Walking through the Fire

Chapter Three

Delilah was sitting at one of the tables in the cafeteria, mindlessly swirling a fork through her lasagna. She knew that Charlie had a debate meeting today during lunch, so Delilah would most likely spend her lunchtime alone, which did not bother her in the slightest. Delilah was aware of all the other students around her, the level of chatter and laughter swelling and falling in a natural rhythm. Delilah had other friends that she could mingle with. However, besides spending time with Charlie and her immediate family, Delilah really enjoyed her time alone, she felt like it recharged her social battery. For as long as she could remember, she felt this way - being around lots of people and not having conscious breaks, would impact her. It was almost like everyone else's energy seemed to sap her own; she could never quite explain the feeling, but often, after being around too many people, Delilah would feel drained. It was something that her parents just understood about her without her having to put it into words. Charlie always thought it was strange - after all, Charlie thrived on being around other people, their attention, their energy - that was what recharged Charlie and made Charlie who she was. But Charlie never forced that on Delilah, she never made Delilah socially interact when Delilah didn't want to, and Delilah was thankful for that. If anything, Charlie acted as a shield for Delilah most of the time; who would want to engage with quiet, shy Delilah, when the Charlie Bolt was giving you attention?

"Can I join you?" said a male voice, startling Delilah from her thoughts. She glanced up, and locked eyes with the same green eyes that were so full of concern earlier that day. Delilah tried not to audibly gulp, and gave a small nod of her head.

Of course Jasper Mace wants to sit here, what next? Delilah thought to herself. Jasper easily sat down across from Delilah, and placed a piping hot coffee in front of him. He semi-lounged in the chair in front of Delilah, but Delilah was sure that, if needed, Jasper could spring into action in an instant. He almost had this panther-like quality to him; giving off the appearance of being relaxed, but always ever ready to pounce. Jasper Mace was easily the most sought-after guy at St. Agatha's - not only was he incredibly good-looking, he was intelligent, ridiculously charismatic, and talented - everyone knew Jasper was going places. Jasper had topped their year academically consistently since him and his family moved to their small town three years ago, and he had achieved university entrance earlier that year. Jasper didn't even need to see out the rest of the year, he could start university now without any problems. Furthermore, he had also secured one of the most prestigious scholarships to Carmel University, one of the top schools in the country. This scholarship was not even because he was a beast on the soccer fields either, it was because he was a brain as well. And how did Delilah know all of this? Because everyone did at St. Agatha's - Jasper was a borderline celebrity. There was no reason at all that he should be wanting to sit with Delilah in the cafeteria. Jasper was friend's with most of the student body, particularly other guys on the soccer team, as well as a clique of other students that were considered popular. As Jasper started to sip from his cup, Delilah stole a look towards the table where Jasper should be sitting - with the jocks and the very pretty girls - and sure enough, she was met with confused looks there. Not only confused, but Maddison Hall looked like she had swallowed a nasty tasting bug, and was glaring at Delilah. Delilah quickly looked away, and decided at that moment to intently stare at the lasagna in front of her. Delilah reminded herself to breathe, and tried to work up the courage to close her lunch container, grab her bag, and leave. But she just couldn't. There was something about Jasper's presence that made her want to stay.

"That looks good." Jasper said, as Delilah looked up at him. Jasper held her eyes with his own, and she nodded in response.

"Are you sure you are okay after this morning?" Jasper asked, and finally it made sense. He was just checking in on Delilah, that was why he was there, nothing more, and nothing less.

"I'm fine, nothing really happened." Delilah replied, as she tried not to notice the strange looks she was getting from the students sitting around her. Delilah was certainly thinking exactly what they were all thinking: why the heck is Jasper Mace sitting with Delilah Woods?

"That's true, but something almost happened. You must have incredible reflexes." Jasper said, leaning forward towards Delilah over the table, and cupping his coffee with both hands. Delilah simply shrugged, wanting to make direct eye contact with Jasper, but also not wanting to at the same time.

"What do you have next?" Jasper asked, changing the subject quickly.

"Ah, I have a free period." Delilah said, starting to pack up her lunch, she tried to quell her beating heart and worked up the courage to ask, "What about you?"

Jasper smiled in response, seeming pleased with himself, as he lazily leaned back,

"Same, free period." Jasper said.

Suddenly, Delilah was acutely aware that they had been joined by the Queen Bee herself, Maddison. Maddison cleared her throat loudly, and Delilah looked up at her. Maddison wasn't looking at Delilah though, she was staring at Jasper with a huge, fake smile, plastered on her face.

"What are you doing over here Jacey? Don't you want to sit with us?" Maddison whined at Jasper, twirling the ends of her blonde hair with her fingers. Jasper still hadn't even dragged his eyes from Delilah's to Maddison's, which Maddison had surely noticed. With a "hmph" Maddison plopped herself into Jasper's lap, entwining her arms around his neck, and placing her face as close as she possibly could to Jasper's. At that point, Jasper looked at Maddison,

"What are you doing Maddie?" Jasper asked, trying to unsuccessfully unlock Maddison's arms from around his neck. Maddison held on tightly, like a child would to a parent, seeking comfort.

"I just wanted to spend time with you Jacey, and you are sitting all the way over here. Why are you sitting here?" Maddison asked, still not acknowledging that Delilah was sitting at the table. At that moment, Jasper looked at Delilah and gestured to her with his hand,

"I'm chatting with Delilah, you know Delilah?"

"Sure, hello." Maddison said, turning to look at Delilah for a fraction of a semi-second, before turning her full attention on Jasper again. Delilah felt her face go slightly red, and looked down at her packed away lunch, wishing that the ground would just open up and swallow her. All Delilah wanted was to get up and leave the table, letting Maddison have Jasper to herself as that was clearly Maddison's goal.

"Come on Jacey, let's go sit with our friends. I'm dying to tell you about what happened at Geoff's party over the weekend." Maddison purred, as she started to play with Jasper's short, dark hair.

Yes, please go Jasper. This is awkward and I do not want the wrath of Maddison Hall thank you very much, Delilah thought to herself as she quickly glanced up to steal a look at the two of them.

Jasper c****d his head to the side, almost as if heard Delilah loud and clear, and Delilah felt her face turn even redder as she quickly looked down again.

"Come on Maddie, I'm having a conversation." Jasper responded, as the bell started to ring, signaling that lunch was over and it was time to head to class.

"Did you want to hang out?" Jasper suddenly asked, as Delilah was standing up and grabbing her bag. Initially she thought Jasper was talking to Maddison, but as she looked over at Jasper she realized he was talking to her.

"Ah, sure?" Delilah responded, trying to weigh up the best answer. Delilah would love to spend time with Jasper, but at the expense of making Maddison an enemy? Delilah wasn't sure about that.

"Great, lets go." Jasper said, standing up himself, and carefully ensuring that Maddison was on her feet. Maddison crossed her arms and pouted,

"I can hang out too." Maddison said, as Jasper grabbed his now empty coffee cup and made his way round to Delilah's side of the table.

"You have Stats now, and we have a free period." Jasper responded, as Delilah went to sling her bag over her shoulder. Before she could, Jasper deftly took it out of her hands and slung it over his own shoulder.

"You want to hang out now?" Delilah asked, trying her best not to make eye contact with Maddison, who looked like she was on the brink of having a tantrum.

"Sure, if you don't mind? We are both free now so it makes sense, bye Maddie!" Jasper responded, as he started to steer Delilah out of the cafeteria. Delilah took half a step forward, ahead of Jasper, not quite trusting him to touch her, and she thought she heard Jasper chuckle quietly in response.

"Let's head to the fields, there is a nice spot out there." Jasper said, taking a large stride in front of her so he could lead the way. Delilah simply nodded and followed. Delilah didn't dare turn around as they left the cafeteria, but she could feel Maddison's stare on her back, like hot sizzling knives that were endlessly stabbing Delilah's back.