I pulled into the half-packed high school parking lot and parked in my assigned spot.  Most students didn't arrive until the last minute or late.  I can't do that.  I don't like to be rushed.  I made sure my blue parking permit was visible and grabbed my school ID.  I put the cigarettes and lighter in the center console.  I got out of the jeep and looked around.  No strange car.  I just shook it off as paranoia and turned toward the school.
As I walked in, a few students waived hello to me, and I returned it.  I have been told that my shyness comes off as not being very friendly, so I have been trying to make an effort lately.  It looks like my efforts are paying off.

I'm ten minutes early, according to the clock above my locker.  I took off my coat and hung it and my purse inside my locker.  I got out my supplies for my first two classes and put them in my yellow and black backpack.  I turned my phone to vibrate and put it in my pocket.

“Morning Jade!”  It was my best friend Brandi.  With long wavy black hair, an olive complexion, an athletic build, and big gorgeous brown eyes, Brandi was never hurting for attention.  “Good morning to you,” I replied, “how are you?”  “I'm great.  How are you?  How did you sleep?”  “I'm fine.  Sleep was about the same as usual,” I answered.  “I'm sorry to hear that.  Are the sleeping pills not helping?”  “I quit taking them.  They don't help me sleep much, and then they make me groggy during the day.  I’m kind of giving up on pills.”  “I'm really sorry, Jade.  Maybe you should just go back to the doctor.” “I'm kind of giving up on doctors too.”   Well, on a lighter note, have you seen the new guy yet?” she changed the subject.  “I didn't even know there was a new guy,” I answered.  “From what I heard he’s hot, and I can't wait to get a good look.”

Brandi knew everything about everyone.  If you wanted to hear the latest gossip, she was the one you went to.  She didn't create the gossip, but she sure liked to spread it.  I'm not really interested in the gossip.  I just like to watch her expressions and hear her excitement as she talks about it.  Her enthusiasm is contagious.

“What about Jeremy?” I asked.  Jeremy is her boyfriend of about two years.  She pouted at me, “it's just looking.  Besides, I'm not looking for me.  I'm looking for you.”  I rolled my eyes, “You can stop looking for me too.”  “Oh c'mon Jade, you would be so much happier if you had someone to cuddle up next to on those cold winter nights.  A sure date to dances.  Heck, a sure date every Friday night,” she begged, “please let me set you up just once.”  “I'm just not ready.  I don't go to dances anyway.”  “But maybe you would if you had a boyfriend. “  “I will think about it.” “Okay,” she dropped the subject.

The truth is, I have no interest in dating anyone I’ve met.  I am still waiting for Mr. Right to show up.  And if he never does show up, I am okay with that, too.  I haven't told Brandi this.  I don't think that she would understand.  Brandi hasn't gone without a boyfriend at least since junior high.  Me, I have never had a boyfriend and am quite alright with that.

I waited for her to get her supplies, and then we walked to our first hour class together.  I told her all about my strange morning, including my good-looking stalker.  “I guess you won't be coming over tonight.”  She looked a little disappointed.  “I promise to come over tomorrow.”

We had been planning for tonight all week.  We were just going to hang out, watch movies, and eat popcorn.
“I can't tomorrow.  I’m going out with Jeremy.”

“We will just plan for another night.  You know we will have two weeks off for winter break.”  The much anticipated winter break.  I have been waiting for it for several weeks now.  I look forward to nothing more than sleeping late every day.  That is about as ambitious as I get.  I might do some painting too.  I haven't even entered my studio for a while.   Most students are looking forward to going on a ski trip or going somewhere warm.  Not me.  I fully look forward to staying in my bed as much as possible.

We took our seats and waited for class to start.  “I know.  I was just really looking forward to some girl time.”  “I'm really sorry.”  I had been looking forward to it too.  I just wasn't sure how long the talk with Rosa and Jeffrey would last.  I guess I shouldn't be making plans with anyone.  I don't know if I will even be here to fulfill any of my obligations.

A petite, mousy, brunette Mrs. Green walked in, just as the tardy bell rang, escorting the new guy.  The new guy had short, curly black hair, an athletic body, and chiseled, god-like features.  “New student, everyone.” she announced, “This is Ethan. Take your seats, please.”  Ethan walked straight back towards me and took the empty desk in front of me.  He smelled as strong as he looked.  I couldn't place the cologne because I didn't keep up with those things, but I was fully convinced that no guy should wear it.  It was intoxicating.  It gave me a pounding headache and nausea.  I regretted my decision to try to tough it out.  I should have just gone back home.  I felt like I could go back to sleep.  Maybe I will.  I laid my head down on my desk using my arms as a cushion.  I turned my head to the right and noticed that Brandi and everyone near her were already asleep.  Someone even snored.  Why is everyone falling asleep?  I turned my head to the left.  It was the same.  Something is wrong.  I am so tired that I can't figure it out.

The phone on Mrs. Green's desk rang out a shrill sound, and my phone vibrated at the same time, waking me from my daze.  I sat straight up.  Mrs. Green sleepily answered her phone.  I checked my cell phone.  A message from Rosa is telling me to come straight home right now.  “Jade, you are needed in the office.” Mrs.  Green hung up the phone, sleepily, and laid her head back down on her desk.  I gathered my belongings and got up.  Everyone was asleep except for Ethan and I.

I got a prickly sensation all over my body.  It was definitely time to go.  Something wasn't right about Ethan.  I could feel his eyes watching me as I headed towards the classroom door.  “Wait up, Jade.”  He called when I was about half-way there.  “I have got to go,” I answered, picking up my pace.  Finally, out of the room, I shut the heavy door behind me.  I headed for my locker, which, all of a sudden, seemed as if it were miles away.  I could hear footsteps behind me.  I glanced back.  He was following me.  I sped up into a jog.  He grabbed my arm, with what felt like, a vise grip, and spun me around.  I dropped my backpack.  Wow, he's fast.   “What are you doing?  Let me go.” I yelled as he grabbed my other arm and  backed me up to the wall behind me.  I looked up at his face.  Oh, wow, his eyes!  They started off as dirt brown, then swirls of bright orange and banana yellow until they turned solid yellow, then swirls of black until they settled on jet black.  “Your eyes, “I whimpered, “what happened to them?”  “Just watch them.  See the colors change.”  They were changing to a dark forest green.

“Jade, is everything okay?” I looked to my left, relieved to see Jeremy, Brandi's boyfriend.  Ethan let out a low growl, turned abruptly, and walked back towards the sleeping class.  Jeremy picked up my backpack and came towards me.  It took me a minute to gain my bearings.  “Where are you going?  I will walk with you,” his concern was genuine.  “My locker, then the office.  I have to go home,” I answered, “I am so happy to see you.  I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come when you did.”  "Did he hurt you?  Are you okay?”  “I'm okay now.”  We reached my locker.  I put my backpack in and took out my coat and purse.  “Jeremy, could you go check on Brandi?  Ethan came into class, and somehow everyone except me and him fell asleep.  It was really weird.” “I will go do it right now if you are sure that you're okay.” “I am fine.  I'll catch up with you later, okay?” “Okay.”

I watched him half walk, half jog away until he was out of sight, then headed to the office, where the school secretary notified me that I'm needed at home.  Rosa had called them too.  I'm not sure what Rosa had told her, but the secretary acted like it was urgent, so I hurried to the exit.  After that experience with creepy Ethan, I was ready to leave anyway.  I just hope that Brandi is okay.  Hopefully, I can call her later tonight.

I exited the building, still weirded-out by Ethan, and headed straight for my Jeep.  Thinking about all of the crazy in my life right now, I wasn't really paying attention.  I dug my keys out of my pocket.  Something I started to do a while ago, keep my keys in one pocket and my phone in the other.  Just in case there is an emergency, like a school shooting.  That way, I can still make phone calls, and I can still drive, assuming that I can get to my car.  I looked up when I was almost to my Jeep to find a tall stranger leaning against it.

“Who are you?” I asked the man.  Easy on the eyes, by the way.  “Your guardian,” he replied, running his perfectly manicured fingers through his wavy, honey-colored locks.  What does that even mean?  Rosa and Jeffrey are my guardians.  “No you are not.  Please move.”  He didn't budge.  “I am just here to make sure you get home safe.  Hand me your keys.  I will drive you.” I stared at him, incredulous, “I am not getting into a car with a stranger!” “Fine.  I will follow you in my car.  Go straight home.”  “I plan on it.”  He turned and walked to, none other than the dark sedan that was following me on the way to school this morning.  So he is an attractive creep.

I unlocked my car and got in.  I started the engine and took a minute, while it warmed up, to rub my temples.  I could feel a headache brewing again.  I got out a cigarette and the lighter and put my car windows down all of the way.  I lit it inhaling deeply.  Sometimes, a cigarette will help with the headaches.  I should have worn the lucky socks today.  If I had, this crazy wouldn't be happening.  I have a feeling that things were only going to get worse.  It is the weirdest day ever, and it just started.

I heard a car horn beep from behind me somewhere.  Knowing that it was probably good-looking creep, annoyed, I sat and finished my cigarette.  He pushed on his horn louder and longer this time.  “Fine, geez,”  I decided I should probably go before he made more of a scene.  I tossed the cigarette, shifted the jeep into reverse, and backed out of my parking space.  Of course, there he was, in my rearview mirror waiting for me.  I shifted into drive, exited the parking lot, and headed home.

I guess I won't be waiting until after school to find out what is going on after all.