what she calls Mr. Pennings." chuckled Duncan from a few desks behind me. "Ooooo, do you like him...?" mused that bitch, Heather. I scrunched up my face. "What the heck, get a life, Heather."
"S-so, you d-don't like me...?" Pen asked in a fake sad voice, giving me a puppy face. The class laughed, including me. Then the bell rang. "REMEMBER YOUR HOMEWORK, CHILDREN OF THE RED PEPPER CORN!!" Mr. Pennings called out to us as we all dashed out the door.
[A/N: That's what my science teacher always calls my class!! XD]
As I was walking out of the room, Trent blocked my path. I went around him. He blocked my path again. I went around him one more time. He blocked my path again. "Listen, Gwen, I'm really sorry-"
"Don't you DARE try and apologize to me, TRENT." I said his name extra cold. "I won't ever forgive you for what you've said about me. Calling me ugly, saying being a goth is stupid, saying I have poor posture, and ANOTHER THING..." Pointing in his face forcefully, Trent flinched. "Gwen, can I talk to you for a sec?" Pen called from his desk inside the classroom. I kept pointing at the flinching Trent's face as I looked at Pen like, A little busy here! He looked at me back like, I don't really care, get in here now! I rolled my eyes, shot one last angry look at Trent, and trudged back into the classroom's doorway. "Have a seat, Gwen." Mr. Pennings adjusted his glasses. I sat down in the seat in front of his desk, he smoothed back his bright flaming red hair, turned to face the chalk board, and said, "So, rumors have been going around that you and Trent are over."
"This is what this is about? Seriously? I need to get to my next cla-"
"I'll write you a late pass." Pen interrupted me, still facing the board. "You've seemed more on edge lately. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Of course. I'm GLAD me and Trent are over with. I've found a new..." I wanted to say boyfriend, but it really didn't seem right to call Duncan my boyfriend. It would feel weird, Pen always knew I hated Duncan. Pennings spun around and handed me a card. "What's this?" I asked, taking the small index card. "It's a business card. For a psychiatrist. Dr. Heartstad. He can help you with anything you're feeling. You know, in your case, relationship problems?"
"I don't need it." I handed it back to him. "You sure?" He took the card in his middle and index finger. "Not even if you and Duncan have some problems?" said a grinning Mr. Pennings. "Gah! Fine, I'll take it." Snatching the small business card from him, I grabbed my books and walked out of the doorway. "And, Gwen?" I turned around. "If Duncan harasses you in any way, any way, you come find me, kay, little miss straight A student?"
A smile grew on my face. "Of course."
He pointed at me, smiled, and went back to the piles of work on his desk. I walked out the door and into the hallway.
"Where are you going?" an unfamiliar voice chided. I spun around to see Courtney, Duncan's ex, glaring at me. What the, had she been listening to mine and Mr. Pennings' conversation?! "Err, Family Consumer Science?" I quickly said. "Why do you wanna know?"
"It was rhetorical, Gothie." the brunette sneered. That insult hit me hard. I remembered at the park this weekend when Trent called me that. I felt a rising pain in my chest. "L-look, why are you mad at me, Courtney?" I tried to sound as confident as I could without the pain in my chest reaching my voice. "I haven't done anything to you, why are you mad?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Smiling evilly, Courtney left towards the math classroom. I cringed. What did she mean by, "You'll find out soon enough."? I didn't want to know. So I quickly rushed to the F.A.C.S. room, and stepped in just as the bell rang.
- - - - - - - - - -
Next up was free period.
Luckily, Duncan has free period with me, I won't feel so lonely and scared then. "Hey, Leshawna, you seen Duncan anywhere?" I asked my best friend. "No. Why? Was he here today?"
"Yeah, just to periods ago! Are you sure you haven't seen him?"
"Nope, not since first period this morning."
Uh oh. Is this what Courtney meant by "You'll find out soon enough."?! Getting rid of Duncan?! "Leshawna, you wouldn't lie to me, right?! Right?!" I pressed her with the question. Leshawna glanced to the side, looking a little guilty. "Sorry girl, I haven't. Hey I think Trent wants to talk to you." she said quickly, speed walking back into the hallway. She's hiding something, she knows where Duncan is, I just know it.
I found Trent at the side of the building. His head was facing the ground, his eyes closed. "What do you want?" I asked flatly.
"I wanted to talk." He still kept his eyes closed, his head bent towards the ground, hands in his jean pockets. Running my hands through my silky hair, I commented about Courtney. "She did something to Duncan."
"And how would you know that. You never know with Courtney. She's a great gal, she wouldn't do that to her ex." Trent opened his eyes, still looking at the ground, a concentrated look plastered on his long face. Black hair was covering most of his face. "Look, there's your 'precious Duncan' now."
"Trent, you need to get over me!" I snapped suddenly. "You should stop moping around, and stop making fun of me because I broke up with you! It's just low, and immature, and oh so many things that I really think you wont like me saying." I clasped my hands together and nodded sarcastically. "Have a good day, you son, of, a, BITCH." I enunciated the words so he would get the message. I guess he did, but my plan back fired. Trent rose to his full height, only about an inch taller than me. He suddenly raised his hand above his head. He was going to hit me!! Before he could strike the blow, someone jumped in front of me, and Trent hit them instead. Wouldn't ya know? And wasn't it obvious? It was Duncan. He took the blow, to his right cheek, from Trent. Duncan held his own cheek tightly with his right hand, a visible red mark streaked across it. "Don't hit her. Ever. Hit her, and I swear, you're gonna die sooner than you think. Who hits their ex?!"
"You stay out of it, you punk wannabe!"
"What did you call me?! A 'punk wannabe'?!"
"Yeah, whatchya gonna do about it?"
SMACK. A blow to Trent's face from Duncan was delivered. "Don't bitch off at me again like that."
"I'll do what I want, Mr. I-steal-peoples'-girlfriends!"
SMACK. Another blow to Trent was delivered, this time to his arm. "I didn't steal her. You were broken up before I asked her out."
I was going to interject with saying that he asked me out while me and Trent were still together, but that would make things worse. I kept my mouth shut with fear. "Gwen broke up with me on unfair grounds. You don't deserve her." shot Trent. "You don't deserve her because you only harass and make fun of her. You're weak. Mean."
SMACK. One last blow to Trent was sent.
Duncan pulled me close to him with his free arm. I clung to him for dear life. He was going to hit me... I thought silently. Trent... sweet, innocent Trent... Trent only glared at Duncan, shot a menacing look at me, then stormed off. Then I noticed a crowd had formed around Trent, Duncan, and I. "Well, what are you all looking at?!" Duncan shouted at them. "Get a life!"
- - - - - - - - - -
Mutters floated around the crowd as they disbanded. I hugged Duncan tight. "He was going to hit me..." I was still awed by the fact that Trent, Trent, had threatened, and almost did, smack me. "No der?" Duncan mocked quietly hugging me with his free arm. "Couldn't have not been hit if it weren't for you." I looked up at him kindly. "Stop sounding like Dora. You're creeping me out." he joked. I laughed as best as I could. My throat was still constricted with fear. "Where were you...?" I remember what Leshawna had acted like, acting all guilty and talking quickly, knowing where he was. "I was in the bathroom."
He's lying. "You're lying. Where were you?"
"I can't say."
"Why not?"
"I'm being forced not to. If I do, bad things will happen to me. And you. Now, off of this topic, wanna draw a picture of me?"
My brain processed this for a bit. Hmm... I thought. Question my boyfriend about where he was, or draw a picture of my boyfriend.
I chose the second option.
I looked at Duncan's face closely. I wanted to get in the exact lines, the exact wrinkles, the exact shine on his hair and piercings, I wanted everything to be perfect.
After a few minutes, Duncan whined, "You almost done, my neck is getting tired from slouching."
"I'm done, you big cry baby." I was proud of my drawing when I showed it to Duncan. His eyes bugged out. "Dude, that's GOOD! How'd you learn how to draw like that?!" I shrugged. "Years of practice."
"After years of practice, all I can still draw are stick figures and my skull." he snorted. "Here, you can have the drawing." Shoving the drawing of his head to him, Duncan shook his real head. "Na, you keep it. I'm good. People will think I'm a sap if I keep that picture as a 'memento' or whatever the crap they call it." he put air quotes around 'memento'. I giggled. "Why would people think that? They know that!"
"Now you're making fun of me, and you were worried about me making fun of you? My God, Gwen!" He chuckled.
"Oh shut it, the bell's ringing." I punched his arm and left. Walking in the doors, he swooped past me and whispered in my ear, "Keep on shinin', sunshine." and swooped away just as fast as he came. I looked after Duncan, who was swerving and weaving through the sea of people stealthily.
He's great. My brain thought.
"Shut it brain." I said aloud. People shot me awkward glances for the rest of the day.
After school, I was upstairs in my house's kitchen, just having a snack. You know, after school snack and what not. I had drawn another picture before school had ended that was supposed to go to Duncan, but, like the other picture, he refused to take it. It was of me and him kissing at Red Lobster. I thought it was the best picture I had ever drawn. He agreed. "It's really good. You should keep it. You know, to keep for one day when you're a famous artist?" Duncan had nudged my arm.
That was a few hours ago now.
I picked up my granola bar, and ran out onto the front porch steps, looking at my picture of Duncan and I at Red Lobster. I still couldn't get over that kiss. I stared at the picture for what seemed like hours, but in reality, was only about a few minutes.
"Gwen, honey! Time for dinner!" Mom called from the back yard. We were having BBQ tonight. "Coming, Mom!" I yelled to her, putting the picture under a text book, then leaving it, so that it wouldn't blow away.
Getting to the back yard, John came up and hugged me tight. "Hey, Gwen!" He laughed. "Wow, sport, BBQ sure makes you in a good mood." I ruffled his hair and hugged him back.
Just as we sat down to eat our ribs and steak, I heard footsteps on the drive way in the front of the house. "Hmm? Something wrong, sweet-"
"Shh!!" I shushed my mom. I heard the footsteps continue, stop, pencil on paper, then I heard a scratching noise, like a match on the lighter box, crackling, then running footsteps. Something had been set on fire. "Someone set something on fire in the drive way!!" I screamed. Please don't be my drawing... My head begged as I ran to the drive way with my mom and brother.
It was no use begging.
My drawing was set in flames, black curling around the edges, smearing and destroying all of the paper and lead. "NO!!" I screamed, grabbing the hose. I turned it on and sprayed the drawing with water, that continued to be engulfed in
flames. When the fire was finally out, Duncan, the table, the scenery, and I were all black with soot, and most of the paper was reduced to ashes. "No..." I whispered, picking up some of the still hot ashes that used to be the table. "No!!" I screamed again. Burying my face in my hands, Mom hugged me tight. "Honey, what was that?"
"I-It w-was a p-p-picture of m-me and D-Duncan kissing a-a-a-at R-Red L-Lobster, that n-night!" I sobbed. "Oh sweetie!!" My mom exclaimed, hugging me tighter. "Who would ever do such a thing?!"
Looking up from my drenched hands, tears still running down my cheeks like a waterfall, I noticed a little index card next to the ashes and soot. Picking it up slowly with a shaking hand, I almost fainted.
It read:
This is only the beginning of soon enough.