Chapter 2
Don't You Have Like, an Irrational Fear Of Bowling?

"What are you doing here?" I whispered loudly, "more importantly, how'd you get in?"

He gently put his feet down to stop himself from spinning. "The window," he pointed to the open window, my curtains flapping from the wind, and resumed his spinning.

"Oh. Well," I said a bit awkwardly, "can I help you?"

He put his feet back down again to stop his spinning, but stood up this time. "Yes, actually, you can." I gave him a puzzling look as he walked over to my bed and took a spot at my feet. I knew that I should probably feel intimidated by his presence, but I felt strangely relaxed.

"I need you to help me figure out who's been framing me." He pointed his finger at me.

I gave him a what do you mean? look. He shrugged.

"You know all those fires, murders, explosions, -whatever you want to call it- I've been accused of lately?" I nodded, "well, as much as I enjoy the credit, it's not my work."

I stared at him, slightly dumbfounded. What did he mean he didn't do any of it?

"What about tonight?" I asked him, "Didn't you start that fire?"

He shook his head no. "I don't know why people assume it's me, to be honest, because I was planning on doing something big to introduce myself but by then, somehow everyone already knew who I was!"

I hesitated. How could I be sure he was telling the truth? Maybe he wanted me to think he's not actually a villain, then kill me when I least expected it. Or something like that.

"How can I trust you?" I asked him, but he simply clicked his tongue at me.

"You shouldn't."

"Then what makes you think I'll actually help you?" I shook my head and raised a brow, "you're delusional."

Smirking, he raised his finger as if he knew something I didn't. "Ah, sorry, my mistake. I just assumed you wouldn't want your identity leaked to the public."

I was about to object when I remembered that I was in nothing but my pyjamas. No mask or suit. Of course he knew who I was now.

"Is that a threat?" I demanded him, crossing my arms defensively.

"No, not at all," he put on an innocent face, "it's simply a warning."

I sighed and pursed my lips. "I don't really have a choice, do I?"

"No, not really." He mocked, tilting his head to the side.

"Go away," I said, flopping back into my bed. "Just let me sleep."

"Of course, m'lady." With that I heard a wosh and felt a brush of wind, and Static was gone.

***

"By the way, I packed you some extra carrots and strawberries." Drew said just as I stepped out of the car.

"What? Why?" I asked him, turning around to face my brother.

"It didn't look like you packed enough food. I wasn't going to let you starve," he said defensively and I sighed. Drew only had two sides - over protective dad or over protective brother. I'm not so keen on either.

"Have a good day!" He cheered as I slammed the door shut and made my way inside the school with a scowl.

Nearing my locker, I spotted Audrey and Katrina chatting up a conversation as they waited for me to arrive. Once they spotted me, they waved me over even though they were standing in front of my own locker. I smile and shake my head at their small brains.

"Sky! Kay and I had this idea to gather up the squad and go bowling. Remember when we went last time?" Audrey asked and I shivered at the use of the word 'squad', it makes me feel like I'm in a gang or something.

But I did remember what happened last time. What a horrid night that was. So I was about to throw the ball, minding my own business and all that, right? Well, I went to throw it, but I guess that bowling ball didn't like me too much since it decided to slip out of my grip and land on my toes. Hurt like a bitch. Then the ball started making its way down the lane somehow, and the idiot in me thought I should run out and stop it instead of letting it hit the gutter. But no, I had to go run out onto the lane with what? Three broken toes or something? Anyway, I had to run out onto the lane, all eyes on me as I fall straight on my buttocks. Fun, isn't it? Getting laughed at by not only your group of friends but complete strangers who have no idea what you've been through? The goddamned bowling ball could have attacked me, for all try know, but they all laughed at me. What dicks. What do they put on those floors anyways? Bacon grease? It's slippery as hell.

Well, other than that, I think we all had a great time. At least the others did. I spent most of my time cursing that bowling ball. It should get arrested for that, you know. It physically and emotionally assaulted me.

"So?" Kay squeaked in my face, interrupting my oh-so positive thoughts, "What do you think? Are you up for it?"

I thought for a second. Would I panic every time a ball comes near me? Most likely, but what the hell? YOLO! I can get over my minor fear of bowling!

"Sounds cool. I'm down," I told her, and Katrina squealed in delight.

"Awesome. I'll text you the deets!" Deets? As in details? Someone could have mistaken 'deets' for 'dates,' or something. I swear, that girl is all talk. "Now, I got to go find all the other boys, but I'll catch you two later. Ciao!" Audrey and I watched her walk away, her heels sending an echo with every step she took. Before I could do anything else, the bell rang. I groaned, but Audrey gave me a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry, school always comes to and end. I'll catch you at lunch," she gave my back a pat before heading off in the direction of her first class. I quickly grabbed my binder and books before scurrying down the hall to first period.

I reached the door to Art just as everyone else was piling in. I looked around the desks which had been formed into a small circle, per usual, and took my usual spot beside Noah and Owen, two guys who are part of my small circle of friends.

"Have you seen Grayson this morning?" I asked them and they shook their heads no. I sighed. Typical of him to be late - he'll probably get one of his usual detentions for that.

"Katrina told us what we're doing on the weekend," Owen started, "don't you have like, an irrational fear of bowling?"

I scowled. "It's not irrational. You saw what happened that night, it was torture! And I decided I could give bowling another shot. Plus, it's the bowling ball I'm afraid of, not the game itself."

He put his hands up in defense, "Alright, sorry for asking."

"Calm down everyone, no need to bring the roof down," Mrs. Jeffrey joked, sitting down in her office chair and rolling to the centre of the room. Everyone calmed down as asked, and turned their attention to our teacher.

"So, I was planning on making you guys do a group project-" most student either cheered or booed at that-" oh hush, so I decided on something that I assumed you teenagers would enjoy, which is graffiti." She got even more cheers at that.

"I don't mean illegal graffiti," she corrected, earning even more boos -the people in this class are very enthusiastic and enjoy participating- "but graffiti which I'll let you paint onto the school building. Street Art."

Mrs. Jeffrey fixed her blonde ponytail before opening her mouth to say more, but our principle, Mr. Moore, was standing in the doorway with a new kid beside him. Great.

"Sorry to interrupt, Mrs. Jeffrey, but we have a new student joining us today." He gestured to the dude beside him, "this is Sam."

I almost half expected the whole class to say 'hi Sam' in sync just like a kindergarten class, but everyone just stared. Not the most welcoming bunch.

"Welcome, Sam!" Mrs. Jeffrey cheered, ushering him to the seat next to mine... Which was Grayson's seat, unless she had forgotten already.

"We were just talking about how we're about our next project. We're about to form groups!" Wait, right now? But I had to wait until Grayson got here!

"Alright, so pick your groups of four. I trust you all to find people you'll work well with." She said just as everyone started moving around. I automatically scooted closer to Owen and Noah. We didn't even need to discuss the fact that we were a group.

Just as I was about to suggest we wait for Grayson to show up, Sam turned to face us and I knew my plan was screwed.

"Could I join you guys?" He asked and was mentally shaking my head. No way, the fourth spot was reserved for my boyfriend, buddy.

But the boys didn't seem to remember we shared this class with Grayson, so they nodded.

"Thanks man," Sam nodded to them.

"No problem," Noah said. 'No problem' my ass. This is, in fact a problem. For me, at least.

Mrs. Jeffrey spoke, "Okay, now that you all have your groups, you need pick your subject."

"A naked Skylar," Owen muttered and I slapped his arm, making him wince. Noah stifled a laugh.

"You need to find something that can express, and give a message. Graffiti and street art are different things, remember that."

She slid around in her chair, passing a white piece of paper to each group. While Noah and Owen fought over who was going to get to draw on it, I sat back in my chair and prayed that my dumb boyfriend would show up.

"I'm Sam, by the way," I looked over to see Sam holding his hand out to me. I looked from his face to his hand, and he didn't seem to be on to anything. He didn't even look nervous. It was a simple gesture.

I shook his hand. "I know," I told him and paused. "My name's Skylar," I added.

He just nodded and smirked. "Skylar," he said my name like it was something new, and he was trying it out. "What a cute name." He clicked his tongue and turned away. I held my blush. I wasn't going to take that as a compliment.

Cute, I thought. There's nothing cute about my name. If anything, he's cute- okay, that sounded better in my head. Never mind, this is my head. What I'm trying to say is that I meant it as an insult-

Skylar!

Right. I've got a boyfriend who is much cuter than him. But when I call Grayson cute I mean it as a compliment rather than an insult like Sam-

"I've got it!" Owen proudly held the page in the air as Noah pouted and crossed him arms, sinking further into his seat.

"Alright, so what are we going to spray paint?" I asked the boys.

"Something with a strong message?" Sam suggested and I tried not to roll my eyes. Mrs. Jeffrey just told us that's what she wanted, dummy.

"But what would that message be?" I rolled my eyes.

"Well, what do you want the piece to be about?" He retorted, picking up on my annoyance.

"I don't know!" I exclaimed, flailing my arms in the air and giving him a look of defeat.

"Chill, guys. It's just art," Noah tried to calm us and I gaped at him.

"Art is more than just 'art'," I snapped, causing his eyes to widen as he realized he just pissed me off, "there's always something more than what meets the eye. There's always a message."

"Then what will ours be?" Owen repeated the golden question.

"I don't know, why are you asking me?" I shouted, "this is a group project!"

"Everything alright?" Mrs. Jeffrey narrowed her eyes, rolling over to us and eyeing us all curiously.

"Yes," the four of us replied simultaneously.

She nodded slowly. "Okay then, I'll just leave you four..." We kept out eyes trained on her as she rolled away to another group before we all broke out into another argument.

"I can't do all the work!"

"You're so bossy!"

"It's not our fault we all have the gift of stupidity!"

"Seriously?" Sam demanded, "is this really that difficult?"

"Apparently," I hissed, giving the two other boys the Stink Eye.

"Just think of something and we'll find a way to make it meaningful, alright? Just chill, everyone." I rolled my eyes at his behavior. Who's he to tell me what to do? And why do these guys happen to be my friends?

"At least we're trying," I told him, "if you're so good, what ideas do you have?"

"We could basically do anything and Mrs. Jeffrey would call it deep," Owen muttered, earning a slap on the back of his head from Noah.

"Well, the only thing I can think of is maybe a girl or something passed out in a field of poppies." Sam suggested.

"Why?" I furrowed my brows..

He shrugged again. "I don't know. Poppies aren't always what they seem? Beauty on the outside, ugly on the inside?"

"Oh," I said, "that's not a horrible idea after all."

"That sounds like a good idea," Noah agreed.

"We didn't have any other ideas," Owen muttered, earning another slap on the head from Noah.

"So, is that our plan?" Sam asks.

"Not yet," I pressed with a sigh, "Let's just keep this at the back of our minds for now."

He nudged me, leaning over to whisper in my ear, "I'm smarter than you think," he gave me a playful wink.

"I have boyfriend," I snapped at him, and his mood went from cocky to pissed off.

"What did I do? Grope you? No. I didn't harass you or anything, and I didn't try to kiss you or flirt with you." He scoffed and looks away. "I feel bad for the poor guy you're with."

I growled at him and turned away, crossing my arms as I cursed me boyfriend for not showing up.