Piercing Chill
Chapter 3

I woke to a white ceiling and a bright light burning my eyes. I closedmy eyes immediately regretting opening them in the first place. I opened myeyes again, this time shielding them with my arm. Confusion hit me. Where wasI? I scanned my surroundings. Just like the ceiling, the walls were white andvery bright due to the added effect of the light bulb that shone above me. Aweak sunlight shone through the window on my left, not bright enough to lightup the room.

The warm smell of roses lingered in the air. A clock ticking soundedfrom my right. It was sitting on top of a small wooden side table, along with abanquet of red roses and a glass of water. Perspiration surrounded the glass,creating a small pool of water on the table. Two pills sat next to the pool ofwater, barely escaping from getting drowned.

My back wasinvoluntarily painful. I was lying on an uncomfortable, springy bed. I slowlysat up on the bed stretching my stiff back. A brown chair rested in the corneron my left. I had visited this place before, when Joanne, from my English classwas sick. It was the sickbay. Now the springs from the bed insulted my buttockswith their painful pressure. I understood why Joanne complained as soon as shegot out of the sickbay. The bed was painful to rest on.

I stood upfacing the window. I could see the Amoris mountain, small from a distance. Itmocked me as it stood tall without any worries in the world.

“Oh, you’re awake!” A voice jerked me frommy thoughts.

I whirled my head towards the voice clutching mychest. Miss Turner, the school nurse, walked gracefully through the entranceand made her way towards me. She was wearing a black pencil skirt accompaniedby a light blue blouse. I couldn’t comprehend how one could walk that gracefulin a pencil skirt. Her dark brown hair was tied up in a high ponytail, showingmore of her round face. She was a beautiful woman in her late twenties but shedidn’t look it. Boys were always swooning over her. Some even faked being sickas an excuse to see her. Silly boys.

I was surprised when she placed her warm hand on myhead but I didn’t react back. "I’m sorry to scare you dear. How are youfeeling?"

I felt a little dizzy, but the need to throw up wasgone.

"I'mfine." I lied. I did not want to stay in here or lie on that bed anylonger. I didn’t want to be in the same building as that man from last night. Washe stalking me now? To make sure that I did not tell anyone?

I sighed and placed my hand on my forehead. Iwilled myself not to think too much or else I was going to faint again, meaninga longer stay in this atrocious place. I smiled at Miss Turner as she watchedme curiously.

“Those areinteresting bruises on your shoulders.” She spoke after a few seconds of awkwardsilence.

Panicked and unconsciously, I grazed my fingersover the bruises before lifting my shirt over them. They were not burninganymore. I opened my mouth to speak but I closed it immediately. I had toformulate a reasonable answer.

“Is someonebullying you Mary-Kate?” Miss Turner softly spoke taking a few steps towardsme.

I took a few steps backwards as well and dropped mygaze to the ground. Yes! I wanted toshout, but the man’s words rang in my ears.

“You cantell me anything and whatever you tell me will remain only between us.” Shespoke when I didn’t reply. “You don’t have to tell me, make sure you tellsomeone though before it becomes too violent. I wouldn’t want to see you hurt.”

I sure hoped it wasn’t going to become moreviolent. I glanced up at her face. Her face moulded into a worried expression.

“So, doyou have a headache or pain anywhere else?” She asked retrieving a pack ofpainkillers from her baby blue dress shirt pocket. She picked up the nearlydrowning tablets off the side table and threw them into the small binpositioned next to the door.

I shook my head as I followed her every move. Athought came in my head when she glanced my way. How long had I been in thesickbay anyway?

"Youhave been out for about an hour." Miss Turner said, as if she read mymind.

One hour? I had never fainted before in my life.This was really new to me. Whatwas happening to me?Maybe I was getting a cold or maybe I hadlow iron. No, my iron couldn’t be the reason. I donated blood about two monthsago and everything was fine. All the possibilities I was making up made my headspin even more. I decided to sit back on the springy bed. This time however, Ididn’t feel the springs digging into my buttocks.

"DidTina bring me here?" I asked. Miss Turner looked down at me with hergrey-caring eyes as she sauntered to the other side of the bed.

"Yes,she left though, to go to class. But your boyfriend stayed." Miss Turnersmiled, scrapping some dried flower petals off the side table.

"Myboyfriend?" I asked in disbelief.

I had never had a boyfriend and I was certain Ididn’t have a boyfriend before I fainted. Had I been asleep for a long time? Oreven worse, was I in another universe? I shook my head at my thoughts. Myimagination was running wild again.

"Yes.What was his name again?" Miss Turner whispered tapping her chin. “Ah, hisname is Jason.” She continued detaching the perspiring glass from the sidetable top leaving an even bigger pool of water than before.

"Who?"I asked the name not ringing a bell.

"Judgingby your expression, he is not your boyfriend.” She paused, I shook my head. “Iassumed he is your boyfriend, since he is the one who carried you here." Sheinformed me making her way out of the room. I could hear the running of thewater from the other room.

Wow, that Jason kid must have been pretty amazing.He carried me all the way here from the cafeteria despite my thick thighs? Ihad to meet this Jason kid and thank him.

“By theway, I’ve called your mother to pick you up. School finishes in about twentyminutes so I didn’t see the point of you staying here.” Me neither. “She should be here in the next five minutes or so.”She stated making her way back into the room with a fresh glass in her hand.

“Ok.” Ireplied and then a thought came in my head, “You didn’t tell her about this,did you?” I asked motioning to my shoulders.

Miss Turner smiled before reassuring me with aquick No. I returned her smile andpicked myself up from the bed.

“Thankyou.” I whispered before making my way out of the sickbay. I picked my bag,which was perched on one of the chairs by the sickbay door but outside the roomI was just in.

I searched my memory for anyone named Jason in myschool as I waited for my mother to come and pick me up. But, no one came inmind.

That night I was awaken by scrapping sounds comingfrom my window. It was really windy and I could hear the whistling of the windas it squeezed through the window. However, it wasn’t the whistling of thewindow that made my heart skip a beat. The scrapping sound continued. There wasa tree behind my room but I was sure its branches weren’t long enough to scrapmy bedroom window.

I lifted the duvet off my body and hesitantly mademy way towards the window. I could see the silhouette of the dancing branchesoutside my window. It was full moon, hence why I could see the dark profile ofthe branches. I grazed my hand over the curtain, my heartbeat picked up. Iquestioned my usual calm manner. I took a deep breath before taking a handfulof curtain and yanking it to the left. There was nothing there. The brancheswere far away from my bedroom window. I sighed in relief. I must have imaginedit. A soft chuckle escaped my lips. However, it was short lived when I saw somethingmove in my vision. A shadow was plastered below the tree. It wasn’t the tree’sshadow. I followed the shadow until I saw a dark figure by the tree trunk. I squintedmy eyes to get a better look. The figure wasn’t well blended with the treetrunk. Panic settled in my stomach. Was it that man again? Was he stalking me?I glanced at my bedroom door before turning my attention back to the darkfigure.

It was gone.

I gasped before closing the curtains behind me. HadI imagined the whole thing? I clutched my racing heart in hope to slow it down.I made it back to my bed and slid underneath the duvet eyeing the window scaredthe dark figure was going to pop up behind the curtains. I closed my eyeshoping the image would go away.

When I arrivedat school the next day I was keen to replace out who this Jason kid was. Isprinted towards Tina when I saw her by her locker.

“Tina.” Iblurted, out of breath when I arrived at her locker.

"Mary!”She boomed before embracing me into a tight hug. She checked me over forwounds, cuts or anything that could have been out of place and finally my face."How are you feeling babe?"

"I'mfeeling fine." I reassured before she crushed the breath out of me again.

"You knowyou scared me! You just fell in front of my face, and I didn’t even know whatto do. And when I went to the sickbay to check on you after school, the nursetold me you already went home. How come you didn’t call me, or text me atleast?" Tina finished, breathing heavily from the monologue she justperformed.

"I'msorry." I apologised with a pout on my lips.

"It'sfine. As long as you're fine, I'm happy with that."

I opened mymouth to speak but was interrupted by Craig’s voice calling my name. I turnedaround and Craig was taking long strides towards me, his face masked with worry.Before I could say hi to him, he embraced me into a tight hug nearly knockingme off my feet. I tensed a bit at this sudden closeness. He immediatelyreleased me and scanned every inch of my body just like Tina, before speakingagain.

“What happened?Are you ok?” Craig asked question after question. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there tocatch you. I was worried the whole night wondering how you were. Never do thatagain, promise me.” He finished breathing heavily.

I smiled at him,“I promise.”

It was a goodfeeling having someone worry about me. I turned towards Tina, the same questionstill burning my insides.

"Whathappened yesterday after I fainted?" I queried Tina and waited impatientlyfor her answer.

She glanced atCraig then back at me before whispering, "You collapsed and Mr yummy-somecaught you before you hit the ground." Tina winked at me with a smirk onher face.

"Mryummy-some?" Craig and I asked in unison. I guess she didn’t reallywhisper.

"Yeah. Theguy I told you about yesterday during lunch. Jason."

I felt Craigtense next to me. However, I ignored him and concentrated on Tina’s story.

"Oh yes, Iremember. The guy you said is from Romania or something like that?" Iasked remembering.

"Yes!"Tina squealed smiling really big.

“And his nameis Jason?" I questioned desperate for answers.

Before shecould reply, Craig announced, “I have to go.” He whirled around before we couldprotest.

“What’s wrongwith him?” Tina questioned eyeing Craig retreating away from us. However,something seemed to have slowed him down. He came to a halt before lifting hishead. I glanced at Tina and she shared the same confused expression.

“Isn’t that Jasoncoming from the crowd?” Tina pointed towards the crowd of students who wereslowly retreating to the sides making way for the Jason. Curious I moved closerto the crowd to glance at the boy that had made Amoris High worship him.

A boy with darkhair that was styled in the most beautiful way I have ever seen – long in frontbut wavy towards the right and shorter at the sides – walked towards us. Thishairstyle suited him very well unlike other guys that I had seen with a similarhairstyle. He walked with purpose, never flattering in his steps. How come Ididn’t notice the night he attacked me?

Thenrealisation hit me. Was HE Jason? Mysmile immediately disappeared. The closer he got to me the more I becamenervous. He lifted his head when he saw Craig standing in front of himmotionless. He slowed down and smiled mischievously. I thought he was going tohit him or start a fight but he cropped Craig’s shoulder and continued on hisway. However, Craig grabbed his hand and dragged my pursuer back into hissight. I could see annoyance taking over my pursuer’s face. Did these two knoweach other from somewhere? How did a guy like Craig keep company such as thatman in his life?

Craig turnedhis head towards my stalker’s ear and said something. I saw my stalker’s lipsmould into a smile before locking his eyes on me. My heart skipped a beat. Ifelt like turning away and running for my dear life, but just like that night,my feet were glued to the ground. Instead, I just stood there watching him jerkhis arm free from Craig before continuing towards us in slow-motion.

He held mybrown eyes with his deep and icy blue ones. My heartbeat increased. His smirkdoubled as if he sensed the increase in my heartbeat. He probably could see itconsidering the way he was looking at me. I willed myself to turn away but Icouldn’t. I hoped that he wasn’t walking towards me. However, he got closer andcloser, still holding my gaze.

I praised theLord when he passed by me and didn’t stop. As soon as he was out of my view, Ifelt myself take a huge breath. I coughed as the air burned my throat. Craigquickly whirled around and he was by my side in a second.

“What was that?” Tina gestured pinching meon the arm. “You just let him pass.”

“What?” I asked out of breath trying to makemy bearings.

“That is Jason, stupid.” Tina said pointingbehind her. “You just stood there drooling like some fan girl.”

If only sheknew.

“That guy is the one who caught Mary-Kateand carried her to the sickbay?” Craig interrogated Tina.

“Yes.” Tina glanced at Craig then at me witha confused expression on her face. “What’s going on?” She questioned probablyseeing our facial expressions.

I’m sure terrorwas written all over my face. I didn’t know what Craig’s deal with that man,Jason, was but he held an expression of anger. I feared he was going to turninto an incredible hulk any minute.

I peeked overTina’s shoulder at the man, Jason. He was putting books into his locker,looking like any normal teenage kid. His hair fell over his eyes and he flippedit back into place. I bit my lip. That would have stirred a lot of impishthoughts in my head if I didn’t fear him. He looked like a model in the middleof a school themed photo-shoot. Why didGod give beautiful looks to those who had wicked thoughts? His black t-shirtand faded jeans radiated player as well as a big sign that shouted at me to noteven think about getting myself involved with him any further.

“Since none of you are replying me, I’mguessing both of you have either fallen for his looks or you share somethingthat I don’t know.” Tina’s words brought me back to reality.

“What? No.” I cried shaking her. “Please,tell me that’s not the person who caught me and carried me to the sickbay.Please, tell me he isn’t Jason.” I whispered the last sentence, desperate tohear sweet news in my eyes.

Tina glanced atme then at Craig as if to say put some sense back into her. I gazed at Craig,he was still eyeing Jason. I could see that he was clenching his teeth becauseof the tense in his jaw muscles. The furry in his eyes was terrifying. Hisusual amber eyes had a tint of red in them.

“Craig.” I shook him out of his trance. Hecasted his eyes down at me. “Are you ok?”

He cleared histhroat before excusing himself. I traced him until he disappeared at the end ofthe hallway.

“What’s wrong with him?” Tina asked againeyeing Craig as he retreated away from us.

I shook my headbefore turning my gaze towards Jason. I still couldn’t believe my eyes. Howcould the guy who attacked me no longer than forty-eight hours be standing onlya few metres away from me looking like a normal teenage boy. Was it just methat he had frightened? Because everyone else looked at him in admiration.

Jason turnedhis head towards me as if he felt my gaze. His smirk tripled. He was enjoyingterrorising me. His vivacious eyes and smile made me swallow the lump that Ihadn’t realised had formed in my throat. I looked away from him, scared of whathe could do to me just with that gaze. I rubbed my shoulders involuntarily.They weren’t burning like yesterday, but I’m sure they were glowing.

“I don’t care what Craig shares with MrYummy-some but you have to thank him.” I didn’t respond. “What are you waitingfor?” Tina shook me out of my trance. “You should go and thank him.” Tinanudged me towards Jason’s locker.

“No!” I shouted making heads turn my way.“No.” I repeated in a hushed tone.

“Look, you’re making a fool out ofyourself.” Tina criticized. “You should thank him. If it wasn’t for him yourhead would’ve cracked open in the middle of the cafeteria and I wouldn’t havebeen able to carry you all the way to the sick bay. No offence.”

A little voicespoke in my head; He should’ve let mecrack my head open rather than terrorising me.

Was this hisway of gaining my affection? Did he think such a simple act of saving my headfrom cracking open would instantly make me become fond of him?

I scoffedbefore turning towards Tina. She stood frozen, her mouth gaped and gaze towardsJason. I turned my head where her scrutiny was directed. I too mirrored herexpression. Brittany the school head cheerleader was all over Jason. Shetwirled her perfectly manicured finger around her golden blonde hair. She slappedhis chest playfully giggling at something. He seemed to be enjoying this act offlirting because he grinned before whispering something in her ear making hergiggle even more.

Tina scoffednext to me. I knew what she was thinking. New meat in town is what Brittanylived for. How come she didn’t have the same intuition with Craig? Had he rejectedher?

The first bellrang. I didn’t react still shocked at the revelation before me. I watched Jasonsnake his hand around Brittany’s waist before turning away from us.

"C'mon,let's go." Tina said pulling my hand. I could hear the venom in her words.

I internallythanked her act because I could have stayed there until they were out of mysight. Some part of me worried about Brittany’s safety but my seventh gradeself made me think otherwise. We went for cheerleading tryouts together and shehad made sure I knew that every part of my body wasn’t cut out to be on thecheerleading team. Ever since she had been reminding me almost everyday.Therefore, she didn’t deserve my pity.

I followedTina. I was glad she chose the opposite way to which Brittany and her new toywere going. Unfortunately, Tina hadHealth and I had Chemistry. We parted our ways when we were at the end of thehallway.

I picked up mypace and arrived at my class just before the second bell went. Everyone wasalready in their seats but still chatting to their friends. I scanned thefamiliar faces in front of me until my eyes landed on a face that has hauntedme for the past two days. Fear struck me in my heart. There was Jason sitting ona chair behind mine, relaxed as if he owned the place. When he saw me he beamed.It was as if to say, I am watching your every move.