Phoenix's Wolf

Chapter 7

“Phoenix, what is wrong with you today? I mean, I know about what happened to Helen. But you seem like you have more than just that on your mind. Anything you want to talk about?” Sarah asked, gently laying her hand on Phoenix’s shoulder while they stood next to the lockers waiting on the bell to ring for first period.

“My mind is going almost ninety miles per hour it feels like. I mean with what happened to Helen, Jakon protecting me essentially from what appeared to be the wrestling team, and the fact that I think I am beginning to like Jakon, I feel like my world is turning upside down. And to top it all off, I have had a song that I heard on the radio this morning on the way to school stuck in my head. My head just seems to be a jumbled mess right now. Maybe it will calm down once class starts,” Phoenix said, opening her locker to get her books out for her first period class.

“Wait, what? Back up for just a second here. Did you just say that you like Jakon? Like want to ask him out kind of like or as a friend kind of like?” Sarah asked, shocked by what she had just heard.

“Ask him out kind of like. Yeah, you heard me right. I mean, he is kind of growing on me,” Phoenix said, so low that Sarah almost couldn’t hear her. As she spoke, she glanced down the hall towards Jakon’s locker. He was leaned up against his locker looking down at his phone with a mischievous grin on his face. Phoenix knew that he was listening to what she was saying. “Not to mention he did protect me from those goons last night.”

“What goons? You mean the wrestling team that you were talking about?” Sarah asked concerned.

“Yeah, it was a group of boys that were all wearing the wrestling team jackets in our school colors, but Jakon said that he didn’t recognize any of them. Which is really strange considering that one of them knew his name. The other strange thing was that they were breaking into my mother’s car. We were headed back to her car when we both seen them,” Phoenix said.

“Weird. I mean I know that the wrestling team had a meet yesterday and they didn’t get back till like almost seven o’clock last night. So, our wrestling team would have been here around the time you said earlier that you and your mother were here. But why would they break into your mother’s car or attack Jakon,” Sarah said. She looked like she was going to say something, but she was interrupted by Mr. Roger’s approach.

“Hey girls. I just wanted to let you know that we will be in the auditorium today for class. The science building is under lockdown. Phoenix, I will let you retake that test when we can get back into the classroom,” Mr. Roger said.

“Roger that Mr. Roger. Thank you for warning us. Have they said why the science building is under lockdown?” Phoenix asked, trying to keep her voice curious.

“You are always full of spunk, Phoenix,” Mr. Roger said, laughing. “All We were told was that they were looking into some kind of leak, but police don’t investigate a gas or whatever kind of leak,” Mr. Roger said. “I think we will all be told what is going on soon. Well, see you guys in class,” he continued as the bell rang to go to homeroom.

“See you later, Mr. Roger,” the girls said in unison, as he walked away.

“I wonder what the real reason for the science building being under lock down is,” Sarah asked curiously.

“I know. It’s weird,” Phoenix said, pulling her phone out of her pocket. She quickly sent a text to her mother about not being able to get into the science building.

“Well, anyway, like Mr. Roger said, we will probably find out what all of that is about later. Now about the other thing that is bothering you. The song that you said you have stuck in your head. Do you know the name or who it is sung by?” Sarah asked, as they headed towards their home room.

“I don’t remember either of those things. So, I don’t know how I would be able to look it up,” Phoenix said.

“Lucky for you, I am like a music guru,” Sarah said, laughing. “Do you know the words to the song, or is it just the melody to the song that is stuck in your head?”

“No, I know the words, but I don’t sing, and you know that,” Phoenix said, sounding slightly embarrassed.

“You don’t have to sing the lyrics. Just speak them, silly,” Sarah said.

“Okay, fine. Here goes,” Phoenix said, taking a deep breath. Then she continued, “Why can’t I say that I’m in love? I wanna shout it from the rooftops, I wish that it could be like that, Why can’t it be like that? Cause I’m yours.”

“Oh I love that song,” Sarah started to say, but she was interrupted by Jakon, as he snuck up behind them. He wrapped his arms around Phoenix as he continued the lyrics, pulling Phoenix against his chest as he did.

“It’s obvious you’re meant for me. Every piece of you it just fits perfectly. Every second, every thought. I’m in so deep,” Jakon sang, just loud enough for Phoenix and Sarah to hear. “But I’ll never show it on my face. But we know this, We got a love that is hopeless.” Phoenix pushed at his arms to get him to let her go. She spun around and glared at him as he smiled at her. Winking, he continued, “Why can’t you hold me in the street? Why can’t I kiss you on the dance floor? I wish that it could be like that. Why can’t we be like that? ‘Cause I’m yours.”

With that, he walked on down the hall towards his classroom. He left the girls staring after him in shock. Sarah was the first to recover.

“ Wha Wha What was that? I mean it was kind of hot and oh so cute. Do you think that he has a thing for you, or do you think that he just really likes that song too?” Sarah asked, turning to look at Phoenix. When Phoenix didn’t answer her, she snapped her fingers in front of Phoenix’s face. “Hey, earth to Phoenix. Are you even listening to me?”

Phoenix jumped when Sarah snapped her fingers. Shaking her head she nodded, “Yeah I was listening. I am not sure. He has been acting weirdly lately. I don’t know maybe he just really likes that song, whatever it is.”

“That song is called, Secret Love. It is sung by Little Mix. It is currently at the top of my favorite's playlist. I have been listening to it on repeat for like the last two weeks,” Sarah said, taking Phoenix’s arm. “Now, we have got to get to class before we are late.”

As the girls headed towards their homeroom class once again, they were approached by the guidance counselor. She stopped them by raising her hand.

“Phoenix, can I see you in my office please?” Ms. Lee said. “Sarah, you can head on to class. Can you tell Mr. Green that I have Phoenix with me?”

Sarah nodded as she gave Phoenix a worried look. Then she slowly headed down the hall to class and Phoenix followed Ms. Lee.

“What’s this about?” Phoenix asked as they neared her office.

“I just wanted to touch base with you on how you were feeling. You know with everything that happened yesterday. Mr. Jenkins filled me in on everything that he could with what he knew. He also knew that you and Helen were friends. I just wanted to talk to you for a few and let you know that my door is always open if you need to talk. Would you like a piece of butterscotch or maybe a mint?” Ms. Lee asked as she sat behind her desk. She motioned to a dish on her desk. Phoenix took a piece of butterscotch. Ms. Lee motioned for her to take a seat.

“I prefer to stand. I am okay, Ms. Lee. My only hope is that they catch whoever is responsible. I am trying to be strong for the rest of our friends. I promise to come talk to you if I find that I need to get things off my chest, but today, I want to be there for others,” Phoenix said, fiddling with the wrapper on the butterscotch.

“Okay. I can respect that. I will be here if you need me. And, please feel free to extend that same offer to your friends,” Ms. Lee said. “You may return to class, Phoenix.”

Phoenix gave her a small smile and headed out of her office towards her homeroom class. As she did so, she popped the butterscotch in her mouth. When she was outside of her classroom door, she suddenly started to feel dizzy. She leaned her back against the wall for support.

Phoenix? What's wrong? Jakon’s concerned voice was in her head.

I don’t feel so good. Jakon.... Phoenix’s vision blurred and got dark. She started to fall.

Just before her body hit the floor, there was a set of arms wrapping around her, lowering her gently to the floor. The last thing she saw was a hood slipping over her head.