Chapter 5 The Assembly

The morning light pricked through the pale blue curtains of the small dorm window. I rolled to my side, seeing Lewis rising from a deep sleep as his annoying ringing alarm clocked ran at his bedside.
         I remembered it was Tuesday, the dance...
My head was filled with fogginess from a deep dream that felt so real.
          I remember watching Jade, she was standing on a rock by the shore of a cascading sea, that had ruching tides. She wore a velvety white dress that flowed at the harsh cool breeze. I stood a good few feet away, feeling the sand irratate in between my toes. I could feel my heart beat out of control, my hair gathering in my view.
        Then just a brisk intimidating wave gathering behind Jade, her dark eyes seemed so scared from the distance I was. Her hair let loose and getting caught by the wind that dragged it across her face, making her look like a fuzzy fairytale damzel in distress.
        Then the dream... Faded black.
I rolled from the bed, seeing the red block letters read 07:23am.
        "Brad?" Lewis asked, looking in my direction as he gathered a towel and toothbrush with a few washing bottles. "You wanna lend any shampoo or anything?" He gestured a dark blue bottle, jiggling it in the air.
        "No," I got up, the floor cold as my feet spread on it. The air a bit chilly from the quick change of temperature. I rubbed at my eyes, the light blinding. 
Lewis nodded and walked out the room to the shower room which was down the hall.
          I got my gear for the shower and walked swiftly down the hall with a towel around me, as I gave mean stares at boys that went by.

          I sat next to a boy with long emo hair, dyed black with hints of cosmic blue, his eyes a piercing blue. His skin pale and he kept himself to himself.  He just looked at me and I know from the way he looked at me he judged me by my appearance. I smiled a sick smile, knowing whatever he was guessing was right.
          The dinner hall was laced with chairs that looked expensive. Boys on one side, with a thin line of clear space between the middle and then more lined chairs, filling with girls.
          The air smelt like toast, from when we just ate breakfast, which I ate with Lewis outside. I didn't see any sign of Jade or her friend.
           The headmaster, Mr Woods, stood tall by a micro phone.
"We thank, the Art group for a fantastic job, of participating in the CrossGate and Ridley Highschool Art Competition last week." His old grey eyes scattered among the kids that looked up to him, I just slouched in my chair. Waiting for this assembly to end. "Which I am and everyone else is glad to hear, is that we came first." A beaming smile came from his pearly whites.
            The roar of teens cheer filled the large cantine. I looked at everyone hooting, and howling, and whistling, I looked over the heads of kids to the girls area. And there, on the edge to the little middle clearing was Jade, sat next to Nora.
             Jade's hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, her eyes focused on Mr. Woods and her smile brimming with happiness. She looked around the crowd, I was nearly on my tip toes to all the kids that where jumping off there chairs. Jade looked back at Mr. Woods. I felt a pang of jealousy and disappointed. Then it quickly passed as I fell back in my seat.
            At the front, there was kids lining up. More girls than boys, with bright proud smiles on their faces.
            Teachers stood along side Mr. Woods, with certificates and miniature trophies that had silver coats and brick sized wood blocks. 
             Mr. Woods said names and kids came up to him and shook hands while the people took the prizes greatfully.
             Then when the awards where handed out, Mr. Woods got the Dance subject.
 "Then to congratulate everyone on my behalf," He beamed a smile at the teachers. "I have held a school dance for every student here in the Gym. Every student is to attend, in anything they have. The dance will begin at 6pm tonight, plenty of time to get ready." He laughed and dismissed the students, I filed out the teens that rushed for the doors like they were being released from prison.
              I felt my elbow dig into flesh as I raced, turning back quick, I seen I elbowed a dark haired girl in the face, in the eye.
              I felt smug and yet sorry. I turned back, feeling my heart lurch as I come closer to the familiar girl.
              Jade.
I elbowed Jade in the eye. Her friend was coming up behind her, her black hair billowing behind her.
              Jade looked up at me with one eye open and one eye shut, brimming with tears. I looked behind, her friend closer, and back at Jade, who just smiled.
              I grabbed at Jade's wrist and dragged her through the rushing bodies, there was a few kids inbetween us, but I held on. I felt her wrist loosen from the amount of people bash and hit us. I turned and got a firmer grip, and ran for the door, that I reached and breathed cool morning air.
              As I was outside with Jade behind me, I ran around the building.
The sun shining brightly over the school grounds, the smell of grass and dank mud and different kids smells. I just felt cloth as I skimmed past people with Jade securely behind me.
             I stopped, and let her go. Breathed for a few seconds catching my breath, hoping I lost her friend.
             I looked at Jade who stood beside me looking at the forest. Her stare focused on the tree tops of green.
            "Jade," I said harsh from being out of breath. She faced me, her eye swollen already and casually gaining color as seconds ticked by. I came more to her level, coming closer to her.
             I placed cool fingers on her skin around the eye. She shuddered at my touch and looked around nervously. Then she looked into my eyes. I just inspected her swollen left eye.
             I asked softly, "Who's your friend?" In the most possible voice I could make out as soft. Jade's eyes looked soft as she smiled more intently.
             "That's Nora, Gale." Jade smiled at her name, then flinched at the pain.
"I'm really sorry about this." I didn't sound sincere, and from the not-bothered look on Jade's face, I guess she knew I didn't mean it either.
              "It's okay." She didn't bother smiling then, knowing it probably wasn't worth it. "Are you going to the dance?" She beamed, looking at me with eyes filled with hope. I did and awkward face and flipped my hair out of my face.
               "I don't know." I scratched my chin.
Her star back on the green tree tops.
              "I am." She smiled, from the confidence showing from her glow of happiness I just smiled weakly. A smile I nevr worked on. I just did a hard-core look again and looked at her.
               "What about your eye?" I tentively touched the eye, she lightly jumped at my touch. "Your eye will be blue by 6 'o' clock."
               I took my hand away and she closed her eyes.
 The quietness between us made me hear my heart between both of my ears. I was nervous, just by being here with her alone and if she could hear my heart beat. I had never been scared of being around any girl in my entire life. I looked away and coughed in my throat.
              "I don't care," She smiled broadly, thinking of something... "Nora will cover it with make-up." Somone. I looked down, knowing Nora will be wanting to cut my throat now.
          I remember her bright eyes yesterday, standing bravely beside Jade, her look of pure protectiveness.
               I envied Nora.
I blinked. Wondering where that thought came from. I quickly washed it away from my mind.
              "Anyway," I broke the quiet silence. "I need to be somewhere." I thought to myself, and thought of smiling at her. Then thought not, but I'd give her something else.
I'd give her hope. I noticed she vibrated with hope and a halo of happiness.
             She looked at her hands, which fidgeted.
I came close to her face by her hair, which smelt fruity and exotic.
             I heard her breath catch for a moment, I placed my hands in my pockets.
I smiled wickedly and whispered in her ear, "I'll see you at the dance."
            I walked away from her, heading for the corner of the building. Finally smelling the fresh air hit me and knock me dizzy. I couldn't help but inhale that sweet smell. Then I smelt coffee mix with the air.
           I knew Jade has something for me.
Either attraction or hope. I don't know what for, but I know theres something. I want to play with her and break it. Or maybe just brake it fully. Maybe I can have fun with her?
Or just cut it out whatever it is with her?
          I leaned back and walked swiftly over the grounds, smiling.