Chapter Twelve

*Not edited*Not is proofread*

Chapter 12– Word apparently travels fast

around here:

"Please open up your books to page ten and eleven and read through both texts," Mrs. whatever-her-face-is instructs as she slowly and carefully sits herself down on her desk chair, wincing ever so slightly. She's definitely headed for retirement soon. "Once you're done, please discuss with the person next to you— quietly and about the topics. Chit chat can wait until class is over," she smiles softly. Her orders always seem to come out too polite, her demands sounding more like suggestions; it's annoying.

Opening up the book to the correct page, I stare down at the words and my mind comes up blank. I understand nothing— absolutely nothing. My mind is too tired to even begin to read whatever is written on the paper, my eyes unable to focus on any particular sentence.

I sigh out quietly as I reach my hands around the back of my neck and rub at the skin above my black choker. It doesn't relieve the tension but it stops my hands from fidgeting.

"You okay, Kodes?" Dakota whispers in my ear, his rough voice soft, his breath minty. I take in his apple-y scent mixed with aftershave and relax my shoulders with a slow exhale. I don't bother to offer him a response, instead I just keep my head lowered and eyes focused on the book before me— at least until Dakota starts reading the texts on the page out loud, his voice still quiet so only I can hear him properly; then my eyes flutter closed.

If someone were to ask me later on what the texts were about, I wouldn't be able to answer. I don't pay attention to the meaning of the words Dakota reads, but more so his tone of voice and the way he pronounces each letter carefully. It's... calming. I'm disgusted with myself for admitting it, but it's true.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asks me as he finishes the first text that seems to have gone on for ages. With the side of my face resting on my arms on top of the table, I shake my head in response, not really aware that I'm voluntarily sharing information (that's no one's business) with Dakota. "Do you want me to take you home? I'll talk to Mr. Johansson and tell him you're not feeling well." Once again, I shake my head, causing the tattooed blonde to sigh. "Alright. Well let me know if you change your mind, okay?"

I don't bother answering. I can take care of myself.

"He's cute," a childish giggle sneaks up to my right as I move my head to the other side— facing away from Dakota. I don't bother opening my eyes, unfazed by the suddenness of her appearance.

It's been five days since I saw her again for the first time in months— maybe even years. She's been popping up at random moments and I've begun to get used to it now. I still try to ignore her the best I can, though sometimes I can't help but give in.

"Nice eyes, as well. And those muscles," she sighs dramatically in a way that makes it seem like she's infatuated with Dakota. I roll my eyes behind my eyelids as I continue to listen to her fawn over the boy next to me. "I didn't think I'd be a fan of tattoo's, but as it turns out..." she trails off with another giggle. It doesn't annoy me though; not in the way everybody else's laugh annoys me. "If I'd gotten the chance, he's definitely the man I'd be marrying."

I ignore the way my jaw clenches at that and turn back to Dakota as he comes to the end of the second and last text. He smiles at me lazily, his blue eyes trained on mine. "You didn't get any of that, did you?" He asks in slight amusement, scanning my face for the reply I won't give. "It's okay. We'll just go over it in tutoring."

For the rest of the class, I don't utter a word. I keep my head down on the table and enjoy the quietness in my mind that comes with being close to the blonde boy. After class is over, I head to my next lesson with no enthusiasm at all— not that I've ever been enthusiastic about anything that doesn't involve cars and breaking bones.

My second class is just as uneventful as the first; if not worse. It drags by too slowly, especially when the nagging in my mind comes back and Nine seems to be more talkative about Dakota now that the boy in question isn't around. Not that he could hear her anyway.

She isn't fucking real!

When the bell rings for lunch, I'm the first one out of my seat as I lazily sling the strap of my bag over my shoulder and head towards the front where the door is, watching as everyone moves out of my way, as if I'm some sort of disease. It doesn't phase me in the slightest, in fact, I'm relieved. I can't give them — Jace and Mr. Johansson— another reason to send me to anger management class.

Fighting another student for brushing me the wrong way would most definitely be a reason.

Besides, if I'm going to get in trouble for anything, it would be for gauging out the eyes of the boy who kept shooting me weird glances every now and then throughout the duration of the lesson.

Whenever I would look around the classroom, just to make sure everything was in tact and there was nothing suspicious going on without my knowledge, his brown eyes would catch my grey ones and he'd hastily look back down to his lap— where I soon realised his phone was placed. I have no idea what the fuck he was doing, but I'm going to find out.

"How about we think about this for a second, huh? Rational thoughts," Nine walks next to me, her tone slightly anxious. I don't know why the fuck she's anxious though, she's dead. The worst case scenario has already happened to her. "Maybe it was a coincidence?"

I scoff quietly, rolling my eyes. "Yeah right."

Once I'm out of the room, I lean against the wall beside the door, my arms folded causally against my chest as I watch everybody else inside the class leave.

It's not long before he's exiting as well, oblivious and irritating. His brown hair is short but messy; his smile wide and boyish; his physique muscular but on the leaner side. I don't recognise him at all, but then again, I don't recognise the majority of the people in any of my lessons, anyway.

I follow behind him as he heads down the hallway. Halfway along, he bids goodbye to his friends and takes out his phone from his pocket. He holds it at a distance from his face; probably short-sighted.

I continue to trail behind him unnoticed as he heads to the back of the school— using a different exit to the one I used last week. I slip through the gap in the heavy door just before it closes and slow down my pace as he takes a small, rectangular tin from his coat pocket. He opens it up slowly before taking out the roll-up that is in there as he leans against the brick wall at the side of the school.

Folding my arms as I wait for him to get comfortable and let his guard drop as his shoulders relax, I lean against the corner of the wall and watch him curiously.

Humans really are fascinating, aren't they?

"You need to stop referring to them as humans like you're some sort of alien," Nine rolls her eyes as she stands in front of me. "We're all the same."

I ignore the urge to scoff at her.

"Back to pretending I'm not here?" She asks, obviously rhetorically as she knows I won't be replying. "Well, at least this way I can speak without you interrupting me. And maybe you'll actually listen to what I have to say." She waits for any objection on my behalf before continuing with a sigh. "First piece of advice I'd like to offer is: I suggest forgetting whatever little sadistic plan you have hidden up your tattoo sleeve, turn around, and go find that blonde hottie. Whatever you're about to do, will not end well."

I tune her out as I focus on the brown-haired boy as he smokes his joint with closed eyes. He leans his head back against the cool, fire-red bricks and a puff of smoke arises into the sky with every exhale.

I leave Nine where she stands and slowly, with soft inaudible steps, make my way to the boy resting against the wall.

As I stand not even two feet away from his face, I notice the faint freckles along his nose and the beauty marks scattered sparingly across his pale skin. His eyelashes are long, probably even longer than Dakota's, but his lips are much thinner than the blonde's. He brings the joint to his face one more time and I notice the scars along his knuckles.

I hold back the grimace at the smell. "You've got a spot in between your eyebrows," is what I say to gain his attention.

His brown eyes shoot open and he flinches, clearly startled. When his eyes meet mine, he frowns a little before his face goes blank. But only for a while, because then he smiles.

"Ah, Dakota's girl. Kody, right? The schizo," he grins, and somehow, his words don't sound offensive. "What can I do for you, pretty eyes?"

Taken aback by... him, as a whole, I resist the urge to tilt my head in confusion. He doesn't talk nor sound like how he looks.

"Your phone. What's on it?" I cross my arms lazily, an eyebrow raised in question. I've never approached a situation like this so... calmly, before.

It's strange.

"Oh, you caught on to that, did you?" He laughs freely, and I can't tell if that's just how he is, or if it's because he's high. "You're a smart little thing, aye," he flashes me a cheeky smile, lacking the dimple in his right cheek like Dakota. "Don't worry, it's nothing."

"Define nothing," I grind my teeth together and inch forward a little, my fists clenching around my biceps. He smiles but seems wary at the proximity. Although I assume he was joking before, I think he genuinely believes I'm crazy.

Word apparently travels fast around here.

"Look, I was just keeping an eye on you for Dakota. He said he was worried about you so he asked me to make sure you didn't pass out again or start talking to yourself," he winks playfully, bringing his joint to his lips.

I'm left to mull over his words as he leans his head back again, blowing out the smoke that was trapped in his lungs. I frown at the thought of Dakota, wondering why he cares so much. My well-being isn't any of his business, and yet, he so desperately tries to make me his responsibility.

I hate him.

"Show me."

"What was that, pretty eyes?" He asks, not bothering to look at me, or even move from his position.

"The messages, show me," I repeat. "And stop calling me that," I order with irritation.

He laughs again. He's clearly high, but not yet fully affected— probably been smoking weed over a long period of time so he's now used to it. The sound is boyish and playful, but there's an underlying rasp to it, almost sad. He looks like a jock, laughs like one—like Gray and Zeke— but as it turns out, he's a stoner. Yet at the same time, he doesn't act like a stoner, he acts a little like Landon; speaks the same, too.

So many persona's morphed into one.

"The messages. I assume that's how you updated him, no?" He nods his head as he looks at me. "So show me them."

"He told me you were bossy," he grins mischievously. "But fine, I'll bite." He stands straight and flicks the joint to the floor, the flame already out. Pulling his phone from his pocket, he unlocks it and taps away until his messages with Dakota appear on the screen— I make sure to check the number, confirming it's Dakota's, before I read through the texts.

"How is she? Does she look tired?" Nine reads over my shoulder, only paying attention to Dakota's grey bubbles. "Just keep an eye on her. And tell me if anybody else starts spreading more rumours. I don't care, Matt, just fucking tell me. And I swear to God if anything happens to her, you're fucking dead," Nine giggles childishly as she curses out loud. It's clear Dakota wasn't a fan of this Matt's indifference and it showed in the foul language he used and the death threat. "He likes you," she coos annoyingly, right next to me ear. I flinch away and hand the phone back to the brown haired boy— Matt.

"It checks out," I mutter as he takes his Samsung back, smiling at me like he's just proved a point. "Pendejo," I mumble loud enough for him to hear.

"Ayy," he winces. "Tus palabras duelen, ¿sabes?" Watching the slight shock that covers my face before I can hide it, he smirks. "Pero no te preocupes, quapita, te perdono."

"Like I give a fuck," I narrow my eyes as I move past him.

He laughs from behind me as I walk away, but it isn't mocking, more so amused. "Do I not get a thank you?"

"You can get a fuck you," I roll my eyes. He laughs again but doesn't say anything. As I get to the end of the wall, I stop and turn around. "And by the way, I'm not Dakota's girl."

Matt smiles down at the floor, I can tell by the puffing of his cheeks. "Trust me on this, Kody. When he's messaging me to check up on you during class, threatening to kill me if anything were to happen to you, you're his girl."

*

"Where were you?" Dakota asks as he see's me nearing his locker. He frowns down at me as I stand before him, my arms crossed tightly against my chest.

"Check your phone. I'm sure there's a message from Max on there telling you all about my whereabouts."

A blush, rare but also familiar, coats his cheeks at a slow pace. It's barely even noticeable but my eyes are drawn to it quickly. "Look, Kodes, don't be mad, okay?" His voice comes out confident and strong despite his nervous demeanour. "I was just worried about you. You look like you're about to die on the spot."

"Don't do that again. I don't need a bodyguard, I don't need someone watching over me like they're fucking God, alright? And I especially don't need them reporting back to you. You— of all fucking people."

Dakota crosses his arms, mimicking my stance. He doesn't do it out of intimidation, his pose isn't right for that, but it still comes across a little defensive due to his height and overall body weight. I'm not intimidated, though, nor am I threatened by his muscles or the constant frown on his perfectly ugly face. He's harmless— to me, at least.

"Okay. I may have crossed some boundaries, but can you blame me?—"

"Yes."

"You worry me, Kody. A hell of a fucking lot. You worried me when you fainted in gym class. You worried me when I crashed my car and you acted like a sprained ankle and a gash on the head was nothing. You worried me when you freaked out in the middle of your history lesson and then disappeared for hours. You worried me when you were alone in the woods looking for Lilah, and you worried me when you left the hospital and spoke to no one for days."

He takes a deep breath and I remain silent through it all. I've learned these group of misfits have a lot to say a good ninety-nine percent of the time and staying silent while they speak their bullshit is the better option— for all parties involved.

"We may not be friends, and that's okay. I understand that you clearly have... things holding you back, which is your business and I won't push you into telling me anything. But I care about you, and I'm not going to apologise for being a bit—."

"Overbearing? Annoying? Suffocating?"

"Protective is the word I would say is much more accurate, but any of them work, yeah." His face brightens up, letting me know he's lightened up a little and is no longer being serious.

The thing with Dakota is that he isn't an open person. I may see the side of him who laughs and smiles and blushes. But when I'm not around —or at least when he doesn't know I'm around— he always seems to look a little angry, a little put off by his surroundings, no matter what they are. He may be a nice person, polite with manners, but he isn't friendly and welcoming like Zeke and Lilah. He's a little more weary, a little more untrusting and suspicious of others. He doesn't give much away, not verbally nor physically. He doesn't speak openly with others nor does he let people know what he's thinking with his facial expressions or body language.

So I really have to pay attention to even the slightest of movements on his face to know when his mood changes and when it doesn't. Some times it's easier than others— he'll laugh and smile. But other times the gestures are smaller; his jaw muscle will loosen, the slight wrinkle around his eyes will smoothen out, the grinding of his teeth will stop.

Dakota has been the most interesting person I've had the misfortune to figure out. The others have been much easier. Landon had been a little difficult at first, but I got there in the end.

But with Dakota? I feel like I never stop learning.

"Come with me?"

"What?"

Dakota shrugs as he shuts his open locker. "You don't look like you're in the right state of mind to be here," he smiles easily. I refrain from rolling my eyes at him. "I was thinking we could go and grab a bite. When was the last time you ate?" I don't bother replying, assuming the question is rhetorical. "What'd ya say?"

I stare at him unblinkingly before I slowly move my head around to survey the empty halls. My eyes meet back with his ones and I frown. "Fine. But you're buying."

___

Author's Note

Our baby is growing up so fast!

Anyway, how would you guys like a chapter in Dakota's POV? I'll probably try and do it for the next chapter, but don't hold me to it. I'm not too great at writing in a male character's POV so it might take me a few attempts.

If it's not something you like because you think it will take away from this being Kody's book, then let me know. I could probably do bonus chapters at the end of the book in Dakota's POV instead.

What would you prefer?

Anyway, I know it was kind of a weird chapter, like, who the fuck is Matt? But you'll probably be seeing a bit more of him in upcoming chapters so don't be too weirded out. He's a good one ;)

Also, if you haven't already, check out my new book 'The Other aside of Life'. It has no relation to this series and is written in 3rd person, but hopefully you'll like it anyway :) if you do go and check it out, let me know what you think.