Chapter 3

He woke to the sound of a screaming alarm clock, that black morning. It's painful racket echoed in sharp waves into his dreams. Dazed, he knocked the alarm off his dresser in weary attempts to end the audible irritation. First day of high school tomorrow. He spent Sunday at his grandmothers. Boy, be careful, there's whores there. He brought forth a deep giggle and ran his lean fingers through jet black hair. It was naturally straight and a little past his ears. All he bore was skin. A very thin boy. It was bizarre as a child, however now, he had a muscular tone. And he was tall. Scratching 6 feet perhaps.

    He pulled clothes on his grown body. Faded out jeans fitting fairly tight, grey shirt, and black zip up sweater with an erected collar. He looked in the mirror. Seeing his reflection was a fascinating experience for Kaden. This was him. This was what people saw. Greasy haired boy drooping over his eyes. The clothes no more contemporary than the rags he wore the previous year. But this was a new start.

"Hey Kade." He mother was downstairs on the kitchen table. Clean teeth and a radiant glow. She was better now. No more smoking. Her voice was clear. She was in school now. The irony is she majored in English.

"Morning Mom." The two embraced.

"Well, you all ready my big boy?"

Kaden giggled. "Yeah I'm all ready."

"Car." Kaden need not ask questions. The day's events were planned in his head. They traveled familiar roads in the new vehicle. Its red paint still reflected the scrutiny of bystanders. Into the city they trekked, and soon pulled up to the building he had toured and multiple occasions. It was tall, 10 floors maybe. Not a typical high school.

"Well, this is where I stop." Mother smiled. Kaden clicked open the door.

"Goodbye." He said with a sense of preparation. She gave her farewells and drove off. He cleared his throat. Alone. The only possessions were his knapsack and the clothes he carried. He was excited nevertheless. He could run into the forest of buildings stretching to blue, but he had no desire to such.

 

This was his grand entrance. Straight shoulders, puffed chest, he was ready. The orientations had taught him the routine. Ride elevators up, walk in, wait in the cafeteria until dismissed to class. He snapped his fingers as the pulley beeped passing floors. 5, this was it. Doors slid open and he walked through. He popped with each step. It was a long hallway to the cafeteria. Lots of people socialized in it. Kaden did not stop. Somber eyes followed while he gave a satisfied smirk. He was in.

Kaden could not help but feel disenchanted. The soon to be students gave him but a glance at most. He sat at an empty table in the corner and soaked in his shame. The smells of body odor and marijuana saturated the air. If it pleased him, Kaden could get a nice scan of the majority of the girl's breasts. He hated them. Den, da disease came, on us, on da city. Now, der be more smoke then air tuh breathe, more whores then mothers.

Slender arms moved down his shoulders and caressed his chest. He closed his eyes in ecstasy.

"Willow." He whispered.

"Hey Kade." A kiss on the cheek. He stood and turned to the cryptic lover. Her skin was tinted with yellow and her eyes were faintly accented with Asian heritage. Her hair was black and shiny. Her smell gave him a feeling as if his chest was filling with fluid. He wrapped his arms around her and took a deep inhale. She laid her head on his chest.

"Missed you." She sighed.

"Me too." He opened his eyes. There sat Liam. He watched with apathy defiled eyes. Liam and Willow both come from his preceding school. Liam despised Kaden. He could feel the tension when Liam was behind him. Taste the hatred. God knows for what reason. He had suspicions that Liam and Willow had a past. He didn't care. She was his now.

-Jake T. Edmunds