1

1,2

1,2,3

1,2,3,4

Only 4 pills left, which isn't good since I have to take 3 pills a day, 1 at each meal. By tomorrow morning I'll be done. I'm going to need a refill, something that I tend to dread because Mom and Dad usually get upset when I tell them at the last second.

Sighing, I put 3 of the small, yellow pills into a sandwich-size plastic bag, and slip the bag into my backpack. Then swinging the backpack over my shoulder, I head downstairs for breakfast.

Josh is already sitting at the island munching and crunching on a bowl of cornflakes. I ignore him as I walk over to the fridge, and choose some yogurt resting on the shelf. Mom enters the kitchen just as I slide on the stool furthest from Josh.

"Good morning," she says cheerfully.

I don't give Josh the chance to reply. "I need a refill," I spit out as fast as I can. "Can you please get me one?"

Mom's eyes are now solely on me. "Yes, of course. Do you have the pills for today?"

I nod.

"Ok, good. So it's not a big emergency. God willing I'll be able to go pick them up later. Thanks for letting me know."

I expect her mouth to be in a straight, tight line, but she didn't get upset. It's a miracle. Relaxed, I release the death grip on my spoon and begin to eat my yogurt.

Josh starts up a conversation with Mom about the new extracurricular class which is supposed to begin this week. As of yet, no one knows what it is though. I'm hoping it's archery, but that's just wishful thinking.

Finished with my breakfast, I toss the empty yogurt into the trash can and begin to head out.

"Shelby?"

I glance back at Mom.

"No goodbye?"

"Goodbye Mom, have a good day."

"Thank you, you too. Make sure to pay attention in class."

My 2 eyes roll at her. "Always." Then those 2 eyes are settling on Josh, who's doing a terrible job hiding his smirk. "See you at school." I give him a smirk of my own before sauntering out of the room.

***

Adrian is silent, though his footfalls are as heavy as an elephant's.

"Why so quiet?" I ask.

"Bad headache," is his reply. "By any chance are you carrying any Advil on you today?"

Adrian knows that I carry a portable pharmacy in my backpack at all times and he's still asking. Dumbo.

"Hold on," I say.

Coming to a stop, I slip off my backpack and balancing it on 1 knee unzip the zipper, searching around for the little sandwich bag marked in black permanent marker--- Advil.

It takes me some time to find it, but when I do, I hand the bag over to Adrian who gives me a weak smile and a thanks before taking 1 of the capsules.

I watch him swallow it dry and suddenly remember that I forgot to take my own meds.

Crap.

Adrian watches me as I pull out my bag of pills and I can't help the heat rising to my cheeks. "Forgot to take my meds," I explain. He knows that I have a high prescription, what he doesn't know is what it is for; to keep me sane.

I struggle with the grip of my backpack and the small plastic bag containing my precious pills.

"Here let me get that." Adrian takes my backpack.

"Thanks." I smile, taking 1 of the yellow pills and chugging it down with a sip from my water bottle.

Adrian steps behind me, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck as he pushes my hair aside to slip the heavy backpack onto my back. "Anytime," he exhales, not moving as his hands rest above the shoulder straps, holding me in place.

"Adrian," I whisper, wishing I could read the thoughts running through his head. "What's wrong?"

His chin buries itself in my hair. "Nothing, I just need a minute."

So I allow him to hold me close, hoping that maybe, just maybe he'll finally open up.

He doesn't say a thing.

We stay like this for a few minutes, until he releases his hold on me and takes a step back.

"Feeling better?" I ask.

"A little, thanks."

I slide my hand into his, curling 5 fingers around 5 fingers---10. Infinite. "Ready to move on?"

He nods.

Hand in hand we continue our walk to school.

***

There's a commotion going on in the parking lot. A commotion that mostly consists of girls. Adrian steers us away from the crowd, headed for the school doors, and I can't help myself from looking back.

What caught everyone's attention is a bright red motorcycle--- and who caught everyone's attention is the boy sitting on it--- Levi. I can't help myself from watching along with all the others as he takes off his black helmet and tosses those dark locks out of his eyes.

"Seriously?" I tear my eyes away from Levi and his flashy motorcycle to focus on Adrian who has spoken.

"Hmmm..."

He's watching me with pained eyes. "I can't believe my girlfriend is checking out the new boy just like one of those single ladies..."

I'm taken aback at first, but finally, the words come to me and I give him partially the truth... "Hey, hey, hey don't jump to any conclusions, Big A. I just wanted to see what was happening and all I was checking out was his motorcycle. I think it's flippin cool and that you should get one."

"A motorcycle? My dad will never hear of it."

"Why ask your father beforehand? Who cares what he says. You can make your own life choices, can't you?"

"Yes, but anyway I don't want one. What I really want is a sports car."

I smile. "That's pretty cool too."

"Yeah," he says with a frown still on his face as he pushes the school's doors open and steps inside. I follow close behind him, leaving Levi and his motorcycle far behind us.

Pickensville is a small town where everyone knows each other. With these grand entrances that Levi keeps on doing, I'm sure real soon the whole town will know who he is. So if I were him, I'd cut it out before any rumors start.

***

Rumors have been going around, leaving through 1 mouth, being heard by 2 ears, the process being repeated over and over and over again. 'Have you seen the new boy? He rides a motorcycle and wears a leather jacket... I'm sure it means he's in some gang. Maybe that's what brought him to Pickensville, he's trying to escape some dark past.'

Rumors are ridiculous. Especially the ones going around about Levi.

Poor guy should pack his things and leave town before they get any worse.

"It's Shelby, am I right?"

I close my locker to see the boy who's filling up my thoughts at the moment watching me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Yes," is all I say as I hug my books close to my chest.

I didn't hear the rumors flitting around this brick school building like a buzzing bee that's trapped within these walls. Neither am I thinking, make that deeply thinking if they are true. Are they? Do you wear a leather jacket because you are in a gang? Are you trying to escape some dark past? Oh and are you by any chance a model for Levi's jeans and that's why you go by the name of Levi?

His deep, husky voice brings me away from my wandering thoughts. "Well then Shelby, do you mind showing me how to use this thing?" He gestures to the combination lock on his locker and I can't help myself from staring at the gold skull ring on his middle finger. It's so daring, I want one. Though I would wear it on my ring finger, not the middle. "Hello Shelby, you there?"

I focus on Levi, who's now waving that hand with the ring before my face.

"Oh yeah, sure, uh... what's your combination number?"

He chuckles. "Planning on stealing my precious belongings?"

"Uh no... Didn't you want my help with opening the lock?"

"Yeah."

"So? The combination, I kind of need it in order to help."

"I see." And then he's leaning in so close, I can smell the cigarette smoke on his breath; my body tensing as his lips tickle my ear. "It's 56360. Now, this number stays between us both. I don't need all your gal friends going through my stuff--- understand?"

I nod. "Wasn't planning on sharing it with anyone anyways."

He says nothing, just watches me set the digits up in order and push down on the lock making it pop open with a soft click.

"And that's all you have to do," I say. "It's not too difficult."

"I believe I got it. Thank you."

I finally meet his eyes, noticing that they are the color of a steel gun: metallic gray. "You're welcome." Then with my books piled up in my arms, I begin to head off to class.

"Shelby?"

I glance over my shoulder to see Levi trailing after me, balancing his books with 1 hand. "Mind showing me where I could find the biology lab?"

Seems like there's no way to get rid of him. Pesky rodent.

So I plaster a smile onto my face and say, "I'm headed there now. Follow me."

***

Of course, Levi becomes my lab partner.

I try to focus on the dark strand of hair under the microscope, but can't since the strong smell of smoke and men's cologne is tickling my nostrils. My eyes settle on Levi annoyed. Why does he have to sit so close? He's seriously smothering me.

"Something wrong?" His eyes take in my face, obviously noticing the frown.

"I can't concentrate," I admit.

He raises a dark eyebrow. "And why is that?"

I glance down, fixing my gaze on one of the green tiles. "You're sitting too close... I need my space to focus."

"Ok. I'll go move myself to the corner. Is that far enough?" His metallic-gray eyes glimmer with mischief. He's teasing me and I guess I don't blame him for doing so. What I said was stupid, but I really can't focus with him sitting so close, so it had to be said.

"Forget about it," I say, looking back into the microscope, trying to focus. This time it isn't his presence that's bothering me, but the fact that I just showed him that I'm sort of crazy.

He's the new boy who knows nothing about me besides my name, and now I ruined that.

Angry at myself, I push the microscope toward Levi. "Here you take your turn, I'm going to excuse myself to the bathroom."

He says nothing as I stand up and walk off, my hands clenching and unclenching 1 time. 2 times. 3 times--- all the way to the girls' bathrooms.

***

2 yellow-green eyes stare back at me. I blink and they blink. 1 time. 2 times. 3 times. I look away and they're gone. I glance back and once again they are watching me. Big. Wide. Analyzing.

Exhaling, I lean my forehead against the cool glass, my 10 fingers curled around the sink's faucets, water trickling.

I squeeze my eyes shut, my reflection disappearing.

I'm scared to go back to class. I'm scared to face Levi. I'm scared that he'll see through my act. And mostly I'm scared that he'll judge me, that he'll call me crazy.

The door creaks, and my eyes fly open as I push myself away from the mirror and sink.

"Shelby..." Ellie is staring at me, her eyes analyzing me, the same way my reflection was moments ago. "Is everything alright?"

Force a smile. Show her that all is good. Flash those pearly white teeth... I do, smiling big. "Yeah. Something I ate made me sick, so I left class for a bit."

"Oh, stomach pains are the worse. Want Pepto-Bismol? I have some."

I give her another smile. "Thanks, but I have some too."

"Oh, ok... well I hope you feel better soon."

"Thanks."

She grins, before walking into one of the stalls. I wait the 2 and a half minutes for her to use it and wash her hands, sending the sweet scent of berry hand soap through the bathrooms.

"I'll see you around," she then says, walking out and closing the poorly painted baby-pink door behind her.

With her gone, I sink down onto the floor, my back against the tiled wall, and my knees hugged to my chest.

I don't return to class.