Chapter 2(My 2nd novel): I knew you were trouble

I knew you were trouble

Ten more minutes.

Ten more minutes and it will all be over.

The clock at the top of the blackboard keeps ticking. Why is it taking so long?  Why does time seems to move slowly when I don’t want it to. Is this what they call Karma? No, I’m pretty sure Karma had nothing to do with time.

I can’t believe I’ve slept for an hour in class. Well, I did finish the pop quiz earlier than most of them. Of course AP statistics is hardly a challenge.

Heck even if I did finish it earlier, Mr. Robert didn’t seem happy about it.

It’s not my fault that I’m smart. Just because I’m smarter than most of his students, wouldn’t that make him at least a little bit proud to be my teacher? No.

All of the teachers have decided that I would be another one of those smarty brain brats that doesn’t respect their teachers.

My name is Jacob G. Alabaster and I’m a 10^th grader.

Mr. Roberts was standing in front of his desk arms-crossed and looking directly at me. Another bad reason why I shouldn’t be sleeping in his class.

Why did I choose to sit at the front row? In front of the teacher’s desk to top that up. It’s all because I wanted to learn better. Once again, the teachers took it like a challenge on their superiority.

At least Mr. Robert is the nicest of all of them. He is actually a cool teacher outside of class.

Mr. Robert pulled his sleeve to look at his watch. He raised his eyebrows, obviously unsatisfied about something again as he swoop his black hair with his right hand.

He always wears sweaters and jeans no matter what the season. As cool of a teacher he is, that’s his only downside though people his age would consider him handsome. If you add up the fact that he’s a middle-aged guy then you would conclude that he have a mid-life crisis.

Mr. Robert sighed and he started moving. He is doing his usual checking-up routine. It’s this one thing where he’ll round the class, no big deal, to see who’ve finished and who haven’t except for the fact he’ll make sure that everyone finishes even if it took hours before picking up the papers.

I still remember this one time where he made us stayed in class for an additional two hours after school ended just so that one dud could finish his pop quiz.

Sometimes I wonder doesn’t he have a life?

I turn my head to my right towards the door. Through the glass of the old brown oak door, I could see 3 sets of eyes peeping through.

My friends were already here.

My heart is pounding hard just seeing them.

Mr. Robert suddenly cleared his throat. Louder than expected I suppose. Well, he must have spotted my friends outside.

“Despite the enthusiasm of celebrating someone’s birthday and also the loyalty of waiting for a friend,” Mr. Robert looks straight at me as he said those words. “I do not appreciate students spying on my class”

The class started to stifle a laugh. I lowered my head down so that no one could see my red face.

Mr. Robert always loves being the one in control. It somehow gave him contempt the way students would fear him. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great guy but it’s just that the students would know when not to cross him.

He stood in front of his desk again, arms still crossed. His nose twitches. That’s the sign. He would always twitch his nose if class is nearly over.

“All right students” his voice loud “Please submit your paper on the desk before you leave.”

I was the first to stand, impatient to get out of this place. I put my paper on the desk and rushed for the door. 

My hand just touched the steel cold doorknob when Mr. Robert called me.

“Mr. Alabaster.” His voice startled me. I froze in my spot and turned around. “Happy Birthday.” He smiled at me.

I rushed outside to meet my friends but as soon as I stepped out, they were no longer there.

That was weird

Someone suddenly grabbed me by the back and held me tight. With another hand, he knuckled my hair.

He leaned himself closer to my ears and whispered, “Looking for us?”

I know that melodious soft voice anywhere. “Nick, come on man,” I said slipping his arms off me “That’s enough before people starts to question our sexuality”

He let go of me and bowed “Sir Nicholas Vasquez at your service B-Boy” He raised his head and I could see him grinning sheepishly.

Nick is a handsome guy is what girls would put it. He is a real life muscular hot Latino super model with spiky black hair and deep brown eyes that were so intent. He was wearing a plain grey T-shirt as if to show off his muscular body and a pair of blue jeans.

Unlike him, I am a scrawny lean guy, not skinny, and I would give anything to have some meat like Nick. My hair is also black but it is wavy in a kind of neat way that is longer on the frontal right side of my head and I have grey eyes. Don’t ask.

I've learned that people only have blue or brown eyes, and green sometimes but ever grey. My brother use to joke about it saying that our ancestors ware ghosts.

The Alabaster’s family trait.

“Where are the others?”I asked. I was sure that I saw the three of them here.

“Looking for us?” A girl spooked me from the back. I would have screamed halfway through my lungs if it weren't for Nick suddenly covering my mouth with his hand.

“Totally no one would ever question your sexuality Jake.” Sam giggled.

She was wearing her favorite Black shirt with ‘Death to Cheerleaders’ written in bold pink letters. Her shoulder length brown hair was kind of choppy and uneven and her blue eyes staring right at me.

Standing next to her was another friend of ours, Ryan. He’s the perfect kind of rich guy every girl would dream off. Those sexy Irish accent, handsome face, perfect white teeth, curly red hair and sparkling green eyes can easily sweep girls of their feet. Don’t get me started on his build. Though he’s nowhere close to Nick’s muscular figure, he still has more meat than I do.

Today he’s being modest by wearing a normal plain white T’s covered with his favorite green jacket and a pair of jeans.

He would normally wear expensive clothes. One of the benefits of being rich I suppose.

“Are we or are we not going to the diner?” Ryan asked. “Or rather are we going to stay here and questions everyone sexuality?”

“It’s not my fault I’m irresistible. People can’t stand my Latino heat” Nick teases.

Sam could no longer hold it as she let herself loose and laugh like her stomach was about to burst.

I grunted and turned around, “Fine, come on then” Nick joined me as Sam and Ryan both jogged behind us.

As we walked towards the diner, we enjoyed the refreshing urban scenery and the clear blue autumn sky. The warm shining sun felt warm as it touches my skin. Here in Seattle, we learn to enjoy the sun as the weather here are quite unpredictable and when it rains, it rains heavily.

The birds are chirping and the breeze was just perfect. Cold with a touch of warmth as it touches your skin alongside the smell of dried leaves.

I felt like I was in a classic 80’s movie where the guy is having a perfect day before someone decided to toy with his fate.

“Have you called your bro and tell him we’re celebrating your B’day outside?” Nick asked.

“Sure, of course I did.” I assured him “Luke even said he’s going to allow me to stay up late since it’s my birthday”

 I didn’t want to tell them the whole story about my fight with Luke. He insisted on me celebrating at home with family. However, after an hour or so arguing he finally subdued. Well, that’s just because he got a business call out of the blue and couldn’t be home early.

Ryan sighed. “That’s so awesome. My parents won’t even allow me to go out on a date without supervision let alone celebrate my birthday outside.”

“Not all of us are rich and famous” Sam complained.

We all laughed as Ryan’s face turned red. It was a barrel of fun making fun of him. You can’t actually blame him for being loaded. It’s just so happens that his parents are both in the movie business and they’re successful.

As we walked, Sam and Nick keep on making fun of Ryan where as I reflected on my fight with Luke.

I felt bad really. It’s been 10 years since my parent’s death. I was 6 and was still young but my brother he was old enough to take care of both of us. He was only 18 and he had to quit school and started working to take care of the both of us. Eventually he started working as a normal part time chef at a luxury restaurant and ended up being the owner after earning the trust of the previous owner.

“Hey, Jakey.” Nick waved his hands in front of me. “Are you coming or not?”

I snapped out and quickly rushed after them into the diner. The diner we’ve been talking about is called Russell’s. It’s a normal everyday diner. Normal posters of old movies sticking up on the wall, normal cashier, normal employees, the same old one in fact for the past couple of years, and same normal plastic chairs and metal tables. The only special thing about it is that we have been here since we were very young and they make a batch of killer nachos.

This is where we first met.

I opened the door and today it was empty. That’s weird. Usually this diner would be full around the clock.

I took a seat nearby the counter. Sam sat down facing me with while Ryan and Nick ordered up.

Sam just smiled at me with her chin rested on both of her hands as she stared at me with those blue eyes of her.

“Maybe this is not the birthday you imagined” Sam started.

“Nah, it is perfect” I cut her off. I took both of her hands tightly in mine and gave her a reassuring nod.

“It’s by far the nicest thing anyone had ever done to me.”

A sudden chill went down my spine like an instinct telling me to run away as trouble is coming close. The door to the diner opened and four men entered and sat down at the table closest to the door. Why do I have such a bad feeling? They were just normal men wearing sweaters and jeans. One of the guys took out a long object the size of one of those baton things that cheerleaders use. I didn’t know what it was because it was covered in black leather cloth. Ok, normal men wearing sweaters and jeans and carrying a long… stick?

“How long are you guys going to hold hands like that?” Ryan asked holding a tray of nachos and sodas. He looked a little bit agitated. Nick came by with another tray of a huge chocolate cake and laid them in front of me. I’ve always found chocolate to be some sort of a comfort food?

I tried to poke the cake with my finger when Ryan slapped my hand.

“Ouch!” I complained while blowing my hand. Ryan is pretty strong for a lean guy.

Ryan gave me a cold stare like the one that said, try if you dare kind of stare.

“Don’t you dare” Ryan said as he took a seat next to Sam. “It’s not sanitary.” He still looked at me like he was deciding to slap me again or not.

“I’ll go and get the knife.” Nick said as he turned around and head for the counter again.

“So.” I could sense something tense from Ryan when he said those words. “What would you like for a present?” He smiled. That was a relieved. For a second there, I thought he was about to scold me about holding hands with Sam just now.

Don’t get me wrong, Sam is a beautiful girl but it’s just that she’s not my type.

A present eh… Ryan is rich. I could take full advantage of this and loot him for all he got. Yet again, Luke would kill me if he found out I’d let someone buy something that I asked them for. After that he would ask James to clean up the mess.

“Never mind.” That was the best answer I could think of. Better refuse the offer than having my brother murder me. “This is already nice enough” I took a sip of my soda. I tasted sweet yet a little sparkly like that feeling that you get with just a little electric shock in my mouth.

Ryan tilted his head. I could never know what he’s thinking. He frowned for a second and then, he just leaned back on his chair.

“Fine then,” he said looking at the wooden brown ceiling. He resumed his regular position and leaned in closer to me and gave me a grin. “I’ll get you a girlfriend”

Nick suddenly dropped the knife in front of me whilst Sam choked on her soda. I didn’t realize he was there. His mouth was wide open. I could feel my face burning up. 

 Ryan just maintained his stone-faced grin resting his chin on his right hand.

“You’re kidding right?” I asked him but he seemed quite serious.

“How about Genie Westford?” Ryan pointed out in the air.

“The cheerleader?” Nick sounded wary as he sat down next to me facing Ryan. Sam rolled her eyes. “That’s very generous of you knowing how she goes gaga over you” Nick reached out for the knife.

I looked down on the table and thought maybe that would be nice. I’ve never been with anyone before. Plus, if I did get a girl on my birthday at least Luke wouldn’t kill me. A girl isn’t an object or some sort. But she is still a girl and if I did get Ryan to make her go out with me, it would feel like I’m objectifying her. That wouldn’t be great.

“No?” Ryan frowned again. I’m impressed how much thought he’d given to give me a present.

“How about a Justin Bieber album?” Sam suggested. The three of us gave her a disgusted look.  “Fine haters, no Bieber” she raised her hand in mock surrender.

“Can we just cut the cake? I’m hungry here.” I took the knife from Nick.

“Let’s start off with a traditional birthday song shall we?” Nick offered. “Guys come on. I’m 16” I shook them off knowing that they wouldn’t listen.  As they started singing, I dunk my head on the table.

If I didn’t die of embarrassment, I would surely die tomorrow at school if words got out about this. Once they were done with it, I looked up at them with a grudging smile. They were all grinning like drunken teens that are also high on cocaine. I’ll make them pay for this.

“Let’s just get on and cut the cake.” I took the knife and cut the first slice slowly. Pushing the knife through the soft 3 layered chocolate cake covered in chocolate glazed and topped with strawberries. I handed each of the slices to my friends before putting one on my own plate.

I took a bite of that cake and that funny feeling crept into me again. The same one I had about the sweater men at the corner of the diner.

‘Chocolate is bad for you. Stop eating it’

‘Shut up you’

‘Didn’t say we didn’t warn you’

‘Shut up’

‘Stubborn boy. You can’t even sense that you’re in danger let alone you’re eating danger. Idiot’

“I said SHUT UP!” I shouted out loud. That came out louder than I expected. My friends all looked at me worriedly. Ryan stopped mid air with his fork where as the others have a concerned look.

“Are you okay?” Nick asked and I just nodded in response. That was embarrassing. The gang knows when no to pressure me if I didn’t want to. They would just kept quiet like usual and continue on with everything like nothing had ever happened.

“Hey, hey, how about we go to the mall after this?” Sam asked looking super excited. She had always loved shopping even for an emo-ghetto kind of girl. Normally we would join her whilst she and Ryan are the only one actually doing the shopping and me and Nick would be, well… window shopping.

“What are you going to get?” Nick raised his eyebrows. Sam puffed her cheeks making her looked like a guppy out of water. “I’m going to get Jake a present of course.”

“I told you guys already. I’m fine with just this.”

“That’s what you always say. That’s why we’re going to get you lots of brand new clothes” Sam insisted. Ryan pulled out a notebook and a pen from his jacket and started writing something down. “I would insist we go to this new shop, Debenhams. It just opened up right at the corner of the 2^nd floor.” I was stunned and as stiffed as a statue. “Oh and…” He kept on writing the list of shops in his notebook.

At his rate I’ll be broke in no time. I took out my wallet and counted my remaining cash.  I have at least around a hundred dollars left. I turned to Nick for help but he kept on eating like none of this bothered him even a bit.  He took the fork out of his mouth pointed at me and smiled.

“How about we just go tomorrow?”He said with a smile.

“Why not today?” Sam crossed her arms

“Because tomorrow’s a weekend and we’ll have all day long” Nick assured her. Sam didn’t seem happy about it. She gave it a second and then nodded. I was hoping that would mean she’d agreed instead of meaning she knows how to persuade us.

“Fine, then…” Sam decided. “But tomorrow, you’ll do exactly as I say and buy exactly what I’ve chose got it?” She pointed her fork at me. I gave in knowing that if I don’t there’s a pretty good chance she’ll skewer me.

We continued eating, at least me of course, Sam, Ryan and Nick kept on talking about tomorrow. I turned my gazed to the corner of the diner where the four men were sitting. One of them was looking straight at me and then he quickly changed his focus when he saw that I was also looking at him.

Run kid run.

There’s that annoying voice again. Now you might be thinking I’m going crazy or something by this time around aren’t you? Well, the thing is everyone has conscious and I just so happened to have one that could like say, communicate with me. It first appeared when I was six, not long after my parent’s death. When Luke found out, he scolded me for not telling him. I told him it was nothing but he acted up. He had James check me up, not that he’s a certified doctor but Luke trusted him more than anyone. James deducted that it was just the subconscious part of my mind trying to keep me company after my parent’s death.

Now you try having a voice in your head and people think you’re crazy then we’ll see how you feel.

What now? I asked it

Men in sweaters are trouble, especially the one with the stick.

You’re trouble.

Suits you.

I let my curiosity delve inside and decided to ask Nick about it.  “Hey man” I nudged him and he responded with a blink “Is it just me or those guys over there are plain creepy with a murder sense?”

“Everyone to you is creepy with a sense of murder Jakey.” Even though he said that with a straight face he kept on glaring at the men.

“Hey, Ryan, Sam, can you guys joined me at the counter? I want to order a whole batch of nachos and grilled chicken to bring back home”

The three of them stood and head for the counter. I kept my eyes fix at the four men. Just then, four of them stood up as well. Two of them stood at the door, hand at front like in those movies when the guards would stand at the door sending a clear message that nobody leaves or dies.

I've watched enough movies to know what it means. The other two men, stick guy at the front escorted by miniature bold guy at the back, walks to the front slowly. Wait, not to the front, they’re walking towards me.

Stick man looked right at me and the first thing that I noticed was his eyes. They were pitch black. Every molecule in my body wanted to run but there was something about him that I know quite well that makes my body powerless to do anything like my whole body just shuts down leaving only my brain and heart to run. Fear. That’s it. He was radiating fear.

RUN KID RUN!

The voice in my head shouted but I could hear a hint of fear in it. I understood just well when Stick Guy unsheathed the black leather wrapping and I saw a slight shine. That’s not a stick. That’s a knife.

He let the cloth fell down to the floor revealing a very long blade with a black wooden handle. It looks like a machete but the blade itself was polished silver with symbols engraved on it. The edge of the blade was very sharp and I could easily tell it would be really easy to make sushi using the knife, if it was out of me!

“Reaper, we found you at last.” Stick Guy spoke. His voice sounded ancient and deep. And unlike any human being, his voice sounded like an echo through the wall bouncing in every direction.

I froze in my seat and watched as the men changed form. His skin shed and aged like a thousand years had passed for them. Their sweaters melt into their skin revealing a corpse-pale skinny body figure with bones jotting out. Their heads were bald but grumble like those road tars if you look at them closely. Their face remained old but their black eyes weren’t actually eyes. They were black sockets.

Stick Guy raised his blade in the air ready to strike when something flew passes me and landed in his chest. The Stick Guy has been stab with a dagger with a wooden hilt. I turned around to see where it came from and I saw Ryan standing with another dagger in his hands. Ryan looked at me and sighed.

“Don’t you know when to run?

to be continued...