Chapter 15: Interference

I spend the night asking myself questions and reliving every moment (it takes the focus off of how I feel about it).

I try to compare the way he was with me to the way he was with everyone else I've seen him with, but it's not easy, since I was trying not to pay attention to him at those points. Though, I do remember thinking that he wasn't flirting with that girl, or with the guy a few days before her- Jerry?- and it feels like he might have been acting differently with me, in some way.

I mean, I have very little to go off of, but he touched my forearm in calculus and traced a few circles over my skin with his thumb. I don't remember him touching either of the other two like that- just sitting on their desk and looking at them, really. Which might have been because we're in school, and maybe he actually does have a bit of a sense of decency and didn't want to just start blatantly flirting with anyone in the middle of class. But he touched my arm in front of our entire calculus class.

Also, he made a few comments that I can only assume were about his... behind (specifically, how nice and plump it is, and then how nice a view it is), which seemed a lot like flirting. Both times were inside the school, and he didn't even lower his voice or anything, so he either doesn't have the sense of decency that would explain his behavior with the other two people I've seen with him, or he likes getting a rise out of me more than he cares about people hearing. And then, when he parked at the restaurant, he leaned unnecessarily close to whisper in my ear (which was also unnecessary in itself). And when I asked if it was a date, he didn't actually ever give me an answer.

He didn't actually give me an answer for a lot of things. Like when I asked why he came to calculus, and why he actively wanted to get my tardy excused by Dr. Love. Actually, he did give me an answer, an umbrella answer for everything: because he can. That doesn't answer a whole lot, though I guess it wasn't supposed to- he pretty much told me that his reasoning for everything he does is that he has no reasoning for anything he does, because he doesn't have to, because he doesn't care, because he's rich.

I'm not really satisfied with that answer, though. Does he just stare at people like he's trying to see into their head 'because he can'? It doesn't seem particularly interesting, though he's apparently made a habit out of it. Why? What's he actually doing? What's the point? It doesn't make any sense (most things related to him don't).

Also, why did he just disappear? Because of me, or because it's just his routine? Usually he takes his friends home with him (at least that was my assumption based on his parents' and Raymond's behaviour) but since he had me on Friday, maybe he figures that's already done with? Maybe that's why he was glued to my side today- because he already got to make me spend an afternoon with him, and he wanted to complete the pattern by hanging around me at school? Or maybe he wanted to see if he could get into biology with me, after finding out that I have it third block on Friday?

But what's his thing with biology, anyways? Why are his parents so against him taking it? No line of reasoning actually leads to answers, and the more I think about him, the more confused I get.

Heck, why do I care at all? He's been nothing but a distraction and perpetual frustration since- well, since he enrolled at school- but specifically for the past two weeks. My life used to be so simple, and he just showed up and messed it all up. My thoughts stray to him constantly, destroying my usual studying habits, and he can't seem to leave me alone for long enough for me to get everything back in order. Maybe now that he's interacted with me to the greatest extent he interacts with pretty much anyone (excepting people who are exclusive to his personal life, like his parents and Raymond), he'll leave me alone. I'll finally be able to stop thinking about him, and my life can get back to normal.

He doesn't show up to school at all on Tuesday. And then on Wednesday, he's back, and spends the whole day with a tall blonde girl. I try not to notice, but I can't help but point out to myself how he doesn't make any type of physical contact with her (the brunette last week initiated that when he didn't, but this girl either doesn't notice or doesn't care, because she doesn't bother).

They disappear through lunch and third period, which makes sense. However, I am a little surprised when they show up halfway through physics with a bag of fast food takeout. On Monday, he told me that he hated fast food. I guess he's had a change of heart (not surprising, considering he's known as the school's eccentric millionaire. Though, at times, he actually seems pretty normal, despite constantly changing his name and his behaviour generally not making very much sense).

And then on Thursday he's alone again. As Friday approaches, I wonder if he'll want to bring me to his house again. Then I decide that's ridiculous, because he's done with me now (ignoring the sad little pang in my chest at the thought) and instead wonder what I'll tell my parents about the tutoring. Maybe that we finished earlier? No, because they'll wonder where my payment is. I guess I could just say that his parents hired him an actual, professional tutor. That seems a lot more believable. Though, I'm still a horrible liar, and lying to my parents makes me feel antsy and overall not good. Yet another way he interfered with my nice, easy life: making me lie to my parents about everything involving him, where I previously hadn't lied to them at all.

I ignore him on Friday. Active avoidance. I don't want to see who he's with today, since he seems to pick up a new friend every second day. I only identify him coming into class by the times that he comes in (which are consistently inconsistent, though always late) and the signature clunk of his backpack a moment after he sits down. At lunch, I go to the bathroom first, waiting longer than necessary so that I don't have to hear his car roaring as he drives off with whoever his friend of the day is. I keep my eyes down during class change, and don't stop at my locker unless it's necessary.

When the dismissal bell finally rings, I quickly stand up with my already packed bag and head for the exit, going to the bathroom again to wait out him flaunting his car in front of the school to the melody of his unnecessarily loud engine.

After five to ten minutes, I go to my locker. The hallways are completely empty, so if he isn't gone by now, then he should be soon. And I won't have to see him, which is good because I don't want to be reminded of him right now (even though my thoughts seem to be centred around him). And then over the weekend, I can focus on schoolwork and completely forget about him, and everything will be back to-

I stop when I see him standing at my locker. He's got his hands in his pockets, and he's looking at me already. I swallow and slowly go to my locker. He's leaning against the one right next to mine, still just looking at me. His expression is completely unreadable, which makes me even more anxious. I fumble with the lock, messing up at least three times before finally getting it.

He watches me pack my bag, nearly dropping pretty much everything because of how jittery I feel (my nerves are shot. My pulse is racing and pounding at the same time. It gets harder to breathe with every second that he stands there).

Finally, he asks, "Where were you?"

I swallow. "Bathroom."

And he's silent again. After another moment, he asks, "So, what do you want to do? Did you make plans for your one free day of the week?"

I shake my head, which makes me feel a little dizzy due to my current combo of fast pulse and shallow breathing. "No."

"Okay."

I finish packing my backpack and close my locker, forcing myself to meet his eyes. He grins.

"Want to come to my house? I promise it'll be school-related this time."

I swallow and nod. He smirks.

"Then let's go."

Any ideas as to the answers to Todd's many questions? Theories about the millionaire? What do you think of Todd actively avoiding the millionaire? And the millionaire waiting for him at his locker anyways? What do you think will happen next chapter? Let me know all your thoughts in the comments!

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