Chase & Dawn

Chapter II

A car's honking made me flinch. I stood up, frightened, and when I saw the fallen black journal, it dawned on me: I fell asleep on the window sill, my neck and shoulders as stiff as the branches of the fir tree extending over the tiled roof. After a moment of recollecting myself, I picked up my black journal and took a long shower.

My hesitation to descend made me cling to the wooden door of my room but when Stacy went out of her room and saw me, she told me that Mom has gone to work already. Stacy was obliged to cook breakfast — ready-to-cook pancakes and sunny-side-up eggs slightly burned on the bottom.

“You never should have fought with Mom last night, Dawn,” Stacy scolded me as she waited for me to finish eating.

“I never started it,” I replied, chewing my food begrudgingly.

“It wasn't about who started it. You should have compromised. It was hard enough raising the both of us alone, you know?”

I glared at Stacy because it was the only way I could make her shut up. Unlike me, my older sister was soft and sweet in demeanor. Her features were rather prettier than mine, though everyone said that we resemble each other so much. We shared the same petite nose and thin lips but the likeness did not reach our eyes. She inherited Dad's light brown eyes while mine was dark, almost like Mom's but a shade darker. Stacy's eye color made her appear gentle and I remembered wishing I had the same eyes because I was often told that my dark eyes made me look intense.

“You're thinking about Dad, aren't you?”

Stacy's sudden inquiry surprised me. “What? Why would you think so?”

“You only stare at my eyes longer when you're reminiscing Dad,” she said quietly.

I swallowed the remainder of my food immediately stood up, dumping my plate on the sink. “You often talk nonsense,” I said offhandedly, trying to draw away from the topic.

Stacy did not insist on her thought and her consideration made me cringe. She was so nice and it only highlighted my harsh disposition. My older sister offered to braid my hair as we climbed inside the black Volkswagen Jetta. The second-hand car was Mom's gift to Stacy for her graduation last May and though it was not brand new, the car has proven its efficacy for the past six months.

I was staring outside the window, preoccupied with my mundane thoughts that I did not notice how Stacy decided to do my hair. I shrieked at her when I saw my hair in the rearview mirror.

“Crown braids!” I snapped at her. “You know I disliked crown braids or any hairdo that exposes my whole neck!”

She just rolled her eyes at me before starting the engine. “Stop whining like a first-grader,” she teased. “Besides, you didn't complain so I thought you have a change of heart.”

“Change of heart my ass! I barely even change passwords a year.”

I was about to undo my hair when Stacy swatted my hand. “Do that again and I'll burn that Hermione Granger figurine you lend to me.”

My eyes widened. “I thought you returned it to my hatbox!”

“Well, turns out I didn't,” Stacy stated in a singing tone. “I'm a hair expert, Dawn. I didn't do that crown braid to spite you. Oh, look at that fine neck! I wish I were as slim as you.”

“Are you mocking me?”

She only returned my lashing out with her mirthful laugh. We pulled out of the garage and made our way to Mapletown High, Stacy turning up the radio to drown my persistent whining. Crash out that Stacy is the gentlest person I've known notion. She's as wicked as Bellatrix Lestrange when it comes to teasing me.

I remained silent throughout the drive, glaring at Stacy now and then as I rubbed the back of my neck in annoyance. My neck felt so bare but I would not risk ruining the goddamn crown braid, not because my sister has leverage against me but because of her toothy smile. She liked to tease me out of the blue and I was not dumb to not realize that it was her way of diversion.

Mapletown High was already crowded as Stacy pulled over near the school curb. I checked my wristwatch and found out that I have thirty minutes before Literature. Hopping out of the car, I turned around to face Stacy. “You doin' good, college girl?” I started coolly. “Don't let the med school dissect your brain.”

Stacy rolled her eyes and I was relieved she did for I knew she got that habit from me. “If you don't stay on good terms with Mom, you'll be the one dissected by me, little brat.”

What do you know about dissecting, Stacy? I thought. You despised med. You only chose that path because it was Mom's dream, not yours.

When Stacy left, I was reminded of my crown braid again. I walked past the gate of MH with a twinge of discomfort, my hands flying on my nape instinctively. My sister was right. I looked prettier with my hair this way instead of the normal fishtail. The glass walls of the cafeteria gave me a glimpse of myself as I made my way to the main building.

I was silently pacing the hallway when I saw Lory's small figure. She was leaning on the wall near the stairs with three of her classmates and when she saw me, she straightened up. Why didn't you call me last night, Lory?

Her classmates bid her farewell before climbing the stairs, leaving Lory and me vis-a-vis. I motioned to tug my braids out of habit when I remembered my hair was tucked into a crown.

“Nice hair,” Lory said. I wasn't sure if she was complimenting me. She knew I hated my hair this way.

“I was waiting for your call last night,” I spilled before all the courage in my body disappear.

She tossed her bangs on the left side and looked sideways. “Why would you? I was mean yesterday.”

Her confession caused a little smile on my mouth. “To make it fair, I was meaner to you.”

Lory's eyes were glossy as they stare at me. Without warning, she jumped into me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I was compelled to bend over so her arms could reach my poor neck. “I didn't say you were a pushover! You always think ahead of everyone, Dawny,” she cried.

The weight on my chest was relieved. I hugged her back before forcing her to let go of me. “My neck! Stop hugging my neck, Lory! It tickles.” I realized how stupid it was to sulk because Lory did not call last night. I should have trusted that something as petty as our fight yesterday would not ruin us.

Jackson chose to arrive at that moment and I was worried my reconciliation with Lory would go to waste. To my surprise, Lory grabbed my right arm and confronted Jackson with her head held high.

“Say, Jack-ass,” Lory began, calling him in that kind of nickname without hesitation. “On a scale of one to ten, how seriously in love are you with Dawny?”

My cheeks automatically heated up. “Lory!” I scolded her, too embarrassed to face Jackson. I was torn between wanting him to answer Lory or not. But he did not give me more time to fret further.

“Ten is a small number, Lauriel. A hundred is not even close to how much I like Dawn.”

I looked at Jackson and he gave me that same smile that made me swoon on the inside. I wasn't sure if he's being honest and I did not want to think ahead, as Lory said so I joked. “Where the hell did you pick that corny statement?”

Jackson walked closer to us, running his fingers through his jet black hair. Lory let go of my arm and gave Jackson a wary look. “Don't do anything stupid. You're under my watch.”

“Geeze. You're acting like her mother,” Jackson muttered under his breath. I pinched the tip of my nose, slightly disturbed with him mentioning the last word. I wouldn't have lasted a minute with Jackson if it was my mother and not Lory who was beside me.

“Gotta go, Dawny,” Lory excused herself. “Still have to finish something.”

“You need a hand?” I offered.

“No, I'm good,” she assured before sauntering up the stairs.

Jackson was staring intently at me when Lory left. Flustered, I pretended to check my wristwatch. “Shoot. I think I gotta go, too. I barely have ten minutes.”

“It was your hair, after all,” he whispered mostly to himself.

Right then, my hand flew towards my crown braid. It must have looked weird to him.

“Er, Stacy made fun of me. It doesn't suit me, I know.”

“Are you kidding me? You're beautiful.”

My face grew hotter. Nonetheless, I met his gaze and focused on his blue eyes. Really? Whenever he complimented me, I always sought his eyes for confirmation. Sometimes, his way of saying things was too casual that it made me think twice. Jackson's eyes were glorious as ever as I stared at them.

“Dawn, can we talk? I wanna tell you something,” he said.

I nodded. “Sure.” Mom will kill me. No, Stacy will dissect me. Either way, I'm dead.

We scooted farther from the stairs because students were flocking to their classrooms. I tried to act as casual as I could by leaning on the wall. However, Jackson stood in front of me. He was closer than usual, the smell of his aftershave assaulting my nostrils.

“I'm sorry you and Lory fought yesterday because of me.”

“We made up already so it's fine,” I replied, watching the busy hallway.

“I was supposed to say this to you yesterday but it's a wrong timing, so. . .”

He left his sentence hanging, breathing deeply before proceeding. “I like you, Dawn.”

I remained silent, my mind in turmoil. So I was right to assume things yesterday, after all. My nervous silence was interrupted by the ringing of the bell. “Um, I have. . . class, it's starting, so—” What the hell, Dawn.

“Yeah, I guess we can continue this at lunchtime, what do you say?” Jackson asked. Unlike me, he's cool and unflustered.

“Yeah,” I whispered. He offered to walk me to my classroom and the small distance between us as we started climbing the stairs was enough to make me forget about my promise to Mom.

I did not make Jackson walk me to my Literature class. “You should go to your class now, Jax,” I said after we stepped foot on the third floor.

“Are you sure? I don't mind being late, though.”

I rolled my eyes. “You should be more serious with your studies, Jackson Miller.”

Jackson raised his hand and I knew he was about to mess my hair. To my surprise, he just patted my head gently. “If I'd do that, will you be my girlfriend, Dawn Morris?”

My eyes widened. Did he mean that? Mom's voice echoed in the back of my mind. Too distracted by my contradicting thoughts, I continued staring at Jackson without saying anything. When he realized that I was too dumbfounded to respond, he grinned and withdrew his hand. “See you later, Dawn.”

The bell rang for the second time and I was surprised to find that I was not panicking. Normally, I would have thought, “I should be at the classroom before Mrs. Parker or else she will deduct five points from my attendance points today.” All I could think about right now, however, was my erratic heartbeat and my burning cheeks. You need to calm down for a moment, Dawn.

“She's spacing out this early in the morning. Typically, average-minded students like us do not space out before the second period.”

“Maybe those plaits are too tight that it squeezed the senses out of her.”

“Haha, Jonah.”

My foot stopped midair from taking another step. Luckily, my left hand flung to the balustrade before I lost my balance. I turned my head and saw Jonathan and Badger behind me, taking all their time to cackle like a goose. Two students hesitated to take the stairs because of the two dimwits. Pissed, I shouted at them. “Give way, you morons!”

Jonathan and Badger obeyed, snickering. I let the two students pass through before I confronted them. “What the hell is your problem?”

Badger pretended to put on a straight face. “Oh, we're good, Aurora. Just admiring your crown, were not we, Jonah?”

“Shut up, Badger,” Jonathan barely whispered, trying hard not to laugh. I fought hard not to touch my hair as I looked at them drowning in humor.

“So my hair's your problem?” I was so pissed off that I couldn't keep myself from asking.

Jonathan deliberately shook his head, slapping Badger's back. “No, it looks nice, Dawn. The crown suits your nickname, actually. . .”

I stared hard at him, pressuring him to continue.

“I mean, Badger's kind of a genius, calling you Aurora which is synonymous with your first name.”

Of course, that was the reason why Badger calls me Aurora. It occurred to me that maybe all this time, the reason why I instinctively hated crown braids was because of that stupid nickname Badger has made me. I did not know if he sensed how irritated I was but Badger turned serious. “It was nothing but a harmless joke, Dawn. Your hair really looked nice.”

But his words were like salt to my wound. “Harmless joke, huh?” I spatted. “Yeah, it was too harmless to the point that I'm seething in anger right now.”

I mentally reprimanded myself for wasting my time with these dimwits. Ignoring Jonathan and Badger's apologies, I ran the remaining steps.

One second, my cheeks were burning in delight; now, they were scorching in anger. If it was possible, my heart would have leaped out of its cage when I saw Mrs. Parker from the window, pacing back and forth on the podium. This was not my first time being late but today, however, was my first time being late without a valid reason.

I peeped from the outside, contemplating whether or not to get inside. Rona, the one sitting nearest to the window, turned her head and told me Mrs. Parker has just finished grouping them for our final project. “She seemed to be in a bad mood, so beware,” she added. I don't know if she's joking but I was too anxious to care.

“Screw it,” I swore, leaning my forehead on the wall. Stacy's warning was a goddamn curse.

I watched depressingly as my classmates started to discuss within their groups. Footsteps from behind me grew closer as I proceeded with my internal turmoil. If I open my eyes now, it'll make things worse.

“Well, at least it's not just the two of us,” I heard Badger said to Jonathan. Giving up, I opened my eyes and glared at the two of them.

“Come on,” Badger demanded. “What's with that face? If there's anyone who should be afraid, it's us, not you.”

“Yeah. You're too smart to get worried over something as petty as being late,” Jonathan chimed.

Scowling, I glanced at Mrs. Parker once more. “They're discussing for the final project, you idiots,” I hissed. “I'm sorry I'm not as carefree as the two of you.”

I heard one of them sigh. I should be the one sighing, for Pete's sake. Without warning, Badger grabbed my right arm and started dragging me towards the door.

“Hey!” I exclaimed, panicking. “What do you think you're doing, Badger?”

He shrugged. “Serving our leverage. Don't worry, you're in the right hands.”

I looked at Jonathan for help but I should have known that they're birds of the same feathers. He walked ahead of Badger and me, stopping at the doorway like a goddamn tyrant. I bit my lower lip when Mrs. Parker's head snapped at us.

“Greetings, Mrs. Parker!” Badger greeted exaggeratedly. I retrieved my arm from his grasp and stood straight.

“Sorry we're late, Mrs. Parker. Wait, is it just me or you're more radiant today—”

“And I should excuse the three of you because—?” Mrs. Parker cut Jonathan off.

My brain has just started devising a believable excuse when Badger answered. “When Jonah and I are on our way here, we saw Dawn's car parked beside the road. We figured she was in trouble so we stopped by and checked.”

“Yeah, it was to be expected. That Volkswagen is in a bad shape it looks like it wouldn't survive another mile,” Jonathan added.

Some of our classmates let out a laugh. I glared at them, wishing my mere look could bring them down. The nerve of them to talk about our car that badly!

Mrs. Parker looked hard at us, one by one. When her eyes fell on me, my despair doubled. “Is it true?”

I blink dubiously, not sure what to say. My companions idled nervously beside me. Screw them.

Taking a deep breath, I replied. “Yes, Mrs. Parker. We're really sorry,” I said through gritted teeth.

Mrs. Parker clapped her hands once. “Sit down this instant. You've interrupted enough.”

I trailed behind the two guys when I remembered something, making me stop. “Um, Mrs. Parker, about the grouping—”

“Oh, we just finished,” she replied, sitting on the swivel chair.

“How about me?” I asked. “In what group am I?”

Mrs. Parker regarded me sternly. “As I've said, I'm done with the groupings. Look around yourself.”

I obliged glumly. My classmates were already grouped into four members. I returned my gaze to our literature teacher. “Mrs. Parker. . .”

“Oh, does this imply Jonah, me, and Dawn are grouped?”

I turned around hastily only to see Badger and Jonathan lingering behind me. Haven't they gone to their seats?

“Miss Morris here seems to be distracted to realize that. Since the groupings are comprised of four members mostly, some three, you are lucky enough you came as three so that no necessary conflicts are made.”

I can't be grouped with these two. Dissatisfied, I tried to bargain an agreement. “How about putting each of us in the groups with three members?”

“You're thirty-seven in this class, Mrs. Morris. Seven groups have four members—that's twenty-eight, isn't it? That gives us a remainder of nine. Since it goes down to that, it's only befitting to divide the remainder in three.”

I looked helplessly at Mrs. Parker as she stood up again, disappointed with her mathematical logic. “Sit down. I'm still not done discussing your final project for this semester.”

Resigning, I turned my heels and followed Jonathan and Badger to the backmost seats. I sat noisily, glaring at Katy when she turned around her seat to face me. Why does she have to sit in front of me?

“What's with the face, Morris? Not satisfied with your group mates?”

“Yes,” I answered sarcastically. “But I'm more dissatisfied with your stupid face so stop looking at me.”

Katy whined, the voice coming out of her mouth a different kind of torment in my mind. Jonathan and Badger silently laughed beside me; I had to bury my face on the desk to avoid further annoyance. Mrs. Parker commenced discussing the final project but I was too distressed I couldn't care less.