Shadow Guy

Chapter Three

My sister came back around about nine at night, she peaked in my room to see if I was sleeping, "Brie...are you awake?" she whispered, I don't feel like talking to her, so I didn't answer. When the door finally closed, I turned and faced it before looking up at the ceiling.

I love my sister but maybe if she acted more...alive with the fact that she was looking after me it would make it easier to face her, but I guess because it's obvious that she hates being the one to look after me I try to act like I'm not here...it makes it easier for her I think. I’ve always hated being the family burden, the reason she can’t enjoy her life.

But just like a perfectly practiced routine, the same thing happened again, I woke up sweating and frightened until it sinks in that it was only a dream. I take a bath and fall back on my bed, normal routine normal everything. I'm just glad my room and the shower aren’t near my sisters’ room; she needs her sleep after working all day yesterday.

I walked to the wardrobe and looked through my clothes. Most of this stuff didn’t fit anymore, but after mum and dads death there just wasn’t any point on sorting through this stuff. Especially when there wasn’t money to replace it. Lately, I’ve gotten into the habit of working with it, altering what needs it and trying to make something new out of the old.

I'm the weird, quiet, keep to yourself girl at school...so that's maybe why most of it was basic without the ass hanging out and the t**s slapping your face. Hey, I should give them away if I'm not gonna ever use them, I thought as I took out a pair of white skinny jeans with a black belt. I pulled out my long-sleeved black top with white hearts on it.

I brushed my hair out ignoring the pain that it caused. I tied it back in a ponytail and let two tiny strands fall on either side of my face. I applied some lip balm and walked over to my sisters’ room. I opened the door halfway and poked my head in to see her.

Her arms where spread wide apart and half her face was covered by her messy blond hair. I closed the door and walked back down the stairs. I never eat breakfast, so I'm used to the belly ache. I got my trainers on and flung my bag around my shoulder and out the door I was.

I walked out and this time stayed on the pavement. I thought about yesterday and the fact he rides to school....so maybe I'll see him again. I got to the gates and they were still locked so I sat on the bench next to it.

I pulled out my English book and started on some work.

"Funny, I've never seen anyone arrive at school early before." My head snapped up to see those fantastic blue eyes staring back at me and that shaggy brown hair hanging sexily. He goes.... here....at....my.... school.

"Yeah...well I'm not like anyone else," he grinned and sat next to me, "And look who's talking, you’re here, are you not?" he nodded and chuckled under his breath,

"I guess I am," he said looking at me. I turned my head and stared down at the floor.

"Sorry about yesterday, I didn't mean to you know? Creep you out and all," he said looking down at the floor.

"Yeah, it's ok," I said and the next thing I knew I felt a small gush of wind to my side. I looked up, my eyes wide, he was gone. I looked everywhere but he wasn't there! Ok now I know I'm crazy. I just stared at the empty spot next to me, confusion leaking in.

The gates finally opened, and I went to my form room.

"Oh look, it's the freak!" that was Taylor with her usual piercing voice. I looked up at her from my book and felt small. She was one of those beautiful girls with a body to die for. She flicked her long bright blond hair with her manicured fingers whilst laughing to her butt lickers. I sighed and looked back down at my book. Her eyes were a baby blue that fitted her fake tanned body.

She's made my life hell since we came to this school. Why can't she just pick on someone else? "Ugh! If she got hit by a bus I wouldn't even go to her funeral." I turned around to my best friend Candice taking the seat next to me and staring at Taylor with total disgust.

I know, her name is usually the name of the slutty girls in fanfiction books and film's but even I think it doesn't suit her appearance and personality. Her black hair was a bob and her dark brown eyes narrowed at the sight of Taylor sitting on some guys lap rubbing her leg against his d**k, her lips plastered to his earlobe.

"So, how's life?" she asked leaning her elbow on her desk and her head on her hand. That was something we usually ask each other, "Fine" I said looking back down at my book. Candice isn't really my best friend but she's the only one who talks to me so I consider her a friend, she'll stick up for me without hesitation but I knew, if the time every presented itself she’d turn on me to be part of that click in a heartbeat.

I and Candice were walking outside at break when she stopped and looked over at the tree, "Who the hell is that in the shadow?" I turned to look at where she was looking, it was James! What is it with him and shadows?

He walked out and into the school building, "Okhot!" she said whilst flapping her hands in the air pretending to be hot. I shrugged my shoulders and walked to science. When I got in the only available seat was next to...James.

I walked over but halfway there I was pushed back and fell to the floor. "Oh, sorry I didn't see you," Taylor said throwing me a threatening look. James just looked at me and for the first time, I felt like the ground couldn’t open up wide enough.

I got to my feet, "Whatever, I guess money can buy you an ass but no brains, or for that matter a vocab that’s longer than just ‘freak,’” I walked by her and took out a seat right at the back by myself.

Her face looked over at me in horror before she looked down at her ass, "Look who's talking you freak! At least my dad knows how to dodge a bullet and my mum ain't a suicide lunatic!" I felt weak as everyone around me laughed and the only thing I could hear where their laughs. My breaths took on a life of their own as my legs began to shake and my body tremble. I got up and ran out of the classroom as the tears ran down my cheeks. Great, what a better introduction to the class freak than this. But why the hell should I care about what he thinks!?!

I got to the bathroom and locked myself in there for the whole of period three and four. I can't believe Taylor would go that far. I wiped at my eyes as the bell rang and made my way to the cafeteria.

I picked up an apple and made my way to my table, as I walked past Taylor's table James just stared at me, throughout the whole of lunch he didn't take his eyes away from mine. I finally couldn't take it anymore and got up to leave.

I was halfway out the school when he just came out of nowhere and grabbed my wrist pulling me to look at him. "What!?!" I screamed at him,

"I'm sorry about your parents," he said looking into my eyes, but I couldn't look back, instead I looked down at the floor,

"I don't want your pity," I whispered before pulling out of his grasp.

I walked off as one single tear rolled down my cheek. I didn't want to go, I wanted to be in his arms and stay there, but I had too, it didn't feel right having him so close and knowing he knows so much about me and I only know his age and name.

I walked home but when I reached my front door I decided to turn back and walked through the neighborhood. The wind blew hard against my hair making it go blowback behind my shoulders and my tears more visible.

"You’re one weird girl Brie." I jumped and turned around to see James leaning against a fence. He stood straight and walked out of the shadows towards me.

"Thanks! Way to go to make me like you more!" I said sarcastically and turned back around to walk off, ignoring the burning desire to as if he’d followed me here.

I took five steps and his arms wrapped around my waist pulling me back into his chest. I stopped breathing for a second,

"I like weird," he whispered into my ear. I couldn't feel his hands around my waist anymore and fell to the ground.

Okay, what the hell is going on?

“Firstly, you do not just grab women!” I got up and turned to face home except like this morning, he was nowhere in sight. “This is getting real old, real quick dude!” I yelled before hurrying back. The whole way I felt someone's eyes on me but when I turned to look there was no one there. I got home and my sister wasn't there. Work. I went up to my room and dropped my bag on the floor before falling face flat on my bed as I tend to every day.

No point on skipping tradition.

That's when I felt it, a cold touch traveling down my back. Most people would turn right round scared to death, but I didn't... I just lay there. The cold touch went down my back and eventually stopped before reaching my butt. It never sent shivers down me, I didn't care. But then someone bent in and whispered in a husky voice into my ear, "Don't ever change." Ok so then I had to jerk up. I sat straight up, and no one was there. I looked down and...and I was topless!

My top lay on the floor, well at least I still have my bra on. I got up and pulled the top back over my head, only one person came to mind.

Something's up with James and I'm gonna find out what, he’s strange on a whole other level but he's holding something back...and no way can normal people do that sort of stuff he does. The disappearing act? What the hell is he, Dracula?!