Hedgerow

Nocturnal Rainbows.

The news reporter was reading monotonically the sheets in his hands.

- Blah blah, weather, blah blah, sport, blah blah, the country is again in debt...why don't we watch cartoons in the morning? They'll make us more positive and less stressed. - asked Weylyn, crunching on the cereal next to his dad.

- Wade, you're absolutely right. But, we both know that I'm late for work. We can watch cartoons when I come home from work, okay?

- Okay...

- Hey, cheer up. You'll also tell me more about your girlfriend. - he grinned.

- Hey...no, she isn't my girlfriend, dad! Who told you this? - Weylyn pointed aggressively his spoon towards his dad.

- Woah. Don't shoot me, son! Who is going to arrest you if you shoot the only competent cop around here?

- Ha, modest much.

- It's been fun and all, but duty calls. See ya!

- I'm not finished with the interrogation yet!

- Too bad. - said William and closed the front door.

- s**t, how does he know? I didn't tell anyone...

The school bell ringed. The class had started. Interestingly enough, his newly found friend was nowhere to be found. And so were all the bullies.

- Excuse me, Ms. Rogers. Can I go to the toilet? - he asked.

- Yeah, go on.

As soon as he closed the door, Weylyn bolted to the toilets. She was not there. He ran to the school yard. Only random kids. He ran back into the school. He cut some corners and sprinted down one of the hallways. He was about to cut another one, but ran into the whole squad of bullies.

- Ha, what do we have here? Where are you going, nerd? - asked Rob through his teeth.

- Not your business, Rob. - Weylyn replied.

- Would you look at that? - continued the tall boy, while his gang encircled the curly-haired boy. - The little s**t is up on his legs and back to his spicy tongue? Would you like me to cut it off for you?

- Hey, Robbie. - said a female voice. - Have you seen the little b***h?

- No, Jess. - he answered. - Have you?

- You'd know if I did. What are you doing to the poor rat? - she said with a cocky tone.

- Just reminding it where it's place is. - Robert said.

- Why don't you remind me, too? - Jessica replied quickly.

- Ew, that's gross. - noted Weylyn.

- Nobody asked about your opinion. - she said and looked at Rob. - Why don't you come with me?

- Nah, Jess. I think I'll skip.

Rob's goons started laughing.

- What's so funny, hammerheads?

- Jess, I'll kindly ask you to f**k off, thanks.

- Huh, whatever.

While the conversation between them was coming to an end, Weylyn had escaped long ago. He returned to the room. The teacher didn't care or love her job enough to ask where he's been. She just continued reading the lesson like a robot. Cassie was not there.

The final bell rang. Weylyn slipped past the assholes near the main entrance, only to wait for the new girl near the parking. She didn't show up. He decided to go home on foot, rather than taking the bus. The Sun started setting. Weylyn stopped near a bench and chose to sit and watch it go down. That's when his eyes landed on top of the blonde hair of a familiar figure. He quickly gained back his energy and stood up like a soldier. She was walking alone. He, as a remarkable gentleman, decided to give her some company.

- Hey. - he nervously said.

Cassie didn't turn around. She continued on her way to somewhere.

- Ahem. - he cleared his throat. - Hey there. New girl. Hey? C'mon, stop ignoring me. Helloo!

He went in to grab her by the shoulder. She stopped and turned around.

- What? - assertively asked Cassie.

- I...I was wondering. Do you want to come with me on an adventure?

- Ha, adventure? And what does this boring town has to offer as an adventure? - she put a lock of her hair behind her ear and crossed her arms.

- I'll show you, if you come with me. - he smiled nervously.

- Maybe some next time.

- You skipped school today. You legally don't have to do homework, so I guess you're free.

- No, you guessed wrong.

- C'mon, I won't tell anyone that I saw you!

- The town already thinks that we're together, so it won't matter much.

- Yeah, I heard of that. Luckily enough, the retards from school haven't heard it yet.

- Whatever, I'm leaving.

- Wait! - Weylyn grabbed her hand.

- Let it go. Now.

- Give me a chance to make your afternoon better. Please!

- Ugh. Fine.

Weylyn smiled like a little kid, that got the approval of his parents to go on the scariest roller coaster, ever.

- But. After this, you'll leave me alone. Forever. Got it?

- Yeah, yeah. Let's go!

He led her into the wooded area near the town.

- Where are you taking me, exactly?

Weylyn pulled out an old book and turned to page 235. He turned on the mini flashlight, that was installed on a small metal "arm", that on it's own, was welded to a metal part of the book's cover.

- So accordingly to this, we should be getting near.

- What, are you a magician or something? - she said with a pinch of cruelty, but smiled slightly after that, to ensure the boy, that she meant no offense.

- You'll see when we get there.

The darkness was crawling fast towards them. He took out his military-grade flashlight and illuminated the whole forest before them.

- There! Into the cave!

- Are you sure it's safe?

- Hundred percent! Okay, maybe ninety eight.

- I hope you know what you're doing. My dad is going to kill me.

- That's one similarity between us! Mine will also kill me!

She let a silent giggle. They went deeper into the cave. A strange, colorful light was emitting from inside of it. Weylyn turned off his flashlight.

- Welcome!

- That's...beautiful. - Cassie said, as she marveled at the thousands of glowing stones in the cave walls.

- I know. This is my place. I come here often, when I'm sad. Or just want to be alone.

- This is...wow. - she looked at the slightly shorter than her boy and smiled, but then remembered something. - Okay. Let's leave.

- Huh. So soon?

- Yes. Now.

- Jeez, okay. - he put on his backpack, seconds after putting it on the ground.

They made their way to the town in awkward silence. When they reached civilization, Weylyn looked at Cassie.

- I hope you liked the adventure.

- It was something.

- I don't know what I did or why you're mad at me, but I'm sorry. Can you...forgive me?

Silence.

- Okay, can you please at least tell me your name?

She walked away.

- I guess...no. - Weylyn turned around.

- Cassie. - she said, still walking away.

He smiled.