-Chapter 12: Demons-

-Jessie-

"What have I done? Why did I say that? Good going Jess, you fucked up big time." These thoughts kept me up all night. What was I going to say? I thought about talking to him once I got to school, but as I stand at my locker, I started to get second thoughts. I take a deep breath and make my decision. I'm going to try to talk to him.

I find myself walking to Zeke's locker, and I see him there just as he was getting ready for the next class. I take one last deep breath and walk over.

"You have a lot of nerves coming up to me after what you did." He said, hatred emanating from him.

"I-I'm so sorry." I apologize. "For what I said."

He purposely slams his locker and turns to face me. He had a fire in his eyes.

"Sorry doesn't BEGIN to cover it!" He yells. "You think I'm just gonna stand here and take your worthless apology?!"

I don't reply, and Zeke walks off. I turn around and see Kris standing behind me. She shakes her head sadly. I feel tears starting to form, and I run to the bathroom and into a stall. I knew my words got to him. I knew he wouldn't be happy to see me. I didn't think he'd lash out like that. I just didn't expect it. I guess I deserved it, though.

I walk out of the stall to wash my face, but instead, I almost run right into Kris, the second to last person I wanted to run into.

Oh shit.

"Look, Jess, I-." She started to say.

"I know I fucked up. I know, you have to say anything. I tried to apologize, but you saw what happened." I interrupted.

Kris sighs. "Give him time."

I looked up at her in disbelief. After what I'd done, how could he ever forgive me?

"H-how much time?" I ask.

"I don't know." She replied.

"Are...you mad at me?" I ask her, dreading the answer.

"No," Kris replies. "Just disappointed."

Gee that helps a whole bunch.

"..oh," I say. "I'm gonna go."

Kris grabs my arm before I can walk away.

"Just... give him time," Kris says with a small, sad smile. "Try to talk to him little by little. Just not right now."

"That doesn't excuse what I said, Kris," I say. "He'll still hate me."

"It doesn't excuse what you said." She explains. "But if you explain what was going on, he'll probably listen."

"I-I don't understand." I struggle to say.

"It's just how he is," Kris says.

"W-we should probably get to class now," I say weakly.

"Probably." She agrees.

I just want to go home.

---------------

-Zeke-

"Slater, turn the fuck around and face me pussy," Rafe called out as I walked into the hall.

I wasn't threatened. I didn't stop walking away. He was bothering me all morning. Today wasn't a good day for this.

"Do you wanna fucking die, Zeke?" Rafe snapped. "I said, turn around."

I stopped at that comment. He's going to regret that.

"Rafe. I've been dead since the day I got here." I hiss. "Try me; I dare you."

I took off my bag and stayed where I stood. This hadn't been the first time Rafe had threatened me like this. It was, however, the first time he actually went through with it.

"You're gonna regret that," Rafe said, following my move and taking his backpack.

"Will I?" I stood my ground. "Come and get me."

He was skin and bones; he couldn't take me in a fight. Don't get cocky, Slater. Rafe swung first, poorly, but first. I easily dodged. Before he could throw another one, I pushed him up against a locker.

"I suggest you stop while you can," I tell him while pushing his arm into a more uncomfortable position.

I let him off the locker and punch him in the jaw. For whatever reason, people gasp, and I look around to see who it was, and I see a few kids holding the teachers back. I laugh a little before grabbing my things and running off. I run for a bit more before I turn a corner and collide with someone.

"Shit, sorry," I say quickly before seeing exactly who it was I had just run over.

"It's fine," Cassie said, rubbing her head. "You ok?"

"Yeah," I say before helping her to her feet. "Look, I'll explain it later, but right now, I gotta get outta here."

I help her up without another word and make my getaway.