Intertwined

Chapter 2: What All Serial Killers Say

Scar coughs a little, giving me a little look.

I begin to explain the question to Chase and he interrupts.

"You're my neighbor, right?"

"Uh, yeah," I try to direct the conversation back to the task at hand. I'm only as good at small talk as the Titanic was at not sinking.

"You live with that boy? Axel Reed, I think his name is. Very popular boy and he's not even a jock. From what I've heard, a very nice guy."

Nice? What a bleak word. Anyone who knew Ax knew he was so much more than describable.

"Yeah, he's my boyfriend," I'm glad the bell rings and I get to leave this conversation.

I hurriedly bid adieu and rush for the door.

Scar waits for me and I know he wants to talk. God, I pray this isn't about the bruise.

"The bruise," he declares.

Gee, thanks God.

"What about it?"

"How'd you get it?"

"I trip all the time, this isn't any different."

He narrows his eyes at me but decides not to push the topic.

"Just stay away from that guy, okay? He looks like bad news."

"Why do you care?" I scoff.

This lightens him up.

"I'm your 'friend' right?" he jokes, "Axel might have some competition with that guy around."

With that he walks away.

What?

I don't think there's anyone who could ever compete with Axel. It's just not possible.

Mason walks up to me and we walk to our next class, History. Kill me now.

***

As the lunch bell rings (music to my ears) I rush to the cafeteria.

As I near my table, an arms wraps around my waist and I laugh.

"Look what I sneaked us in?" Axel holds up a pack of cupcakes.

I sigh contentedly, "Ooh, I love you."

"Sometimes I don't know if you're talking to me or the cupcakes," he laughs as we sit, the others already there.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up," I take the cupcakes from his hand.

"It's the cupcakes, man," Heath pats Axel's back, Max snickers.

Chase walks up to the table as Mason is wrestling Scar for a piece of corn.

"Hey guys, I'm Chase, Juliet's friend, mind if I sit here? Got nowhere to sit, new kid awkwardness and all." He looks at me and Axel puts an arm around me.

Stupid boys.

I wouldn't say he's my friend, but, I mean, we've all been the new kid at least once, I should help him out.

"Sure," I say as Axel and Scar shoot me daggers with their eyes.

Heath slurps his drink. Such a drama queen.

"So, how long have you all know each other?" Chase starts to fill in the awkwardness.

"Since forever," Scar quips in a final tone.

Awkward silence breezes through the air, besides the occasional sounds of Mason's loud chewing, Max telling him to stop that and Heath's drink slurping.

"So, why'd you move here?" Scar asks interrogatively.

"My father's a soldier. This town is near his basecamp but I live alone. He visits occasionally."

"Which basecamp?" Max asks in a tone similar to Scar's.

I hate boys.

"Otwell."

"How long are you going to stay here?" Parker asks.

"As long as this is my Dad's base."

"You know anyone here?" Mason asks.

"Not really, no."

"Hmm," Axel gives a fake smile.

Heath slurps his drink and the bell rings, everyone is off to their classes.

"What was that?" I ask Axel when we're alone.

"What?"

"You know what I'm saying!"

"Just stay away from him, he seems like bad news."

Why the hell was everyone telling me this?