Chapter Four ★ Grounded Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

I stopped.

This wasn’t right.

MeMaw laughed and morphed into Calvin. I opened my eyes. He stood there with a massive ear to ear grin.

I flung my book at him. He ducked out of the way and said, “Told you it would work.”

“What are you–” I looked down. Holy smokes, it did work.

Calvin laughed and winked at me, “Works every time.”

Jacob pushed Calvin aside and signed, “Are we going to go?”

“Yeah. Give me a minute.” I replied.

Calvin looked between us and asked, “Go where? If you8’re gonna go spy on those chicks again then I want in.”

“Who told you about that?” I said as my skin flushed. Word certainly gets around fast. But that only means that I wasn’t alone last night. One of Mitchell’s goons must of followed me.

Jacob interrupted us and signed, “No. Daniel and I are going to the library.”

Calvin groaned and rolled his eyes, “L.A.M.E.”

“But you’ll miss out.” I baited him.

He leaned against the doorway and crossed his arms, “Miss out on what?”

I motioned for Jacob to start walking and replied, “Oh, I was going to tell you both what happened last night.”

Calvin pushed himself away from the door frame. His eyebrows rose in amusement, “Oh?”

“But if you don’t want to…” I continued walking with Jacob down the hall towards the library.

Calvin jogged a few steps to catch up. He bounced towards us the final step and said, “No, I’m in dudes. Totally in. I wouldn’t miss nude pics for anything.”

“Uhn.” I groaned. “Who is telling people that I took nude pics?”

Calvin chuckled, “Why Mitchell of course.”

“How does he know?” I asked and stopped walking.

Calvin shrugged and said, “No clue dude.”

My lips pressed firmly together and I clenched my hands into tight fists. Yeah, that does tell me that Mitchell or one of his goons were following me last night. I wish they would take a long walk off a short pier sometimes.

Jacob retrieved my book that laid on the floor and handed to to me. I said, “Thanks, Jake.”

With a deep inhale I released the rising tension through a slow exhale. I glanced at Jacob and Calvin who were waiting on me to start walking again.

I flourished with my hand and took a deep bow then said, “This way gentlemen.”

Calvin snorted, “You’re such a dork.”

“Takes one to know one.” I shot back and punched him in the arm as we walked to the library.

Jacob signed, “So, did you get grounded for going out after your curfew? Does your father know what you did?”

A heavy sign escaped my lips. I said, “Yes, I’m grounded but that’s not why.”

The two gave me a curious look. I waved my hand at them dismissively as we turned another corner down the hallway. I added, “There’s some crazy stuff going on and it’s not safe to tell you both out in the open. C’mon and I’ll tell you the whole scoop.”

A tingling sensation crawled over my skin when I mentioned that there was crazy stuff going on. My friends picked up on the eeriness too. We were being watched.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – Chapter 4 :: Grounded Done – Stay tuned for Chapter 5… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Four ★ Grounded Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

The end of school bell rung and I gathered my things. Jacob waited patiently as I slung my bag over my shoulder. I could tell that he wanted to know what my meeting with Mrs. Lockhart was about.

We were exiting the doorway to our pre-algebra class when Calvin hollered, “Yo! D& J whad’up?”

We both stopped then looked down the hall to see him wading through the sea of students. It was like watching a salmon swimming upstream. Calvin didn’t care.

He was built like a brick wall. Nothing stood in his way unlike Jacob and me who were on the shallow end of brawn.

Jacob quirked his eyebrow up at me. It was his way of asking, “Do you want to ditch Calvin?”

I signed back, “No.”

He nodded and stepped to one side so he was no longer blocking the doorway.

“Dudes,” Calvin called. “Wait up.”

“We’re waiting,” I said and smirked. “But at the rate you’re going we’re prolly gonna be graduated by then.”

“Ha ha.” He laughed and pushed another person out his way. “Very funny.”

Calvin was a hulking brute and towered over most of the middle-schoolers. Though it might be because he had to repeat his grade. No matter. Jacob and I liked him anyways.

I leaned up against a bulletin board and enjoyed the show. The scowls from students pushed aside outweighed the look of shock from the others. I’m surprised that Calvin hadn’t been drafted into JV football. He would do well on the team.

I pushed my warped glasses back up my nose. The mangled handle stuck out and no longer rested on my ear thus letting the glasses edge their way back down my nose. I pushed them back up.

Calvin finally made it to us as he pushed the last barrier of slow students out of his way. His eyes twinkled a sense of mirth as he hooked his arm around Jacob’s neck and gave him a noogie.

“C’mere you!” He laughed.

Jacob swatted at Calvin’s beefy arms. Calvin released him and Jacob swatted him with his algebra book. I enjoyed watching my friends aggravate each other. It brung a sense of warmth to see the two get along now.

They both stopped and looked at me. Jacob blushed and turned his head waving his hand at me. Calvin leaned in close to whisper, “Dude, you got a hard on…”

He pointed down. I followed his gesture and noticed that my sudden warm tingling sensation was me getting aroused. Ugh. Puberty sucks. Big time.

I immediately crossed my legs and placed my algebra book over it. Calvin looked around then whispered, “S’kay dude. It happens.”

“It does?” I blinked.

He nodded then cupped his hand around his mouth, “You’re just changing. That’s all.”

I pushed my glasses up my nose and said, “So, it’s puberty, right?”

“Ch’yeah, dude.” Calvin grinned and patted me on the back. “All guys do.”

“Do your eyes change color?” I asked.

He pulled back, “Wha?”

“Do your eyes change color?” I asked again.

“Naw, braw.” Calvin shook his head. I peeked behind my book. Things were still stiff. Calvin caught me checking out the situation down under.

He grinned and suggested, “You know dude… think of your granny in a skimpy outfit.”

“What?” I half squeaked. “That’s disgusting.”

He shrugged as Jacob signed to me, “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

I squinted at him and asked, “Does it work for you?”

He grimaced and signed back, “Sometimes.”

“Fine.” I grumbled then closed my eyes.

My grandmother, MeMaw, was in her early eighties, stooped over and liked to wear flashy floral prints. I imagined her sallow sagging skin with the overly moist lips with food crusted in the corners of her mouth. Her milky white eyes hidden behind coke bottle thick glasses that were thicker than mine. She kept her hair short and permed.

MeMaw had the ripe cheese smell of one who rarely bathed on a regular basis. I crinkled my nose as I remembered that bit then slowly started to undress her. She wrapped her flabby arms around her shoulders as I removed each article of clothing.

Bile begun to rise in the back of my throat. MeMaw turned around so that I could unbutton her dress.

She muttered, “Daniel you naughty, naughty, boy.”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Four ★ Grounded Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

The hallway felt like it went up a few degrees. Sweat started to gather and roll down my back. It must be my imagination for the hum of the A/C unit was blasting cool air into the hallway.

Penny twined the end of one of her pig tails around her finger and unraveled it. Mrs. Lockhart’s voice droned on about the civil war in the classroom just before us. The door was opened just a crack and gave a dim view of teens with dull lidded eyes focused on nothing.

“Well?” Penny asked.

My feet shuffled on the floor and I looked down with a solid reply, “Errr.”

Her hand grabbed a hold of mine. It was soft like rose petals on a warm spring morning. A subtle crinkling sound emitted from our hands. She bent over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek then removed her hand.

She bowed her head and said, “It’s okay if you don’t want to… but I’ve always thought you were cute… even for a dork. You can give me an answer later.”

Okay either I’m dreaming or I’ve been waylaid into the Twilight Zone. Never in a million years would Penny ever ask me out. Especially a dork like me. What’s the catch?

I swallowed. Hard. The Sahara desert must of taken residence in my mouth for it was dry and made it hard to talk. Penny left before I could answer.

Paper crinkled once more as my hand clenched around it. What did she give me? Un-balling the mass I read the text written on it. It said:

Hall Pass – Tardy Excuse

Well, isn’t that dandy? Is Penny really falling for a dork like me? Hmmm. It would be better if I didn’t trust it for she could be laying a trap. I’ll ask Jacob later. Time for class.

Pushing the door open I waltzed on into class. Other students snickered. Naturally I stopped to make sure my fly wasn’t undone. That would have been embarrassing.

“Mr. Shaw, you’re late.” Mrs. Lockhart said while writing on the board. She didn’t have to even look to know it was me. Most of use in her class think that she’s a witch.

“Sorry, Mrs. Lockhart, my locker was jammed again.” I said and bowed my head.

She waved her hand absentmindedly and said, “Whatever. Just take your seat. Do your best to catch up.”

Jacob my friend was waving at me. He motioned to the desk next to him. He had saved me a seat.

In Mrs. Lockhart’s class there are no assigned seats. It was a first come first serve basis and if you were late then you were doomed to sit in the front. Which by the way isn’t the best place because you get called on to answer questions all the time.

I hustled over and sat down. He signed at me in American Sign Language (ASL) “What’s wrong?”

With a shake of my head I signed back, “Not right now.”

Mrs. Lockhart let out an exasperated sigh and said, “Because your fellow classmate has decided to be late I’m going to give you a pop quiz.”

The whole class groaned. Many students thumped their heads against the desk table tops. Others threw paper wads at me. Fair enough. I did deserve it because of the pop quiz.

Shielding myself from the paper missiles I said, “Sorry.”

Mrs. Lockhart took a stack of papers from her desk and walked down each aisle handing out a test. She instructed, “Please do not start until I say so. You will have ten minutes to complete it when I tell you to start.”

She paused at my desk and placed the paper down then bent over. Caught in her eerie gaze she whispered, “See me after class, Mr. Shaw.”

The Sahara made its return and lodged itself in my throat. A lump that refused to go down beckoned tears to form in my eyes. She held her gaze a second too long before she stood up and went to the next student.

Jacob slapped me hard on the back and I coughed then wheezed. I took deep breaths. Jacob patted me on the back then withdrew. For the test was about to begin.

Mrs. Lockhart, our rather short pear shaped, teacher took her position at the front of the class. She pulled out a tarnished bronze pocket watch and adjusted the dial. Her left thumb caressed the clasp when she glanced about the room.

She announced, “You may now begin.”

Her thumb pressed down and the door to the watch opened. Today was odd for her movements were mesmerizing. I could not stop watching her.

I swore her eyes shifted from human to something catlike. It was only for a second but the purple with vertical slits were unmistakable. I’ve got to tell Jacob this after class.

A slight nudge broke the trance and I looked over to see Jacob pointing at the test on the desk. Oh yeah. The pop quiz. What’s wrong with me?

Time ticked away and I did my best to answer question about General Sherman. For one thing he wasn’t ice cream but that’s all I knew. I’m pretty sure I flunked this quiz.

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Four ★ Grounded Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

“Penny.” I growled. “Just leave me alone.”

She flipped her long pig tail behind her shoulder and let out a small laugh. Her petite fingers slid across the blue and white satin sash with the words ‘HALL MONITOR’ written on it in black letters. With dark brown eyes she stared down at me. The corners of her mouth drew further down. She said, “Sorry can’t.”

“Why not?” I asked. “I was on my way to class. Honest.”

Penny removed a walkie talkie from her black leather belt and spoke into it, “We have a skipper.”

“I’m not trying skip class.” I said and struggled to get up. She placed her designer tennis shoe on my shoulder and pushed me back down to the floor.

She pointed at me and said, “Stay down. Unless you want to add more to your record.”

I grumbled and laid back down on the dirty floor. First her brother and now her. Why do they target me out of everyone in this dang school?

Deep breath Daniel. Take deep breaths. I closed my eyes. Sometimes I just wish they would move away or something would happen to them so they weren’t my problem anymore.

“Yes, sir.” She said into the walkie talkie and removed her foot. I sat up and batted her hand away but she tried again. Penny huffed, “Will you stop fighting me dork?”

In her hands were my glasses that had fallen off during my run-in with Mitchell. I snatched them out of her hand and put them back on. The handle on one side was crooked and did not settle on my ear. I replied, “Thanks.”

“Do you need an escort?” She asked.

“No.” Then turned my head to one side. If only she would leave.

Penny tapped her foot and crossed her arms. She let out a huff and said, “Well bad news dork. You’re getting one whether you want it or not.”

Dang it. I glanced up at the ceiling. Why? Why is this all happening to me? 

She shook my shoulder and said, “Hello? Earth to dork-en-stein. Which class do you need to be in?”

I cast a sideways glance at her. Her lips pursed as she waited for my reply. I shrugged her hand off and sneered, “Don’t you know?”

“Uh, obviously not.” She said in a mocking tone.

Really? Penny did not know that I was in the same class as her jerk of a brother? Wow. Just wow. I didn’t answer but instead walked towards Mrs. Lockhart’s class.

She chased after me, “Um, dork. Where do you think you’re going?”

“To class, Einstein.” I replied and pointed down the hallway to the door that still stood open to my history class.

Penny’s hand was on the walkie talkie as she observed which room I was pointing at down the hall. She let go and smirked. “Oh, I see. You’re in the same class as my brother.”

She continued, “He never mentioned that you were in his class. Hmmm.”

“Whatever.” I threw my hands up in the air. “Can I go now?”

“Yeah. But we have to do this properly unless you want detention.” She said.

“Huh?” I said and quirked an eyebrow.

Penny placed a hand on my shoulder and strengthened her grip. “I have orders from Mr. Henderson to let you off easy. He got a request from your father to treat you with kid gloves as of late. So I was told to give you a pass. Something bad going on at home?”

“None of your business.” I scowled and hunched my shoulders. Her fingers dug into my shoulder. She gave me a light shove and we both walked down the hallway.

I always thought walking through an empty hallway was creepy. Now that I’m walking with Penny the feeling became even more spookier. Goosebumps rose on my arms but I chewed the inside of my cheek to distract myself.

It was quiet. We got closer to Mrs. Lockhart’s class when Penny stopped me. She leaned in and mentioned, “I heard the amusement park is going to open back up.”

Huh? Why is she mentioning that old run down park? I kept eye contact with her. Penny blushed and continued, “Would you take me on opening night? Ah, like in exchange for this favor that I’m doing for you.”

Wait, one of the popular girls is asking me out? Ugh, if I say yes then Mitchell will beat me to a pulp but if I say no then Penny might shove me into Mrs. Lockhart’s class with no pass for being tardy.

I licked my lips and replied, “Um…”

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter Four ★ Grounded Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Daniel ━★✼☆｡

The class bell rung again and snapped me out of last night’s fiasco. Chills ran through my body just thinking of my dad’s eyes. He wasn’t normal that’s for sure.

I wonder if his puberty was just as rough as mine? Or was he as hotheaded around this age? It would certainly explain why my temper has been far more touchy as of late.

Normally issues with my locker wouldn’t even phase me but today it was the focus of my rage. I closed my eyes and blew out another breath. A calming sensation covered over me like a soft warm blanket.

My teeth were no longer clenched and my fingers were relaxed. Okay, got to get to class. A sense of dread crawled up my spine when the laugh of hyena echoed through the almost emptied hallway.

The flesh on my arms rose setting my hair on end. The laughter continued as two more joined in on the chorus. My shoulders hunched.

I really did not want to deal with him.

The laughter stopped. A feeling of unease grumbled from my stomach as it did somersaults. It was only a matter of time before the torment would begin.

In a flash my lips kissed the cool touch of metal in time with my body crashing into the lockers that lined the hallway. Pinned up against the wall he pulled my right arm behind me as he applied pressure on my neck.

My face was crushed sideways forcing my glasses askew. His hot breath that reeked of rotten eggs left on a porch during summer came close to my ear. He pressed harder on my body to make sure I couldn’t get away.

I’ve learned to not struggle against him. It would only end badly if I even put up a fight. So, it has almost become a daily ritual with him and I where he would torment me just before history class. I won’t even discuss the flag pole incident. Let’s just say he’s bad news.

Time stood still but my heart continued to beat fast. Gravity on the other hand felt like it was becoming stronger as my legs wobbled like jelly. He continued to breath into my ear.

How long was he going to hold me here? We both have class with Mrs. Lockhart or does he not care about getting detention? Wait, I’m forgetting who I’m talking about… of course this jerk doesn’t care.

His lips brushed the outer rim of my ear before he spoke, “I heard you like to take naughty pictures.”

I stuttered, “W-wh-o-o t-t-told y-y-you t-t-that?”

“A little birdy.” He said. “Are you going to share them?”

“I-I-I d-d-don’t h-h-have t-t-them.” I said.

He wrenched my arm further up my back and I gasped. More pressure got applied. He leaned in even more and was practically on top of me. I could feel my pants tighten. Oh gawd, not now.

“Too bad. Because you’ve got three days to produce those nudie pics or else.” He whispered.

With a hard shove he pushed away. One moment I was pushed up against the locker and the next I was on the floor looking up at my attackers. The three stood over me and laughed.

One of them pointed down at my untimely erection, “Dude, look! Looks like he likes you.”

Another one crowed, “Ha ha! Yeah, he’s totally into you Mitchell.”

Mitchell turned red. He eyed both of his goons and smacked them both. He shouted, “Shut up. He’s just a perv.”

His buddies continued to laugh. Mitchell’s face turned a shade redder and clenched his fists. I felt my pants twinge forward. One of Mitchell’s goons pointed at me, again, “Oh sick! He’s so turned on right now.”

Mitchell glanced down at me. Fire blazed in his eyes. Earth shattering pain exploded right between my legs. I curled up into a ball and bit my lower lip to not cry out.

Mitchell continued to kick me and said with each kick, “You. Disgusting. Freak.”

I doubled over and tried to breathe. Another sharp pain within my stomach stole it. The trio continued to pummel me on the ground where I laid helpless. The jarring pain took my mind off of the searing nether regions.

The third bell chimed. Mitchell stayed behind as his goons rushed off to their class. His black combat boots were still standing in front of me. The best bet was to play possum… which I did.

“You’re such a freak.” He sneered. “You got three days to produce those pics or else. Three days.”

The sound of his boots on the floor faded but I counted to thirty to be absolutely sure that he was gone. Then I rolled over. A small voice cleared their throat.

My eyes refocused to see a girl with long dark pig tails, a baby blue t-shirt, sensible jeans and a hall monitor’s sash standing over my prone body. She had her hands on her hips and asked, “Why are you not in class?”

Oh geez, not her. With a low groan I rolled over. Can this day get any worse?

‧͙⁺˚*·༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙